Wise Words

 “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Proverbs 17:28).

I have a terrible time keeping my mouth shut.  So much so that I’ve metaphorically tattooed a lock on my lips and I can’t open them until I’ve scrolled through the combination.   By then – to the delight of those around me – I’ve had time to weigh what I say or remain silent.

“A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul” (Proverbs 18:7).

The Bible calls a fool undisciplined, quarrelsome, senselessly improper, stupid, shameless, morally undesirable, and thoughtless.  Most alarming of all, wisdom is “beyond the grasp of a fool.”   

Why is it so hard to keep undisciplined, quarrelsome, inappropriate, thoughtless, ignorant comments to ourselves?  I think it’s because our motives are selfish.  We want to please people. We want people to admire us, and we want to control everything so we’ll feel safe.  Friends, this is like playing tug-of-war with the devil.  It keeps us focused on overcoming him, the master of foolishness!  Christ already did that.   

 Proverbs 8:12 says, “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.”  People of discretion are mature, self-controlled, understanding, sensible, of sound and prudent judgment, slow to anger; thoughtful, careful and cautious in their dealings with others.  We learn to be discreet by focusing on Christ, the master of discretion.

“A fool’s soul is always dancing on the tip of his tongue.” (From A World Treasury of Folk Wisdom , Feldman & Voelke, 1992).

People know who we are by what we say, and offhand comments change the course of history every day.  Living to pleasing God leaves no room for foolishness, and wisdom will be ours.

Father, using discretion in our speech will impact our social gatherings, family dynamics, and, most important of all, Your kingdom.  Give us the wisdom to be discreet – not so we will be admired or elevated in the eyes of others, but so we will be a reflection of Your glory, amen.

Sandra Milholland

Abilene, Texas

Something's Stirring in the Duck Blind

Duck Dynasty has been a household word for the past couple of years.

Recently, Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family set off a firestorm of conversation touching everything from first amendment rights to hate speech to how tolerance/intolerance works in America.  It has been interesting to watch the banter over his remarks.

Setting aside the debate about the “wording” of his remarks for the moment, it has been fascinating to analyze this event as the blogs, tweets, radio and talk shows allow opinions to collide on the national stage.  It’s not about freedom of speech.  He exercised that freedom.  It’s really about the theology and ethics represented in his remarks.  By now it should be dawning on us as a nation, and Christians in particular, that the ground of meaning and dialogue is shifting beneath our feet because of how the winds of tolerance blow. 

Secularists have vehemently opposed the faith motif that is sewn carefully into each episode of Duck Dynasty.  More to the point, they have turned up the volume on expressing their disdain for the show hoping that syndicates would come to their senses and “pull the plug.”  The real issue fueling the “presenting concerns” has been nothing more than a hatred for Christian ideas.  And now, on the heels of this most recent event, a platform has been built from which the entire enterprise can be hung and neatly discarded. 

As the proverbial snowball of outrage hurls down our cultural hill, it is fascinating to watch all the things that the big ball picks up on its way to the bottom of the hill.  What is more, the “issues” that people will bring up in favor of sending the show as well as the family’s public appearances into oblivion will not be the real issues.  They will bear similarity to other moments in late and recent history that have contributed to the demise of a person, group or entity that made them think about how they live their lives. 

 

Do you remember the charge the chief priests and scribes brought against Jesus?  “He forbids people to pay taxes to Caesar and claims to be a King.”  Jesus’ accusers believed wholeheartedly that the messiah, would indeed put an end to the Romans and give Caesar notice that he was not “in charge.”  They were convinced Jesus was not the “One.”  In fact, he ran at counter-purposes with the ruling Jewish bodies and their traditionalism.  When he is arrested, it happens as the culmination of a strategic process that had been ripening for some time (Mark 3:1-6).  They rejected him because he claimed to be the messiah and was amassing a great following.  And Pilate knew that to be the case.  “For he was aware that they delivered him up because of envy” (Mark 15:10).  But savvy legalists in their number knew the “real beef” with Jesus wouldn't be enough to get a decree of execution from Pilate.  So, they brought pressure to bear.  “They stirred up the crowd” Mark says.  Pilate, being the politician that he was (no ruler in Judea in those days wanted political flash fires burning here and there), tried to pawn Jesus off on Herod who sent him back to Pilate for “processing.”  Pilate, ingeniously, draws on a Passover tradition:  “Here’s two criminal types – you pick which one dies” (Mark 15:6-15).  The crowd screamed, Pilate heard them, he washed his hands, and Jesus was neatly sent away.  Pilate restored peace.  The Jewish leaders got their execution.  But, shortly after breakfast that morning, God’s purposes moved forward undetected by the vast majority.

Do cultural “moments” like this most recent one rank up there with the trial and death of the Savior?  No.  But, it reminds us once again that righteousness is often destroyed under a different name.  I think we are witnessing, again, the trampling of righteousness in the name of a lot of things because of a confronted conscience choosing anger and arrogance over repentance and humility.

Retailers, talk shows, syndicates, booking agencies….the whole lot will likely feel the pressure.  Ultimatums will challenge the profit bottom line.  Decisions will be made.  That’s the business part of it.  But, that’s not the real story.  It never is.

I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Romans in Romans 1:18-21:

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

In fact, read all the way through verse 32. 

Jesus words can serve us well, too.

¹³ But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth (John 17:13-18).

Father, give us wisdom to know how to speak in each moment so that your word and the Lordship of your Son are honored.  Give us the courage to speak what we need to speak with no thought of what man may do to us.  May our words and lives honor you above all things.  For from you, through you,and to you are all things.  Amen. 

Randy Daugherty, Stephenville, Texas

THE LORD’S SUPPER- WHEN? (No. 4. - Final)

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…”    (Acts 20:7)

            Jesus’ church in its beginning was d

evoted to the teaching of the inspired apostles. (Acts 2:41f.)  Thus they met on the first day of every week to break bread in Jesus’ memory.(1 Corinthians 16:1f; 11:23-34; 4:17; Hebrews 10:25.)  Luke records (Acts 20:1:1ff) that in Troas they met on “the first day of the week to break bread”. (V. 7.)  Though Paul and his company had been in the city for

“seven days”, and were “in a hurry to reach Jerusalem”, they did not meet at

Jesus’ table on any other day than “the first day of the week”. (vs. 6, 16.)

            Church historians from the second century A.D. onward confirm this to be the biblical practice.  Justin Martyr. In his Apologia 1:67,  writing about 140 A.D. observed: “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the Memoirs of the Apostles or the Writings of the Prophets are read, as long as time permits, then when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.  Then we all rise together and pray, and as we before said when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgiving, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying amen, and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.” 

            George P. Fisher, (History of the Christian Church, pp. 67, 68), describing worship “in the second century”, writes, The ordinary practice was for the communion to be received on Sunday of each week.”

            Augustus Neander (Lutheran) comments in his History of the Christian Religion and Church (Vol. I, p. 332): “As we  have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper was still held to constitute an essential part of divine worship every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A.D. 150)…”

            John Wesley (Methodist), in a memorable “Christmas letter”, read on

December 24, 1784 in Baltimore, Maryland, wrote to “Dr. Cope, Mr. Francis

Asbury, and our brethren in America…I have learned from reading the New Testament that  Christian people ought to observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week…”

This was Jesus’ command through his inspired apostles. ((Matthew 28:1820;  Acts 2:42.)  Uninspired history confirms this weekly observance, each Sunday.  Jesus’ church today is guided by Jesus’ authority in this memorial – in its significance,  its manner of observance, and in its weekly observance  each Sunday, and only on Sunday. 

Tedd Kell, Brownwood, Texas

Prayer: It's Right in Front of Us

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountain to pray, and spent the night praying to God (Luke 6:12).


How many nights have you spent praying to God? If you’ve spent even one, I salute you. I can count on one hand the nights I’ve spent in prayer by taking one finger and one thumb…to form a great big zero!

I’ve never spent an entire night praying, but the number of nights I’ve lain awake fretting are too numerous to count. Dark hours of anxious fear, heart heavy with sadness and worry…I’ll bet you have, too.

How was Jesus able to pray all night long? He had religious leaders dogging him. They hated him and wanted him dead. Multitudes of the curious and needy pressed him daily for signs and begged for favors. A large group of disciples followed him everywhere, hanging on his every word, but they rarely understood him. In their spiritual shortsightedness he was larger than life, and consequently smaller than the Heavenly King he really was.

At the end of “one of those days” in Jesus’ life he did what came naturally. He prayed. Luke 22:44 says of Jesus, “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” The Greek word for anguish tells us that Jesus knows what it’s like to be in dire straits, crushed between a rock and a hard place. He suffered every distress we can think of and some we can’t even imagine.

Like watching a bad movie, we lie awake at night playing and replaying our grievances, anxieties and worst fears.

Loving Heavenly Father, through Jesus who knows, forgive us for neglecting your precious gift of prayer, and thank you for the peaceful rest that’s ours because of your active presence in our lives. Amen.

Sandra Milholland
Abilene, Texas

Come On In!

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24

Life is lived better with friends.  They can say things to us that nobody else has “permission” to say.  Why?  Because we know they are our trusted companions in life.  When they speak, we know they have our best interests in mind.  And, when life chips away at our strength, they are the people we seek out for renewal and perspective.  They just have a knack for knowing how to walk with us in an understanding that others can't and don't.  

As the writer of Hebrews comes alongside his struggling readers, he shows them a side of Jesus that perhaps they (and we!) had forgotten.  He throws the curtain back and shines the spotlight on Jesus' magnificence. He is the “better” everything.  His sacrifice was final and complete.  Afterwards...He sat down at the right hand of the majesty in the heavens.  Big truths they needed to remember!   

But there is more. 

The writer reminds them that Jesus has not orphaned them.  His ministry in their behalf continues even in the heavenlies.  He celebrates the fact that Jesus“entered heaven for us” (9:24).  The purpose of his suffering was to bring many sons to glory (2:9-10).  Moreover, he is nor ashamed to call them his brethren (2:13).  In fact, he lives to make intercession for them (7:25)!

But it gets better.

In 4:14-16 he says,

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

One of Satan’s most destructive tools is discouragement and negative self-talk. I’m not talking about ignoring repentance and living the easy life.   It’s the other side of sin I'm referring to.  It's the leftover stuff…the residue that lingers after we have poured our hearts out to God but “feel” (and I stress the word “feel”) that God doesn’t want us around...period!  Our faith experience is similar to the person who swims laps with an extra forty pounds strapped to their legs.  Fatigue sets in.  We hear the call to swim but eventually find ourselves sitting on the bottom of the pool!  How we see ourselves and feel about our value as persons can be determined by distorted notions of God. Distorted notions of what it means to live in relationship with God paralyze us leaving us with hope in one hand and despair in the other!  We live out our days biting our finger nails wondering if God gives a rip about us.  Can you identify with that?

That’s where Hebrews 4:14-16 helps us!  It plainly says that Jesus, the great high priest, understands our weaknesses.  He knows firsthand what it is like to be “human.”  AND, he doesn’t want us to run away from the throne “of grace”;  He wants us to RUN TO IT!  We can drag our stuff - whatever it is - before this greatest of high priests knowing that he not only understands but wants us in his presence for strength and healing.

I love the old hymn entitled “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus.”  We know the words, but do we truly know its ministry of heart and spirit?

Here it is:

1 There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases,
No, not one! No, not one! 

2 No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!

3 There’s not an hour that He is not near us,

 No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! No, not one!

4 Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! No, not one!

Refrain:
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one! 

Now, that’s a real friend.

Father, may we allow the truth about yourself and your Son’s ministry in our behalf to fill our hearts especially, when doubts arise and Satan comes against us with lies about what you truly want for each of your sons and daughters.  Our friend in heaven can be counted on to help and strengthen us.  Train our hearts to come with confidence, for it is our right as those He calls brethren.  Thank you Father!

Randy Daugherty, Stephenville, Texas

Think Before You...

Before the days of social media, before the days of cell phones and text messages, people spoke to each other in person. This may come as a shock, but the primary mode of communication used to be person-to-person, face-to-face. In those days, the rumor mill ran through the aisles of the supermarket, in the sitting room of the next-door neighbor's house, across booths in the local diner. Gossip is an old thing. Centuries old, in fact, according the textbooks I've been reading about medieval British culture. There are entire books written about women as gossips in the Middle Ages, but it goes back further than that. 

Have you taken a look lately at what scripture says about gossip? See James 3:8-10:

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

Sadly, the impulse to gossip has not lessened, and because of our flashy technologies today, gossip happens in more revolting ways than we have seen before. In seconds, the world can find out a piece of information that was supposed to be private or secret. You can tweet it. You can update your Facebook status. You can send out a group text. Years ago, I remember getting a text message from a girl I hadn't talked to in months. Completely out of the blue, the text said: "Hey, did you hear that so-and-so came out of the closet?" She could have sent that text message out to twenty other people, and in a matter of minutes, "so-and-so" would've had dozens of people discussing something deeply personal and difficult to reveal while hiding behind their cell phones. 

Worse still, there are private chat rooms. You can create an alias and hide behind it on Twitter or Facebook. Using this, you can say whatever you want about anyone, and it is very likely that it will never come back to you. The modes of communication that we have access to today promote one thing over all others: cowardice. We are too cowardly to have self-control--we can get on a computer or cell phone, frantically type something out in a moment of anger or sadness or fear, click "send" or "post," and say things we wouldn't dream of saying in person to someone, because there are rare repercussions for things we post on social media. We are too cowardly to call people up and communicate our feelings in person--Facebook pages like "Stephenville Confessions," for example, allow us to rail on people and degrade people and disrespect them with our words without anyone knowing. It allows the emotional release, but we can expect no consequences in return. These modes of communication have given us the opportunity to become more cowardly, uncontrolled, reckless versions of ourselves, and require no apology or consideration for what might happen as a result of what we've said. 

Proverbs 18:21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” 

What might we be killing when we recklessly send a text, post a status, or tweet something? Hmm. A person's entire reputation? A relationship? Someone's self-confidence? For me, personally, the more tweets and statuses and posts I read that degrade people, my faith in humanity--and Christians--dies a little bit more. Because that's the sad part. Christians do this everyday. And, worse still, adult Christians do this everyday. Every time you gossip about someone, regardless of the form in which you do it, you take that person's reputation and dignity into your own hands and you taint it. When you gossip, you are deeply affecting another person's actual life. 

There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. As Christians, we never, ever get to skip out on the effort and wisdom that is required to know when it's time for which one. Self-control is hard, but it's necessary, and more importantly, we're commanded to exercise it. God created language, and God created our tongues. A tongue is apart of the body, and Romans 12:1 begs us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as our spiritual act of worship. Our tongues are not exempt from this expectation. 

"Think before you speak" is certainly considered a cliche. That doesn't make it less true. Think before you speak. Think before you text. Think before you tweet, post, blog, and call. Think, discern, and then if you speak, speak out of truth and love. 

Erin Daugherty, Abilene, Texas

Is My Way the Right Way?

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. — Proverbs 16:25

I've learned, after 41 years of walking with the Lord, that just because I can get something to work, it doesn't make it right.

The verse from the word of God above is a warning that although there is a way that seems right to us, in the end it leads to death. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He wants us to get our hearts in the right direction for our own protection. Think about the times when we were children and we wanted something from our parents. We would act a certain way or do anything we could to cause them to cave and give in.
When we weaken someone's will to get what we want, we really are not winning anything. When we study someone, because we want to learn how to manipulate them, we have lost in love and have lost a blessing from God. Let’s look at how to make things right and do things in a way that gets us closer to God, closer to one another, and put our hearts at perfect peace.

If you're ready for a beautiful day, embrace these treasures of truth.

1.      Instead of trying to prove my point I need to prove my love.

2.      Instead of being right, I need to practice doing right to bring glory to God.

3.      Lay down my rights for someone else.

4.      Lay down my will for God’s will.

Remember the story of Jonathan and David. Jonathan was the son of King Saul and next in line to the throne, but God had anointed David to be the next king. Jonathan cared more about God’s will than his rights. Because of this, Jonathan had a cherished relationship with David and he was blessed by God.

If you are struggling with a relationship decide to put these truths into action and you will be blessed.
Father God, help me to discern what is actually right from what appears to be right. Thank you for your Word that helps me discern right from wrong. Protect me from being deceived. I ask for wisdom. Guard my heart and direct me in everything I do. Amen.

Terry Smith  Stephenville, TX

The Holiness of God

Isaiah 6 records a vision of God in the temple.  Isaiah tells what he saw.  ‘I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”  At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 

Revelation 4 records a vision of heaven.  This is what John saw.  ‘Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.  Around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”  The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

One of the best songs we sing in worship is the song entitled ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’.  It contains these words of adoration to God.  ‘Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.  The consistent response from humanity in Scripture to God’s holiness is a response of fear and trembling, with a recognition of one’s weakness and neediness.

A word that has become vogue or stylish in our society today is the word ‘awesome’.  We use the word to describe almost anything.  A pair of shoes, a hamburger, a movie, a football game, a car.  You name it—we think it is awesome!!!  A milkshake, a haircut, a speech.  We need to rethink the word ‘awesome’.  The God who created heaven and earth and everything in it—the God who willingly sacrificed His own Son for humanity is AWESOME!!!!  He is our holy God.  He deserves the recognition that He deserves.

Prayer:  Father, please let me worship You as the AWESOME GOD that you are.

Terry Brown, Abilene, Texas

Plowing New Ground

Jesus said, “Anyone who begins to plow a field but keeps looking back is of no use in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Looking back at what we left behind for Christ limits our ability to enter His kingdom.  Holding on to pieces of our old life clouds our spiritual vision resulting in an earthbound destination rather than a spiritual journey.  To have a true longing for and realization of heaven and to have an intimate relationship with Christ will not happen unless we give up everything for Him.     

It is impossible to live Jesus' teachings of turning the other cheek, going another mile, not storing up earthly possessions, and loving our enemies, just to name a few, (Matthew 5-7) unless our lives are lived seeking and knowing the Spirit filled life is real. Earthly thinking justifies retaliation, causes us to pass by on the other side of those in need, empowers us to rely on our own wealth, and results in loving only ourselves.  True life is discovered only when looking beyond this world while still living in it.  We each must take this step to unlock this wonder.  Only then do the things Jesus says make any sense.  

The freedom, peace, and joy of the gospel are experienced when we stop playing it safe.  We must give in, buy in, step off, step out, and dive head first into the wonder and reality of God's miraculous gift that has nothing to do with here.  His kingdom is not of this world.  Following Jesus is a choice of all or none. It is plowing the new ground of trusting only in Christ’s Way to a blessed, abundant life regardless of our circumstances.  If I look back attempting to keep a foot in both worlds I will never experience this richness.   To the extent I seek is the extent I will find. 

 “No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.” 

Matthew 6:24

“Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.” Matthew 6:33

 “Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

“But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.”  Matthew 7:14

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her.” 

 Luke 10:41-42

Father, increase our faith.  Give us a longing for You not held back by any attachment to this physical life.  Lead us to the open door of Your incredible storehouse of spiritual blessings.  In Jesus name.

Scotty Elston

Shallowater, Texas

A Fallen World: Blinded by Darkness

But whosoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

I John 2:11

This scripture grabbed my attention recently.  Being blinded by darkness is an unusual phenomenon, worthy of pondering.  I usually think of being blinded by bright lights, stumbling around in the darkness until my eyes adjust and I can see again.  But John says that whoever has animosity, maliciousness, and hatefulness towards his brother is blinded by darkness so dense he’s lost in it. 

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.  John 1:5.

Hate, anger, violence; sarcasm, greed, dishonesty; fear, dread, angst – you can add to the list – thrive in darkness.  Our sensibilities are assaulted by these dark forces every day from every direction.    

How many times have you heard, “We live in a fallen world,”?   It’s our shorthand for “Satan is alive and well; that explains it.”  And it’s true that the devil’s influence is active, but he can only wreak as much havoc as humans allow, and he only works in the dark.  

When I feel anxious about the injustices and inhumanities of this world, the death and destruction peddled by fear-mongers, I find peace in the truth that God is more powerful than the power of darkness

…now the prince of this world will be driven out  (John 12:31).  …the prince of the world now stands condemned (16:11).  For he [Christ] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness…  (Colossians 1:13).  …he [Christ] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds power over death – that is, the devil… (Hebrews 2:14b).  

Praise God, there is a bright side.  The Light is on.  The Light rules.  The Light is available for those who choose it.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12.  …I will fear no evil for you are with me…Psalm 23:4.          

Dear God, it’s with humility that we thank you for the ability to recognize darkness for what it is – an absence of your Light.  We choose to walk in your Light.  Give us courage and wisdom to reflect your light into dark places, not for our glory but for yours.  Amen

Sandra Milholland, Abilene, Texas

THE LORD’S SUPPER – WHEN? (No. 3.)

SUNDAY WORSHIP IN TROAS

            “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.  Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.”   (Acts 20:7.)

           

Jesus’ church met every Sunday to remember Him at his table.  The night of his betrayal, when He instituted the memorial supper, He ordained, “…that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom…” (Luke 22:30.)  Christ’s church, upon its beginning in Jerusalem, is reported to have “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42.) The apostles taught the church to meet together on the first day of every week (Sunday) to eat the Lord’s Supper.( Hebrews 10:25;  1 Corinthians 16:1, 2;  11:20-33.)

The Apostle Paul’s week in Troas (Acts 20:1ff) reflects this weekly observance of Jesus’ memorial feast.  Paul was enroute to Jerusalem at the close of his third missionary journey.  Luke, the inspired historian, joined Paul in Philippi (Macedonia, northern Greece).  He writes, “Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible by the day of Pentecost.” Acts 20:16.)  Paul had not arrived in Troas from Philippi until “…after the Feast of Unleavened Bread…” (v. 6)  There were fifty days between the feasts of Passover (or, ‘Unleaven Bread’, Cf. Luke 22:1.), and the feast of Pentecost, fifty days later.    The apostle had miles to go on his hurried journey, and five days had already been required just to sail from Philippi (Macedonia, northern Greece) to Troas (northwestern Turkey).

Two significant and helpful things in this report give us strong indication as to the day God has appointed for Christians to meet Jesus at his table.  Luke writes of Paul’s company (seven brothers in addition to Luke) in Troas, “…where we stayed seven days.  On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:6, 7.)  Paul “…was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem, if possible by the day of Pentecost.” (v. 16.)  Notwithstanding, he spent an entire week in Troas.  He evidently knew that the Lord’s Table would be prepared on “the first day of the week”.  If this were not the disciples’ habit, Paul could not have known whether the saints at Troas would commune that Sunday – or on another  “first day of the week”, a month, or six months, or a year later.  He knew that the churches communed with Jesus at his table the first day of every week.  

The other significant observation is that the disciples did not meet any other time to break bread.  Paul and his friends were in the city “seven days” an entire week. But, though they were hurrying in their travel to Jerusalem, the table of Jesus was not prepared on a Tuesday, a Thursday PM, nor upon any other day that week.  If the day of meeting “to break bread” were incidental, love and courtesy towards Paul and his travel plans would likely have chosen an earlier day and time, and allowed him to hasten on his journey. (He did that very thing leaving the next day after they had been brought together to break bread. (v. 7.) (Note: The verb we “came together” is a passive verb in the original text.  The disciples at Troas respected God’s authority which brought them together on that day.)

It would seem evident from this inspired account that the church of God in every place, led by the apostles, ate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week (Sunday), and only on that day.

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                              (Final Study: “The Testimony of Early Historians”)

Ted Kell

Brownwood, Texas

Preparing My Mind

Praise be to the God and Father of our mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things.  

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”     

1 Peter 1:3-16 NIV

I love this Bible text.  It is filled with hope and encouragement, yet challenges me to live up to His holy standard.  God asks me to prepare my mind to be holy.  The idea of preparation is an intentional process; making my mind ready for purposeful use.

I will prepare my mind because I know what God has done.  He has given me a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; he has promised me a heavenly inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade; he has provided a powerful shield of protection until his promises can be revealed; he provided knowledge for my faith, as he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow; and, he provided servants as a heritage of faith, until I could develop a faith of my own.

I will prepare my mind because I know what God will do.  He will help my faith to be proved genuine; he will allow me to express praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed; and, he allows me to be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, because I know with certainty I am receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul.

I will prepare my mind because I want what God wants.  Even though I have not seen him, I love him; even though I do not see him now, I believe in him; I will be moved to action and self-controlled; my hope will rest fully on the grace to be given me when Jesus Christ is revealed; and, I no longer want to conform to my evil desires.  I want to be holy in all I do.

Because of what God has done, what God will do, and what God wants me to do, I will prepare my mind for action.  What about you?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, please accept my praise to you for a living hope.  Thank you for what you have done and for what you will do.  Thank you for challenging me to be holy, as you are holy.   In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas

What are You Asking?

The Apostle Paul was a great man of prayer. In the letter to the Philippians, we get an insight into his prayers. Paul is suffering. Paul is in prison and is hurting. Paul has enemies who want to hurt him more. So he prays.

The surprise is not that he prays, but what he prays. Read Philippians 1:3-26. Paul’s prayer is:

 1.   A prayer of gratitude for the partnership        he has with the Philippians church.            Verse 5

 2.   That the church would succeed in their  Christian work. Verse 6

 3.   That their love would abound. Verse 9

 4.   That their knowledge and discernment would grow. Verse 9

 5.   That their lives would be pure and blameless before Christ. Verse 10

         Then, he prays about himself (about time).

 6.   He is grateful that his suffering has been useful in spreading the Gospel. Verse 12

 7.   He is grateful that his suffering has made the church more confident in the Lord. Verse 14

 8.   His suffering has made Christians bolder in their preaching. Verse 14

 9.   He is praying that Christ will be honored in His body whether by life or by death. Verse 20

He never gets around to complaining or seeking release. It is all about Christ using Paul’s situation for good. We have a lot to learn about prayer.

Dear Lord, when I compare Paul’s prayers to my prayers, I am ashamed. I complain too much. Beg for stuff too much. Basically, my prayers are too much about me. Please forgive me. Dare I ask you to use me for your glory. This terrifies and thrills me. Please, Lord, help me remove my fear; my selfishness. Help me to love what you love and be fruitful for you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas

Making Wise Choices

14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:14-15

 

Joshua led the new generation of Israelites into the promised land of Canaan after his predecessor,  Moses, had given his blessing to them. The parents of this group of people had not trusted the LORD to bring them safely into this promised land, so they were denied entrance. Forty years later, their children enjoyed the grace of the mighty LORD, the one true God.

My most recent ancestors have not worshiped idols described in the Bible verses from Joshua, so how does this apply to me today? There are other things that may pull us away from the LORD. We make choices every day. We choose to go to work or school. We choose to go to a movie, or to the store. We choose to take an opportunity to volunteer for a nonprofit organization. We choose to help someone in need. We might choose to lie or cheat.  (Satan is sneaky).  We have opportunities every day to "serve the LORD" rather than to serve our own purposes. We can multi-task and serve the LORD while at work or school, at the movie or the store, while volunteering or helping others. 

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Dear God, Thank you for leading me each day. You are willing even when I am weak. Please help me see the opportunities you present daily.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX

THE LORD’S SUPPER – WHEN? (No. 2.)

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim

the Lord’s death until he comes.”

`                           --The apostle Paul to God’s church in Corinth    (1 Corinthians 11:26)

The first comment God makes concerning the first  body of saved  men and women describes the commitment of their new life in Jesus Christ. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42; Cf. Vs. 36-41; 43-47.)  Two things of significance are noted:  Such praise sprang spontaneously from grateful hearts.  They were deeply thankful that God’s grace in Jesus had forgiven them of their sins and had given to them the gift of the Holy Spirit to live in their hearts. (V. 47;  Cf. 1 Peter 2:9, 10.)  In addition, and as the Lord Jesus had charged his apostles in respect to the new baptized disciples, the apostles taught them “…to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:18-20.)

The response of these new saints to “the apostles’ teaching” included their devotion   “…to the breaking of bread and to prayer…”.  “Breaking bread” was a familiar phrase.  Sometimes it described simply the eating of one’s daily food. (Cf. Acts 2:46;  Luke 24:28-35;  Acts 20:11.)  When mentioned in the context along with “the apostles’ teaching, and…the fellowship…and…prayer” (Acts 2:42), the act of “the breaking of bread” describes another avenue of devotion in worship. Also, it becomes evident that the inspired apostles gave instruction to the first- century Christians as to when they were to meet at the Lord’s table to break bread in his memory.  From the scriptures we learn:

There was a regular assembly for worship which saints were commanded not to forsake.  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some of in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.  Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?...It is a dreadful  thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  If some were “in the habit” of not meeting together  to  encourage one another through the avenue of worship, then there were  other s who did have “the habit”  - the regular meeting together to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  They were thereby reminded of the saving blood of the Son of God and of God’s marvelous grace by the Spirit’s revelation of “the gospel of God’s grace”. ”(Hebrews 10:24-31;  Acts 20:24.)

Saints met together every Sunday.  The apostle Paul taught (‘gave order to” A.V.)   the church of God in Corinth (in Achaia, southern Greece), as he had previously told the Galatian churches (central Asia Minor), “Now about the collection for God’s people:  Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.  On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2)  A habitual, weekly worship assembly “on the first day of every week…” was the Apostle’s habitual teaching in these churches in Asia, and in Europe.  More than once Paul would refer to his consistency in his teaching “…which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church…”  (1 Corinthians 4:17); “…This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.” (7:17.)

The saints came together to eat the Lord’s Supper.  When the Corinthian saints  abused  this purpose, the apostle reminded them, “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat…” (1 Corinthians 11:20.)  It should have been.  Thus Paul rebukes their irreverence. They were carelessly eating and drinking in a manner ill befitting Jesus’ revealed teaching…: “What shall I say to you?  Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!  For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:  The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘this is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me’ …In  the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this, when you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.  Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks that cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup…So then, my brothers, when  you come together to eat, wait for each other…(Vs. 17-34.)  

Now we can better understand Luke’s words from Troas, “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7.)  This was their habit which evidently they had learned from the apostles who were commissioned  by the Lord Jesus to teach baptized disciples “…to obey everything I have commanded you…”(Matthew 28:18-20.)  This was the habit of those taught by Jesus’ inspired apostles – their habit every Sunday to come “together to break bread”. Honoring  Jesus, and his apostles’ teaching, his church in succeeding centuries has followed the same Divine order by coming together  “the first day of every  week”, to “break bread and to drink the cup” in memory of Jesus.  (Acts 20:7.)

Ted Kell

Brownwood, Texas

The Lord's Supper - When? (No. 1)

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…”    (Acts 20:7)

Man needs to be reminded, more than he needs to be instructed,” one author wrote.  Maybe it is because we tend to know more, than we do.  Forgetfulness seems to be as damaging to us as is our ignorance.

So, Jehovah God has often urged us to remember Him, and his laws.  “Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you…” (Deuteronomy 4:23.)  He has established reminders, such as the annual feast of Passover, to help his servants to remember.  “And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who  passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’” (Exodus 12:26ff.)

Similarly, Christ Jesus, “…our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” for us.   (1 Corinthians 5:7.) For us to be redeemed from the power, guilt, and ruin of our sins, we needed “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”.  (1 Peter 1:18f.)  We must not forget the cost of our deliverance from sin!

Hence, “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body which is for you; ‘do this in remembrance of me’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘this cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26.)

“Whenever…” we eat and drink at Jesus’ table, we are to remember Him. When did the Lord Jesus say, through his apostles, that we are to eat the Lord’s Supper?  If He does not tell us, we ourselves are free to choose.  But if Jesus has made known his will in the New Testament, then we should respect  Him to whom  God has given “…All authority in heaven and on earth…”  

The apostles were therefore commanded by the Lord …to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit …teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20.)                                                        

                                                           

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(In three studies to follow, we will consider the nature of true worship revealed and established by Jesus through his apostles.)

Ted Kell

Brownwood, Texas 

His Joy - Our Strength

Happiness consists in tranquility of mind. ~Cicero

 

The Constitution of the United States names the pursuit of happiness as an unalienable right of men.

People do pursue happiness.

To be happy seems directly related to circumstances and environment. Joy, on the other hand, runs deep below the surface, regardless of the storms above.

Sorrow and tragedy fill the lives of people at every turn. May we focus on the joy He gives in this journey.

Hearts are strengthened and encouraged through many references to “joy” in Scripture.  The Psalms alone abound with verses relating to joy.  A selection follows bringing to remembrance many facets of joy.                                          

• But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you - (Psalm 5:11)
• You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand – (Psalm 16:11)                                  
• The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes – (Psalm 19:8)
• Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence – (Psalm 21:6)
• You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy – (Psalm 30:11)
• Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me - (Psalm 51:12)
• My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered – (Psalm 71:23)
• Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you – (Psalm 86:4)                          
• Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days – (Psalm 90:14)
• For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done – (Psalm 92:4)                         
• When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy – (Psalm 94:19)       
• Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy - (Psalm 96:12)
• Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart – (Psalm 97:11)
• Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy – (Psalm 98:8)
• Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart – (Psalm 119:111)
• The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy – (Psalm 126:3)
• Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy – (Psalm 126:5)
• May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy – (Psalm 132:9)

In this selection, various things express and connect us to the joy of the LORD.

• Refuge in Him, Trust in Him,
• Joy in His presence
• God’s:  precepts, consolation, salvation, His deeds, deliverance, statutes
• He clothes us in joy
• Nature sing for joy to their Maker:  trees, fields, rivers, mountains
• Tears will become joy
• Faithful sing for joy

Let us ponder the beautiful joy He bestows for the journey as we reach mountaintops and walk through the valleys with Him.  Seeing the daily sorrow around us, let us trust Him, in the depths of our soul, that His joy may flow.

A well-known verse, Nehemiah 8:10, references the joy of the LORD being our strength.  May we not forget this precious gift through His Holy Spirit.

Jesus speaks of joy, the authors who penned the New Testament write about joy.  Be fascinated and refreshed by a topical study of “Joy,” abundant treasures await you.

God of love, Source of joy,

May we remember Your goodness and provision for our every need and be thankful to You.  Your joy is our strength. Let us be an instrument powered by that joy, serving the needs of those around us.  Thank you, Father, for Your remarkable and exquisite gifts.  

In the name of Jesus, our Savior, Amen

Mischelle Oliver

Stephenville, Texas