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Birdwell Lane Church of Christ Big Spring, TX |
Weekly Thoughts - November 2008
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02 - I DON'T GET OLDER - I JUST MATURE 09 - BAPTISM AS A FIGURE 16 - WHAT IS UNITY? 23 - THE CHURCH 30 - THANKS |
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I DON'T GET OLDER - I JUST MATURE Someone said that getting old is not for wimps. Evidently this was someone who had begun to realize that age, and the slowing process that follows, prevented him or her from doing some of the things they did at one time. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that some of us who could be called “mature” come down so hard on some of the young, and the temptations that seem to overcome them in. We have aged past the point of being tempted in some of the same ways that they are. Age, has something to do with the physical problems that we encounter as we grow older. The muscles that functioned so well when we were younger, do not function as well now. This has been brought to mind recently by those of our number who have “heart procedures” of various types. These problems are serious, and our prayers are that they will be successful in meeting them, and that God will heal them. We all know it really takes a strong faith in the Lord to face these things and remain confident in the outcome. Paul put it this way: Corinthians 4:16-18 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. How do we handle problems, even the life-threatening ones that we have. I would suggest, with Paul, that we keep looking at the things which are not seen, the eternal things, to the home that God has for us. When we do this, nothing else really matters. Keep looking upward. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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BAPTISM AS A FIGURE
Peter clearly states baptism does also now save us. Baptism is NOT the Savior. Christ is the Savior. In 2 Kings 5, it was God’s power that saved Naaman from leprosy, but in a very real sense, the Jordan played a part, for he had to dip seven times in it. Baptism is an indispensable part of the human response to God’s grace. Without it we do not accept His grace. Biblical baptism then is necessary. Peter says it is “not the removal of dirt from the flesh.” It is the answer, the interrogation, the appeal to God for a good conscience. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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WHAT IS UNITY?
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THE CHURCH Looking at the church we must look to the fact that the early Christians certainly OBSERVED the ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, Lord’s Supper, Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7). There is however, one remarkable fact connected with the existence of the CHURCH OF CHRIST which is an additional factor in the problem. Whenever Christianity has been faithfully proclaimed, no CUMPULSION has been used to lead men to believe in Christ. Indeed, in all ages, for the most part, there has been no earthly advantage for men to become Christians. Not only so, but history will show that the Christian profession has often meant social ostracism, persecution, and even death. Both in regard to individual experience and to corporate life, opposition has had to be faced. Christianity has been checked and thwarted by civil and national authorities in almost every age. Whether in the Roman Empire or among barbaric hordes, attempts have been made to crush and destroy Christianity. But the RESULT has ever been to make the church stronger than before! In the New Testament we find Jews with all their monotheistic passion actually regarding Jesus of Nazareth as equal to God the Father, and this well within twenty-five years of the time at which He was put to death as a criminal. The FACT is so striking and even startling that it is scarcely surprising that attempts should be made to modify or break its force! But it resists all such attempts, and remains one of the most CONVINCING FACTS of early church history. Now if we are to have a real Christ and a real Christianity, back to the Bible and back to the Christ is the watchword of the pulpit in this generation. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU’VE DONE, I WILL THANK YOU, FOR ALL THAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO! FOR ALL THAT YOU PROMISED AND ALL THAT YOU ARE IS ALL THAT HAS CARRIED ME THROUGH, JESUS, I THANK YOU! This song that the young people sing at their devotionals means a lot to me. I wish we could or would sing it each Sunday morning. Jesus, I thank you. For what am I thankful? I am thankful to be alive, that God has seen fit to give me life and time to be here in Big Spring, Texas. I am thankful that God has given His Son to atone for my sins – Without Him; I would be nothing and have nothing. I am thankful for the church, for the Body of Christ. I am thankful that we have a family that stands by us, and helps us through the hard times. I am thankful that we can be open with each other and speak of our joys as well as our sorrows. I am thankful for my wife of 47 years. We have had good times and some that were not good, but being together makes it easier to handle the times that are not so good. I am thankful for my children and grandchildren. They are special. I know that you think your children and grandchildren are the best there is, but I know better. I am thankful that God has worked and is working in lives and families of all people I know and love. I am thankful for every man, woman and child in this congregation. You are special people trying to live for Christ in a un-Christian world. I am thankful for our freedom. I pray that we might continue to be free so that the Word may continue to flow freely. I am thankful for the struggles it takes to make us strong in the Lord. I am thankful for each of you, my friends, my brothers, my sisters and my family. FOR ALL THAT YOU’VE DONE, I WILL THANK YOU! FOR ALL YOU’RE GOING TO DO! FOR ALL THAT YOU PROMISED, AND ALL THAT YOU ARE IS ALL THAT HAS CARRIED ME THROUGH! JESUS, I THANK YOU! See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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