 |
Birdwell Lane Church of Christ Big Spring, TX |
Weekly Thoughts - December 2008
| <---- November 2008 | -- | January 2009 ----> |
|
07 - BARRIERS TO UNITY 14 - HAPPY IS HE 21 - GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE 28 - No Article This Week |
| |
|
BARRIERS TO UNITY When the Allies landed at Normandy and began their march to Berlin, they soon discovered that the Germans had built a number of barriers designed to prevent the Allies from reaching their goal. In like manner, Satan has thrown up barriers designed to prevent those who desire to follow Christ from being united. Satan is well aware that the Lord Jesus prayed fir oneness among His followers in order that the world might believe (John 17:20-21). He now has a number of barriers to prevent the religious world from ever being united. There are presently well over 400 denominations in existence with which he works his will to keep unity from ever being reached. One of the greatest of these is the widespread lack of Knowledge of God's will concerning unity. Yet Paul's plea in 1 Corinthians 1:10 was that we all be united, joined perfectly together in the same mind and the same judgment. Secondly, Satan uses the barrier of the failure to accept ONLY God's Word as our standard of authority. As long as religious people walk by different rules and different standards there will be different bodies (Amos 3:3). Third, Satan uses the barrier in an attempt to bind Old Testament law upon Christians. Ephesians 2:13 shows that it was through the abolishing of the old law that unity was brought about in the first place. Paul, in Colossians 2:14 shows that Christ died thereby blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross. Fourth, in order to achieve unity many must surrender their patriotism. Not their patriotism to the country, for that is commanded (Romans 13:1-7) -but rather their patriotism to causes, positions, and man-made religious institutions which are contrary to God's will. This certainly isn't all the barriers to unity but it does show the need to surrender our will in matters of religion to God's will that we might all be one. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
| |
|
HAPPY IS HE Webster says, "HAPPINESS is a state of pleasurable content with one's life." Happiness, therefore, is not a child of circumstances but a child of faith. A story has often been told of a fairy who came to the residence of a man who was resting after a hard day's work. The fairy said, "We hear that you are the happiest man in the world." The man who had finished his days work replied, "Not so, because I work so hard to provide for my family." The fairy then, as the story goes, took the man on a journey throughout the country and told him he might exchange places with anyone that he wished. He first chose a rich man. But when he was shown what it meant to be rich, he declined. Secondly, he chose a man of power in the government but when shown what it meant to have such power he again declined. He then said to the fairy, "You were right, I am the happiest man in the world and don't know it." HAPPINESS, THEREFORE, DOES NOT CONSIST OF MONEY. Happiness does not consist of power. The book of Ecclesiastes reveals the experience of Solomon who avowed that such does not bring peace of mind. Happiness is not found in giving ones self to the pleasures of this world. Moses refused the way of sin "choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." What then is happiness? Happiness consists of right thinking. The Bible says, "Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that has understanding" (prov. 3:12). Paul said, "Happy is he that judges not himself in that which he approves" (Rom. 14:22). He sums up the book of Philippians by telling us happiness and contentment come from right thinking (Phil.4:8). Happiness contests in right living. The Psalmist in referring to the prosperity and security of Israel said, "Happy is the people that is in such a case: yes happy is the people whose God is Jehovah" (Ps. 144:15). The preacher said, "This is the end of the matter: all has been heard: Fear God and keep His commandment: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecc. 12:13). Happiness consists in right conduct. The Bible says, "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but he that keeps the law, happy is he. BE HAPPY, BELOVED. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
| |
|
GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE "Grace to you and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ" 2Thessalonians 1:2 Kay and I want to take the time in this bulletin to say, "THANK YOU" for allowing us the honor of serving with you here at Birdwell Lane. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for being near and dear. Your words of encouragement, calls, cards and kindnesses have meant so much to us throughout the year. You have become not just the congregation where we serve but a family with whom we serve. You truly are a part of us. As this Holiday season takes off at full speed my thoughts for each of you can be summed up like this: If all I wish could be; Of all the great wishes in a Wonderful world, I'd only wish for three. And if I could have three wishes, And if my first wish came true, There'd be peace on earth good Will among men, And love in all that we do. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
| |
|
No Article This Week |
| |
Back to Index