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Birdwell Lane Church of Christ Big Spring, TX |
Weekly Thoughts - March 2009
| <---- February 2009 | -- | April 2009 ----> |
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01 - WHAT IS UNITY? 08 - THE MOST GLORIOUS MORNING 15 - THIS IS THE DAY 22 - THE ATTITUDE OF THE RIGHTEOUS 29 - CHRIST DIED ON CALVARY |
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WHAT IS UNITY? Is unity in religion something that can be understood by sincere people wanting to go to heaven? Is it possible for those of us who are only "average" in our thinking to grasp the principles of unity to the extent that we might be able to practice it? In order to better understand what unity is we should observe some things unity is not. Unity is not merely union where people or groups come together and still maintain their basic differences in doctrine. Unity is more than "togetherness" which some may practice in the name of unity. Unity is not a simple agreement between people. Nations may make covenants with nations but a look at the nations of the world which practice this indicates that unity is not produced in this way. Unity is not "looking the other way" or the practice of "toleration" between different groups. In our age of toleration there seems to be less real toleration than ever before between religious groups. What is unity? The Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines unity in the following way: "The state of being one; oneness; absence of diversity; unvaried or uniform character; oneness of mind, feeling among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement." Unity then is a oneness of purpose, effort and direction. It is a mental and spiritual agreement whereby two walk together (Amos 3:3). Unity with each other necessarily takes into consideration fellowship with God for how can a child of God walk with an unbeliever (II Cor. 6:14-15). Scriptural unity finds its example in the unity of the Father and the Son. Jesus prayed that His disciples would be one as He and His Father were one, even as Christ was in the Father and the Father was in Christ (Jn.17:20-21). Unity, real, scriptural unity, is to be desired but we must first have it with God before we can attain it here below. Therefore, we ask you the question: are you in fellowship with God? Is your life in harmony with His will, the New Testament. This MUST be the beginning. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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THE MOST GLORIOUS MORNING When the breath of God breathed upon Christ and changed His dead lifeless form into a living symbol of hope, all nature must have sung for joy. Think of the unbelievable power of God in restoring His Son to life again. Think of the grave clothes left behind, along with the stench of death. Think of the burst of new energy and life which exhilarated Christ and glorified His outward appearance so much that He was unrecognized by Mary Magdalene, the first to whom He appeared. Think of Him appearing to two men travelling that same day to a village called Emmaus, and to the eleven as they sat at meat. So great was their amazement—so great the joy! Think of the living hope which now dwells within our breasts because of the resurrection of our Lord! Just think! We, too, will be raised like Christ some day! See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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THIS IS THE DAY This verse has become one of my favorite verses. Every morning when I awaken, this scripture comes to mind. It has in a way come to possess me – I have claimed it for my own. I cannot describe the difference it has made in my whole attitude and the frame of mind with which I greet my new day. Wonder surges all through my being, and great thanksgiving fills my heart. If we could only accept everyday as a gift from God, really comprehending that He created every hour, then joy would automatically follow. What a fabulous present! Who can accept a gift of twenty-four hours and not have a grateful heart? Every day is ours, a day in which to express joy, a day to bubble over with rejoicing, a day to glow with happiness, a day to be radiant, a day in which to genuinely and sincerely glad. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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THE ATTITUDE OF THE RIGHTEOUS Within the halls of mankind there are few men whose portrait stands out as bright as that of Albert Einstein. Although a great scientist, he never failed to allow the complexities of this world to deter his knowledge of a higher being, one who created it all! Within the halls of science. Nehemiah understood the cost involved in serving God to the fullest, and he was willing to pay. Whether it be mockery (Neh. 4:1-3), physical harm (Neh. 4:7-8); or political pressure (Neh. 6:5-7), Nehemiah would not cave! He stood firm and finished the work that God would have him to accomplish. They wanted the apostles to stop preaching in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:17-18; 5:27-28), even willing to threaten and beat them if necessary (Acts 5:40), but the apostles cared not for their own reputation among men (Acts 4:20; 5:29). All this they did, not begrudgingly, but willingly and with joy (Acts 5:41). They did not waver in their responsibility and privilege of spreading the good news all over Jerusalem (Acts 5:42), and turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). May we heed good advice and follow these wonderful examples. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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CHRIST DIED ON CALVARY For that reason, greatly above and beyond all mountains, stands Calvary. For it was here that redemption was secured. Great is Sinai. Sublime in solitude, robed in clouds, shrouded in smoke, illuminated with fire, where, with heaven’s earthquake thunders rumbling amid the crags and gorges – where, with the lightening blazing in zigzag paths across the dark clouds, the law was given – commandments which are not the ghostly whispers of some pagan deity but the pronouncements of an eternal God. Grand is Horeb, where the bush, aflame with the glory of a descended Deity, defied the laws of conflagration (Exodus 3:3). And Hor, where, his spirit ready to wing its flight to realms of day, Aaron transferred his priestly robes to his son, and died (Numbers 33:38-39). And Pisgah, from whose lofty height Moses saw the land which God “sware unto Abraham” (Deuteronomy 34:4). And Ebal and Gerazim, from whose neighboring sides the blessings and the curses were read and accepted by Israel (Deuteronomy 11:26). And Carmel where God answered Elijah’s prayer and showed Israel that He alone and not Baal was God (1 Kings 18). And Tabor in whose shadow and one whose slopes the stars in their courses fought with Barak and his ten thousand men to overthrow Sisera and his hosts (Judges 5:20). And Moriah where, under the leadership of Solomon, one hundred and sixty thousand men toiled seven and one-half years to build the holy and beautiful temple. And triple-peaked Harmon where Jesus was transfigured, His countenance brighter than the sun, His garments whiter than snow. And Olivet of sweet farewell memories, where with clouds as His chariot and the wind as His steeds, He went back to God. BUT above and beyond all mountains as a skyscraper is above a dugout in height, as a tree is beyond a twig in fruit bearing, as a cannon is beyond a popgun in far-reaching power, is CALVARY. For there, God in crimson garments dressed, courted our love. There, at the interlocking of the ages, Christ put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, redeeming man from death unto life, canceling man’s debt of judicial obligation by an equivalent which afforded legal satisfaction – voluntarily passing under death’s dreadful shadow, though owing the law no debt. Astonishing - Christ’s teaching. Marvelous - Christ’s example. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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