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Birdwell Lane Church of Christ Big Spring, TX |
Weekly Thoughts - August 2009
| <---- July 2009 | -- | September 2009 ----> |
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02 - HEAVEN AND HELL 09 - NARCOTICS AND THE CHRISTIAN 16 - NARCOTICS AND THE CHRISTIAN - Part 2 23 - MEETING CHECK LIST 30 - ARE YOU IDLE? |
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HEAVEN AND HELL Hell. Is it a real place, or only a figurative word to illustrate an ideal? Hell is a place that the lost will go after judgment. Christ is the judge of the quick and the dead, for “the Father judges no man; but has committed all judgment unto the Son “(John 5:22). What will Christ use to judge humanity? He will not use Himself, but the word that God gave to Him and Christ gave to us. John 12:48 – “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” Judgment comes after death, “and as it is appointed for men to die once but after that the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27). In that day, a sentence will be pronounced from which there is no appeal and that goes into effect at once and forever. “And he shall separate one from another as the shepherd separated the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goat on his left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Then he shall say also to them on the left hand, “Depart from my, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:32). Thus, Hell and Heaven are both real locations and conditions for the eternal souls of men. See Ya Sunday, Ralph | ||||||||||||||||
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NARCOTICS AND THE CHRISTIAN I recently read an article about an 18 year old boy who wrote an open letter to teenagers advising them to avoid drugs, citing his own life of misery and pain. He praised his parents for their concern and futile efforts to help him. Then he killed himself with his grandfather's shotgun. Christian parents view such examples of the next generation with alarm. Our children are growing up and being influenced by a nation facing an epidemic of drug abuse. We so often try to push it aside, ignore it, or thank God it's not my kid. We can get all worked up over immorality, and we should, drinking and alcohol related problems anger us, but with the growing drug problem in Big Spring and throughout our nation we don't really seem to be involved. Peter admonished Christians to "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober…" I Peter 1:13. Paul requires the same of the Thessalonians in 1 Thess. 5:6, "Let us not sleep but let us watch and be sober." Even Christ is concluding the parable of the 10 virgins in Matt. 25 urges us to "watch you therefore…" These scriptures as well as a host of others bind upon us an alertness of mind which will never allow the violation of alcohol or drugs or any other device which could render the mind useless. We like to think of ourselves as the vigilant, attentive, Christian. But just how far are we from those who temporarily excuse themselves from reality.
Now in part two of this article we will look at the scriptures to reinforce the positions stated. See Ya Sunday, Ralph | ||||||||||||||||
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NARCOTICS AND THE CHRISTIAN Part 2 Last week we looked at the true story of a young man who in a city just miles from Big Spring, killed himself. He had written an open letter to teenagers advising them to avoid drugs, citing his own life of misery and pain. He praised his parents for their concern and futile efforts to help him. The he shot himself with his grandfather's shotgun. Peter admonished Christian's to "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober…" 1 Peter 1:13. Paul requires the same of the Thessalonians in 1 Thess. 5:6, "Let us not sleep but let us watch and be sober." Even Christ in concluding the parable of the ten virgins in Matt. 25 urges us to "watch you therefore…" These scriptures as well as others bind upon us an alertness of mind which will never allow the violation of alcohol or drugs or any other device which could render the mind useless. The person who experiments with, or is addicted to drugs is dissatisfied. Even the teens who try "pot" for the first time is expressing his need for a thrill, an adventure, or escape from problems he cannot face. Paul wrote Timothy and reminded him to be content with what he had. While the young people involved in drug abuse represent every walk of life, they are consistently undisciplined. While Adults are quick to point out the lack of respect for authority and the weak character of our young people I as do we not also despise chastening? In this day of every principle has its price should we as adults not learn restraint for our own lusts and apply our wills to living the life pleasing to God. For the addict NOW is all that matters. These are uncertain times to be sure., but the person who does not hope for and work for a better tomorrow is to be most pitied. To permanently correct the drug problem is to eliminate the need to escape, adventure or experiment. The abundant life can provide all the thrills that anyone could hope for. See Ya Sunday, Ralph | ||||||||||||||||
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MEETING CHECK LIST Our meeting with Brother Guy Orbison, Jr. begins on September 13. The Lord has given us a wonderful opportunity to invite our friends and neighbors to be with us for this fest of Gospel truths. Brother Orbison is an able man of God, who can teach the Word in an excellent manner. Perhaps you have already made plans to attend and invite others to come. The following is a check list for the meeting:
We have less than a month to get ready. Only you by your participation can make this meeting a success. Purpose NOW to do all that you can to be actively involved. See Ya Sunday, Ralph | ||||||||||||||||
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ARE YOU IDLE? In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus taught the great lesson that service for the Savior will result in rewards from the Redeemer. However, like so many lessons of our Lord, a second point stands out about idleness. The sad part of the story is that this one needed workers and went out five times in one day and found men idle! Jesus said the Kingdom would be like that (verse 1). There are cases where Jesus said "The Kingdom of heaven is like" this or that in Which we may wonder exactly what He meant. But, when He said it would be like a case where much work was needed and many were standing about doing nothing, that I understand! Examine any congregation and you can see that. There are those outside of the kingdom who attend almost every service but render no spiritual service to society. When the invitation of Christ is extended they turn down the opportunity to break the spell of their spiritual idleness. A kindred problem applies to one already in the kingdom. Socrates said, "He is not only idle who does nothing, but he is idle who might be better employed." Is it possible that you and I are idle in this sense? With our meeting with Guy quickly approaching there is much to be done that each member should avoid that brand of idleness where he or she could be better employed. Give of your best to the Master by activating yourself in the phase of His work best suited for you. Be busy at your best, my brother! Inflict a fatal wound on idleness! See Ya Sunday, Ralph | ||||||||||||||||
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