 |
Birdwell Lane Church of Christ Big Spring, TX |
Weekly Thoughts - May 2010
| <---- April 2010 | -- | June 2010 ----> |
|
02 - WHAT - ME WORRY? 09 - I MUST BE ABOUT THE FATHER’S BUSINESS 16 - HEAVEN AND HELL 23 - ANGELS 30 - CHRIST JESUS - OUR ADVOCATE AND HIGH PRIEST |
| |
|
WHAT - ME WORRY?
If we are to enjoy the peace of God promised by Christ as a result of our requests, we must first understand that our prayers and supplications are presented before the Lord’s throne without taking thought (Matt. 6:24-25) about how we might solve the problems. That great liberty to present our requests to the Lord, however, does not in any way negate our responsibility to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil. 2:12). Prayer takes many forms, from intercession for national leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2) to the unprejudiced pleading on behalf of another (Job 42:10). The Lord Himself “made intercession for the transgressors” (Isa. 53:12) “and wondered that there was not intercessor” (Isa. 59:16). Surely we can be faithful with this great access to the sovereign power of eternity. Yet how often do I fail with mere personal requests and supplications? Even the “blessing” that most of us offer at meals. Scripture recognizes as an appropriate “prayer” and “thanksgiving” to the Supplier of all things (1 Tim. 4:4-5). How much more important, then, is our legitimate cry for help as we face the challenges of spiritual warfare? Knowing that our “warfare” is not a “carnal” one (2 Cor. 10:4), we should be even more diligent in “praying with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18). See Ya Sunday, Ralph |
| |
|
I MUST BE ABOUT THE FATHER’S BUSINESS This world has many big businesses—Exxon-Mobil. General Motors, Microsoft and others. But the greatest business in the world is that of the Lord Jesus Christ. When all other businesses fail, His business will still be going. Nothing you can do is more important than being about the Lord’s business. Why is His business the greatest? His business affects the world more than any other business. When you buy a car, what does it mean? A few years of transportation! A few jobs for a few people! But when a soul is saved, it means that a life’s destiny is changed. When you serve God, you set influences in motion that will last forever. His business pays the biggest dividends. A man invests his money in good stock, and every quarter he receives a dividend. But he who invests in God’s business reaps eternal dividends. Whatever you do for Christ pays eternal dividends. Even a cold drink of water given in His name is rewarded. John was told, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them” (Rev. 14:13).Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). His business is the most enduring in the world. Changes have occurred in every city. Businesses which once were strong exist no more. Banks which once were a bulwark of safety have closed their doors. But God’s business never fails. It has been going on for many years, and it grows stronger all the while. If you will line up in God’s business, you will never fail. John said, “…the one who does the will of God abides forever” (Jn. 2:17). Our earthly deeds will perish, but what we do for God will abide forever. See Ya Sunday, Ralph |
| |
|
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 the judge of the quick and the dead, for “the Father judges no man; but has committed all judgment to 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 days.” 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 goats on his left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Then shall he also say unto them on his left hand, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:32). So, Hell and Heaven are both real locations and conditions for the eternal souls of men. See Ya Sunday, Ralph |
| |
|
ANGELS We are quickly drawing to an end our study of Angels on Sunday mornings. From the appearances of angels and the collected references to them in the Word of God, we find that the activities cover a wide field. Their varied work could only be possible as those specially created and endowed of God. With joy they do His pleasure (Ps. 103:21). Their mission and ministry are generally related to guardianship and government. Able to fight boldly, they are capable of operation in the material and earthly plane (Rev. 12:7). Amazed at the divine plan, the angels yet help to execute it (1 Peter 1:12). Usually described as being in white (Rev. 4:4) speaks of the righteousness of their mission. Here is a partial list of the various works which we have looked at the past several weeks:
See Ya Sunday, Ralph |
| |
|
CHRIST JESUS - OUR ADVOCATE AND HIGH PRIEST Of all the names ascribed to Our Lord Christ the best loved by Christian people of every race and generation is the simplest-the human name, JESUS. This was the name which His mother whispered lovingly, as He lay in her arms a helpless baby; the name by which He was known to all in Nazareth of Galilee, as He grew through boyhood to manhood. Mary did not choose the name for Him. It had been given Him before His birth, by the angel Gabriel, in his announcement to Mary herself (Luke 1:31), and Joseph, that the child to be born of his betrothed was the Son of God (Mt. 1:21). It is the name appointed by God the Father, not only for the brief time of our Lord’s sojourn upon the earth, but as the name by which He shall be worshipped forevermore (Phil. 2:10-11). It enshrines and expresses the mystery of His Person, and the wonder of His redeeming grace. As time went on and our Lord’s Messianic office was realized, the title “Christ” was added to “Jesus,” and eventually the full designation “Lord Jesus Christ” came into most frequent use. “Jesus” gradually took on a new significance. What had been an ordinary name, borne by many, became distinctive and apart. Here we observe for the first time an important fact which obtains withal the names of our Lord. Simply this, that He imparted to them a richer and deeper value than they had ever before possessed. What He was and did invested the names He bore with a new content of meaning. So with “Jesus.” Its significance grows as the Gospel story proceeds. As time went on the Jews refrained from using it for their sons, because of its association with the Crucified; and Christians naturally forbore to do so. It became a name unique – His alone. Yet the paradox remains that, although reverence for Him forbade the familiar use of the name “Jesus,” that name became increasingly precious to His people. It evokes the deepest response of faith and love, and stirs to utmost devotion. For Jesus is the name of God who became Man. It declares His true Humanity. It expresses all that was contained within the Old Testament “Immanuel.” See Ya Sunday, Ralph |
| |
Back to Index