Archive for September, 2011
One thing that is common in the human race is impatience. It began in the Garden of Eden. The serpent, or really the Devil, planted a seed in Eve’s ear to eat of the fruit of good and evil, and she would have the knowledge of God. She was impatient to know everything God knew, so she ate the fruit. She then gave it to Adam, and he ate. (more…)
Several years ago there was a commercial on television advertising an emergency caller that you wore around your neck. There was an old lady in the floor yelling, “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” That probably sounds silly to us today, but how many times have you fallen away from the Lord and you can’t get up? You can’t seem to find your way, and you are definitely lost in your spiritual life. (more…)
If you are out with a group of people, someone will say something is a miracle. Is it really? I don’t think so. Miracles today are best explained by something that happens that is very unusual. It does have a medical reason, nor can it be explained another way. The miracles as described in the Bible do not happen today.
Christ performed miracles to show His glory and to encourage people to obey and listen to Him. We don’t need that today. We have the Bible. Instructions were given to the men who wrote the Bible, by the Holy Spirit and Christ. We do not receive those instructions today.
The first miracle that comes to my mind is Christ turning the water into wine. That is not explainable, except through the performing of a miracle. We can’t do that today. It had to be divine. I also think of Jesus walking on the water. Peter failed because he did not keep his eye on Jesus. When he realized what he was doing, his faith wavered. We cannot do this today. It was truly a miracle.
Why did Christ perform miracles? No one would have believed He was the Son of God if He did not show them what He could do. When He did these miracles, people were there and they saw what happened. They saw the blind man see, and the woman become healed. There was usually a crowd of people. The people believed He was Christ. That was the purpose of the miracles.
Christ gave the apostles the power to perform these miracles. Matthew 10:1. They could heal people who were sick, and they could cast out unclean spirits.
The apostles were able to transfer this power to other believers, Acts 8:17, 18. After the death of the last apostle, John, the power could not be bestowed on anyone. An apostle could bestow it to someone, but that person could not bestow it to another. Therefore, there is no one here today who has the gift of the Holy Spirit.
So, today if someone tells you about a miracle, it can’t be. They have ceased. We have the Word of God to read and obey. The Holy Spirit is in the Word. That was how the Bible was written, both new and old. It was through the Holy Spirit giving the writers the ability to write these words.
One of the last miracles was the writing of the Bible. That left us with the Holy Spirit. As long as we read, we have the knowledge of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. We have what God wants us to have, His Word. We don’t have to have miracles today to show us God.
From Heaven or From Men?
Marvin L. Weir
The question that serves as the title of this article is as valid today as it was when Jesus asked it.
Most people who profess to be religious are unwilling to accept the authority of Christ. Such was true of the chief priests and elders during Christ’s earthly ministry and such is true in the religious world today. Matthew gives this account of the incident:
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things” (Matt. 21:23-27).
Let us apply the question that Jesus asked to different religious groups today and see if they fare any better than the chief priests and elders did.
The Universalists teach that there is no hell to which one can go and that all people are going to be saved. Such is indeed a most comforting teaching, but we must ask if this teaching comes from God or from man? God’s Word says that sinners will “go away into eternal punishment: but the righteousinto eternal life” (Matt. 25:36). Mark warns people not to stumble or to cause others to stumble and thus enter into “the unquenchable fire ” where the “worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:43-44). Furthermore, Jesus teaches that most people will not be saved because they choose to travel the broad road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). Thus, it is obvious that the doctrine of Universalism comes from men and not from God!
The Methodist manual entitled Doctrines and Disciplines of the Methodist Church in Article IX (Articles of Religion) says, “We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord andSaviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” Does this teaching come from God or from man?
The Bible states a truth that reveals the Methodist Discipline for what it really is – false teaching! The Word of God declares, “Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith” (James 2:24). The Methodists and most other mainstream Protestant groups teach that man is saved by faith only. The Bible says man is not saved “only by faith. ” Thus, Methodist teaching comes from men and not from Heaven.
The Baptists teach that religion doesn’t matter – only a personal relationship with God. A sinner simply must by faith accept Jesus Christ into his heart and make Jesus the Lord of his life. They believe that the instant one yields his heart in this manner he is saved.
The Bible teaches that one must hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), believe what he has heard (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3), confess (Rom. 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). There is more to obeying the gospel than just accepting Jesus Christ into your heart and saying that He is now the Lord of your life. Thus, the Baptist plan of salvation comes from men and not from God.
The Roman Catholic church teaches that authority resides in the church and that the Pope is the head of the church. The Word of God teaches that all authority resides in Christ (Matt. 28:18). The Wordof Christ is truth (John 17:17). All will be judged by the Word that Christ has spoken (John 12:48). The church, therefore, must conform to the Word of Christ and not vice-versa.
The Bible certainly does not agree with the Pope being the head of the church. The apostle Paul speaking of Christ, says, “and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23). We are not to bow down to nor worship mere men (Acts 10:26). Thus, the Roman Catholic church is not from Heaven but from men.
Friends, is there anything in a name? Is one name as good as another? What does the Bible say?
Speaking of the Christ the Scriptures say, “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Isn’t is amazing that so many claim to love, honor, cherish, and glorify the head (Christ) while being perfectly content to allow His body (the church) to wear any man-made name! As Paul asked so do I, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul” (1 Cor. 1:13)? The name “church of Christ” is from Heaven (Rom. 16:16); man-made names are from men!
Are you a truthful teen? Do you like to see the good in people and not the bad? We should all be truthful, and we should all look for the best in everyone. Many times someone will tell us something about someone, and we know it is not true. What do you do in a situation like that? You should defend the person. It’s so sad that most of the time we do not.
We need to be truthful. We should always tell the truth and not lie. What is a lie? It’s telling something that you know is not true. and you do it intentionally. You try to hurt someone by not telling the truth.
Let’s look at something the Bible says about lying. The Bible condemns lying as being a sin. In Revelation 21:8, we read of the place liars will go after death. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murders, sexual immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” That sounds pretty bad, and it is. Those mentioned are people that no Christian should want to be around forever.
Christ wants us to be truthful. We should endeavor to speak good things about someone. What do I do if someone wants to tell me a lie about someone? Walk away. Defend the person. Find out the truth. Don’t repeat it!
If we tell something that we think is the truth, and it is not, we are also spreading lies. Don’t be guilty of that. When I was in high school, years ago, it happened. It still happens today from what I hear. Don’t be guilty of being a part of something that can hurt someone for the rest of their life.
Be kind and truthful. Strive to always tell the truth, no matter what the circumstances.
Homosexuality: A Sin
By Mitch Rhymer
Attention Mankind, listen up. Words like morality, Christian, God, justice, goodness, chastity, and abstinence get thrown around as If they are filled with toxic sludge. Why? Because these words convict us of our sins. These words penetrate our armor of political correctness causing us to remember our basic human need: our need for a Supreme Being- God. Islam promoted Allah, Hinduism promotes many gods, Buddhism calls us to Buddha, Atheism and Humanism declares mankind is its own god. The common thread of all these “Religions” is the need for some authority. In today’s society we are called to think for ourselves. We are called to justice for the American people by the American people. Yet I call everyone to justice for the people of the World by the God of the Bible. His desire and thirst for justice is great. The nature of God is such that the idea of justice stems from God’s very nature. If justice were above God, then God would no longer be entitled to be God. However, if justice were beneath God, justice would be arbitrary and useless. God is justice. This same argument agrees with every attribute of God; His mercy, His holiness, all power, truth, omnipresent ness, eternality. In being thus, God’s nature defines truth and justice.
Why then, America, do these words bother us? Why do we forget to use them properly? The Bible, the very words of God, calls sin a transgression of law, 1 John 5:12. Romans 12 dictates to us that we must follow the rules of the state unless they contradict those of the Bible. So any transgression of law is a sin whether that law is Biblical or state law. Those that contradict the Bible are not to be followed. So I ask again, why do we leave the Bible behind? Why live our lives shunning it and pushing it aside, turning our noses up when we see someone reading the Bible in public? God wants us to live like Americans. God wants us to have the freedom we love so much. But God says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15.
There is a so-called Religious group, which declares they follow the Bible. This religious denomination has existed for years and has failed to live up to the expectation of the Bible. This organization has openly supported the election of a homosexual man to a position of authority in its office, publicly representing this religious denomination!!! They are therefore supporting sin against God, and their teachings should be questioned now.
Homosexuality is a sin against God, nature, and mankind, Roman 1:26-32. Homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord. Its perverts the sanctity of God’s plan for procreation, and the love between a husband and his wife. Homosexuality violates a command of God, thereby making the person committing the act of a sinner, and denying God.
In today’s society we are called haters of man if we condemn homosexuality. Our very own government says we must respect others freedoms. Yet the Bible tells us to teach and preach the whole counsel of God, Acts 20:27, according to Paul’s example. Homosexuality was condemned in Lot’s time, and Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of it. Genesis 19 records this account. The Law of Moses condemns homosexuality in Leviticus 18:22. The law of Christ condemns it in the New Testament in Romans 1:26-27, Galatians 5:19-22; Revelation 21:8.
People will still try to convince us someone is just born a homosexual. Some still want to believe that this theory is truth. If God’s word is just, then His word will not contradict itself. God created man in his own image. Man was created without sin. We read about this in the account of the creation of man in Genesis 1 and 2. If man were created by God as a sinner, in God’s own image, logically this would mean God is a sinner, and therefore is no longer God. Is this the God we read about in the Bible, who sent his only beloved Son to die a cruel death on Calvary’s Cross for all men to have the fruits of eternal salvation? Is this the same God? Who do we believe? Do we believe man or God when the topic of homosexuality is brought up? Do we believe man, because disobedience is acceptable, even the trend? Do we believe these false theories, saying man was created gay? No. We believe God. Man was not created to be a sinner. Man was not created to be gay. Homosexuality IS a sin, and SIN is a choice, not an inheritance. If sin were an inheritance, there would be no justice; there would be no God.
God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, Hebrews 11:6. Proverbs 12:12 tells us to buy the truth and sell it not. God is truth. Just because America is afraid of some words does not mean that they do not exist. Just because people want to forget about God and His commandments, and His ultimate sacrifice does not mean that He does not exist. God’s words condemn our actions America. What are your children to think when they see you protesting the removal of an Old Testament monument, but voting for a homosexual man to represent your church? What are you doing when you stand up against prayer in schools and even fighting about saying one nation under God in the pledge of allegiance? What are you doing America? You chose to disobey God when you allow this to happen. Homosexuality IS sin. Homosexuality IS choice. Homosexuality is condemned, and those who chose to disobey will have their day of justice. Matthew 7:23, And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Where do we stand? We had better stand in accordance with God’s law, His words and commands in the Bible. God’s law is for all. God commands all men to obey. Luke 13:3 offers a clear statement for all to heed. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
You probably don’t remember the campaign that was started in the 1980”s to urge children to “Just say no” to drugs. This simple approach was ridiculed by many in our society, saying drugs could not be resolved with such a simple slogan. This may be true but it never hurts to “say no” when faced with evils of our society.
I read a story about a bank teller who took this principal to another level. When a man at her window handed her a note demanding money she said “no” and set off the alarm. The man fled the bank and everything was back to normal in a few minutes.
The little word “no” can be far more effective than we imagine, especially when if it is used to turn down some of the immoral things that are going on in our society.
A good example of this is found in the Bible in the account of a young man Daniel. The king instructed Ashpenaz to bring four young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans” (Dan 1.4).
The idea is that these young men were chosen an placed in a training program and would be fed from the kings dainties. which included wine. Daniel and his three Jewish friends purposed in their heart that they would not defile themselves with the king’s dainties. So Daniel and his friends said “no.” Daniel asked that they be giving only vegetables and water for the next ten days as their diet. At that time they looked far better and fatter than all the young men.
This was not the only time Daniel had to say “no.” Because of jealously the governors and satraps sought to find fault with Daniel, but this was impossible because he was faithful. Daniel had the habit of praying each day facing Jerusalem. The only way we can find fault with Daniel is to get a decree passed saying that prayer should be made only to the King for thirty days. Daniel continued to pray daily as he had before and made no attempt to cover up what he did. Daniel convictions lead him to continue his daily routine knowing that he could wind up in a den of hungry lions.
David had conviction, and knew what was best for his soul. He had the courage to “say no.” Teenagers are tempted today to do things that God tells us is wrong. Just remember Daniel example and “SAY NO.”
Recently, I had lunch with two friends. They began talking about whiners. Personally, I hate a person who whines. We are given 24 hours a day, and how we use that time is what is important. In my 24 hours, I have no room for whiners.
The most whine I hear from teens is, “I don’t have time.” That strikes me funny. We all have time to do what we want to do. From experience, I know how much time all of us waste in a day. Teens are no different. I am impressed with one girl that writes on this blog. She wrote her last article on the school bus. She never whines, she does what needs to be done. In my opinion, she’ll be a winner.
There are different winners, as there are whiners. Winners are the ones who see the prize at the end of their efforts. They put the most important things in their life first. They get things done before they have to be done.
A Christian wins by putting God first in their life. They enjoy reading the Bible and coming to church. They enjoy doing things for others, and they have a happy home life. They smile a lot. They don’t make excuses. They get things done.
Christ did not whine when he was persecuted by the Jews and Romans before his crucifiction. He knew He would win the prize. By doing that, He gave us the prize of forgiveness of our sins. Running was a popular sport in New Testament times. Paul talks about it in 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27. Everyone knows there is a prize when you run a race. We should do it with the purpose of winning. Our life should have that purpose. We don’t need to act like we’re running, but just beating the air. In verse 27, Paul says, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
In other words, Paul wanted people to see that his actions are Christ like. He was not a whiner, but a winner. He won the crown of eternal life. Let’s all strive to be like Paul. Study our Bible, talk to others about Christ. Be an example of a Christian in all ways.
One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who has wronged you. It’s harder when you are a teen and someone says something or does something to hurt you. You want to run and hide and shout out to the world, “I’ll never speak to you again.” You can’t live like that.
Parents will tell their children to tell someone they’re sorry when their child has hurt the other child’s feelings. The child says begrudgingly, ”I’m sorry.” You can tell it wasn’t meant. He really wasn’t sorry for what he did, but it is something he must learn. By saying it when he hurts someone feelings, he eventually learns not to hurt other people’s feelings.
Things get bigger in adulthood. I had a woman tell me one time that she’d forget it, but she would never forgive me. There is no way that can be done. I pray that she had now forgiven me, and I forgave her a long time ago for things she did to my family. If you don’t forgive someone, it becomes like a sore in your mouth. You know how that is, you can’t keep your tongue off of it. You know it’s there. The same thing happens without forgiveness. You can’t forget it and it keeps coming back in your mind. More hatred builds up and you become a horrible person.
Ephesians 4:31, 32 says it better than anything. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you.” That says it very well.
As a Christian, we cannot have bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice. We must forgive someone that says or does something to us. It’s hard to really forgive, but we must.
by Katt Anderson
Music is a gift from God. I love music, and I come from a musical family. My grandfather could pick up any instrument and play it. He had a wonderful gift. Music is so soothing and pleasing to the ear.
People have told me that members of the church of Christ do not have music. We do, but not instruments. We use only our voices, and it is beautiful. There is nothing like A Capella music. That is a gift of God.
Why do we only sing and not use instruments? In Ephesians 5:19, we read, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” In Colossians 3:16, we read “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richlyin all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, winging with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” No instrument has been mentioned in either passage.
You may say, “There are instruments used in the Old Testament.” Yes, there was, and there was also burned incense and animal sacrifice.” If we are going to use an instrument, which is not commanded in the New Testament, then we should also be offering sacrifice and using incense.
When Christ died on the cross, so died the Old Commandments. We live under a new law, a law of light. Our sins are no longer rolled forward, Christ died on the cross that all should have obedience of their sins.
Back to music. Yes, I listen to music, and yes, I sing. What should you listen to? The songs that I hear on the radio are not suitable for Christians to listen to. To write a perfect country song, you have to have drinking, cheating, and Mama. That’s what most of them are written about. My life is more important that that.
I’m a writer, and I listen to instrumental songs, mostly Celtic. I’m of Scottish descent and I love the music. It relaxes me while I write. I love the oldies, but some of them are not good.
Girls, listen to the music. Really study what it is saying. Just as we study the words of hymns in church, we should study what we listen to at home, in the car, and elsewhere.
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