Finishing Projects and Christianity

I was recently talking with a friend. We were talking about crafting and projects and how many we seem to accumulate. She was telling me how she starts a project very excited. Then it takes a while. Sometimes it's hard to see progress, and it's hard to remember why she's excited about this project. Pretty soon, she's lost interest. There are so many fun and exciting projects out there (especially with Pinterest)! When she gets pulled in by the new allure, the old project is put aside to finish later, and a new project takes the spotlight.

I got to thinking about what she said, and it really made me think about the Christian life. We start out as new Christians, very excited about everything. Then things come up that are harder or not so much fun, maybe even annoying. Pretty soon, we're looking for a different project, um, reason not to continue to do those mundane Christian things. Something else catches our attention. We put those Christian duties aside to be done later. Some new, shiny thing has been moved to the spotlight.

We have to keep in mind the end goal, the prize, the completed project, the satisfaction of a job well-done. With a project, we don't get that sense of accomplishment until the last bit is done. It is all too easy to lose sight of our final goal. Life happens. Priorities get moved around. We must keep the prize firmly in our sights (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.). Paul kept his eye on the prize and refused to be discouraged by his past life or his many trials. He encourages all other Christians to do the same (Philippians 3:14 - I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.).

If we have unfinished projects lying around the house, we may or may not ever get around to finishing them. But Christians can always come back to their first love. We can return (1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our asins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.)! The prize is still there waiting for us to keep at it till the end. If we do, the prize is ours (2 Timothy 4:6-8 - For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.). It will take a lifetime, but it's more worthwhile to finish than anything else!

God's Definition of Spiritual Beauty

When we think of beauty, we think of supermodels and movie stars. Their bodies have the perfect size and features. They exercise all the time to maintain their physique. They wear all kinds of makeup to keep up appearances. They use all kinds of beauty enhancers and implants, outlandish and sometimes immodest clothes. In the world of beauty, there are all kinds of polishing, painting, buffing, and all such things going on. The world has made this the standard of beauty. The world has set the bar very high, too high in my opinion. Most normal people can never attain the level of beauty the world flaunts. Some supermodels can't either, hence the implants, makeup, etc.

Proverbs 31:30 says, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." This says that seeking worldly beauty is vain. We all know that just because a person is beautiful on the outside doesn't mean they are beautiful on the inside (Matthew 23:27 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness). Our goal should be to seek a beauty which does not fade, but only grows stronger. Our goal should be to seek spiritual beauty.

To begin with, we should fear the Lord (see Proverbs 31:30 again) because fearing the Lord causes us to praise and glorify Him (Psalm 22:23 - Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel). Fear of the Lord is also where we begin to attain true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction). Another one is Psalm 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Fearing God also brings us blessings (Psalm 115:13 -  He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great). It gives us confidence (Proverbs 14:26-27 -  In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death). How do we show our fear of the Lord? Proverbs 8:13 says, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." This theme continues throughout the Bible. Proverbs 22:4 says, "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life."

God's description of beauty includes preaching the gospel. Romans 10:15 - "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Being obedient to God and serving Him is emphasized throughout the Bible. He makes us beautiful with salvation if we are meek (Psalm 149:4 - For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation).
Our holiness is beautiful to God (I Chronicles 16:29 - Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness). 2 Chronicles 20:21 says, "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 29:2 says it too, "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Again in Psalm 96:9 - "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth."

The pattern is that our character defines us as beautiful or ugly. There are a few verses in 2 Peter 1:5-7 to help us refine our character as God sees fit. "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." These are generally called the Christian graces. We can also focus on the fruit of the Spirit. Ephesians 5:9 says, "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." They are listed out in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Philippians 4:8 gives us more to go on with, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

I hope you choose the right kind of makeover!

Bear With Me

One blessing Christians are given comes disguised. We are told to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.) and to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.). Even though these two commands are separate, I think they go together to form a bigger blessing. Some may not see this as a blessing, but oh, it truly is!

Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." When we rejoice with those who rejoice, our spirits are lifted and encouraged. When we share our troubles with our brothers and sisters, we receive their help and emotional support. A joy shared is doubled and a sorrow shared is halved.

Confessing our sins to our Christian family works the same way. Other Christians know what we are struggling with and can pray for us, help us stop doing that sin, help us replace it with good, and sometimes just be there to listen with a loving heart. We are all one in Christ's body. We hurt when another of us hurts. We are happy when another of us is doing well.

The prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). Can you imagine the power of so many prayers for help or so many prayers of gratitude?  I think we underestimate and underutilize the power of prayer! God is bigger than any opponent we have in the world (1 John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.). We access an army for the Lord when we share our burdens and sins with each other.

When someone confides in me with their problems, I realize sometimes my own don't seem so bad in comparison.  It doesn't matter what I'm going through - it could always be worse! When I confide in someone else, I have a huge sense of relief in my soul. I don't have to carry that burden alone! I have help from someone who loves me. Not only do they love me, they are going to encourage me to do right. We know that by doing right, we are cleansed (1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.).

God has planned all along to give us good things. His plan is always right, even if it isn't what man thinks we should do. I heard a quote once, and I think of it often. "Give God control of the day, or Satan will take it." -Charles Hodge

Counting Exercises

God has given us so many blessings! Sadly, we fail to recognize His abundant love for us because we trivialize these blessings. We don't consciously count our blessings anymore.

Have you ever sat and listened to the innocence of a child praying to God? They thank God for everything and everyone. By name. Multiple times. They bring Him everything that troubles their tender little heart.

Somewhere in life, we tend to lose that. We give a general thanks and then start in on our long list of all the many things we want Him to do for us or to give us. We lose sight of the fact that God made everything. Yet we are just giving Him a to-do list! We've lost our reverence and humility!

Try counting your blessings. Truly name them one by one. As we realize how long our list keeps growing, we can better put it into perspective. He made everything, yet He loves us enough to provide for us and give us so many things He didn't have to give.

Recognition of these abundant blessings should elicit a response from us. Certainly, we should be thankful, but it doesn't stop there. God has used others to bless you. Be a blessing to someone else. Pass it on! Don't be a miser with blessings! Allow God to work fully through you.

Somewhere along the way, you'll regain a sense of wonder reminiscent of the child you once were that you thought was gone forever. Your negative feelings toward life can be replaced by joy. This in itself is yet another blessing!

Happy counting!

Kidney Stones and Christians

 

I sometimes get kidney stones. They are nasty little critters that cause me a considerable amount of discomfort and pain. When I get them, my whole entire body reacts. I want to curl up in bed in a little ball and stay there. My whole being is concentrated on doing what I can to feel better and make the pain go away.

It should be the same for the Church family. We are a family, but the Bible also describes the Church as the body. (For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. -Romans 12:3-5)  As the body of Christ, if one of us is hurting in some way, we should all hurt and do all we can to help that one to get better, however we can.

There is no such thing as an unimportant member of the Lord's Church, the body. We are all important to Him and to one another. I don't see my kidneys. I don't even normally think about them when I think about my body. I think about the visible aspects. I don't think about them being important. But let me tell you - when they are sick, they are the only thing I'm focusing on. They are important to me. Just because someone doesn't do a public job in the congregation doesn't mean they are any less important either. Most people probably don't think about the little things that get done while nobody is looking - cleaning the scuff marks off the floor, emptying trash cans from classrooms, filling the communion cups. It all has to get done, and it's all important.

EVERYONE has a vital role in the Lord's body, the Church. Are my kidneys important? Absolutely! My body cannot function without them. Just the same, the body of Christ cannot function without every member working and doing his part.  What happens if we don't think our role is important, so we just don't do it? Well, everyone's job is to go and spread the gospel, not just the preacher. Think of your friends who won't know about Jesus and His salvation if you're too scared to say anything to them. Are you willing to let them go to hell because you are afraid of what they will say to you? 

He Remembers, He Remembers Not

We are known by our deeds, whether good or bad. (Proverbs 20:11 - Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.) I tell this to my children frequently. We are always an example to someone, and we have to choose if we will be a good example or a bad example. Our choices affect how we are remembered by others. i.e. You know Don - he's the one who's always giving peppermints to the little children. Or you know Ann - she's the one who crochets a baby blanket for each baby born in the church. Or you know Saul - he's the one really persecuting Christians. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. How will you be known?

As normal people, we remember the good, the bad, and the ugly about others we meet. For instance, in our first apartment, about the only thing I remember about our neighbors was a lot of banging and a lot of arguing. I remember another woman who brought over cookies and sat and talked with me when I was sick. And the woman who is constantly whining. And the man who came and mowed my grass without being asked when our mower was broken. And the woman who commits to things yet never follows through.

See, we remember all kinds of things. God remembers the things we do as well. But his divine memory is way different from ours. He doesn't forget anything because He is omniscient. (I John 3:20 - For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. John 21:17b - And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.) That is, until we are forgiven. (Hebrews 8:12 - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.) Some people believe when one is forgiven, his slate is wiped clean, but that is not true according to the Bible. He forgives our sins and remembers them no more, but he doesn't forget the good things we've done. (Hebrews 6:10 - For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.) I like this one-sided memory! Our list of sins is completely empty and clean while our list of good deeds continues to grow longer. That's grace!

Now I'm not suggesting that anyone can be saved by works. That's just not true according to Scripture either. (Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;) Our faith saves us by causing us to do good works. Without these good works, we have a dead faith. Dead faith does nothing. Even the demons believed and trembled. (James 2:17-20 - Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?)

After our sins are washed away through baptism, we are totally forgiven and justified. (Acts 13:39 - And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Titus 3:7 - That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.) Someone (Larry Treadwell) once explained being justified like this: Justified = Just as if I'd never done it. Our faith prods us to do more and more. When we do make a mistake and sin, we are covered by this awesome grace. (Romans 3:23-25 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:9 - Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.) Still, sins 0, good works still rising. Even the least little good deed that probably goes unnoticed here will be remembered by God. There's just not a sin too big to be forgiven by God if we go to Him in faith and obedience!

I don't know about you, but this is a great comfort to me. I am so thankful that because of Christ's blood, I can have all my terrible sins forgiven and forgotten and all my good things remembered for all eternity. How great is God!

On Unity from H. Leo Boles

Brother B. C. Goodpasture wrote down the words of H. Leo Boles on Unity. I finally found the transcript and wanted to share.

http://www.therestorationmovement.com/unity1.htm

Our Zoo Trip

We had a wonderful time at the zoo yesterday! There were hardly any people there even though the weather was absolutely perfect. We got there late, so we thought we wouldn't have time to see everything. So we started with everyone's favorites and moved down the list. We ended up having time to see everything we wanted to because there were so few people there - just one of the perks of homeschooling :) The monkeys were giving high fives to each other and performing - the little hams! Then the penguins would swim over to where we were and were tapping their beaks on the glass right in front of our faces - like they were trying to hug us. The woman at the cafe gave us a huge discount since our children asked for their drinks and said, "please." The children were in a good mood even though Thomas missed his nap. Lilly made up a zoo song. I just can't think of one bad thing. It was the best trip!

We are not bound by the ordinances in the Old Testament, nor the ways of worship, nor the Ten Commandments.

Colossians 2:8-14 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 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;

Galatians 3:10-13 - For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Hebrews 8:6-9 - But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 8:13-9:28 - In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.¹Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Vocation Wherewith Ye Are Called

Ephesians 4:1-3 says, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Just curious - is this refering to our everyday life - our job, or is it referring to our calling to be Christians?

Our Joy and Rejoicing

I did a word study on rejoicing in the Bible. I learned three interesting things that I didn't know before. 1-The Lord rejoices over us when we do what is right. 2-It is expected of a Christian to rejoice, even in persecution and in spite of sorrow. 3-Rejoicing is being so full of joy that you just can't hold it in. You HAVE to express it somehow, usually with physical movement and loud noise. Then after I learned this, I had this image in my mind of God jumping up and down hollering, "Yay, Dawn did right! Hooray!"

I don't think we take the time to root ourselves in joy the way the Bible talks about. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Our joy is rooted in the incarnation of Christ. Without that, we have nothing. With this joy, we won't be able to keep it to ourselves. We will have to share the reason for our joy a LOT - all the time. It will cause us to glorify and praise God.  In doing so, we will surrender our will to Christ's. This is counter to our current culture.

On the other hand, if we are full of joy, then we will consequently by free from fear. They can't be in the same place. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)

Food for thought-When is the last time you jumped for joy because you're a Christian?

Baptism is Essential for Salvation

Believe the Bible. It is the infallible word of God. Baptism's importance is clear. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. -Romans 6:3-4

When we read this, we can see baptism isn't just a symbol of an inward faith. It is the one thing that unites us with the salvation of Christ. It is how one is born again. Without it, we are rejecting our admission ticket to heaven, so to speak. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. -John 3:3  The new birth of water and spirit happens at baptism.

The Holy Spirit renews us and transforms our lives through the washing and regeneration. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; -Titus 3:5  Baptism itself is grace in action. God forgives sin and only through Christ's sacrifice. We are physically buried in water, and this unifies us spiritually with Christ's grace. Baptism is essential for salvation precisely because Christ is essential for salvation.

We are baptized to wash away our sins (And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. -Acts 22:16) so we can be added to the Lord's church (For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. -I Corinthians 12:13) which He purchased with His blood. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. -Acts 2:47)

Prayer For Every Day

Father, glorify yourself through me.

Change me to be the wife my husband needs and deserves.

Change me to be the mother my children need and deserve.

In all ways, help me to be the evangelist the lost soul needs.

Keep me focused on you Lord, and on my mission here on earth.

Keep my heart open and willing to learn the truth from your Word.

Bless me, Lord, as only You can.

My prayer is in Christ's name.

Amen

Do You Trust God Enough to Accept His Blessings?

If God offered you a blessing, would you refuse?

I believe God sends us children as blessings. All through the Bible, God chooses to bless people with children. Think of Abraham and Sarah, Hannah, Mary and Joseph.

Why then do people not want God's blessings? Ask someone if they would prefer a larger house or another child. Most people will choose the material stuff. Isn't it sad that people would make this choice? Why would we refuse God's blessing?

But so many people do. How many of us trust God enough to give us the right number of children with the perfect spacing in between?

Questions for Congregations of the Lord's Church

1. Do you believe there are times today when God forgives sin before or apart from baptism?
2. Do you believe some unbaptized believers should be recognized as Christians?
3. Does it violate Scripture to worship God in song with the accompaniment of a piano if it does not create division?
4. Does the Bible limit partaking of the Lord's Supper to the first day of the week?
5. Is it a violation of Scripture for women to lead songs or prayers in public settings where Christian men are present?
6. Do elders have authority to direct the affairs of the local church, or does the Bible limit their influence to moral authority?
7. Is the Bible inerrant and the final authority in deciding all matters of religious faith and practice (the work, manner of worship, organization, terms of admission, name and morals of the church)?
8. Do you consider the "argument from silence" a beneficial method of Biblical interpretation or a flawed and divisive one?
9. Do you support unity and closer fellowship with Christian churches that remain committed to using instrumental music in worship?

Dad's 9 Rules for Living

by Frank Walton

1. Put God first. We exist for His glory and then to enjoy Him forever (Jn 17:3). Prov 9:10
2. Follow Jesus daily. He became as we are, in order to make us like He is (I Jn 2:6) Jn 14:6
3. Study the Bible regularly. Scripture is God's one and only guidebook to eternity (Acts 20:32). Psa 119:105
4. Pray constantly. It keeps us close to heaven's pure air for the soul (Rom 12:12). Heb 4:16
5. Think hopefully. Our life is what our thoughts make it (Prov 17:22). Prov 4:23
6. Improve yourself consistently. With God's help, you can make the best of any situation (Phil 4:13). Phil 3:14
7. Do the right thing always. Character is the sum of all our choices (Prov 27:19). Prov 4:18
8. Treat others lovingly. God put us on earth to help lift others up to heaven (Matt 7:12). Matt 5:16
9. Be a faithful member of Christ's Church. Jesus is counting on you to carry on His work by exercising your talents in His one body (Eph 4:16). Rev 2:10

But Why Can't We...?

I've talked to several people about different aspects of worship that are not practiced in the New Testament church. Tithing, instrumental music in the worship, and keeping the Sabbath or Passover are some which come directly to mind, but it's not limited to these.

When we worship, who are we worshipping? God. HE decides how we worship Him. Jeremiah 10:23 says it is not in man to direct his own steps. Proverbs 14:12 says there is a way that seems right to man, but it leads to death. God tells us how to worship Him in the New Testament, and we would do well to heed those instructions. He told the Israelites exactly how to worship Him, and the consequences were ugly when they didn't pay attention to those instructions. The sons of Aaron offered strange fire to the Lord. They were killed by God (Leviticus 10:1-2). In I Chronicles 13, Uzza thought to keep the precious ark of God from falling. See, touching it had been strictly forbidden. But his intentions were good because he only wanted to keep it from falling. For his good intentions, he was struck dead by God (v. 10).

When these topics are brought up, people usually go immediately to the Old Testament to justify their actions. I have often wondered why that is. The Old Testament is no longer in effect. We are no longer under the Old Law. It was nailed to the Cross with Christ. Colossians 2:8-14 tells us how the laws and ordinances are not against us anymore. Galatians 3:10-13 says the old Law was a curse but that Christ had redeemed us from that curse. Hebrews 8:6-9 tells us how Christ is the mediator of a new covenant. It goes on to say in verse 13 that the fist covenant is now old and vanished away. Hebrews 9, particularly 18, goes on with the same thought saying that the blood of animals dedicated the first testament, but the blood of Jesus dedicates he New Testament.

I'm not saying we should ignore the Old Testament completely. It was written for our learning and understanding (Romans 15:4). But it cannot be used to justify any part of a Christian's worship. A Christian's worship must be in a way that is totally authorized by God in the New Testament. We don't have authority to change anything in regard to worship. We aren't worshipping together for our own entertainment.

I cannot express how sad in my heart I was after talking with a friend recently. During the conversation I realized her definition of a good church was one where she had fun. Folks, that does NOT define what God considers acceptable! If we are only worried about how much we are enjoying ourselves, we are missing the whole point! We are worshipping in vain. No amount of Old Testament scripture is going to authorize anything in our worship, no matter how fun it is or how much we think it is a good idea.

After talking with my friend, I began to pay closer attention to the attitudes people have toward worship. Human ideas are everywhere - the adults can't "enjoy" the worship service unless we pack off the kids to Children's Bible Hour. Instrumental music must be o.k. because it sounds so good! I "felt" really into the service tonight. It's not about what we want or feel or enjoy. It's about what God wants. We have to find it authorized in the New Testament befre we say it's o.k.

God is so much smarter than we can ever imagine! If He would have wanted us to do these things, He would have had no trouble getting it into the New Testament to let us know. Since it's not there, we know it's not o.k. II Timothy 3:16-17 says that's what scripture is for; so we can be perfect in His sight and thoroughly furnished.

Looking at the New Testament examples is the only way we can ever have true unity in Christ. It's the only way we can be sure our worship is acceptable to God. The first century church all spoke the same thing. They were of one mind in all things. Historical evidence shows instrumental music wasn't introduced in worship for several centuries. Even then, it was met with great resistance. It wasn't widely accepted for several more centuries.

The burden of proof rests on those who say it's o.k. to do these things. Show me where the New Testament authorizes it, and I will be happy to change my mind. Until then, this is the well-being of my eternal soul we're talking about. I'm not willing to put it at risk.

Christian Duty

My Bible study this morning brought me to the verses of Luke 17. Jesus had been talking with the apostles about faith. Verses 7-10 talk about our duty as Christians. We've all got this mental list somewhere of what we need to do as a Christian. Some people use this list as a check list thinking it will get them into heaven - wrong! We aren't saved by our works. But that doesn't negate our duty. We still have to do what we're supposed to do. If we love Christ, we will keep His commandments. Even when it's not easy.

When my children do a great job, it's important for them to hear it. They like to be praised, and it encourages them to do more. When I get my kitchen pretty and clean, I enjoy it when my husband notices and compliments me. But in verse 10, we are the servants mentioned. When we get our little list finished, it's tempting to think we will be praised. The things we do are our duty. It's merely our job, nothing more. It's what we were supposed to do anyway. We should obey because that is our duty.

We can't rely on the fact that we are saved by God's grace and use that to ignore our duty. We aren't saved by our works, but we still have to work. We can't rely on praises to do something right. We have to just do it. It's our duty.

Being a Crown

In the Bible, a crown is used to set something apart or as a symbol of honor. A crown is often associated with glory, such as in Proverbs 4:9, Proverbs 16:31, and I Peter 5:4.

Proverbs 12:4 - A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

I'd never thought about me being a crown to my husband. Proverbs 12:4 sure says I can be. But only if I'm virtuous. So I'm flipping over to Proverbs 31 for the virtuous woman directions...

Here are some of the qualities of a virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31:

• Be able to accomplish what I set out to do
• And do it well
• My husband can trust me with his heart
• He can trust me to help him with his work
• Do good for my husband, not evil
• Be a diligent and willing worker
• Provide good quality food for my family
• No laziness or idleness allowed
• Be willing to get up early and stay up late to complete my tasks
• Make quality items to sell
• Help the poor and needy
• Make sure my family has good quality clothes and blankets to keep warm
• I will be known for my strength, honor, wisdom, and faithful advice
• Fear the Lord.

I must admit, some of these are easier than others. Some not so much. I've always looked at Provebs 31 as a woman who does things I could never do, but she sure does fascinate me! So this time when I went through, I tried to put it in goals that seem at least somewhat attainable to me.

Women, what are some things you have done that help you in your quest to become a virtuous woman?

Men, what are the things you look for most when looking for a virtuous woman?

This is something I am praying about and working on every day. Being a crown to my husband sounds like a wonderful honor, and I really want to be one for him!

Home Schooling We All Need

Many of my friends homeschool. One of the many reasons for homeschooling is to be able to teach your children from the Bible. Whether or not a family chooses to homeschool, there is a form of home schooling that every family needs. We should ALL be training our children and ourselves in spiritual matters. As we all know, it's not the school's responsibility.  Contrary to popular belief, it's not the responsibility of other church members, even their Bible class teacher.  The Bible tells us it's the responsibility of the parents. Deuteronomy 6:5-7, Ephesians 6:4.

Too many people today are spiritually starved. Read from the Bible, pray about it, think about it, memorize it, before it's too late.