The Here Before the After                                         August 4, 2024

There is an old saying that the older we get, the more we think about the “hereafter” – we walk into a room and ask ourselves, “What am I here after?”  While that describes most of us, sooner or later, it also raises an important question, “What am I to do while I’m here – before the after?”

I am certain that if you are still here on earth, God is not finished with you yet.  And if God is not finished with you yet, then He must have some things for you to do with your time here on earth.  As we consider the providence of God, we come to realize that He is gently, lovingly, and often specifically bringing about circumstances in our lives that cause “all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NASB).

Since God’s providence causes all things to work together for good for you and for me, we realize that He pulls some of the proverbial strings of life to make sure we are where He wants us to be, when He wants us to be there.  Time, space, and circumstance become the tools of His providence for His purposes, to His glory in our lives.

This concept is seen very clearly in God’s word to the Christians at Corinth.  As Paul described the “body” of Christ (Christians) in the church, he reminded them that each part has a function, but he also describes God’s providence in I Corinthians 12:18:

“But now God has placed the members,

each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”

God’s providence arranged time and circumstance in just such a way that He places us where He needs us, when He needs us there.  Think about it.  God has placed you right where He wants you, just when He wants you there – to be a working part of His body, to His glory, for the blessings of those around you!

Relax and enjoy the precious processes He has working in your life, as you work in His family!                                                                           Ray Wallace

Trusting Thomas                                                                         July 28, 2024

Poor Thomas!  He’s singled out as the doubter even though savvy Bible students know the other disciples doubted too.  Not that this excuses anything, mind you!  I wonder, though, how many remember Thomas was willing to follow Jesus even when he believed it meant imminent death.

Lazarus had died.  The disciples misunderstood just about everything Jesus said about it.  “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I do go that I may wake him up” (John 11:11).  They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was resting, which would help him recover from his sickness.

When Jesus clarified His words, the disciples still misunderstood.  “Lazarus died.  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.  Nevertheless, let us go to him” (11:11-15).  With 20-20 hindsight, we know Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead.  But Thomas (and probably the others) thought He meant to go to the realm of the dead, where Lazarus was.  They knew Jesus intended to go to Judea where the Jews were planning to kill Him (see 11:7-8).  If He returned there now, they might very well seize the opportunity to murder Him.

Nevertheless, Thomas was willing to accompany Jesus on what appeared to him to be a suicide mission.  “then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with Him'” (11:16).

I’d like to change his nickname from Doubting Thomas to Trusting Thomas.  He manifested loyalty to Jesus even when he sincerely (albeit mistakenly) believed it meant his imminent death!  We ought to remember that with admiration as easily as we remember his later doubt with dismay.

By Joe Slater

Emotional Baggage (Part Two)                                                 July 21, 2024

Emotional Baggage (Part One) can be found on the Owen Sound church of Christ website under Blogs, July 14, 2024.

Since God is the only one who knows our emotional baggage, if we want to identify it and get rid of it, that is who we need to ask for help.  It was refreshing that one so young had already learned that.  But it is never too late to start using God’s help.

Gideon in the Old Testament had the emotional baggage of fear.  He was afraid to lead an army against the powerful Midianites.  “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel?  My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15).  But Gideon knew where to go to get rid of the emotional baggage.  He asked God for a sign that God was going to be with him, to get rid of his fear.  God gave him a sign.  The baggage was still there.  Gideon knew it.  God knew it.  Okay, Lord, I need another sign opposite to the first one.  God gave him a second sign and Gideon was ready to go.  Maybe it took an extra little nudge from a loaf of bread, but we read in Judges 7:15, “When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshipped.  He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up!  The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”

The graphic is a joke.  They do not charge for emotional baggage on a plane.  If they did, knowing us humans, there would be no room for passengers.  But we do get charged for emotional baggage in a lot of other areas of our lives.  It prevents us from doing things we need to do.  It hinders our relationships with others and with God because not getting along well with others reduces our relationship with God.

Emotional baggage could be the burden that keeps us out of heaven.  It is not good stuff.

                                                                                                            By Les Cramp  

How to Forget Past Baggage

(Emotional Baggage by Somewan on Dribble)

Emotional Baggage (Part One)                                       July 14, 2024

Emotional baggage is a term that generally refers to unresolved psychological problems such as stressors, trust issues, fears, paranoia, guilt, regret, despair, or grief that are usually detrimental to one’s overall mental well-being and relationships.  These unresolved issues are usually rooted in experiences from the past that we just cannot let go of.

Most people have some emotional baggage.  The question is whether it is just a backpack or a full-scale suitcase of considerable size.  Carrying a lot of emotional baggage is like carrying our physical luggage through a busy airport to a connecting flight that is leaving in fifteen minutes.  The bigger the burden the more difficult it is to carry and the more it impedes our goal of getting to the next location on time.  Emotional baggage weighs us down mentally instead of physically, and it may indeed have a more detrimental impact on our progress than any physical problem.

Emotional baggage is especially difficult to deal with because many times we do not know we have it.  We do not know, or will not admit, what we are carrying and thus cannot deal with it.  If we face a physical obstruction we see it, feel it, and know it is there.  But often emotional baggage is hidden from us personally.  Sometimes we are so sure we are not carrying emotional baggage that we get upset if even a close friend tells us we have a problem.  We have decided we are perfectly “normal,” totally uninhibited, as free as a bird.  Able to fly through the most violent storms blissfully unaware of what we are carrying.  Many things in life are difficult to impossible for us because we are carrying emotional baggage that is weighing us down.  And that is what Satan wants.  Satan loves anything that causes us to fail to achieve healthy goals for God.  Satan enjoys seeing people suffering and frustrated.  If it keeps our focus off God, that is what Satan wants.  Satan will contribute to our emotional baggage and mental blocks whenever and however he can.

So how do we deal with our emotional baggage?  A teenager at Strawberry Point Christian Camp prayed a line in a prayer I will never forget.  He said, “Lord, show me my problems that I cannot see and help me accept that I have them.”  No big words.  No fancy phrases.  Just a simple plea to the God who knows our emotional baggage to help him identify it.  Then it dawned on me.  Of the 60 plus kids at camp he was the one who least needed to pray that prayer.  His emotional balance was positive, healthy, upbeat.  He was approachable, well liked, energetic.  He laughed a lot, joked a bit.  He was ready to get into anything that was positive, interesting, or good for one.  But what stood out about him more than anything else was his constant quest to let God show him how to be better.

(Lord willing, we will continue this very find article by Les Cramp next week)

DELIVER ME FROM TEMPTATION                             July 7, 2024

Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15).  We struggle with temptation.  It is simply part of the human condition.  Each of us battle inward desires which can bring sin into our lives (James 1:13-15).  Satan is the tempter (Matthew 4:3).  We must engage him in spiritual warfare by the strength which God supplies (II Corinthians 10:4-6; Ephesians 6:10-13).  We better get our minds firmly set on the life and death struggle each of us must face or be lost through our own carelessness or neglect.

Satan makes temptation attractive.  He sugar-coats sin.  He wraps it up in a nice, little package.  Sin has pleasures associated with it (Hebrews 11:25).  These pleasures manifest themselves in many ways.  Satan knows that all people are not tempted in the same way.  So, like a skillful fisherman, he makes each lure appropriate to the person being tempted.  Each person is “tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own desires” (James 1:14).  Sin feels good.  But, its consequences are heart-breaking (Romans 6:23).

No one is immune to the evil influence of Satan’s temptation.  Deliverance is more than a sentence-prayer (Matthew 6:13).  We must not be ignorant of Satan’s schemes against us (II Corinthians 2:11).  We must keep watch in prayer (Matthew 26:41).  We must treasure up God’s word in our hearts as a safeguard against sin (Psalms 119:11).  We must trust God completely rather than lean on our own strength (Proverbs 3:5).  We cooperate in the process of deliverance by making firm resolutions (e.g. Daniel 1:8); by putting ourselves in the company of those who will encourage right choices (Hebrews 10:23-25); and by fleeing before temptation has opportunity to ensnare us in its web (II Timothy 2:22).  Above all, remember that God is faithful and will provide the way of escape (I Corinthians 10:13).  Deliverance is ours through faith in Christ Jesus (I John 5:4; Romans 8:37).

By Glen Elliott

What Christians Ask Others to Believe                          June 30, 2024

We, as Christians, are under divine mandate to tell the Good News to the world.  Have you ever considered just what it is that we’re asking folks to believe.

First, we’re asking them to believe in a Supreme Being we can’t see, hear, touch, taste, or smell.  We’re asking them to believe that this God created from nothing everything that exists in the universe.

Then we’re asking them to believe that God has revealed Himself to humankind, both in the written volume we call the Bible and ultimately in the person of Jesus Christ.  We’re asking them to believe that this Jesus was God in the flesh, that He lived an absolutely sinless life, that He bled and died on the cross of Calvary as the ultimate atonement offering for our sins, and that He came forth alive from the tomb on the third day.

We’re asking them to believe that Jesus ascended back to Heaven where He reigns on the throne of David at the right hand of the Father.  We’re asking to believe that He will return to raise the dead and to judge the world.

Do we have the right to ask people to believe these things?  Emphatically Yes!  God has given us abundant evidence.  Our faith is not “blind faith,” but evidenced faith.  The question is, “Are we, as Christians, informed and equipped to explain why people ought to believe things that seem at first glance to be not only unreasonable but outrageous?”  In other words, “Can we defend our faith?”

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15).

By Joe Slater

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.”

(By David Hamrick)

Not Feeling Close to God                                              June 23, 2024

Have you ever gone through a period where you just don’t feel as close to God?  Sure, you are still attending worship and you still live a very moral life – but you just feel your spiritual life has become stale or stagnant.

Satan loves those periods.  Because his hope is he can keep you in this “funk” and have his way with you, as you drift aimlessly through life.

I want to gently remind you God hasn’t moved – so if you are feeling stagnant, the cause is coming from you.  Maybe you have gotten too busy or maybe you’ve allowed more worldly influences into your life.  Whatever the reason, I want to share a few things you can do if you are currently experiencing this.  (Maybe consider posting this list on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror for the next time you find yourself in this situation.)

1. Draw closer.  Wake up and open His Word.  Don’t think about doing it, actually start tomorrow morning.  Spend 10-15 minutes in His Word every morning.

2. Serve.  Identify someone you can take a meal to, cut their grass, or do an errand for.  Don’t just offer, do it.

3. Minister.  Check on your shut-ins.  You know, the ones in the bulletin that you see their names every week.  Spend some time checking on them in person or on the phone.

4. Encourage.  Take 5-10 minutes from your day and text family, friends, and church family to encourage them

5. Think on these things!  Set strict limits on your phone and television usage, and then turn it off!!  Stop aimlessly scrolling.  Stop watching mindless videos.  Instead, spend time thinking on good things.

6. Evangelize.  Reach out to that one person you know you should be talking to about Jesus.  Send them an email or text and invite them to study.  Don’t worry over it – just do it.

7. Praise Him.  Get outside and take a walk.  Turn off outside distractions and just focus on God and His amazing creation.  I would encourage you to do this daily.

8. Thanks Him.  Spend a few minutes before bed giving thanks to God for all the many ways He has blessed you.  Take the time to identify specific things – maybe even writing them down.

9. Eat better.  Sometimes our diet and lack of exercise put us into a funk that becomes cyclic.  We don’t exercise because we feel bloated and tired.  But we feel bloated and tired because of what we ate.

10. Pray.  And not just before you eat.  Find some time in your car or at home to really talk to Him.  Share what is going on in your life.

I assure you, if you practice these things that stagnant feeling will go away – and you will feel closer to Him.

Now, it’s your turn, what would you add to this list?  What have you found to help you improve your spiritual life?                                         By Brad Harrub

Father’s Day                                                                             June 16,2024

What comes to mind when you consider the term “Father’s Day?”  Is it time spent with family remembering what wonderful things your dad did for you while you were growing up?  Do you think about how he worked to love, guide, protect, and provide for you?  Maybe it’s a special meal as you and your siblings all gather around the same table to eat, enjoy, and celebrate.  Some may think of the time it took to travel to his house to present him with gifts of love, gratitude, and appreciation.  Whatever special thoughts come to mind, you are blessed if you had or have a father that God desires.

God’s expectations is that, barring unforeseen circumstances, a father and mother will raise children that will be a glory to their parents and to God.  Father’s Day should be more than a sentimental remembrance of the presence of a doting father.  It should be an affirmation of the presence of a Godly man deeply involved in the lives of his children.  Father’s play a great part in the ordering of the lives of their children.  The absence of a father’s guidance puts their future in jeopardy.

A Godly father is a loving man.  He loves his wife and his children and is willing to be there for them.  A Godly father is a devout man.  He loves his God and knows that bringing up his children in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord” is of great importance.  A Godly father is a wise man.  He understands that he must raise his children in the way that God instructs in His Holy Word.  He loves his children, but he also knows that they need to be corrected with a firm but gentle hand at times.

Children raised by Godly fathers who are involved are more likely to enjoy school and engage in extracurricular activities.  Children with involved fathers are less likely to drop out of school and are less likely to repeat a grade.  They are more likely to get good grades, have good attendance, and good behavior.  Involved Godly fathers are more likely to see the importance of their children having a good relationship with the Lord.

A Godly father must provide …

• More than a paycheck.
• Affection to his wife and to his family.
• A Godly example to live by.
• Godly advice to his children and household.
• Loving concern for all under his roof.

Happy Father’s Day to all of the great fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers in this congregation.                                                         By Larry Schneider (Adapted)

Justice, Mercy, and Peace                                             June 9, 2024

It’s a tough world right now, locally, nationally, and internationally.  With war, crime, political strife, and natural disasters being broadcast 24/7, it’s not always easy to keep our heads on straight.  Some I know have opted out of TV news because they have been struggling to keep their inner peace.  Keeping our balance while seeing so much bad, evil, negative strife is a bit like walking a tight rope.  Deep inside we know evil has always flourished, but in recent years we keep seeing crime increase while punishment decreases.  For those with Biblically aligned values, the lack of proper justice is deeply disturbing.  It has become increasingly difficult, even for mature Christians, to balance justice and mercy, punishment and forgiveness.  It’s a bit like a 4-sided see-saw in a high wind, it just won’t keep its balance.

For a healthy, mature spirit to rule in our heads and hearts, we must continue to find the Biblical balance of justice and mercy.  And that calls for a Biblical understanding of when and where to apply each of those two things.  If we allow anger and frustration to dominate our thoughts, personal revenge will raise its ugly head.  But if we over-apply compassion and grace, we will be unhappy with Biblical justice; it will seem too harsh to those who are out of balance.

I see these challenges:

1. For those with a finely honed sense of justice, giving grace will be a deep challenge.

2. For those with a strong sense of gentleness and grace, allowing justice to take place will seem mean-spirited.

3.For those with protective sheepdog mentality (protecting others at all cost), the temptation will be to react too quickly for fear of not protecting those in your charge.

These challenges are genuine, daily, and very practical.  And if we are not carefully Biblical, these challenges can lead to strife between our brothers and sisters.  The “He deserves to hang,” crowd is at odds with the, “He needs to be forgiven,” faction.  The “hang them” crowd has a keenly developed sense of justice (consider I Corinthians 5:1-2).  The “forgive him” crowd has a keenly developed sense of mercy (Luke 17:3).

But God’s word calls us to a keenly developed sense of the proper application of justice or mercy depending on the details of each and every individual situation.  A “one size fits all” approach to justice or mercy is not a Biblical approach.  God, Himself, ripped the throne from King Saul (I Samuel 15) yet forgave David and let him stay on the throne (see II Samuel 11, 12). 

To be pleasing to Him (II Corinthians 5:9) we must be well-versed in His word and properly balanced according to each, individual situation.

We must deal with the reality of the evening news yet maintain a balance of justice and mercy.  We must develop and maintain the fine art of assessing reality while still meditating in the pure and beautiful things of Philippians 4:4-8.  Please understand living in the real world, protecting yourself and your family (nuclear or church) and still live in the deep peace that comes from thinking (meditating, pondering) the positive things of this passage.  Keep your balance, or you will fall.                                                                      By Ray Wallace

Check How You Look in the Mirror                 June 2, 2024

It happens to everyone every day of their lives, few of us like the way we look the first time we see ourselves each day in the mirror, so it is not long before we begin making changes to our appearance.  Usually, before we leave the house, we take a final look in the mirror hoping that we look presentable and acceptable to others.

James describes the Bible as a mirror:

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was” (James 1:23-24).

It is remarkable how God uses the simplest aspects of our lives to illustrate truth.  To look into His mirror, the Bible, and to see our spiritual needs and do nothing about them just does not make sense.  It is even more foolish than that person who looks into a regular mirror, sees something which destroys his appearance and then walks away forgetting what the mirror showed him.

Paul describes the Bible as a mirror with the power to change you:

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (II Corinthians 3:18).

These words are much like the words from James.  But Paul sees that person as spending time looking into the mirror, but not seeing just self.  He looks into the mirror and sees Jesus in His radiant glory.  The present tense of “being transformed” indicates an ongoing process.  He does not just see the Lord once, and then he is immediately and completely changed.  He sees the Lord.  He spends time gazing at Him.  The glory of the Lord becomes his standard, and he is being changed into the very image of the Christ.  Looking into God’s mirror will change the heart of all men.

Consider some “mirror rules” for those seeking to change their appearance.  We must come to our mirror, His word, with an open, sincere heart and see His image clearly.  We must come with a determination to change the flaws we see in ourselves in that mirror.  We must spend time seeing the glory of the One in the mirror, meditate on what we see and then change our lives to become like that One.  We need to think often about this, knowing that it takes time to become just like Him.

Taken from the Groveland church of Christ bulletin articles (Adapted)