I Want to Go to Heaven                                                     May 7, 2023

“Every athlete exercises self-control…They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one…” (I Corinthians 9:25)

John “Pepper” Martin played for the St. Louis Cardinals and was the star of the 1931 World Series.  Following one of those games Pepper was interviewed by a newsman.  The first question he was asked was, “Pepper, what’s your chief ambition?”  Without hesitating Pepper responded, “My chief ambition is to go to heaven.”

The newsman who interviewed Pepper Martin laughed at his response and said rather sarcastically, “Oh, you want to play a harp, eh?”  Martin shot back at him, “My friend, I don’t think that is funny.  I know you don’t mean to be a smart aleck, but there’s something with a person’s attitude when he’s flippant about serious things.  If there’s anything foolish about reading the Bible every day and believing what it says, and if there’s anything funny about wanting to go to heaven when you leave this world, then I’m afraid life here isn’t worth living.

What a goal!  To go to heaven.  I’ve often asked people, “If you could go anywhere and do anything, what would you choose?”  The responses have been interesting.  A common response is, “I’d like to go to Europe, Paris, or to Greece, etc.”  I don’t remember anyone saying, “I’d like to go to heaven.”

The Christian life is like running a race.  In the ancient Olympic games the winner received a perishable wreath of ivy or pine.  We are in a race for an imperishable wreath that will never decay.  We want to go to heaven.  Nothing we gain in life in our careers or accumulate through wealth will be taken into our caskets.  Our friends will not go with us.  We will go alone.  All earthly treasures will be left behind.  But, we look beyond these temporary trinkets to an eternal home where we will live for eternity.  In the words of our hymn, “Heaven will surely be worth it all.”

By Al Behel

Seven Guidelines to Profitable Bible Study                April 30, 2023

Profitable Bible study involves more than just opening to a chapter and reading the words on the pages.  The following are seven guidelines to help us make the most of our study of God’s word:

1)  Set aside a regular time – Unless we schedule a specific and uninterrupted time for Bible study, we will more than likely neglect Bible study.

2)  Before we start reading – Let’s ask God for help in understanding the text.

3)  Carefully think about what we are reading – Not all of the Bible’s treasures lie like pebbles on the surface.  To mine the gold, we have to dig.

4)  Seek to understand – What the author was communicating to the people who first read the book or letter before we decide how to properly apply it today.

5)  Write down at least one truth or principle – In order that we can put that into our everyday practice.

6)  Try different translations of the Bible – If we find ourselves skimming over familiar words, a new translation might focus our mind on a passage in a new way.

7)  Let’s not get discouraged – Some parts of the Bible are more interesting than others, and some we may not understand immediately.  But there’s enough that we can understand, revolutionizing our life if we apply it.

Let’s read Proverbs 2:1-9 with the above guidelines in mind.  Then try studying again tomorrow, remembering that the Bible’s treasures are found by those who dig for them.

“When reading God’s word, take special care

To find the rich treasures there;

Give thought to each line, each precept clear,

Then practice it well with Godly fear.”  (Anonymous)

By Mike Riley (Adapted)

Planting Seeds                                                  April 23, 2023

I’m no poet, but I certainly appreciate those who can create thought-provoking and vivid images with the words that they write.  I came across an ever-so-brief poem recently that has made quite an impression on me.

It is called, “Forecast” by Luci Shaw:

Planting seeds

Inevitably

Changes my feelings

About rain.

There are numerous helpful insights here, many of them theological in nature.

First, a new perspective on adversity.  Commonly, rain is seen as a nuisance.   Of course we all acknowledge that such is necessary for life, but rare is the person who is thankful the ballgame was ruled out.  Unusual is the person who picnics, ride bikes, drives convertibles, or plays golf in the rain.  However, we should be reminded that disappointment and adversity can build character.  We are all going to go through difficult stages in life.  When we do, let us look for the good.  “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

Second, a new perspective on labor.  Hard work pays off.  The investment of time and energy pays off, even if it may not be immediate.  So, take the time to plant seeds.  Plant seeds of kindness.  Plant seeds of the Gospel.  The difficult and uncomfortable conversations matter and they make a difference.  Paul planted seeds (I Corinthians 3:6).  The Lord often used the imagery of planting seeds in His ministry.  From the way people would receive the Good News (Matthew 13:1-23) to the way the Kingdom would grow (Matthew 13:31-32).

Third, a new perspective on hope.  Let us be patient with God and His plan.  Sometimes it is difficult to see past the storm clouds.  However, without the rain, there is no growth.  We must learn to trust God to bless us with blue skies after the storm.  “He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing the sheaves with him”  (Psalms 126:6).

Plant seeds.  Expect rain.  Enjoy God’s blessings.               By Bart Warren

Why Believe in God?  The Origin of Right and Wrong                  April 16, 2023

One of the most difficult arguments to refute concerning the existence of God is the observation of objective right and wrong.  There are events and actions that take place within this life that all of humanity categorize as wrong.  Murdering, stealing, cheating, lying, injustice, and the list continues.  In any culture and in any part of the world, mankind has buried within them a moral compass.

The question that the atheist and agnostic must answer is where did mankind inherit such a standard of morals?  The premise is as follows:  If mankind has objective morals, then there must be a lawmaker, therefore God as the Creator of all humanity provides moral law.  For the atheist/evolutionist, we are merely advanced animals.  But why have we formed a conscience?  For it serves no purpose toward natural selection, advancement, and adaptation.

Most who attempt to fight this argument utilize the view of “moral relativism,” saying even events such as 9/11 attacks or the holocaust were simply an expression of radical idealism, and it is only to the victims that the events seem horrific.  This point of view is not only delusional and disturbing, but also erroneous.  Such heinous actions develop just consequences and invoke  the moral compass within many individuals to demand a condemnation.

Furthermore, Biblical passages such as Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 7:12 instruct individuals to treat others as they would like to be treated (namely with love).  Moral relativism fails on many levels, but one simple failure is shown when the one carrying out the wicked deeds retracts when those same deeds are committed to themselves.  Hitler feared death and terrorist extremists fought back when we engaged in war.  When the wicked deed is reversed on the one executing such actions, they retaliate.  Moral relativism is only occupied until the roles are reversed.

Additionally, scripture even speaks of those who have never heard the gospel or know about God.  “For when the Gentiles who do not have the Law naturally do the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they demonstrate the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them…” (Romans 2:14, 14 LSB).  When we look at humanity collectively, we find a human race who acknowledges “right” and “wrong,” and we know the One who gave that awareness.

By Tyler King

The Resurrection and the First Day of the Week                             April 9, 2023

One of the great reasons we gather on the first day of the week is in honor of our resurrected Lord.  We gather to take the Lord’s Supper, which does commemorate His death, but it is more than that.  He was raised again, and this gives meaning to His death that could not otherwise be seen.  Death could not have the final word.  God defeated it through Christ.  The first day gathering is not arbitrary, but full of meaning for a number of reasons.  Here we wish to focus briefly on why the resurrection is front and center:

1. The Day of Christ’s Resurrection was the first day of the week.  “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb” (John 20:1).

This fact alone should make us think of the importance of this day as the Lord’s Day.  This is one of the reasons we meet on this day to celebrate His death and resurrection.  Jesus didn’t just die, and if that’s all that happened, we have no traction for our faith.  Paul indicates this in I Corinthians 15:12-19.  The first day of the week was the day that victory was declared, the devil was defeated, and God’s people arose from the dust of the slavery of sin and death.

In Psalms 2, the anointed king of Yahweh is brought forth as a response to those who wanted to cast off God’s fetters: “He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You'”(Vs 7).  Paul quotes this and applies it to the resurrection of Jesus in Acts 13:32-33: “And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.'”

The resurrection was God’s proclamation of victory, of Christ’s kingship over all (I Peter 3:18-21).  He “was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,” and “declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:3-4).  This proclamation was made on the first day of the week when our Lord arose.

This day, then, should remind us of the power of God, which is that “strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named” (Ephesians 1:19-21).  Though we remember His death, we also cannot think of His death without knowing that death wasn’t all there was.  We do this “until He comes,” which tells us that He is alive, raised, and coming again.

2. As a pointer to the resurrection, the Feast of First Fruits is connected.  Here is something else about the timing of the resurrection that contains great significance.  Due to the time of year and the connection to the Passover, then later Pentecost, the day of the resurrection of Jesus was connected to the Feast of First Fruits (Leviticus 23:9ff; another was Pentecost, Number 28:26, also filled with meaning).  The “sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest” was to be waved before the Lord the day after the Passover Sabbath.  This was to be done when they entered the land and they began to reap the first fruits of the harvest, which would demonstrate their reliance on God who brought them into the land and show their thankfulness.

Paul references this in speaking about the resurrection of Christ: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (I Corinthians 15:20).  Paul also said that Christ our Passover has been sacrificed (I Corinthians 5:7).  Notice the typology appealed to here based on the timing of the events – Christ is sacrificed as our Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, and raised up as first fruits to God.  This leads to the harvest on Pentecost.

That first harvest was an indicator of a greater harvest yet to come (the Feast of Weeks).  In our case, Christ as our first fruits is the guarantee of the greater harvest of God’s people who would also be raised from the dead.  This the argument Paul is making in I Corinthians 15.  Because Christ was raised, we will be raised.

When we gather on the first day of the week, we ought to think of Christ’s death and resurrection, and we ought to think of the first fruits harvest.  Consequently, we are offering up to God our sacrifice of praise, showing our faith that we, too, will follow in the resurrection of our Lord.                                                                        By Doy Moyer

God & the Boogie Man                                                  April 2, 2023

The date was December 21, 1993.  For most of the world it was a typical holiday-rushed day as people prepared for the imminent Christmas celebrations.  Yet, flying below the radar, an event was taking place that would impact the lives of countless children, for this was the day that a talking cucumber and tomato bounced onto their TVs and introduced them to the magical world of Veggie Tales.  Even today, it’s hard for this 41-year-old kid to not stop and sing along with the “Bom-Bom-Bom-Bom” of Larry’s tuba.  These talking vegetables were created to communicate simple Biblical truths to young hearts that were building faith in God.  That first story on December 21, asked the question, “Where is God When I’m S-Scared?”  In the episode, a young Jr. Asparagus is frightened by a scary movie (Frankencelery) and finds himself seeing all kinds of spooky things in his dark bedroom.  Bob and Larry show up with a fabulous song teaching Junior that “God is Bigger Than the Boogie Man” and He is always watching out for you and me.

In adulthood I have realized that the Boogie Man does not go away just because I have gotten older.  He does not take the shape of a literal monster in my closet or under my bed, but rather the form of other fears that plague many adults.  Fears of not having enough money to pay the bills.  Fears of what the future is going to bring to my children.  Fears of whether I am adequate to do the job that I am hired to do.  The list could go on and on.

The Psalmists knew of fear and Boogie Man quite well.  All throughout the book, they pour their hearts out to God when darkness crowded their hearts.  Long before Veggie Tales, they understood that God was greater than any enemy, real or imaginary, they might face.  Consider these excerpts from Psalm 27:

• “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Vs 1)
• ‘The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Vs 1)
• “For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.” (Vs 5)
• “Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!” (Vs 7)
• “You have said, ‘Seek My face.’  My heart says to You, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.'” (Vs 8)
• “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; Wait for the Lord!” (Vs 14)

Do you have a Boogie Man?  Is there something hiding in the closet of your heart that, from time to time, creates a moment of panic or fear for you or someone you love?  That is okay.  We all have them.  The difference between us and the rest of the world is that we do not have to be paralyzed by our fears.  We can face them, and we can hand them over to the Lord.  We can do this because regardless of what yours may be, the tomato and cucumber are still right…God is bigger than the Boogie Man.              By Cory Waddell

A Reason for Hope                                                                       March 26, 2023

The great Kentucky writer, Wendell Berry, once wrote: “A man cannot despair if he can imagine a better life, and if he can enact something of its possibility.” (from The Unforeseen Wilderness about preserving Red River Gorge)

As I understand it, Berry is saying that hope lives when people are promised something in the future and are confident that the promise can kept/fulfilled.  Of course, he was speaking about matters that relate to conservation and taking care of the physical world around us, but it applies to the Christian life as well!

We should not despair because Jesus has promised us a better future:

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3).

In that place prepared for those who belong to the Lord:

“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore: the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17).

We should not despair because God has the power to fulfill all promises.

Consider these words about the power of God and the significance of the resurrection:

“Knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence” (II Corinthians 4:14).

“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

“Therefore, we do not lose heart…” (II Corinthians 4:16a).

Thanks to Jesus, we can imagine a better life!

Thanks to Jesus, we can enact the possibility of being with Him in Heaven forever!:

“Do you not know that all of us who have baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His” (Romans 6:3-5).

Praise God, we have a reason for hope.                                By Bart Warren (Adapted)

God, I Have a Question …                                                         March 19, 2023

There’s about a million questions I want to ask God.  I’m sure you all do too or have thought about it at one point in your life.  My family and I always talk about what we would like to ask our Heavenly Father when we finally get to meet Him.  Once we finally catch our “spiritual breath” that is.  Some of my questions would include:

• What was it like to create the stars?
• How big is the universe?
• What did the garden of Eden look like?
• Where is Jesus?  Can I meet Him?

Maybe your questions are a lot simpler than that or maybe you just want to sit back and bask in His glory which is completely understandable.  We can get caught up in this and go on and on but do you ever stop to think about what questions God may ask you?  Specifically, when you’re standing before Him on that day of Judgement?  I know for a fact a few questions that He’s NOT going to ask …

• God won’t ask how big your house was; He may ask how many people you welcomed into it.
• God won’t ask what your job was; He may ask if you performed it to the best of your ability.
• God won’t ask how many followers you had; He may ask how many people you befriended.
• God won’t ask what neighborhood you lived in; He may ask you how you treated your neighbours.
• God won’t ask about the color of your skin; He may ask about the content of your character.

Some of these questions really put our lives into perspective.  We can get so caught up in all this “stuff” in life that we ultimately put the big picture on the back burner.  It’s at this point that we tend to forget that it isn’t the amount you traveled that counts, it’s the direction in which you are travelling that does.

For some, however, God’s questioning may be a bit more uncomfortable.  Maybe He’ll ask why you ever doubted Him?  Maybe He’ll ask you why did you stop praying or stopped attending?  Maybe he’ll ask you “Was My Son not enough for you?”  These are all just theories and what ifs, because no one really knows what will be said when you meet face to face with God.

Job thought he would ask questions of the Lord and we know how that turned out (Job 38:3).  “Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.  He said: ‘Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.'”

One day we will have a conversation with God.  We may get to ask Him some questions, but then again, He could have questions waiting for us.  Based on your life up to this point, what do you think that conversation with the Lord will sound like?

By Jared Boser (Adapted)

Am I in the Faith?                                                         March 12, 2023

The Apostle Paul challenged the Corinthians to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (II Corinthians 13:5).  It is a profound question that each Christian should ask themselves periodically, taking a personal self-assessment of their spiritual condition.  What does it mean to be “in the faith”?  Review the following passages for a brief overview on the subject:

• Christians should be exhorted to continue in the faith (Acts 14:21-23)
• When growth is present, churches are strengthened in the faith (Acts 16:4-5)
• Not every member is strong but some are weak in the faith (Romans 14:1)
• Christians will be watchful, steadfast, brave and strong in the faith (I Corinthians 16:13)
• One must not be moved away, but remain grounded in the faith (Colossians 1:23)
• One who receives Christ as Lord, will be established in the faith (Colossians 2:6-7)
• Deacons who serve well, develop a great boldness in the faith (I Timothy 3:13)
• False teachers should be warned, so to remain sound in the faith (Titus 1:13)
• Brotherly love should always be shared by those in the faith (Titus 3:15)
• Satan can be resisted by those who are steadfast in the faith (I Peter 5:8-9)

Successful Christianity is not defined by man’s view of greatness, but by humble service to the Lord which is constantly practiced.  To remain “in the faith” , I must practice the faith.  God has provided His saving grace, through Christ, accessed by faith (Ephesians 2:1-10).  As a reaction to this wonderful gift, the Christian will gladly participate in all things which are found “in the faith.”  Living for the Lord is not easy, yes, sometimes it’s downright hard.  But with God’s help, the encouragement of Christ, and the strength of the Spirit, we can endure.  “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls” (I Peter 1:8-9).

By Jay Launius, 2021, Maud church of Christ, Maud, Texas

I Can’t, God Can                                                                              March 5, 2023

God is not like man.  He remains positive and confident at all times.  And for all the negative things we have to say ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

You say:           “It’s impossible.”

God says:         “All things are possible” (Luke 18:27).

You say:           “I’m too tired.”

God says:         “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30).

You say:           “Nobody really loves me.”

God says:         “I love you” (John 3:16; 13:34).

You say:           “I can’t go on.”

God says:         “My grace is sufficient” (II Corinthians 12:9; Psalms 91:15).

You say:           “I can’t figure things out.”

God says:         “I will direct your steps” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

You say:           “I can’t do it.”

God says:         “You can do all things” (Philippians 4:13).

You say:           “I’m not able.”

God says:         “I am able” (II Corinthians 9:8).

You say:           “It’s not worth it.”

God says:         “It will be worth it” (Romans 8:28).

You say:           “I can’t forgive myself.”

God says:         “I forgive you” (I John 1:9; Romans 8:1).

You say:           “I can’t manage.”

God says:         “I will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19).

You say:           “I’m afraid.”

God says:         “I have not given you a spirit of fear” (II Timothy 1:7).

You say:           “I’m always worried and frustrated.”

God says:         “Cast all your care on Me” (I Peter 5:7).

You say:           “I don’t have enough faith.”

God says:         “I have given everyone a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

You say:           “I’m not smart enough.”

God says:         “I give you wisdom” (I Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5).

You say:           “I feel all alone.”

God says:         “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). (Author Unknown)