Truancy (Chronic Absenteeism)              December 1, 2024

You aren’t suppose to call it truancy anymore.  It’s “chronic absenteeism.”  Most schools don’t have truant officers anymore.  Now they’re “Professional Student Advocates.”  The new title supposedly helps parents to be less defensive when approached about their children’s non-attendance at classes.  I feel better already!

I read that in Connecticut a student who misses 18 or more days out of 180 (ten percent or more) is considered chronically absent.  Hmmm.  What if we used that kind of standard for church attendance?

A typical year has 52 Sundays.  How many of us miss fewer than 5 of them?  I shouldn’t have to re-state the obvious, but to prevent any hurt feelings let me make it clear: this has nothing to do with absence due to health or other legitimate reasons.

Absence by choice has been problematic for as long as I can remember and has only grown worse post-pandemic.  In far too many cases absenteeism far exceeds ten percent, and that’s if we count only the Sunday morning assembly.  Add the Sunday evening service and Bible classes (as we should) and the picture is even more dismal.

“Professional student advocates” are focusing less on enforcement and more on determining why children are skipping school and then remedying the issues.  I can only imagine the reasons they’re hearing: Johnny doesn’t like his teacher, Susie doesn’t enjoy Biology; the cafeteria doesn’t serve what my children like.  Truth be told, they probably don’t understand the importance of education.  Maybe their parents don’t either.

Why are some Christians chronically absent?  I’ve heard a freight car load of excuses with abundant finger-pointing and blaming.  But the bottom line remains the same: failure (or refusal) to see the importance of it.  What about you?       

By Joe Slater

Promises, Promises!                                             November 24, 2024

Beginning at the second plague (frogs) Pharaoh promised repeatedly, “I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 8:8, see also 8:28 & 9:28).  And every time, “when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart” and went back on his promise (8:15, see also 8:32 & 9:35).  The king considered himself to be, if not a god at the present time, at a god in the making.  He had no respect for the God of his Hebrew slaves and evidently felt no compulsion to be honest.  Like a true politician, he said whatever he needed to say at the moment of crisis.  But when the pressure was off, his promise wasn’t worth the time it took to make it.

Let us rejoice while praising our God because He consistently keeps His promises!  “I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father” (Genesis 26:3).  “I am the Lord.  I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass…I will say the word and will perform it” (Ezekiel 12:25).

The God of truth has always required His people to be truthful like He is.  David, by inspiration, commended the person “who swears to his own hurt and does not change” (Psalms 15:4).  Yes, keeping our promises can be painful!  But Jesus Himself said, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no,’ ‘no'” (Matthew 5:37).  Mean what you say!  In most circumstances you shouldn’t even need to swear an oath.

When Pharaoh broke his promises, he was simply taking a cue from his master, Satan.  Jesus said that the devil “is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).  When people of the world lie, we shouldn’t be surprised.  But let us carefully keep our word, for “all liars shall their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

                   By Joe Slater

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Does “Church” Feel Routine?

If you don’t want “church” to feel routine this weekend,

then approach it differently:

1. Pray before you leave home.

2. Sing in the car on the way.

3.  Arrive early at the church building

4. Invite someone to attend with you.

5. Bring your Bible.

6. Take sermon notes

7. Talk to people.

8. Sing loudly.

9. Serve.

10. Live out the sermon

The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding       November 17, 2024

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Why do the hearts and minds of Christians need to be guarded (protected, kept secure)?  Because they are easily affected by the negative influences and circumstances that Satan puts them in from time to time.  When Paul writes these words of encouragement he is in prison for the cause of Christ.  It is here that he shares with us how he has learned to be content in all circumstances (4:11).  His arrival at contentment and peace came when …

He Rejoiced Always In the Lord.  Even when one’s situation is difficult and even sad Paul was able to find reasons for rejoicing.  It’s interesting that Paul emphasizes this twice which may be to re-instate that yes, Christians always has reasons for joy even in sorrow or while going through troublesome times.

He Let Others Know How He Handled Difficult Situations.  The guards looking after Paul would see a different person than they saw in other prisoners.  Instead of hearing a disgruntled, cussing prisoner they saw one who was unaffected by the  circumstance he was in.  In fact, they witnessed a person who was kind, humble and in every way like Christ.  He was positive in a negative situation and the way he handled that situation was known not only to the guards, fellow-prisoners but also the authorities who imprisoned him as well as his church family.

He Realized That God’s Nearness Was Not Barred By Prison Walls.  Wherever he was Paul knew God was right there with him.  He was never alone as long as He kept busy for God in whatever way he could (John 8:29).

He Was Anxious For Nothing  & Always Prayed With A Thankful Heart.  He was determined to not worry but remained focused on the joys of the Christian life.  With such an attitude he then experienced this amazing peace that continued to fuel him for the rest of his Christian life unto eternity. That same peace is available to all who put their faith and trust in God in all circumstances as Paul did (Philippians 4:13).                            Brian Thompson

The Purpose In Remembering                        November 10, 2024

According to Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 Solomon tells us that there is an appointed time for everything and for every event under heaven such as a time to give birth and a time to die (Vs 2).  Such it is with time and there’s nothing we can do to change it.

I hate to admit it but the older I get the more forgetful I’ve become.  One minute something’s on my mind and then it escapes me five minutes later.  And for the life of me I cannot remember what it was.  I guess that’s why Solomon states that it’s so important to remember God in the days our youth when our mind can easily remember everything about Him before that “forgetful stage” of our life comes.  Yes, it’s coming and for some, it has already arrived.

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day – November 11th.  Every year on that day at 11am there is a brief period of silence and reflection on those who lost their lives in war so that we could enjoy our lives in freedom as individuals, families and Canadian citizens.  What a cost!  What a sacrifice! 

Today there are a number of events remembered and celebrated annually that have nothing to do with one losing their lives for the citizens of this country.  Such events are remembered and focused on much longer than one hour per year.  What’s deplorable is that when soldiers in the war sacrificed their rights for the rights of others that they are remembered less than those who pushed their rights over the rights of others. 

Have you ever wondered how those who lost their lives in war would feel about how they are remembered today?  If they knew then what we know now would they still have been willing to sacrifice their lives for us?

When Jesus’ crucifixion was close at hand He wanted to make sure that His death would be forever remembered (I Corinthians 11:23-34).  What a disappointment it would be to know that your death for others would soon be forgotten. 

The purpose in remembering is to instill within our hearts a deep and earnest appreciation for all those who sacrificed their rights so that we could enjoy ours.  We should never take our freedom for granted.  It came at a great cost and our lives should always reflect physically and spiritually our appreciation for those who laid down their life for ours.

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13)

Brian Thompson

A Heart Like Paul’s                                         November 3, 2024

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1)

And Paul said, “Whether in a short or long time. I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am – except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29)

What character traits made Paul special and worthy of imitation?

Dedication & Passion

• Paul gave all of his energy to what he believed to be right
• Half-hearted, lackadaisical effort was unacceptable
• Even when he was wrong, he was passionate (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2)
• This was part of the reason he could live with a clear conscience (Acts 23:1; 24:16)

Humility

• He was humble enough to change when he saw that he was wrong
• He went from being the man who wanted Jesus’ disciples punished, to being the man who wanted Jesus’ disciples protected
• Instead of silencing those who preached in the name of Jesus, he became the loudest voice among the throng of those sharing the gospel (Acts 9:17-22)

Courage

• He was bold enough to speak up when he knew he was right
• He knew Jesus was the Christ – he had seen and spoken with the Lord!
• His knowledge led to righteous boldness (Acts 24:24-25; 26:24-29; Galatians 1:6-10; 2:11-14; 4:16)

Hope

• He was confident he was going to Heaven!
• He trusted the Lord to keep His promises (II Timothy 4:6-8)

May we all imitate Paul as he imitated Jesus the Christ!

By Bart Warren

No Letdowns From Jesus                                October 27, 2024

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b, ESV).

          Hank Williams Sr. sang an old love song, “If you love me half as much as I love you.”  One of the lyrics says, “You’re nice to me when there’s no one else around; You only build me up to let me down.”

          We live in an imperfect world.  Most of us have numerous friends, many of whom will let us down.  Don’t get me wrong, there are friends who will “stick closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24), who will stand by us and uplift us as much as humanely possible.  But there are others who will let us down.

          We can expect both results from those whom we consider to be our friends.  On the other hand, there is one friend who took on human form but is, in fact, deity.  This is the one true friend who will never, ever, let us down.  This friend, Jesus Christ, is the one friend so dedicated to humankind that He died for us.  “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).

          We are to love one another, even our enemies.  But our love is sometimes shallow and often fails to meet the test of true love.  Howbeit, we still strive to grow and mature in our love.  That love will, in turn, be manifested in our actions, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” (I John 3:18).

          As we strive to grow and mature in our love actions, may we never forget that Jesus is our example.  The example that He left is that He will never leave us nor will He ever let us down.  There are no letdowns from Jesus.

                                                          By Roy Allen Crutcher (Mt. Carmel, IL)

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“Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood.  And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes.  Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.  So, remove vexation (worldly sorrow & anxiety that comes from sinful behavior) from your heart and put away pain (evil) from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting (then you’ll be old)” (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).

The Reason It’s Right or Wrong                    October 20, 2024

          Is something right (or wrong) because God said so, or did He say so because it’s right (or wrong)?  It isn’t just a philosophical question; it goes to the nature of God and of people made in His image.

          Some actions are either right or wrong based on the moral nature of God.  For example, when Cain murdered Abel, he sinned.  To our knowledge God had neither spoken nor written a law against murder.  Having been made in God’s image with a moral nature, Cain knew murder was wrong.  After the flood and later in the Ten Commandments and other places, God specifically legislated against murder; but murder was sinful even in the absence of oral or written law.  The same can be said for stealing, fornication, and numerous other immoral acts.  This may be termed “moral law.”

          By contrast, Cain’s failure to offer the right sacrifice was an act of unfaithfulness and disobedience, but it was not immoral.  Some have called this “positive law.”  Cain could not know by his moral by his moral nature that God required sacrifice at all, much less what that sacrifice should be.  We know God told the brothers what to offer because Abel did so by faith (Hebrews 11:4), which comes by hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17).  Abel’s sacrifice was right because God said so, not because it was inherently moral.

          Building the ark was right because God said so; by faith, Noah trusted and obeyed.  Marching around Jericho was right because God said so, not because it was inherently moral.  Joshua obeyed by faith.

          God’s “positive “law” is to be obeyed even when we may not understand why or we “don’t see what good it will do.”  This applies to baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and any number of other matters that are not of a moral nature.

          By Joe Slater  (I am indebted to brother Jerry Brewer for the seed thoughts in this article)

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Things

“God isn’t opposed to you having things;

He is opposed to things having you.”

By Voddie Bauchman (via Facebook)

Let’s Put the “Thanks” Back In Thanksgiving             October 13, 2024

The inspired writers of the New Testament have consistently pointed us toward the expression of thanks.  Paul goes so far as to tell the saints at Thessalonica to “give thanks in all circumstances” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

We indeed have much to be thankful for.

As we enjoy this Thanksgiving weekend may we reflect on the following Scriptures that are associated with what true Thanksgiving is all about:

T-ruth – “We shall know the truth and the truth will set us free” (John 8:32).  “Sanctify them in truth, Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).

H-eaven – “Let not your hearts be troubled…in My Father’s house are many rooms…and I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2).

A-bundance – “I have come that they might have life, and … have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

N-ewness of life – “We are buried with Him by baptism into death…in order that…we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).

K-ingdom of God – “Upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

S-alvation – “He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

G-iving – “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4).

I-dentification – “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (I Peter 2:9).

V-ictory over death – “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15:54).

I-nheritance – “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).

N-o condemnation – “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

G-of the Son – “For God so loved the world that on the cross He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16).

By Mike Riley (Adapted)

The Pillar and Ground of the Truth                                 October 6, 2024

“These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Timothy 3:14-15).  In this passage, the church is described as “pillar” (a column supporting the weight of a building) and “ground” (a support, bulwark, stay) of “the truth” (God’s word).  The “church” is God’s faithful, whether acting individually or collectively (i.e., as a local church).  As the “house” (or family) of God, we have an obligation to support and uphold God’s word.  This work involves at least five things…

We must pursue the truth.  Obviously, we cannot support and uphold the truth if we do not know it!  This paces upon each of us the obligation to, “be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).  “Rightly dividing the word” requires honesty – both with ourselves and with truth.  The truth must “dwell” in us “richly” (Colossians 3:16).  We must “receive the love of the truth,” lest we be lost (cf. II Thessalonians 2:9-10).  And, we must “test” all who claim to teach the truth (I John 4:1-6; Acts 17:11).  It is this international pursuit of the truth which we enable us to do the things which follow.

We must practice the truth.  While pursuing and knowing truth is great, mere intellectual knowledge is insufficient; we must also put into practice what we learn (James 1:21-25).  Indeed, the difference between “hearing” and “doing” has eternal consequences (Matthew 7:24-27).  But when we put into practice what we’ve learned, we become a living demonstration of truth, making known “the manifold wisdom of God” in our lives (cf. Ephesians 3:8-11).  And being a living demonstration can influence others – even “without a word” (cf. I Peter 3:1-2).  In the words of the old adage, we must learn to “Practice what you preach!”

We must proclaim the truth.  We (the church) are commanded to proclaim the truth!  This obligation applies both individually (Matthew 28:18-20; II Timothy 2:2), and collectively, as a local church (Acts 11:22-24; 13:1-5).  To do this, we must use any available means: oral, written, pulpit, classroom, house to house, radio, television, CD’s, internet, etc.  We must be sure that we proclaim truth ONLY – not “perverse things” which “draw away the disciples” (Acts 20:26-32).  When we proclaim the truth, we increase the opportunities for others to hear, learn, and obey.  They, in turn, will become workers with us in upholding the truth!

We must provide for teachers of truth.  Like our previous point, we have obligations both individu­ally (Galatians 6:6; III John 1:5-8), and collectively, as a local church (II Corinthians 11:8; Philippians 4:15-16).  Our provision for teachers can come in various forms (I Corinthians 9:3-14) – i.e., food (Vs 4), family support (Vs 5), expenses (Vs 7), and “material things” (Vs 11).  In short, those who teach may be provided a “living” (Vs 14).  Providing for those who teach truth is a God-given means by which certain individuals can devote their full time and attention to teaching.  And when we support those who preach the truth, we support the truth itself!

We must protect the truth.  In reality, the truth endures forever, whether we protect it or not (I Peter 1:25).  However, God has commanded us to defend the truth against those who assault it (Jude 3).  This kind of defense may involve some public “dissention and dispute” (cf. Acts 15:1-2).  Those who teach error are to be rebuked; and this is a major component of the task of preaching (II Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 2:15).  When we defend the truth against the onslaught of error, we are supporting and upholding the truth.

This is how the church is “the pillar and ground of the truth.”  It is our “prime directive” to pursue, practice, proclaim, provide for, and protect the word of God!  This obligation rests upon the entire church – not just preachers!  When we recognize our personal obligation in this matter, the church will grow; and truth will have its fullest impact in the world.  Remember, “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (I Corinthians 1:21)  So, let’s get busy!                  By Lanny Smith

Ultimate Deliverance                                                    September 29, 2024

What if…we actually were put to death because we are Christians?  What is our attitude about this?  Consider Paul’s attitude:

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death”  (Philippians 1:19-20)

Paul’s view of “deliverance” is interesting, isn’t it?  He says here he is confident that he will be delivered, and he includes within the scope of that deliverance both life and death.  Deliverance even by death?  Yes.  He was looking not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen (II Corinthians 4:18).  Whether another day to tell others about Jesus or dying and going home to be with Jesus, the Christian is confident of being delivered through and from evil.

Further, Paul wrote, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen” (II Timothy 4:18).  Paul considered that being rescued from every evil deed was ultimately fulfilled by being brought safely to the Lord’s heavenly kingdom.  In other words, the Lord taking us from this world and bringing us to Him is being rescued.  It is deliverance.  There is no greater deliverance.

The idea here, that through physical persecution and death one may be brought safely into eternity, is powerful.  It is a message of faith and hope.  While we tend to think we aren’t safe here unless we have some physical way to arm and protect ourselves, the real safety is found in such a relationship with God that when we are taken from this life, even if violently, we will be brought safely to His heavenly kingdom.

Perhaps, then, Christians ought not to think, “we are not safe.”  If we are in fellowship with God, then we are safe, no matter how much violence and evil the world will throw at us.  Why?  Because we see a much bigger picture of deliverance than merely being spared our physical lives.  True deliverance, ultimate deliverance, and safety, is found in our eternal home.

“If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name…Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right” (I Peter 4:16, 19).

Further passages to consider:

-“But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name.  Yet not a hair of your head will perish.  By your endurance you will gain your lives” (Luke 21:16-19).

-“Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if  He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up'” (Daniel 3:16-18).                                                           

                                                                                                By Doy Moyer