Posted by David on November 18, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Generally speaking, the answer is no. Regarding some considerations, that is desirable. At times, I know change produces good: when I heat food in a microwave; when Joyce makes a cell phone call from the car as I drive on a trip; when I look at the choice of food items in a grocery store; when a friend has successful open heart surgery; when I enjoy temperature control in any environment.
Regarding some considerations, the absence of change is frustrating: when I cannot control my cholesterol by diet, weight control, and exercise; when I watch society and the church become increasingly ignorant about relationship skills; when I observe the level of moral and ethical ignorance rising; when I watch us “reap what we sow”; when I marvel at the ways greed and selfishness impact and influence all of our lives.
I am reminded frequently and personally that nothing remains the same. New understandings excite me until they remind me of how much I have forgotten and how much I have never known. In the past few years I audited a condensed graduate Bible course each summer. Why? I do it for several reasons: (1) the joy of discovery; (2) the humility of awareness; (3) the soberness of responsibility; and (4) the reminder of personal ignorance.
We measure ourselves through comparisons. When we stop judging others and evaluate self, comparisons frequently disturb us. Physically, I dislike what is happening to my strength and balance in the decade of my 60s. My dislikes are based on my comparisons to the decade of my 20s. Expectations in the 60s should be based on capabilities of the 60s, not the capabilities of the 20s. Self-comparisons are never kind or fair!
But at times self-comparisons are encouraging. Mentally, I like to compare my understandings of my 60s’ decade to my understandings of my 20s’ decade. I appreciate the mental rewards of forty years of experience. I like the benefits of “hindsight.” I enjoy the values of decades of study, thinking, and understanding.
With each Christian, spiritual comparisons are both encouraging and discouraging. Spiritual development is always a growth and maturing process. As we each spiritually develop, certain awarenesses are essential. (1) Never base personal spiritual development on the failures of others. (2) Always remember you are growing toward God’s thinking. (3) Humbly accept your ignorance. (4) Ever allow better biblical understandings to guide you toward God’s priorities. Growth toward spiritual maturity always requires the willingness to change. Why? Imperfect humans are growing toward the perfect God.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He never changes. To be like Him, growth demands we constantly change. Does anything remain the same? No, not if we allow Jesus to help us grow toward God.
Posted by David on November 4, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
The Old Testament states long ago lived a man named Job. He had great integrity, wealth, and influence. More importantly, he impressed God. God considered Job unique. God saw him as a blameless, upright, reverent man who despised evil (Job 1:8).
Satan argued Job would be stupid not to be who he was. God richly blessed him, and Job knew it. Why should he disappoint God when he realized God gave him all he enjoyed?
Job literally lost everything–his wealth, his children, his wife’s respect, and his health. The situation was so grim his wife suggested he turn lose of his integrity, curse God, and die (Job 2:9). To her, the solution was death. At least it would end the physical suffering and embarrassment.
Job’s response is still insightful: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10) After that statement, the writer wrote: “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”
In the rest of the book, it is evident (1) Job did not understand his situation, and (2) he regarded his experiences to be acts of gross injustice. Yet, at no moment did Job consider leaving God. Neither his personal confusion, his friends’ false accusations, nor his wife’s loss of respect moved him to consider leaving God.
We never are upset with God for blessing us. Because we are blessed frequently in numerous ways we take our blessings for granted. At times we even convince ourselves we deserve to be blessed. Rather than being content, we often want more. No matter how “good we have it,” we believe we should have it better.
Going from “having little” to “having more” is not a difficult journey. Going from “having more” to “having little” is very difficult. I am not speaking of simplifying a blessed life. I am speaking of losing blessings. Few people enjoy the experience of “going back” if “going back” requires a loss of blessings.
As long as evil functions with influence in this world, adversity will occur. Just as situations can improve, they can also get worse. Just as blessings can increase, they can also be lost. Just as ease can touch our lifestyles, struggles can also touch our lifestyles. Just as our families can know great joy, our families can also know great sorrow. Physical existence is not a continuous experience of knowing good.
Job’s question is relevant for every Christian today. Can we accept God’s good and reject evil’s adversity? This is not a question of justice. This is a question of origins. The origin of the good that touched Job’s life was God. The origin of the evil that touched Job’s life was Satan. The origin of the good that touches your life is God. The origin of the evil that touches your life is Satan. Our dependence on God always will be tested more by the adversity we experience than by the good we experience.
Posted by David on October 28, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Recently Brad and I read an article with a challenging illustration. It noted what many who teach about God observe: people who are not Christians often misunderstand us. [I would also observe that many in the church do not understand what they hear.] That writer said he attempted to “see” us through the eyes of an outsider observing us as we “drive by” his or her life. The writer compared what he saw to a rusty car moving in jerks as it spewed the odor and smoke of burning oil. We inside the car talk about the smooth ride. Observers outside the car wonder if we ever look at ourselves.
The article was not negative, just factual. The problem is OLD. When I was a boy many years ago, adults talked about the same situation. They talked about “seeing ourselves as others see us.”
The objective is not to deceive or create false impressions. Yet, this is factual: others often cannot see God because they cannot see past us. Others often do not understand what we say about God because they do not understand what we say or do.
We take pride in distinctive worship practices, but often our everyday behavior resembles people who have little knowledge of God. We use our language in our writings, sermons, and classes as we talk to ourselves. We seldom realize someone who is not a part of us does not understand us. When words or concepts are used to connect to their minds, we get upset at our own speaker because he or she is not using our language.
If you think we do not confuse those observing us from outside “the car” as we drive by, consider our present national crisis. This is an extremely complex moment in American history. I certainly do not have the answers. My point is simple: do we confuse others “who are not a part of us”?
Terrorists injected fear into our lives. For most of us, this is our first experience with the danger of uncertainty. Before September 11 we asked ourselves the question in hundreds of ways, “What would Jesus do?” After September 11 many who asked that question were for bombing [as long as it took] to destroy the terrorists. Are God’s values for humanity relevant only if we have peace in our lifestyle? In your understanding, what eternal realities confront those who die?
Recently I heard the question, “How can Christians who oppose abortion in this country think that widespread death is the answer in another country?” If we disregard the selfishness factor and the self-interest factor, that immediately is a complex question. Suddenly “them” issues are “me” issues.
What do our attitudes toward the current crisis say to others about our God?
Thanks to those who pray for our enemies in our public prayers. I appreciate your attitude and your prayers.
Posted by David on October 21, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
God’s nature is relevant to the present condition of our world. America’s world shook in ways we regarded unshakable. Amazingly, the fundamental issue moving our world to the brink of chaotic instability is not at all the issue Americans expected. If the fundamental issue dealt with economic suffering, power inequities, materialistic unconcern, social injustices, or racial bias, most Americans quickly could relate to the issue. Why not? Those problems shake life inside America.
But the basic issue is about God. That issue is far more basic than His correct name, the proper way to approach Him, or the proper way to worship Him. The “now” issue centers in God’s nature. Before September 11, God’s nature was a “none issue” here.
In America before September 11, can you guess the only place that discussed God’s nature? Sunday school classes? No. Wednesday night Bible classes? No. Sermons in church buildings? No. Bible studies with seekers? No. Anyone attempting meaningfully discussions of God’s nature in those contexts was B-O-R-I-N-G. “Killing” interest in a Christian study, class, or audience was guaranteed if one meaningfully discussed God’s nature. Then where? Theology classes in schools training preachers might guide in-depth studies of God’s nature. In other contexts, God’s nature is assumed. The prevailing conviction: “No one needs to understand God’s nature! Do what He says and get on with life!” [That assumes we can do what He asks without understanding Him.]
America is now at war. Our government carefully tries to keep this war from becoming a religious war between two worldwide belief systems. Why? The war is based on radically different understandings of God’s nature.
One system primarily believes God is a God of justice. God was deeply offended by unbelievable injustices. Because of injustices against God’s nature, hate appropriately expresses faith. Faith expressed through hate results in acts of terror. Believers’ vengeance against unbelievers appeases God’s anger.
One system primarily believes God is a God of redemption. God’s love was deeply wounded, but He uses mercy and grace to forgive. Through forgiveness, He teaches people to be forgiving. Repentance appropriately expresses faith. Faith expressed in repentance results in kindness.
Why should anyone want to be like God? If God is the source of hatred, and faith expresses itself in terror and vengeance, that is a good question. If God is the source of redemption, and faith expresses itself in kindness and repentance, the answer should be obvious.
Posted by David on October 14, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Few experiences discourage anyone as much as being taken for granted. Few experiences energize anyone as powerfully as appreciation. That is the voice of experience. Occasions that deeply discouraged me invariably come when I feel taken for granted. Times when I am powerfully energized invariably come when I know I am appreciated. Is not that the way your “motivation system” works?
In these inner feelings I doubt you and I are different. If you are a Christian servant, you feel deeply discouraged when you feel “taken for granted.” You also feel powerfully energized when you feel appreciated.
Please forgive me for not saying “thank you” as often as I should–which should be constantly! I see so many things done to bless and encourage. I notice quiet, considerate acts of unselfish service. Because of my work, I am privileged to witness many things others never have opportunity to see.
I give special thanks to all who make our fellowship occasions reality on fourth or fifth Sunday evenings. Much “thankless” work make those times a reality. Special thanks to all who helped this fifth Sunday evening. Sickness required some key people to be elsewhere that evening. Volunteers promptly filled the gaps. Perhaps “thank yous” were not as generous as deserved. I noticed, and I thank you.
Last Sunday morning many of the adult classes began new studies. Those adult classes will study Climbing On The Altar, a careful examination of Romans 12:1 through 15:13. I encourage you to be part of a class each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.
We do not conduct these studies to honor a tradition or perpetuate a habit. Attendance is not a church thing “that has always been practiced.” Classes meet and study to encourage individual Christians as they develop a committed, in-depth relationship with God. We learn godly principles, values, and standards that will help us be godly people in all our relationships.
We want to study Bible material that helps you be a godly person in your real world. This Sunday please complete an anonymous, brief input survey of only three questions:
- On a scale of 1-10 circle how you rate the Bible class material that we’ve been studying throughout 2000-2001. (10 being the best) Why do you feel this way?
- What subject(s) would you like to study that would best help you to grow in your relationship with the Father?
- Suggestions that you think will help our Adult Education Ministry at West-Ark.
Think about the questions. Fill in a survey form. Give the completed form to your teacher or place it in the box in the foyer. We want to encourage you to be a godly person in trying times.
Posted by David on October 7, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
There was a man who made a living and supported his family as most men do. He loved his Lord, loved the church the Lord sustains, and loved people. This people-person genuinely enjoyed assembling with Christians to worship and glorify God.
There was a man who struggled with crippling arthritis. He fought it and resisted it as it increasingly restricted his life, limited his involvement, and finally confined him to a wheel chair. He fought his disease with a cheerful disposition, a smile, a growing love for his Lord, and a constant love for people.
There was a man who fought his arthritis with fierce, personal determination. He had surgeries. He took growing numbers of medications that steadily increased in strength. Yet, slowly but certainly, the disease increased its hold on his life. But his cheerful disposition never left, his smile never faded, his love for his Lord and his Lord’s church never dimmed, and his love for people was constant. Many visited to encourage this man, but most left encouraged by him. He always laughed. He always smiled.
There was a man whose replacement wrist joint wore out. His spine in his neck became about the size of a pencil. He often wore a thick collar for protection because he could not survive sudden movements. An unexpected jerk could literally break his neck. But his cheerful disposition remained, his smile never faded, his love for the Lord and his Lord’s church never dimmed, and his love for people continued.
There was a man who could not assemble for worship with the Christians he loved. He came in his wheelchair for a long time. With time his worship visits grew less frequent. Even in his home movement from his bed to his wheelchair and his wheelchair to his recliner became a major struggle. But he refused to stay in bed. He loved to listen to taped sermons. The last time he worshipped the God he loved with the Christians he loved, it took him almost a week to recover. Yet, he loved that visit! His cheerful disposition came! His bright smile was present! And the many who warmly, fondly visited with him felt the love!
There was a man who had to take huge amounts of pain killers to endure each day. As the disease advanced, the doses of those pain killers were enormous. Most people taking that amount of medication would exist in a state of stupor as minds and bodies were numbed to fight the pain. But not even those pain killers erased his cheerful disposition, or took his smile away, or masked his love for the Lord and the Lord’s church, or hid his love for others.
The man was Joe Halford. Why was Joe Halford this kind of man? Many factors contributed to his kind disposition, his constant smile, and his love for the Lord and for other people. Yet, all those factors rested on one foundation. Joe Halford was that man because Joe Halford knew the Man. Joe understood why Jesus died and what God accomplished in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Joe understood Jesus gave him life.
Posted by David on September 30, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Throughout time, amazingly, in some ways people never change. With the sophistication of our achievements, technology, and advancements, we, as a society, convince ourselves that “we are really different from people in the past.” In basic ways, we are not. We allowed the glitter of our external advancements to blind and deceive us. No matter how much life changes externally, people who place their trust in humanity remain amazingly the same. And they always suffer the same disillusionment.
Hundreds of years ago a young man named Daniel witnessed the unthinkable. The city of God containing the temple of God collapsed. Its government failed, and its most prestigious people were forced to move several hundred miles to Babylon. That entire situation must have been quite a shock. Previously, important people including influential religious people [supposedly close to God] declared nothing bad could happen. Anyone declaring the contrary was using scare tactics.
I do not know what Daniel planned for his adult life in Jerusalem, or what he thought his Jerusalem future held. I am confident his aspirations included none of his actual adult experiences. Rather than becoming an important hometown man who moved among Jerusalem’s elite, he was forced to move to Babylon to become servant to the king.
Incredibly, Daniel experienced a significant life of great influence in Babylon. In time, King Nebuchadnezzar placed great trust in Daniel’s insights and wisdom. The king often relied on Daniel more than anyone else.
From the beginning, Daniel never took credit for his wisdom and understanding. From the beginning, Daniel made it clear that God was the source of his understanding. God was to be glorified, not Daniel. “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for all wisdom and power belong to Him… It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; who knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells in Him” (Daniel 2:20,22).
Daniel experienced some severe trials. He survived hatred and jealousy. Why? His faith was in God, not himself. His faith was in God, not human strength. His faith was in God, not a world empire’s might. Daniel’s faith in God was always the basis of his decisions and actions.
Each of us attempts to determine the meaning of the current events. We are assured everything will be all right, but we wonder. May our lives and our values reflect Christ’s light. May we be lights in darkness. May we be the assurance that things can be all right. Because we are America? No. Because of our great military might? No. Because of our economic strength? No. Because of our position as leader of the free world? No. Because of our reputation as the defender of freedom? No. Because of our incredible technology? No.
Then why? Because Jesus is the Christ. Whatever happens, it will be all right.
Posted by David on September 23, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
For the first time I have opportunity to share with you after the horrible events of last Tuesday. My mind says our world fundamentally changed. My routine says nothing changed. My understanding says the changes barely have begun. My personal history says it was a horrible event, but the worst is over. My world awareness says the event has worldwide significance. My complacency says it was deeply regrettable, but life will continue as always. One part of me knows the situation is incredibly complex; another part of me oversimplifies all aspects of the situation.
I must struggle with conflicting realities. Each reality has elements of truth, but those realities often are in fundamental conflict. I watch our nation function in contradictory ways. Frequently those contradictions also consume me. The “before Tuesday, September 11” and the “after Tuesday, September 11” astound me.
“Before,” this nation was so pleasure, money, and individual freedom centered that it was irreligious. “Confine religion to religious buildings. Do not share your religion with anyone!” “After,” congress prays on the Capitol steps. Five presidents and countless dignitaries assemble in a cathedral for a prayer service. An emotional coach of the New York Jets professional football team made astounding statements. He said if our nation needed diversion last Sunday, go to church and pray. He said there could be no better national diversion than every citizen attending church and praying.
“Before,” NATO nations constantly quarreled in their alliance. China viewed us as their greatest enemy. Russia regarded us with grave suspicion. “After,” NATO unified. China was sympathetic. Russian citizens cried as they brought flowers to impromptu memorial sites, and their leaders pledged cooperation.
Around the globe stunned democratic nations held memorials and declared support. At the British “changing of the guard” ceremonies, protocol changed in historically unique ways. Among the changes: they played our national anthem. Could it be that people soberly realized current western civilization was threatened?
Our President declared the attack an act of war. That act of war killed over 5,000 innocent civilians. So we declared war against evil. I read of the panic in Afghanistan among innocent parents and children. In indescribable poverty, they desperately attempt to leave their country. Their experiences are also horrible. If they die, is that also an act of evil? I read of terroristic violence American citizens commit against American citizens of suspected Arab descent. Does justice function through acts of injustice? Is it “good” if “we” do it to “them,” but “evil” if “they” do it to “us”?
Throughout history, moments of great crisis produce events of great evil. Events of great evil produce incredible opportunities for good. In days of deep darkness Christ’s light can shine the brightest. May we each have the faith and courage to reflect His light in the days, weeks, and months of deep darkness ahead. Tragedy creates opportunity.
Posted by David on September 9, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
A sad reality I encountered in West Africa was the infant mortality rate. At that time, fifty percent of all infants died before the age of five. Infant mortality was so common in some areas that parents did not name children at birth. Naming was delayed until parents believed children would live. Survival was as significant as birth.
In my college days in Nashville, Tennessee, over one hundred congregations of the Church of Christ existed in that city. At that time factual estimates suggested half of all immersed into Christ never worshipped. About fifty percent of immersed believers expressed little or no interest in the church. The spiritual birth rate was incredible. The spiritual survival rate was deplorable. Even if the single criteria for spiritual development was church attendance, the spiritual survival rate was still deplorable.
As Christians, we need to do all possible to increase the spiritual birth rate. We need to do all possible to help people find Jesus as Savior and receive the forgiveness of sins. Every person needs the forgiveness provided by Jesus’ blood. Every person needs the hope provided by forgiveness. No one should be denied eternal opportunities.
We also need to do all possible to increase the spiritual survival rate. New Testament writers placed enormous emphasis on spiritual survival. No epistle suggested this to Christians: “You had enough faith in Jesus to be immersed. You have done quite enough! Nothing else is necessary! Do not spiritually grow! Stay as you are!”
Peter told young Christians to understand they were spiritual infants. They were to long for the word’s pure milk and spiritually grow (1 Peter 2:2). Paul told Christians in Corinth to be mature in their thinking instead of being children (1 Corinthians 14:2). They needed to become men and put childish things behind them (1 Corinthians 13:11). Paul told the Christians in Ephesus not to be easily deceived children, but to mature to the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13,14). Paul explained his goal to Christians in Colossae: to present Christians complete in Christ (Colossians 1:28). A major theme in New Testament epistles is spiritual maturity. Spiritual survival that resulted in spiritual maturity was as important as spiritual birth. It still is.
“Is spiritual maturity that important? Must we be that serious about nurturing Christians? Does not evangelism totally fulfill our mission?” According to New Testament epistles, Jesus Christ’s objectives cannot be achieved only through evangelism. Yes, helping those born in Christ survive and reach spiritual maturity is that important.
“How important is it?” Christians in Corinth suffered from horrible spiritual problems. Paul wanted to help them, but in their spiritual immaturity, they rejected his help. He wanted to share things they needed to know, but they were immature babies dependent on milk. He could not feed them meat (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
May our spiritual birth rate increase. May we nurture all born into Christ.
Posted by David on September 2, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
In the tiny country of Palestine among the small population of first century Jews, there were many religious outcasts. Among those outcasts, none were resented more than Samaritans. People in main stream Jewish religious acceptability despised Samaritans. Climbing Israel’s ladder of religious respectability intensified resentment for Samaritans.
Samaritans were partly Jewish. Hundreds of years prior to the first century, their Jewish ancestors married people who were not Jews. Jewish resentment was so deep that Jews refused to associate with Samaritans (John 4:9). Occasionally Jesus’ Jewish enemies tried to produce an emotional reaction against him by declaring he was a Samaritan (John 8:48).
Prior to his ascension, the resurrected Jesus told his apostles to be his witnesses in Samaria. Acts 8:4-13 stated that happened. The results: (1) there was a lot of rejoicing and (2) men and women were baptized.
Sharing news about the Christ brought hope to Samaritans. To a Bible student, that is not surprising. On one occasion Jesus dared travel across Samaria. On this trip, he took the initiative to offer hope to a Samaritan divorcee living with a man to whom she was not married (John 4:7-18). Jesus offered this divorcee living water. That is not an evangelistic outreach we would devise. Yet, extending hope to this divorcee was effective. As a result, many in the village of Sychar believed Jesus was the Savior of the world (John 4:39-42).
These Samaritans concluded Jesus was the Christ. During Jesus’ ministry, few Jews reached that conclusion. Because Jesus gave a divorcee hope, the Samaritans in Sychar recognized his true identity. Because Jesus gave her hope, he taught Sychar.
In Matthew 8:10-12, Jesus made an incredible statement to a Jewish audience. A Roman military officer requested, “Heal my suffering servant.” Jesus offered to accompany him to his home. The officer said that was unnecessary. He said, “Just say the word…” His faith astounded Jesus. No Israelite had shown such great faith.
Jesus then observed that many people who did not descend from Abraham would sit with Abraham in the kingdom of heaven. At the same time, Abraham’s descendants would be denied a place in that kingdom.
Why? Faith in Jesus was generated by hope. The Roman military officer came to Jesus in hope. His hope produced faith. The combination of hope and faith produced unquestioning confidence, a confidence Jesus had not seen in Israel.
How big is your faith? How big is your hope? The size of your hope powerfully affects the size of your faith. You want to lead outcasts to faith? Help them find hope.
