November 18, 2013

Courage Today

Take Courage

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

The Hebrew writer mentioned the “great cloud of witnesses,” referring to the heroes of faith he had just discussed. Some of the examples we have considered in our study are in the list of the faithful in Hebrews 11. Because we have this “great cloud of witnesses surrounding us,” we must do three things:

  1. Lay aside every encumbrance and sin, and run with endurance (Hebrews 12:1).
  2. Look to Jesus and to His example (Hebrews 12:2).
  3. Do not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:3).

In other words, “take courage” (John 16:33) – trust in the Lord and follow Him as He desires, no matter what the consequences might be.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Take Courage Tagged With: , ,
February 21, 2013

Let No One Look Down on Your Youth

Holding a Bible

Paul told Timothy, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12). The apostle’s instruction to the young evangelist will also apply to any young Christian. But how can young men and women in Christ keep others from looking down on their youth? They cannot control the thoughts of others. Instead, they must control what is in their power to control – they must live in such a way as to give no reason for others to look down on their youth.

Though one may be young, he can still be faithful and be an example in the areas Paul mentioned.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , ,
December 12, 2012

How to Reach Others with the Gospel

Two Men Studying the Bible

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

The above passage is commonly referred to as the Great Commission. Though this commission was given exclusively to the apostles (there is no divine mandate for each Christian to “go into all the world” today), there certainly are principles that apply to us. God wants people to be saved and the gospel is the way to reach them. Therefore, we should be doing what we can to spread the gospel.

But how do we reach others with the gospel? There is more to be done in this regard than just standing up in the pulpit and preaching (though this is one of the ways which we will discuss). Not everyone can stand up in the pulpit and preach, but each one of us can do different things to help reach others with the gospel.

In this article, we will briefly notice some of the things that we can do as individuals to spread the gospel.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , ,
September 23, 2012

The Moral Influence of Those in Power (9/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Esther 1-5.

The morals (or lack thereof) of those in positions of power can have a great influence on society as a whole. When sinful conduct is seen as normal by those in the public eye, it will eventually be seen as normal by a host of others.

The advisors of King Ahasuerus understood this. When Queen Vashti disobeyed her husband (the King), this was the advice they gave:

“Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women causing them to look with contempt on their husbands by saying, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought into his presence, but she did not come.’ This day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s conduct will speak in the same way to all the king’s princes, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: ,
September 6, 2012

A Disciple’s Influence

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described the character of one who would be one of His disciples. He made it very clear that His disciples would have an impact upon the world around them.
Lighthouse

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

Jesus used three analogies – the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city set on a hill – to describe His disciples. Each one of these emphasizes different aspects of the influence which we are to have upon others, and how the world will react to us.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , ,
March 6, 2012

Remember Those Who Were Unfaithful (3/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Numbers 26-27.

Chapters that provide details about a census of the Israelites are easy for us to skim over. Yet there are lessons to be learned even here.

“The sons of Eliab: Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram who were called by the congregation, who contended against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed  them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning” (Numbers 26:9-10).

“The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan” (Numbers 26:19).

“To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the Lord” (Numbers 26:60-61).

Of the more than 600,000 men of Israel included in the census, the ones listed above were the few to have additional comments made about them. Why were we reminded of these men? They are here to serve as “a warning” (Numbers 26:10).
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
November 3, 2011

Remembering E.A. Dicus

E.A. Dicus

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

E.A. Dicus (“Dike”) preached for over forty years for the Lorain Avenue church of Christ in Cleveland, Ohio (where my family attended while I was growing up). He was well-loved and respected by those that knew him. Even though I was not quite ten years old when he passed away, he made an early impact upon me and his example continues to influence me today.

Lewis Willis spoke at his funeral and wrote an obituary that appeared in Guardian of Truth magazine a month later [available online here]. From time to time I go back and re-read Willis’ comments about Dike, just to be reminded about who he was and the work he had done. Today is the twenty-first anniversary of his passing. I wanted to share his story with the readers here, in particular the following excerpt:
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Links Tagged With: , ,