(The following thoughts were written by Leroy Wood who, at the time, was superintendent of Southern Christian Children’s Home. It dates back several years but I look at it from time to time and thought I would share it with you as we begin our consideration of our budget for next year - tl)
The Lord Will Send Him Back
(Leroy Wood)
“One of the intriguing ways of Jesus is demonstrated in Mark 11:1-4. He needed a colt which no one had sat upon before, and He sent His disciples to get it. When the disciples approached the owner he didn’t ask any questions; he let them have it. He may have been a disciple of Jesus, or maybe he had heard of His wonderful work and thus didn’t question the request. Jesus said, ‘I will send him back immediately.’ (Moffat’s Version)
“Let’s look at this and see what lessons we can find for ourselves. The Lord always has use for temporal things. He needed this colt to fulfill an Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). He once needed a bucket and a rope for a drink of water (John 4:6.) Once He needed a pulpit and used a boat for this purpose (Luke 5:1-3). For the Last Supper, He needed a large upper room (Mark 14:15). He needed a rich man’s tomb for a burial place (Isaiah 5:39).
“The Lord still has need for material things, and He has the right to what He requests. We belong to Him (I Corinthians 6:19, 20). He has given us good gifts (James 1:17). He is the captain of our salvation and we are the soldiers of His army (Hebrews 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:4).
“THE LORD WILL SEND HIM BACK! When He asked for literal water, He said He would give living water (John 4:10). For the use of Peter’s boat he gave a multitude of fishes (Luke 5:6). For the use of the upper room He made it a remembered spot. For the use of the tomb He gave the hope of resurrection!
“He pays a hundred-fold (Matthew 19:29). When He asks for your life, as He does, He offers you eternal life in return. For liberality He promises abundance (2 Corinthians 9:6,7). For service He promises complete satisfaction and eternal rest. No wonder Paul broke forth with the praise of Jesus, ‘Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!’ (2 Corinthians 9:15).
“The Lord always keeps His promise. May our prayer be, ‘Lord help us to live a life that is completely in harmony with your way and your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.’”
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
What Marriage Means
A few years ago the governor of a state vetoed a bill limiting a marriage to a contract between a man and a woman. He said it was mean-spirited. The supreme court of another state decided that a married woman who had an affair with another woman had not committed adultery. These are only two situations within the past decade that illustrates how our society/culture is struggling with what marriage means.
When Jesus was asked about controversies which swirled around marriage in His day, He answered with basic truths about the nature of the relationship. These principles need to be fixed in our minds as we grapple with questions about marriage today.
The first is that the concept of marriage is rooted in the creation of God. The “therefore shall a man leave his father and mother” which begins the key Bible statement on marriage grows out of the fact that “He who created them from the beginning made them male and female” (Matthew 19:4,5) The relationship is possible because God made man and woman to correspond to each other, to complement one another physically, emotionally, and socially.
A second truth is that marriage involves a covenant between a man and a woman. They “leave” other relationships; they “hold fast” to each other, and they consequently “become one flesh.” The commitment is to be exclusive and permanent. The relationship is to be characterized by honor, trust, and loyalty. The Lord explained, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:5,6)
The third principle is that marriage is to be guided by the commandment of the Lord. Holding marriage in honor involves allowing God to define what loving behavior is and respecting His right to hold any who defile it accountable. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Marriage is a relationship of responsibility.
It is important that we teach our young people the importance of the permanence of marriage. It is a shame on our nation that half of all marriages end in divorce. It has become too commonplace and the world has become complacent to the point of making light of what God expects of marriage.
This cannot be so in the church! Our children must see marriage as God intended it to be. Vows taken in marriage are to be made to one another and to God. It is a three-way relationship for the Christian - Husband/Wife/God - with God having preeminence in all things.
Solomon said long ago, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
When Jesus was asked about controversies which swirled around marriage in His day, He answered with basic truths about the nature of the relationship. These principles need to be fixed in our minds as we grapple with questions about marriage today.
The first is that the concept of marriage is rooted in the creation of God. The “therefore shall a man leave his father and mother” which begins the key Bible statement on marriage grows out of the fact that “He who created them from the beginning made them male and female” (Matthew 19:4,5) The relationship is possible because God made man and woman to correspond to each other, to complement one another physically, emotionally, and socially.
A second truth is that marriage involves a covenant between a man and a woman. They “leave” other relationships; they “hold fast” to each other, and they consequently “become one flesh.” The commitment is to be exclusive and permanent. The relationship is to be characterized by honor, trust, and loyalty. The Lord explained, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:5,6)
The third principle is that marriage is to be guided by the commandment of the Lord. Holding marriage in honor involves allowing God to define what loving behavior is and respecting His right to hold any who defile it accountable. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Marriage is a relationship of responsibility.
It is important that we teach our young people the importance of the permanence of marriage. It is a shame on our nation that half of all marriages end in divorce. It has become too commonplace and the world has become complacent to the point of making light of what God expects of marriage.
This cannot be so in the church! Our children must see marriage as God intended it to be. Vows taken in marriage are to be made to one another and to God. It is a three-way relationship for the Christian - Husband/Wife/God - with God having preeminence in all things.
Solomon said long ago, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, September 13, 2009
“If You Love Me…”
The greatest act of love known to man is recorded in God’s Word in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” THAT truly is love!
Love sometimes is taken for granted, however. There are those who would point to John 3:16 and say, “Well, it says that whoever believes in Him can have eternal life.” And that is what it says - if we believe in Him. Not just about Him or of Him. The question is, “What is involved
in believing in Jesus?” Let’s take it in three steps:
First, we must believe that Jesus is who He claims to be - the Son of God - the Christ. (Matthew 27:43; John 10:36) However, we find the demons acknowledging Him as the Son of God in Matthew 8:29. Even Satan and his followers know and believe who Jesus is.
Secondly, we must believe that Jesus is able to do what He says He can do. When a man asked Jesus to cast the demon out of his son, Jesus asked the man if he believed He was able to do it. (Mark 9:24)
Thirdly, we must believe in Jesus’ method of doing things. That is, we must believe in Him to the extent we are willing to do what He says to do and how He says to do it. For example, the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22 evidently believed in Jesus because he asked Jesus what to do to receive eternal life. However, when Jesus told the young man what to do, he balked. He didn’t want to do it the way Jesus told him.
Today it is the same. We must believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24) and that He is able to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15.) but we must also follow through with this belief and do what He commands us to do. If we go to the doctor we should be willing to take the medicine he prescribes, shouldn’t we? When we believe in Jesus, there are things He tells us to do. We must repent of wrongdoing or sin in our life (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; 24:47); we must confess Him before men as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32, 33); we must be baptized (immersed) for the remission of our sins (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38); and we must faithfully abide in Him (Luke 15:62; John 15:1-6.) If we leave anything out, we are not keeping all of His commandments. And, after all, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Do you believe in Him? Do you love Him enough to obey Him? Please do not do as the rich young ruler did and balk on that which is still lacking. This man went away sorrowing because he didn’t understand why Jesus wanted him to do certain things. Rejoice that He has told us what to do - and do it.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Love sometimes is taken for granted, however. There are those who would point to John 3:16 and say, “Well, it says that whoever believes in Him can have eternal life.” And that is what it says - if we believe in Him. Not just about Him or of Him. The question is, “What is involved
in believing in Jesus?” Let’s take it in three steps:
First, we must believe that Jesus is who He claims to be - the Son of God - the Christ. (Matthew 27:43; John 10:36) However, we find the demons acknowledging Him as the Son of God in Matthew 8:29. Even Satan and his followers know and believe who Jesus is.
Secondly, we must believe that Jesus is able to do what He says He can do. When a man asked Jesus to cast the demon out of his son, Jesus asked the man if he believed He was able to do it. (Mark 9:24)
Thirdly, we must believe in Jesus’ method of doing things. That is, we must believe in Him to the extent we are willing to do what He says to do and how He says to do it. For example, the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22 evidently believed in Jesus because he asked Jesus what to do to receive eternal life. However, when Jesus told the young man what to do, he balked. He didn’t want to do it the way Jesus told him.
Today it is the same. We must believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24) and that He is able to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15.) but we must also follow through with this belief and do what He commands us to do. If we go to the doctor we should be willing to take the medicine he prescribes, shouldn’t we? When we believe in Jesus, there are things He tells us to do. We must repent of wrongdoing or sin in our life (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; 24:47); we must confess Him before men as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32, 33); we must be baptized (immersed) for the remission of our sins (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38); and we must faithfully abide in Him (Luke 15:62; John 15:1-6.) If we leave anything out, we are not keeping all of His commandments. And, after all, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Do you believe in Him? Do you love Him enough to obey Him? Please do not do as the rich young ruler did and balk on that which is still lacking. This man went away sorrowing because he didn’t understand why Jesus wanted him to do certain things. Rejoice that He has told us what to do - and do it.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, September 6, 2009
One Thing
What is the most important thing in your life? Be honest, now, because that’s what everything else really revolves around.
Listen to what God’s word says in 1 Corinthians 2:1, 2, “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Paul is saying to the church in Corinth that there is one thing of utmost importance - Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Everything else is based on this one thing. Everything, that is, that involves my relationship with God.
It’s not a matter of how smart we are, how well we can speak, how nice our church buildings are, how nice we are, how many ‘programs’ we have. If we lose sight of the “one thing”, we lose sight of Christianity. The “one thing” is Jesus. It has been from before the beginning of time. God planned for Jesus to be the redeemer - even before the world knew of sin - before there was man to be aware of the need for a Redeemer.
“One thing” involves my awareness now, though. I must realize that everything else falls under this priority - my relationship with God through His Son. Only through Jesus can we come to God. He said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes unto the Father except through me.”
“One thing” involves making choices once I am aware. Jesus said I must “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33) You see, God has told me what is important. Jesus has told me what is important. But I must make the choice and decide what is really important to me in my life. When Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her with the household things, He said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
“One thing” - everything else revolves around that - everything! And I must let my children and others around me see the “one thing” that is the center of my life. Remember, whatever that “center” is, those around us will know it. If the “one thing” in the center of my life is not Jesus and Him crucified, then His resurrection isn’t going to mean much either. My resurrection is based on His resurrection. If Jesus isn’t first, then - well, what do you think?
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Listen to what God’s word says in 1 Corinthians 2:1, 2, “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Paul is saying to the church in Corinth that there is one thing of utmost importance - Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Everything else is based on this one thing. Everything, that is, that involves my relationship with God.
It’s not a matter of how smart we are, how well we can speak, how nice our church buildings are, how nice we are, how many ‘programs’ we have. If we lose sight of the “one thing”, we lose sight of Christianity. The “one thing” is Jesus. It has been from before the beginning of time. God planned for Jesus to be the redeemer - even before the world knew of sin - before there was man to be aware of the need for a Redeemer.
“One thing” involves my awareness now, though. I must realize that everything else falls under this priority - my relationship with God through His Son. Only through Jesus can we come to God. He said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes unto the Father except through me.”
“One thing” involves making choices once I am aware. Jesus said I must “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33) You see, God has told me what is important. Jesus has told me what is important. But I must make the choice and decide what is really important to me in my life. When Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her with the household things, He said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
“One thing” - everything else revolves around that - everything! And I must let my children and others around me see the “one thing” that is the center of my life. Remember, whatever that “center” is, those around us will know it. If the “one thing” in the center of my life is not Jesus and Him crucified, then His resurrection isn’t going to mean much either. My resurrection is based on His resurrection. If Jesus isn’t first, then - well, what do you think?
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
