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MY LIFE

15 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article, Sound Doctrine

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holiness, holy life

“Lord, depart from me because I am a sinful man!” What is a sinful man? A sinful man is a person who lives life in the way he or she wants to without regard to anything the Lord wants. In other words, that “want to” is contrary to the Lord’s way. In my view, it’s not any more complicated than that. A sinful person is not one who necessarily lives life in an overly vile way, but one who lives life in a different way than the Lord’s. For the Christian, presumably the life one has chosen to live is expressed  by Paul himself: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me (Gal. 2:20, ASV).

Think about what Paul is saying. First, his life without Christ is now dead; second, the life he has chosen to live is the life of Christ; third, he understands what it is Jesus did for him and for all those who love Him, therefore he chose to serve the Almighty. If we do not embrace the life of Jesus as Paul expressed it here, we are only kidding (or deceiving) ourselves that all is well. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his second letter, “Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate” (2 Cor. 13:5). How are you living your life? RT

 

Jesus, Growing in Grace

05 Sunday May 2019

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article, Jesus

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grace, growth, knowledge

It does not take much wisdom to understand the importance of growing up physically; with one’s physical growth there is to be growth in the maturation of one’s mind. In life, one who is retarded in growth due to circumstances outside their control generates compassion from many people; vulnerabilities and the innocent can be preyed upon.

When Jesus was but a little boy, he would have experienced the same things other little boys would have enjoyed. Perhaps he played in the dirt, got muddy, had a messy room (so to speak). With Jesus, just as with other little boys, he grew both physically, mentally and emotionally. With him, however, there was something different than other little boys experienced. Sometimes we have difficulty putting our arms around the fact that he was similar to us because he was so different. Yet, though different, the Scripture says, “And as Jesus grew older He gained in both wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52, Weymouth English Translation).

Whatever difference there might have been in Jesus in comparison with other children his age, the fact is, he had parents dedicated to the Lord’s will in their own lives. Jesus’ education would have been, like it should be in our case, was at home from his parent tutelage. He grew into a mature young man in a dark world of sin. Jesus saw all that was about him; by the age of twelve, he had a clear sense, more than his parents did, of what his mission would be. He asked them a question when they came looking for him, thinking something might have happened to him that was terribly horrifying.  “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49, New English Translation or NET).

As Jesus was in his Father’s house, we are to be also. It’s not a physical structure that is in view, but the Lord’s church. Because of obedience to the holy will of God, the Lord took each of those who obey his will from the realm of darkness and placed them in the realm of light; the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8, ESV). This expression pertains to growth in the Lord; just a few verses later, Paul said, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (5:17).

There is a natural process in growth, if the body is given what it needs. If not, then growth is stunted, it is retarded and in short-order withers. This applies to one’s physical well-being and it also applies to one’s mental faculties, but even more so, in our context, to one’s spiritual health. If one does not grow in the Lord’s grace, then the one who does not grow is not prepared spiritually.

In the long ago, Jeremiah struggled greatly in handling the oppressive spirit of the people. The Lord understood, but the Lord’s understanding was expressed in an exhortation that was to generate in Jeremiah the proper response of preparing himself for the struggle ahead. “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jer. 12:5, ESV).

To grow as the Lord would have his saints grow takes effort, but it also takes desire. Within your heart you need to instill the Lord’s word because it is the Lord you seek to please. One can’t please the Lord without knowledge. Thus, to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, one needs to learn his will and make specific applications to living a holy life.  RT

 

Expressions & Impressions

20 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article

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expressions, impressions

Are you approachable? It is likely each of us can say, “Yes, I am approachable. Why do you ask?” It was not long ago that I heard a sister say to the preacher, “You’re approachable.” This is an interesting remark. Is the case that some in the congregation, perhaps Bible class teachers, other saints, elders are not? Perhaps. On the other hand, maybe all that was meant is the preacher is approachable and easy to talk to.

Are you judgmental? Some time back, a good way in fact, I heard a person say of an elder, “He is judgmental!” The context of that remark had to do with “Let us not approach him lest we be given a judgmental lecture about how we have done this or that wrong.” The idea behind the word “judgmental” is negative in just about every use of the word. We all have a standard by which we live and judge. Most of the time the standard is of our own making, but the standard by which we live and judge is to be the Lord’s. Then, putting that into practice, we form our opinions along with our experiences into a firm decree by which we live. When that decree by which I live is compelled on another person without them asking for it, I become judgmental. I have learned long ago this is a recipe for separation.

Again, not too long ago, I heard a brother say that when something was introduced into his mind, say some failings or struggle that belongs to a particular saint, the brother who is told this information – told because there is a desire to receive help to overcome – the brother told now can’t get the impression from the mind. Consequently, whenever the struggling one presents him or herself to the preacher, the impression made is the only image seen. The preacher now has to get over the hurdle to be of any help, while the one needing help does not realize the extra height that needs to be scaled.

Have you come across a saint who mumbles much, says nothing in the mumbling worth hearing, but is judgmental in the saying of it? I have. Rather disappointing. Murmuring/mumbling destroyed the nation of Israel (1 Cor. 10:9-10) and it destroys the saint who engages in the same.

This goes a long way to solving all of the above: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

Each of us should put it into practice. RT

What was Peter thinking?

20 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article

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perceptions, thoughtful

Why did he think it was okay to take Jesus aside and try to prevent Him from going to Jerusalem? From Peter’s perspective this was not the only option available for the “Christ of God”? Before we criticize Peter, ask yourself the same two questions.

What in the world am I thinking when I place myself at the head of the ship I am navigating in this world? “I don’t do that!” Really? Consider, then, whether or not you cast all your anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7), have you done so? If so, do you believe He is the solution to those worries, and are you patient enough to allow His solutions to be yours?

Why do we think it’s okay to say to Jesus (and anyone else) that I truly have the love of Jesus in my heart even if my actions might allow someone to wonder whether this is so or not? We know that we should attend with the saints, but I am very sleepy, and I only got three hours of sleep last night because of ______ (fill in the blank); Jesus understands. We know we need to be on guard against Satan, he is an adversarial lawyer and seeks to devour us. We justify our approach that nothing is going to happen as we watch this television program full of violence, sex and misbehavior – it’s only fictional. We fail (on purpose?) to give thought or remember the programming we watch infiltrates minds and sows’ seeds.

What was Peter thinking? Whatever it was, the Lord put Peter’s thinking in the proper place when he said to him, in the presence of all, “Get behind me Satan!”

The point is that Peter was not thinking clearly, and neither are we along these same lines.

Does God Hear?

17 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article, Prayer

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obedience, prayer, sinner

It is a wonder of the heart: does God hear my prayer? Does He hear when I am wallowing in my sin, consumed by the aggressive tones and deeds of Satan? Does He hear when my heart aches for a loved one who passed? Does He hear when I begin to walk the valley where much suffering is experienced? These questions and many more can be (and are) asked. So, what about it?

Notice the following translations: ASV: He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. Brenton’s Translation of Greek Old Testament: He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable. ESV: If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. Jewish Publication Society: He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

The key to answering the question “Does God hear?” is in the phrase “turneth away.” In other words, when a person does not have any interest in hearing and obeying the Lord, that person has turned away from the Lord. In such an approach, the answer can only be “No, the Lord does not hear that person’s prayer.” There is no chance I am wrong on this because the verse states it plainly. In John 9:31 and 1 Peter 3:10-12 it is repeated.

If this is so, then how can I get the Lord to hear me when I call. “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Prov. 28:13, ESV).

Isn’t this kind of harsh? Not at all. We can’t dictate the life we choose to live and then expect the Giver of life to grant us His blessings in our rejection of His course of life offered.

Words of Wisdom (Proverbs 10:6)

13 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article, Wisdom

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conniving, manipulating, violence

Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked (KJV). The English translation of the Greek Old Testament reads this way, The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly (Brenton). Another English reading goes like this: Blessings are upon the head of the righteous; but the mouth of the wicked concealeth violence (Jewish Publication Society Translation). The thought seems clear enough, which is those who are righteous will be blessed, but those who are in rebellion have hidden within a violent, conniving heart. None of this escapes the Lord. Proverbs 15:26, The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure (ESV). The one who loves the Lord and obeys, the Lord blesses him. The one who looks on the Lord and turns away has nowhere to go to hide from the Lord. RT

“You are the Christ of God!”

10 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

academic, Christ of God, emotional, life

For the benefit of clarity, the word “Christ” means anointed. Thus, to speak of Jesus as the “Christ of God,” is to speak of Him as the anointed (chosen) of God. When Peter declared to Jesus and others around him that he (Peter) believes Jesus is the Christ of God, he had come to recognize what God promised through Moses, David and Isaiah was before him as he looked at Jesus. Jesus was pleased with his answer (Matthew 16:16-17). Many of us can answer similarly, but with the academic answer, does our life reflect the answer made as it did with Peter? To say, as Peter did, that Jesus is the Christ of God is to speak something that is in the heart of emotions, not just in the mind of knowledge. Without the latter the former wanders all over the place; without the former, the latter is sterile information. Perhaps you are desperately trying to have both. Many of us are trying to do the same. Stay the course, allow Jesus to be the Captain of your soul, the one you call Lord (cf. Hebrews 5:8-9; Luke 6:46). Doing so means, at the end of the day, you will arrive at your destination. RT

Unscriptural Songs—He Lives

06 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article

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academic-oriented, scriptural songs

     This is the second song on the list I have that is considered unscriptural. In what way is it unscriptural? The unscriptural phrase is alleged to be “You ask me how I know he lives: he lives within my heart.” I candidly ask, what in the world is wrong with this? Does not Colossians 3:16 teach this sentiment when Paul writes, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (NKJV). Yes, there is more to the idea of knowing Jesus lives than that He only lives within one’s heart. Jesus is a historical figure; the New Testament is a historical document. The historical figure and the historical document can be investigated (as it has been through the centuries) whereby one can know, not only believe, that Jesus is the Christ of God. That said, is it really a troublesome thing for a person to speak in a favorable way about Jesus living within the heart of the believer? If you have been around for any length of time as a Christian, then you know well that some people are very academic-oriented, and some are not. Some who are overly academic-oriented want to be exactly right; others who are not so academically-oriented still want to know that which they believe, that which they are doing and in that which they are participating is right (I am not speaking, not even a little bit, about people’s intellectual ability to understand deeper things, or to be less academic and more emotional).

“I serve a risen Savior…” is based on knowledge of God’s word. “…the day of His appearing will come at last” is based on knowledge of God’s word. “Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus the King” is based on the knowledge of God’s word. Thus, when one says he (she) knows Jesus lives because He lives within the heart, one is saying this based on knowing God’s word. RT

The Heart is Faithful

31 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article

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attendance, faithful, heart, service

     Your heart is a faithful instrument your body needs to live from day to day, in fact, it is a faithful muscle that allows us to live from moment to moment. The other day I heard John Shannon make a remark along this line; it impressed me a great deal. On Wednesday, when it was my turn to give the invitation, I did a pitiful job at trying to convey what he said. So bad was it, I thought I might do better in a brief bulletin article.

     Without a faithful heart meeting the task the Lord designed for it, no one would survive. It is a muscle that pulls it weight and then some! With the heart, life is maintained because the heart pumps the blood of life throughout the body, the blood carries the nutrients necessary for health and oxygen for the body to survive. According to one source, the heart is about the size of a fist, weighs less than 15 ounces and beats about 100,000 times a day. When you are sitting down it is beating. When you are asleep it is beating. When you are exerting much energy it is beating. When you are resting from that exertion it is beating. The heart is a faithful muscle the Lord gave to each of us for the physical life we have. If the heart is overworked one has high blood pressure, and that brings to one its own physical complication. Is there such a thing as an underworked heart? If so, it can’t be good! A heart that is underworked or overworked is not one that places us in the best position for a long life. A properly working heart, however, is a benefit we can’t live without.

    Consider our walk with the Lord. Are we as faithful to the Lord as our heart is to us? I suspect, that each of us can say to some degree, “I have failed in that area.” If that is so, then consider the Lord’s mercy toward us as we have opportunity to read these words and reflect on that. If our walk with the Lord is as faithful as our physical muscle (heart) is to the body, think how strong each of us would be spiritually, and then add that number to the whole of the congregation, considering how spiritually strong the congregation would be! I can only imagine. Our heart is not strong when our anger issues surface, when our minds wonder from loyalty to a spouse to another person, when one gives little to the Lord in time and means, when one talks out of turn (talking about another to a third person), and when our attendance lags.

     Our heart is strong, on the other hand, when one is able to suppress the anger that boils to the top, when loyalty to a spouse is never challenged by an outside source, when the words that come from our mouth are biblical and build up people, when you give of your precious time to the Lord’s body and generous in your support to His cause and you walk alongside others in attendance.

     I may not be as strong as a farmer, construction worker or a mother, but if my heart is strong, then I am in a good position to live a productive life. In the same way, spiritually, if my heart (mind) is faithful (strong) to the Lord and His ways, then my life is blessed and His reward is waiting for me because my reward is His holiness. RT

No Alternative

21 Saturday Jul 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in America, Bulletin Article, God, history, Leadership

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freedom. liberty, Independence

The First Amendment to the Constitution reads this way: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

2 Timothy 3:12 reads, Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (ASV).

It appears to me we live in a time when the First Amendment is less about freedom to worship and more about taking the freedom, such as the freedom of speech. There are some in our country who do not like certain words, phrases and ideas to be expressed. Rather than the community shaming vulgar speech, some make laws (such as “hate” speech) to prevent others from speaking words with which some might disagree. This is called political correctness, otherwise known as PC. The amendment speaks against the government endorsing a religion, that is a religion of the state, this is what is prohibited, nothing more. Courts, however, afraid of many things and people expanded this phrase to mean much more than that. Now, there is the notion of “separation of church and state”, something not found in the Constitution, but in a personal letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Connecticut Baptists in 1802 (www.allabouthistory.org). Because of such a perverted interpretation of the phrase, the moral foundation of our country, exhibit in our government, is all but gone. John Adams wrote to a Mr. Warren that our government can only be “supported by pure Religion or Austere Morals. Private, and Public Virtue is the only Foundation of Republics” (America’s God and Country, p.12). A moral standard comes from one of two sources: God, not God. There is no third option available. Since many in our community reject God, the only alternative is not God. Look where this has led us. Since we, as a country, are confused morally, the internal moral decay that destroyed Rome has already begun its destructive force against ours. It’s only in the Lord’s mind concerning how long He will allow us to stand as a Nation on this earth. We are we to do?

The only thing godly people (Christians) can do is live the life of Jesus Christ. For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:21-23). For the Christian, there really is no other alternative. As the opportunity is ours, let us redeem (make the best use of) time (Col. 4:5). In the end, while our country is being destroyed, those who live in accordance with the Lord Jesus will be saved. RT

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