Historical Posts
Look What I Found
The book of Ecclesiastes is full of things Solomon has learned. He wishes to share his wisdom with his readers. His wisdom came from God, and thus includes many things we all need to know. Throughout his book, Solomon tells things he has “found.” One thing he has found existed in the very beginning, and still rings true today.
Ecclesiastes 7:29: “Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” When we look at the big picture, we realize that God is perfect; we are not. In the beginning, man was created perfect… then he sinned.
God created mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:27). However, man had the choice to obey God or not, and man gave in to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Genesis 3:6-7), and thus sinned. From that point on, man has devised many schemes! It wasn’t very long until “every intent of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).” Thus, God was sorry He made man, and caused the great flood to get a fresh start.
When man sinned, he became separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Think about this. Who moved? It was man who moved, and not God! Yet, even though man moved away from God, God made it possible for man to return to Him. Even though Adam sinned and later died, like all of us will, Jesus Christ did not sin and overcame death. Through Jesus Christ, we can be reconciled to God (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Have you found Christ yet? You will find Him by hearing God’s Word, the Bible.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Wrong On So Many Levels
Former New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, made a 50 million dollar donation to a program to promote gun control. He then said in a speech following the announcement:
“I am telling you, if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in… I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.”
The former mayor’s statement is one of the most arrogant things I’ve heard or read. Imagine, being so bold as to declare ones place in heaven on personal merit. Does he not know that we are all sinners? All sin and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Contrast his attitude with the words of Jesus when He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Bloomberg seems to express some doubt about the existence of God, but he has no doubt about his own importance, or his place in heaven. Perhaps a little less faith in himself and a little more in the Almighty would be in order. Peter tells us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He might exalt us at the proper time.
Like most politicians, he seems to think that money can buy anything, and this is just wrong. Jesus once asked: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” (Matthew 16:26). I guess Mayor Bloomberg believes $50 million is sufficient. Somebody should tell him it doesn’t work that way. There isn’t enough money in the world to purchase a single soul’s salvation. Only the blood of Jesus can atone for sin (Ephesians 1:7).
The mayor totally misunderstands how God measures the size of ones gifts. God looks at the sacrifice rather than the sum. That is what Jesus taught when he contrasted the poor widow’s two mites with the sum of all the rich men’s gifts. In the eyes of God, her two mites were greater than the combined contributions of all the wealthy men (Mark 12:42-43). According to Forbes, as of April 18, 2014, Michael Bloomberg’s net worth was 32.1 billion dollars. After subtracting his $50 million contribution he was still left more than 32 billion dollars. I’m not a mathematician, but the way I figured it, his contribution wasn’t even 1 percent of his net worth, but a measly .0015576324 percent. Really, he sacrificed nothing, but he did get a lot of attention. Sadly, that may make him happy now, but it won’t help him in eternity.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Hell, Fire and Brimstone
Because the LORD could not find ten righteous people in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, He destroyed them. He did so by raining brimstone and fire on them from out of the heavens (Genesis 19:24). Imagine how wicked the people were, and how severe their punishment was. One might hope that over time, other people would learn from the examples of those who preceded them; realistically, things have not changed all that much.
Jesus said: “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man… Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed (Luke 17:26-30).”
People are still living wickedly! Even though times have changed, God has not. He still punishes those who continue to live in sin. However, God still gives man a chance to repent and return to Him. Jesus said, “for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them (Luke 9:56).”
If one chooses to follow Christ, he will save his eternal soul! On the other hand, if he does not, he will lose it. John heard these words from heaven: “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:3,7-8).”
Let us follow Christ to Heaven, not Satan to Hell. Have you taken steps to follow Jesus?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Good News
I picked up the paper this morning to look for good news. I found none.
There were stories about death and destruction, crime and misery, drugs and sex, but no good news. Floods and tornadoes, poison gas and destructive bombs, alcohol abuse and drug addition, disease and death were everywhere. Can you remember the last time you read or heard some really good news?
There are good things to report, but it is assumed that the public is not interested. Bad news sells newspapers. Television is no different. Man’s inhumanity to man is the main ingredient of the nightly news. The networks scramble to see who can dig up the most dirt on someone, or find video of some gruesome tragedy. No matter where it happens, it must be shown in our living rooms minutes later. And, the bloodier the better!
Would you like to hear some good news?
God loves us (John 3:16). Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Heaven can be ours (John 14:1-3). We are victors through Him (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Christians are bearers of “good news.” That is exactly what the gospel is. When Paul wrote to the church at Rome that it was his intention to preach the gospel there, he was telling them that it was his desire to proclaim the good news in their city (Romans 1:15-17).
What is this good news? It consists of three fundamental facts: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and resurrected the third day (I Corinthians 15:3, 4). It involves three divine commands: faith in Jesus (John 8:24), repentance (Luke 13:3), and baptism (Mark 16:16). And, it offers three glorious promises: the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38), the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), and eternal life (1 John 2:25).
It is the good news of Jesus Christ which instills hope and optimism in our hearts.
No matter how bad things may seem, we know God has something better in store for us. Further, His message can make a difference in the lives of others. There would be far more good news to report in our world if the good news of Jesus Christ was heard, believed, and obeyed more often. It is toward that goal we strive each day.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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An Atheist’s Dream House
Last week, I was privileged to preach in a Gospel Meeting at the Minksville Church of Christ, in Harrison County, Ohio. You won’t find Minksville on a map of Ohio, because it is not even an unincorporated town. It is a point where two county roads cross. There is a cemetery, a church building and two cow pastures there. Nothing else. As the brethren are fond of saying, “It’s not in the middle of nowhere, but you can see it from here.”
I think that the brethren considered the meeting a big success. The average attendance at the Sunday morning worship services of the Minksville Church of Christ is about 40 souls. On the Sunday morning of the Gospel Meeting, there were 73 souls in attendance, with 125 present for the afternoon singing and 112 present for the evening worship service. More than 70 souls came for the Monday and Tuesday evening meetings and there were more than 50 souls present on Wednesday evening. It was my pleasure to preach the gospel in the presence of my mom and stepdad, as well as my mother-in-law, my uncle Dail, my aunt Marcia, and a dear old friend from my childhood, Greg. There were visitors from almost a dozen other churches of Christ, and about a half a dozen denominations. People came to the meeting from Florida, Tennessee and West Virginia. One visitor, who was going to go back home on Wednesday, decided to stay an extra day, just so he could be at the last service. I got a chance to visit with brethren and old friends I had not seen in many years, and I got to make some new friendships that I will treasure for the rest of my life. The brethren at Minksville worked very hard to make this meeting a success, and God blessed their efforts abundantly!
On Monday night, of the Gospel Meeting, I think I made a lasting impression on those who were there. The sermon that night was called, “Is Faith Rational?” and it was about some of the arguments atheists use to try to prove that God does not exist. In an effort to demonstrate the foolishness of the atheist’s argument that the “Big Bang” theory for the creation of the cosmos is more reasonable than the Biblical model of creation, I told the story of my plan to build a dream house using the “Big Bang” method of construction.
I told them that, even though Tracy didn’t know it, I had been saving money for the last 25 years and that I finally had enough to build our dream house. I announced that I was going to buy a parcel of land and that I would have enough left over to purchase all of the materials I would need to build the house. To save money on the cost of labor, I was going to put all of the lumber, nails, screws, decking (it was going to have a big deck out back), shingles, carpet, tile, etc. in a big pile in the middle of the property. Once I had it all tightly packed together (that’s the secret), I was going to slip a few sticks of dynamite underneath it – and blow it up! Of course, as the atheists say, you have to give it enough time, but I was confident that, before too long, Tracy and I would have a beautiful, move-in ready dream house. After all, if you can make a universe with a cataclysmic explosion, you could surely build a dream house the same way. Right?
I got a big reaction from that illustration – especially from Tracy, who, for a few glorious seconds, thought that I was serious about having secretly squirreled away money for 25 years. I wish I had, but, alas, I did not. I also don’t expect to use the “Big Bang” method of house building, with any success. We all know that destructive forces do not yield constructive results. Dynamite is good for knocking buildings down, but it is not much good for putting them up. Yet, atheists want humanity to believe that the universe was born from an explosion?!
Anyway, the Gospel Meeting that I preached last week was inspired by my late father-in-law, Ed Rose. He did not live long enough to see it come to pass, but I remember how excited he was, when he told me about the plans for it, last December. He was a man who loved the Lord. He loved the Lord’s church. He loved lost souls. He spent a great deal of time, while he lived in this world, thinking of ways that he could help lead others to Jesus. He was a source of inspiration to me and to everyone else who knew him.
If human beings are just hairless apes with large brains, why do we aspire? Why do we have consciences? Why do we recognize a difference between good and evil? Why aren’t we like the animals? Could it be because we are more than just the sum of our chemical parts? Could it be because God designed and built us for a purpose? Open your mind to the possibilities (Genesis 2:7)!
Content by Russell Kline
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Bear with Me
Bear with this article as you read it. What kind of impression did you just get? Are you wishing you would already read what the point of the article is? What does a person mean when he says, “Bear with me for a moment…?”
The Bible says, “And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words (Hebrews 13:22).” The author of Hebrews invites his readers to bear with the letter! Sometimes the content is difficult to swallow; other times it seems to take forever to get to the point. However, we must always bear with the word of God, because it will benefit us!
No doubt this author wrote these inspired words out of love. If we truly love the word of God as we should, we will bear with it. One characteristic of love is that it “bears all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).” We must also exhort one another even more, which the author of Hebrews earlier stated (Hebrews 10:25).
As the author of Hebrews commands us to bear with God’s word, we must also bear with each other. Paul wrote, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).” God had to bear a lot with us; we must bear a lot with His word and each other. Let us encourage one another to study God’s word, follow it, and help each other get to Heaven.
Content by Richard Dillon
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A Salute to Graduates
Graduation time is a very important milestone in a young person’s life. Our congratulations to each of our graduates on this milestone in their lives. On the one hand, it spells the end of many long, arduous years of study. But, on the other hand, it marks the beginning of a new phase of life. Our graduates begin a new journey into adulthood with all its incumbent responsibilities. Because of the importance of the occasion, it seems appropriate to offer some suggestions.
First, it is important to dream. We all need a vision for life, but remember, dreams don’t always come true. Be realistic. If things don’t go exactly as you plan, make the most of what does come along. Life is uncertain, but that is not cause for despair. It is cause for trust (James 4:13-16).
Second, take responsibility for your life. Life is what we make of it. Success depends, not on luck, but on hard work. Determine what you want to do with your life, and then give it your best shot. Don’t let others discourage you. And, don’t interpret a momentary loss as permanent defeat. It often takes a lifetime to reach our destination. Stay on the right road. Keep moving forward (Philippians 3:13-16).
Third, whatever you do, give it your best shot. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Commit to excellence. Be the best you can be. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23).
Fourth, put others first. The key to a meaningful and happy life is found in service. The real joys in life come from giving, not getting (Acts 20:35).
Fifth, develop character. Society cries out for men and women of character. Let honesty, integrity and truth guide your steps. A wise teacher use to tell her students on examination day, “I’m giving you two tests today, one in trigonometry and one in honesty. If you can pass only one, make sure it is the test in honesty. There are a lot of good men who know no trigonometry, but there are no good men who are not honest.” Be honest in all you do (Romans 12:17).
Finally, make a place for God in your life. When life ends, and it does for all of us, there will be no consolation in the successes of this life, if God has been left out. Neither money, power, nor fame can provide peace when the end is near. Only a personal relationship with God through Christ can make that possible (Acts 4:12).
Again, congratulations!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Before whom will you confess Jesus today?
Thanks to Al Parr, working with the Saline Church of Christ, for the content of this post.John 9:21-22 – “But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.”
The parents of the man born blind, now healed by Jesus, were afraid to speak the truth about Jesus because they feared what the judges would do to them otherwise. Many continue in the same sin today. “He that sat upon the throne” (Revelation 21:5) said that “the fearful … shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone” (Revelation 21:5).
“God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Trust the power. Exhibit the love. Use the sound mind.
Read again Matthew 10:32-33, then answer the question – Before whom will you confess Jesus today?
Al Parr works Confirming the Churches and preaches at the Saline Church of Christ
7300 East Michigan Avenue
Saline, MI 48176
734-429-4319
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Are You Running?
Thanks to Al Parr, working with the Saline Church of Christ, for the content of this post.Habakkuk 2:2 – “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”
Habakkuk lived in a time of violence, iniquity, grievance, spoiling, strife and contention (Habakkuk 1:3-4). God revealed to him that He was about to do something that the people wouldn’t believe if they heard it (Habakkuk 1:5). But hear it, they must.
Write it, Habakkuk! Write it upon tablets. Make it plain. God wants people to know His word. More than that, He wants people to act upon His word. They can’t do what they don’t know (Romans 10:14).
It’s still true. You can’t please God if you don’t read His word. The good news is, His word is plain. When you read you can understand (Ephesians 3:4), and when you understand you will be motivated to run for Him (Isaiah 55:11; Romans 10:17).
Are you running?
Al Parr works Confirming the Churches and preaches at the Saline Church of Christ
7300 East Michigan Avenue
Saline, MI 48176
734-429-4319
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Is the Bible the Rule Book for the Church?
Thanks to Al Parr, working with the Saline Church of Christ, for the content of this post.2 Thessalonians 3:6 – “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition that he received of us.”
Is the Bible the rule book for the church, or isn’t it?
We see everywhere today the results of the hijacking of churches by agents of change. It’s not entirely the fault of the hijackers! When people begin to teach in the church what was not taught by the apostles and recorded in the Bible, they must be stopped (Titus 1:11). When we make excuses against confronting them, we ourselves become contributors to the apostasy (1 John 1:11) that will surely result from all false teaching and practice.
How much plainer could the rule be?
The sentence includes the words “command,” “you,” “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” “ye” and “every.” It’s not an option; it’s a direct order from your Master, and your response to it will be weighed in the final judgment day.
And how many other souls will be affected by your words and actions?
Al Parr works Confirming the Churches and preaches at the Saline Church of Christ
7300 East Michigan Avenue
Saline, MI 48176
734-429-4319
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Rejoice! Your Name is Written in Heaven!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4)!” The apostle Paul commands Christians when to rejoice. Whether he was in a good situation, or a bad one, he rejoiced. He rejoiced when some obeyed the gospel, and when others harmed him for preaching it. Likewise, we must rejoice both in good times and bad.
“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).” Jesus commands His followers how to rejoice. Jesus sent many laborers into the harvest with power, and later pointed out that they should not rejoice over what they could do, but what would be done for them. Likewise, we should not rejoice in what we can do; rather, we should rejoice what the Lord shall do for us!
“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27).” If we have followed Christ and kept His commands, we may enter Heaven. This gives us cause to rejoice! We can rejoice always because our names are written in heaven. Can we rejoice and sing, “I know, I know, my name is there; I know, I know, my name is written there”?
Content by Richard Dillon
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The Righteous Suffer Too!
If bad things only happened to bad people, suffering would not pose so great a dilemma for us. But, we all know that bad things happen to good people. Theologians and philosophers have wrestled with this issue for centuries. The example of Job from the Old Testament is a classic one. This man was among the finest men of his day, yet trouble filled his life. He lost his family, then his wealth, and finally his health. The only thing he didn’t lose was his faith. We can’t afford to forget his example. He showed us how to conduct ourselves in the face of suffering.
I am sure that some who are reading this today are carrying heavy loads. You may feel a close affinity with Job. And, you may be asking, “How can I go on? Why has God let this happen to me?” The questions are understandable. The answers are elusive. Let me make a few suggestions.
We should not expect good fortune to be with us all the time. Ours is not only a world of beautiful stars and lovely sunsets, of lush valleys and fertile plains, but also a world of tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and forest fires. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all a part of life. It is unreasonable to expect our lives to be filled with only the good and the beautiful. The devil will not allow that to happen.
Life isn’t fair, and there is nothing that says that it is. Some people have more than their share of heartache while others seem to go through life almost unscathed. We don’t know why one airplane crashes and a thousand others fly trouble free. We can’t explain why a tornado levels one town while a hundred others are untouched, or why one person has multiple medical problems and another seems never to have a cold. Again, life isn’t fair.
I don’t have answers to all the questions. I wish I did. But, I do know this. God will not give us more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). Some of the most important lessons of life are learned in the face of adversity. Good things can come from bad experiences (Romans 8:28).
It is the adversity we encounter here that makes us long for heaven. If there were no burdens to bear, if there were no obstacles to hurdle, if there were no crosses to carry, I suspect heaven would not hold the attraction it does to the believer. God does have something better prepared for us.
It was with that thought in mind that Paul wrote: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory… For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 4:17; 5:1). It is that knowledge which gives us the courage and faith to continue on. The burdens of this life may be great, but the rewards of faithfulness are eternal.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Who Cares? God Does!
Have you ever had the feeling that no one cares about you? Maybe you do not even care about yourself at times. When negative thoughts begin to creep in your mind, you may do something that you’ll regret later. Thus, negative thoughts lead to negative actions. However, in order to perform a positive action, you need positive thoughts! Does anyone care? Yes; God does!
Peter wrote, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).” When you feel that no one cares, remember Peter said that God does! When you are feeling low, God will lift you up. Our job is to humble ourselves before Him, and in due time God will exalt us. Whatever we care (or don’t care) about, we need to give it to God! God really cares about us. After all, He proved He loved us by sending His only begotten Son to die for us (John 3:16).
Frank E. Graeff wrote these lyrics in 1901, “Does Jesus Care? O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know My Savior cares.” Yes, God does care about each and every one of us. We can cast all our cares upon Him, and He will make it turn out for good (Romans 8:28).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Real Wealth
According to the story, Midas, King of Lydia, did a favor for the god Bacchus. Bacchus, in return, offered the king his heart’s desire. Midas wished that all he touched would turn to gold. His wish was granted, and he ran through the palace turning everything he touched to gold. To celebrate his newfound talent, he ordered a great banquet, but to his dismay, as he lifted the food and drink to his mouth it turned to gold. At last, starving and wretched, he fell at Bacchus’ feet and pleaded with him to take back the gift. Wealth is only a means to an end, and when we become obsessed with the means, we are in danger of missing the end.
Frequently, during his ministry, Jesus warned of the dangers of wealth. He once asked, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). He also warned those who tend to be overly concerned with the things of this world that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). He urged men to store up treasures in heaven and not here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). However, in spite of all the warnings, he never taught that money was evil. It is the “love of money” which is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
If you think that sudden wealth is the answer to all your problems, think again! “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
There is an Eastern legend which says that Alexander the Great, upon his death bed, commanded that when he was carried forth to the grave his hands were not to be wrapped as was the usual custom, but should be left outside the bier so that all might see and know that they held nothing. He who had been born to one empire, and was the conqueror of another, would leave this world empty-handed. He and the poorest beggar would at last be on equal terms.
Job, learning of the death of his children and the loss of his wealth, exclaimed, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Paul said essentially the same thing when he wrote, “We brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” We all leave this world empty-handed. There are no exceptions!
All that we have we leave behind when we die. Knowing that, John wrote: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:15-17).
Real wealth is not measured in dollars and cents, but in faith, love and service to God and man. Those are the things the Lord will be looking at in Judgment. The man who has them is truly rich!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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One Died for All
What do the names Franciszek Gajowniczek and Maximilian Kolbe mean to you? Probably nothing! Both were incarcerated at Auschwitz. Kolbe was a Franciscan priest. Gajowniczek was one of the millions of Jews sent to Auschwitz by the Germans. In July of 1941 there was an escape from the prison. It was the custom of the Germans to kill ten prisoners for everyone who escaped. The prisoners were gathered in the courtyard and the ten were randomly selected. Among the ten whose names were read off was Franciszek Gajowniczek. As his name was read, Franciszek began to sob. “My wife and my children,” he cried. It was then that Maximilian Kolbe entered the story. Hearing Gajowniczek’s sobs, he made his way to the front of the line. “Herr Kommandant,” he spoke, “I wish to make a request, please.” Surprisingly, he was not shot. “I have no wife and children,” he said. “Besides, I am old and not good for anything. He (Gajowniczek) is in better condition.” And that’s how Maximilian Kolbe took the place of Franciszek Gajowniczek. Gajowniczek survived the Holocaust. Every year he goes back to Auschwitz to say thank you to the man who died in his place.
It is a beautiful story of loving sacrifice, but there is a more wonderful story than the one we just shared. It is the story of one who died for all men. It is the story of Jesus Christ. In the words of the apostle Paul, “…we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
The cross awaits, but another has taken our place. He is guilty of no crime. He has lived a perfect life. But, still he died that all might live. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). He took our place, and a lifetime of service and obedience will never repay that debt. Thank God He died for us! Pray God we will ever live for Him!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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I Hear a Voice
Perhaps you have heard of people claiming that they hear voices in their heads. They do not necessarily see anyone, but somebody somewhere tells them to do (or not to do) something. There was a time when Jesus called upon God to glorify His name. In response, a voice came from heaven and said, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again (John 12:28).”
The people that were with Jesus heard it, but saw no one. Some thought it had thundered; others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” To clarify the situation, Jesus replied: “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake (John 12:29-30).” God did not speak for Jesus’ benefit; He spoke for the benefit of the people, that they would believe He is the Son of God!
We hear the voice of God today, and it can benefit us! Paul told Timothy that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16)…” The voice of God should be in our minds and hearts, guiding us in the right way. By hearing and doing it, we can live forever with Him. Read your Bible and find out what the voice of God telling you.
Content by Richard Dillon
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Commitment
When Lou Holtz was serving as head football coach at Arkansas, he was contacted by Ohio State and offered the job of head coach for the Buckeyes. When he turned down the offer a reporter asked, “I understand that they’ve telephoned you about coming to Ohio State and offered you the job?” Holtz replied, “Yes, they have, but I’m not going.” “But it’s your life’s ambition,” said the interviewer. “You’ve always wanted to do it. You’ve got the opportunity. Why aren’t you going?” Holtz responded, “Because I have a commitment to Arkansas.” Almost daily we read of some professional athlete who is “holding out” and will not show up unless the owners renegotiate his contract. Did it not mean anything when he agreed to play a certain number of years for a specified sum? What has happened to commitment?
Commitment involves such things as dedication, resolve, unselfishness, and zeal. The word means “to put into charge or trust, to entrust.” When people are committed, they give themselves completely. They honor their promises. They fulfill their obligations. They do not give up. They do not violate their trust. Quitters are uncommitted. A lack of commitment is responsible for the failure of many young people to finish their education. Many marriages crumble because one or both parties are uncommitted. And, folks often leave the church because they are not committed.
There are many examples of commitment in the New Testament. Stephanas and his family were addicted to the ministry of Christ (1 Corinthians 16:15). Jason and his friends turned the world upside down for Jesus (Acts 17:6). Stephen died praying for his executioners (Acts 7:60). Epaphroditus jeopardized his own health in the service of Christ (Philippians 2:30). Paul turned his back on everything the world values to follow Jesus (Philippians 3:7-8). Christ, himself, went to the cross for us. The committed do not ask, “How much will it cost us?” They only want to know, “How much can we give?”
Make a commitment and stick to it. Finish your education. Make your marriage work. Serve your Lord faithfully. You will not regret your commitments, but you will regret forever your failure to honor them.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Do You Know Where You Are Going?
If you ask the captain of a ship what his next destination is, he will tell you in one sentence. He knows where he is going, how he will get there, and how long it will take. On the other hand, suppose a ship left port without a captain and crew and with no aim or direction, what do you think the chances are that it would reach the desired port?
Which ship represents your life? What do you plan to do in the next year? What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years? What legacy will you leave?
The loudspeaker of the big jet clicked on and the captain’s voice announced in a clear, even tone: “Now there’s no cause for alarm but we felt you should know that for the last three hours we have been flying without the benefit of radio, compass, radar, or navigational beam. This means that we are, in the broad sense of the word, lost and not quite sure in which direction we are heading. However, on the brighter side of the picture, I’m sure you’ll be interested to know that we are making excellent time!”
Many people go through life making excellent time, but they have no idea where they are going.
To be successful, we need a single long range goal to unify life. Jesus said we needed a single eye (Matthew 6:22-24). Paul wanted the prize at the end of the race (Philippians 3:13-14). Without purpose we fail, but in Jesus Christ we find true purpose. His disciples are destined to live eternally. “This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25). He is the captain of our salvation, the rudder of our ship. In Him we find direction and purpose. Without Him we are alone and lost.
Do you know where you are going? Is Jesus leading the way? We can never overemphasize the importance and urgency of following Him!
- Do you believe that He was God’s only begotten Son (John 8:24)?
- Will you repent of your sins and be baptized (Acts 2:38)?
- Will you make Jesus the Lord of your life and the Savior of your soul?
Only in Him can you find real purpose for living and the promise of life beyond the grave!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Immorality
A survey some years ago revealed that most Frenchmen no longer believe they sin. They make mistakes or commit errors, but they do not sin. Sin and immorality are not part of their vocabulary. Sadly, the same can be said of our own society. Morality involves the concepts of “right” and “wrong.” For centuries the word of God has been the standard for both acceptable and unacceptable conduct, but that is no longer the case. Recent trends have directed men away from the Bible and into a kind of “amoral” attitude in which nothing is inherently moral or immoral. Right and wrong are not a matter of divine pronouncement, but subject to the feelings and emotions of men.
Today, if it feels good and makes one happy, it is pronounced good. If it feels bad, or produces pain, then it must be evil. Abortion, adultery, homosexuality, drug use, and a whole host of other sins are now viewed as amoral, neither right nor wrong in themselves. There is no absolute standard in moral matters, and few seem to be really concerned. As a result, we have a president who is pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, and, by his own admission, has smoked marijuana. When men of either party can be elected without regard to the important issues of integrity and morality, this nation is in serious trouble.
I reject this amoral philosophy completely. The Bible is still the only standard for determining right and wrong. To reject it is to reject the only hope we have for a happy, productive life here, and for life with God in the hereafter. Even though many are unwilling to accept and abide by the divine standard, that does not make it any less true. There are some things which will always be right, and some which will always be morally reprehensible.
If an immoral revolution has swept our land, and I am convinced that it has, it is because the Bible has been discarded as the only acceptable standard for proper conduct. Only a return to the Scriptures can reverse the moral decline of recent decades. The Psalmist wrote, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11).
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Hell is Real
Hell is one of the most abused words in the English language. Could it be that folks just don’t understand how serious hell is? The devil has deceived many into believing that it is just one big joke. But hell is real! As surely as the Bible teaches that there is a heaven, it also teaches that there is a hell.
Hell is the place of punishment for the lost. The apostle John wrote: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). It is a place of eternal punishment. There is no end to hell.
It is a place of eternal darkness. It means complete separation from God who is the “Father of lights” in whom “is no darkness at all.” Can you visualize being in a place where the rays of the sun, the luster of the moon, and the twinkling of the stars are never seen? Imagine a land where the sun never rises and the day never dawns, a land of one eternal night. That is hell.
It is a place of eternal remorse. Memory can be a horrible thing, especially when it is the bitter, biting remorse of a guilty conscience and recollections of what might have been. Memories of lost opportunities will haunt the soul forever. There is no escape from hell.
But, there is an alternative. Just as surely as there is a hell, there is also a heaven. The good news is that no one need be lost. Jesus Christ died that we might have life (John 3:16, 17). He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). The choice is ours.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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