Historical Posts
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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Musings on Marriage
June used to be the month for weddings. Times have changed and one month is almost as popular as another anymore. Nevertheless, when June comes around marriage is still on the minds of a lot of folks.
Weddings are stressful, but happy times for families. They are generally expensive, time consuming, labor intensive undertakings. But, they are packed with promise and enough memories to fill the heart with joy for a lifetime.
Few decisions in life have greater potential for bringing happiness to our lives than the choice of our life’s companion. The original intent of the Creator was for one man and one woman to be joined for life in the bonds of holy matrimony (Genesis 2:18-24). Marriage was designed by God to satisfy our longing for companionship and intimacy, and to provide an appropriate setting for reproduction and child rearing. Marriage, as God intended it, brings permanence and stability to society.
Sadly, not everyone comes to marriage with the commitment to the institution, the laws of God, or their mate which marriage demands. There are probably few events in life which bring more heartache and misery to lives than the trauma of divorce. Divorce is seldom the right choice. God hates it (Malachi 2:16).
Given the seriousness of marriage, it is not a decision which should be entered into lightly. And, once made, it should not be dissolved easily or hastily.
There are no problems in troubled marriages which lack solutions. There are only people who refuse to find and accept them. A failure to honor God’s plan for marriage will take a heavy physical, emotional, and spiritual toll!
To those who are contemplating marriage this month, and in the months ahead, please be true to your commitment. There are no perfect marriages, because there are no perfect people. But, if we are true to God’s laws, and faithful to our vows, we will be richly blessed in marriage.
If you find yourself in a troubled marriage, seek solutions not dissolution.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Daniel 1:4 Daniel, A Man Ready for Life’s Challenges – audio
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Text: Daniel 1:4
Introduction
A. Daniel
1. Daniel was taken into captivity (1st group) – 606 BC.
2. Was a young man (Perhaps 18-20 years old).
3. Lived in Babylon for duration of the captivity.
B. Daniel’s Test As A Captive.
1. Daniel and Friends Selected For Special Training – Daniel 1:1-7
2. Daniel Refuses To Defile Himself – Daniel 1:8-16
3. God Rewards His Faithful Servants – Daniel 1:17-21
C. One can survive and thrive! One can live godly in an ungodly environment. Daniel was a Man ready for life’s challenges. He was ready because of his commitment to God!
Body
I. DANIEL’S COMMITMENT WAS EARLY – Daniel 1:4
A. A Young Man Who Remembered His Creator – Ecclesiastes 12:1
1. Like Joseph before him – Genesis 39
2. Like Timothy after him – 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15
B. A Young Man Who Stood By His Godly Convictions – Daniel 1:8-16
1. Did not leave God when left home
2. Did not try to blend in with Babylonian lifestyle – Romans 12:1-2
C. A Young Man With A Decided Advantage Over Late Starters
1. Fewer wasted years to regret
2. More time to develop spiritual strength
II. DANIEL’S COMMITMENT WAS COMPLETE – Daniel 1:8
A. Reflected in All of His Outward Conduct – Proverbs 4:23-27; 23:7
1. Deeper motive than to merely impress other young men
2. Deeper motive than to merely show defiance to captors
B. Reflected by Being Unmoved by Pomp and Power of Royal Palace
1. Never compromised for temporary advantage or ease
2. Always aware of a Greater Presence – Daniel 2:28
C. Reflected by Accepting Risks of Not Conforming
1. Risked special treatment that select group had
2. Risked life (Life was cheap to Pagan kings)
III. DANIEL’S COMMITMENT WAS LASTING – Daniel 1:21
A. As an Old Man (About 90) Still Faithful & Strong
1. Years of struggle had not worn him down
2. Years of service prepared him for lion’s den – Daniel 1:6
3. Test off the Lion’s Den – Daniel 6
a. Jealousy of the wise men and the decree of Darius – Daniel 6:1-9
b. Daniel gave thanks before his God – Daniel 6:10-15
c. Daniel is delivered from the mouth of the lions – Daniel 6:16-24
d. The decree of Darius praises the living God – Daniel 6:25-28
B. As an Old Man He Could Look Back Over a Life of Spiritual Growth
1. By the time needed to refuse king’s food – had the character needed.
2. By the time needed to interpret Neb. Dream – had the wisdom needed
3. By the time needed to interpret handwriting on wall – had gained the Reputation needed – Daniel 5:10-12
4. By the time needed to face the lion’s den – had the fortitude needed
5. By the time needed to help deliver the Jews (During Cyrus reign) – had the influence needed
Conclusion
A. Daniel: A Man Ready For Life’s Challenges
1. Daniel’s Commitment Was Early
2. Daniel’s Commitment Was Complete
3. Daniel’s Commitment Was Lasting
B. Are you ready for life’s challenges?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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