Historical Posts
Attitude is Better Than a Pill
The good attitude of a merry heart can be better medicine than a pill.
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).
We are what we think. Solomon said of man, “as he thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Attitudes determine actions. It’s true of our physical, emotional, and spiritual life.
Physically, many health problems are the result, either directly or indirectly, of an attitude of anxiety. It has been estimated that as many as two-thirds of all patients who see physicians have symptoms caused or aggravated by mental stress. Headaches, high blood pressure, hay fever and a host of other health problems can be directly linked to emotional stress. The key to good physical health begins with good mental health. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”
Emotionally, the greatest health problem of our day is depression. We all experience days when we feel blue. That attitude is to be expected at times. But, some live in an almost constant state of despair. “They feel bad when they feel good for fear they will feel worse when they feel better.” Indeed, “a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Spiritually, sin is a cancer eating at the soul. It finds its greatest source of nourishment in an evil heart. Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” and “from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, and all things which defile a man” (Matthew 12:34; 15:19-20). But, Jesus also offers a cure for man’s spiritual disease (Romans 6:23).
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Here is the key to real physical, emotional, and spiritual health. A merry heart still “doeth good like a medicine!” It is better than any pill.
Would you like to know more?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Incomprehensible!
It Is Incomprehensible That We Should Fully Grasp The Mind Of God
The human brain can contain only so much information before it is overloaded and information becomes incomprehensible. When the brain does get overloaded, it may feel as if smoke is rising off of it. Some things can easily be understood, while others may be too complicated. Some things the human mind just cannot fully grasp. One concept incomprehensible to the human mind, that we fail to fully grasp, is God.
Paul said He is able to “do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).” God can do so much more than what we can even think of. After all, He created us! He gave us our minds! Our knowledge is nothing compared to that of God. Paul also said, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ‘For who has known the mind of the LORD (Romans 11:33-34)?’”
It is indeed impossible to know the mind of God. He is incomprehensible. However, even though we cannot think like Him, He can think like us. Jesus, God in the flesh (John 1), came to be just like all of us. Jesus walked like us and talked like us, yet He did not sin. Through Him, we can know more about God. “’For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).”
By having the mind of Christ, we can begin to think like Him. When we put on Christ in baptism, we are to be transformed by renewing our minds (Ephesians 4:23; Romans 12:2). We become more like Him because we think more like Him. We are to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).” Let us think less like ourselves, and think more like Christ!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Thinking Like God – Audio
No Longer Thinking Like God, Man Has Schemed
There is a great difference between God and man. Our thinking is different. God’s thinking is higher than man’s thinking. God said, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways… For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).”
Man may not have thinking like God, but, in fact, man does have a choice on how to think. Sadly, man most often makes the wrong choices on what to think about. God made man upright; but man has sought out many schemes (Ecclesiastes 7:27-29).
God created man in His image, and according to His likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). At that time, God called everything “good” (Genesis 1:31). Man was allowed eat of any and every tree in the garden of Eden, including the tree of life, with one exception. Man was instructed not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, man was tempted to eat of that tree by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Naturally, they gave into sin (Genesis 3:6-7). Since the entry of sin, man has always schemed (Genesis 6:5). But, from the beginning, it was not so.
How can man get back to thinking like God? Paul told the Philippians, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8)…” We need to be thinking more like Christ, following His example. God has made us upright; through Christ we can be reconciled to Him!
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Faith or Superstition?
Superstition and Faith are often incorrectly associated.
A superstition is defined as “1 a: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition 2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary” (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, page 1183). Superstitions are unsupported by facts. They originate in ignorance.
Faith is often associated with superstition. In fact, one of the definitions provide in Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary for faith is “firm belief in something for which there is no proof.” I suspect that to be the definition many people attach to “faith” in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth.
Faith, as that word is used in Scripture, is not belief without proof, but belief based on evidence. Peter admonished Christians to provide reasons for their faith, because our faith is reasonable (1 Peter 3:15). Since the beginning of recorded history there has never been a better explanation of origin than the one found in Genesis 1:1. God did it, and the available evidence lends credence to the claim. No evidence to the contrary has been forth coming.
Regarding the identity of Jesus, one cannot improve upon Peter’s assertion that He was the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). That such a man as Jesus lived is beyond dispute. That He has had a profound impact for good upon the world is undeniable. Some would say He was a good man, but not the Son of God. To which I would ask, “Would a good man allow others to think that he was something he was not?” Either Jesus was who the Scriptures revealed Him to be, the Son of God and Savior of the world, or He was a liar and an impostor. The evidence points to the former and denies the latter. Our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is supported by the evidence.
Superstitions are beliefs without proof. Faith, as that word is used in relationship to Jesus Christ, is belief based upon evidence, and that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Have you examined the evidence? Do you believe? Are you acting on that belief?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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1 John 04:01-06 – Test the Spirits – audio
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Text: 1 John 4:1-6
Introduction
1. So far in this epistle, John has discussed what our relationship should be in regards to:
a. God – 1 John 1:5-6
b. Jesus – 1 John 2:3-4
c. The things in the world – 1 John 2:15
d. Sin – 1 John 3:4-5
e. Our brethren – 1 John 3:11
2. As chapter four begins, we find John exhorting us concerning a very real danger: false prophets! – 1 John 4:1-6
Body
I. TEST THE SPIRITS!
A. “DO NOT BELIEVE EVERY SPIRIT”
1. For example, don’t believe everything you hear, or everyone who claims to be from God
2. How foolish it would be to do so should be obvious:
a. We would be in a constant state of confusion (believing one thing one moment, and another thing the next)
b. We would be easily misled by those teaching error
B. “TEST THE SPIRITS, WHETHER THEY ARE OF GOD”
1. The word “test” (“try”, KJV) means:
a. To examine, prove scrutinize (Thayer)
b. To see whether a thing is genuine or not
2. So don’t just accept what some teacher or preacher is saying; examine what is being taught
3. Those who have this attitude are highly commended in the Scriptures:
a. The Bereans – Acts 17:11
b. The Ephesians – Revelation 2:2
C. “BECAUSE MANY FALSE PROPHETS HAVE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD”
1. This is the reason we must “test the spirits”
2. Others have also warned us of this fact
a. Jesus – Matthew 7:15
b. Peter – 2 Peter 2:1-3
c. Paul – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
3. So we must examine, prove, and scrutinize those who would teach us!
a. Even though some teachers might consider it insubordinate
b. Even though some might not like the possible controversy can cause
4. Whether one teaches in our classes, pulpits, radio, web, etc., we must “test the spirits!”
D. But HOW shall we test the spirits?
II. THE TESTS
A. DO THEY CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST HAS COME IN THE FLESH?
1. 1 John 4:2-3 are best understood in light of the Gnostic-like errors that were prevalent at that time
a. In which some denied Jesus Christ actually came in the flesh – 2 John 1:7
b. Whose doctrine was leading many astray, possibly because the false teachers claimed inspiration by the Spirit
2. But those who would teach such falsehood are not led by the Spirit of God, but possess the spirit of the Antichrist! – 2 John 1:7
B. DO THEY LISTEN TO THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST?
1. 1 John 4:6 reveals how we can distinguish between “the spirit of truth” and “the spirit of error”
a. Those who truly know God listen to the apostles
b. Those who are not of God will reject them
2. For example, does the teaching agree with what the apostles teach?
a. For Jesus taught that to receive them was to receive Him and God – John 13:20
b. Thus the early church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine – Acts 2:42
c. For they recognized their words as the commands of the Lord – 1 Corinthians 14:37
d. And even the apostles recognized their fellow-apostles’ writings as equivalent to inspired scriptures – 2 Peter 3:15-16
e. Therefore, those who are of God will heed the apostles, and agree with their teaching!
3. This is a test that we can easily apply today on virtually every issue!
a. But it implies knowledge and understanding of the apostles’ doctrine on our part
b. Yet that should not be a problem if we follow the example of the first church in Jerusalem – Acts 2:42
C. THOUGH NOT MENTIONED BY JOHN, HERE ARE TWO MORE “TESTS”
1. The test of Deuteronomy 18:21-22
a. To be used when a person claims to be a prophet of God
b. If their prophecy fails, they are shown to be a false prophet
2. The test of Deuteronomy 13:1-4
a. To be used when wonders are performed, and prophecies seem to be fulfilled
b. If their doctrine contradicts what God has already revealed, they are to be rejected
Conclusion
1. In the midst of these warnings to “test the spirits”, John provides some comforting words in 1 John 4:4-5
a. By being of God (because they have heeded the words of His apostles)
1) They can overcome the false prophets
2) For the One in them is greater than he who is in the world
b. Don’t be surprised to see the world following after the false prophets
1) For the false prophets are of the world and speak in a way as to appeal to the world
2) Therefore don’t be deterred by the “apparent success” of the false teachers (size and numbers are not a proper measure of truth!)
2. In view of the proliferation of religions and various doctrines bombarding us today, all in the name of Christ and the Spirit of God, the exhortation of John is very relevant and important for us: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God”
3. Are you continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine so you can properly apply the test?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a field of research which has shown a link between the brain and the immune system. Research seems to indicate that:
- contact with others contributes to health and longevity
- sharing your feelings may also have positive benefits
- optimism is a strong health factor
- loving relationships may help to keep us well
Of course not everyone is a believer. Many scientists remain skeptical. But, to the student of the Bible, none of this is very surprising.
Solomon wrote: “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13). “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15). “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).
How we think does have a bearing on how we feel.
We may not completely understand the relationship between attitude and good health, but it does exist. It was also Solomon who advised: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
In the New Testament, Paul wrote: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 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” (Philippians 4:8).
How we think determines how we feel and how we act.
We would all be better off if we began each day as the Psalmist advised. He wrote: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
— Roger
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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