Past Articles –

Messages of encouragement and information

7/2/2000 - God Holds People Accountable 

     Is it Parkay® or butter? I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter®. There are some companies that tout their products as being just like something else, like these margarine products. If we are putting it on a roll, and are not sure which it is, we’re really no worse off because of it. They fooled us. But you can’t fool God!

     It may not be nice to fool “Mother Nature,” but there is no chance that we can fool God Almighty! God will hold us each accountable for what we have or have not done. Don’t be found wanting when you stand before the Judge of All the Earth.  

   Until next time…

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7/9/2000 - God is Merciful

     God is a multifaceted being. There are many sides to his nature. As creator, He cares for us. He also holds us accountable for how we live, and will be the righteous judge to whom we will answer. (Rom 14:10-12) 

     There is another facet of God's nature that must not be overlooked, but at the same time, must not be elevated above others. That facet is God's mercy. Our God is a merciful God. He is full of mercy. The LORD is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. (Ps 145:8) 

      Mercy is that quality of character that beholds the affliction of another and can remedy that affliction. Mercy was demonstrated in the life of Jesus many times. One notable account was the man possessed with the "legion" of demons. (Mk 5) When the man begged to accompany Jesus in the boat, Jesus refused and told him rather to "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." Jesus saw his affliction, felt compassion for him, and relieved his misery having cast out the legion of demons. He extended mercy to the man. 

     Mercy is often expressed in relation to the sin-debt we owe to God. We are afflicted with sin. Sin demands punishment by God. (Rom 5:12; 6:23) His holy and just nature demands it. (Isa 59:1,2) God's wrath comes upon those who are in sin. (e.g., Eph 5:5,6) The prophet Habakkuk contrasted mercy with wrath when he wrote, LORD, I have heard the report about Thee and I fear. O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. (Hab 3:2) 

      The mercy of God is that attribute of His nature that enables Him to extend His forgiveness to sinners. It is that divine quality that prompted Him to provide a means of rescue to deliver us from our sin-debt to God. In the cross of Jesus, God can be just in punishing sin and the justifier (pardoning sinners) of those who have faith in Christ Jesus. (Rom 3:26) If it were not for the mercy of God, you and I would be separated from God for all time and eternity because of the sin that has ensnared us. 

      Because of His mercy, we can be pardoned from our sin-debt and enjoy eternal life with God, here and in eternity. Let us be thankful to God for His marvelous mercy. 

     Until next time…

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7/16/2000 - The Wrath of God

   The apostle John recorded these words for us: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (Jn 3:36) The apostle Paul penned these words: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom 1:18) Each of these passages mentions the wrath of God. How sad that today so many do not seem to believe that God can have wrath!
   Wrath is an outpouring of the passion of God's anger. It results in the punishment of wrongdoing, the punishment of sin. Wrath is the expression of God's just judgment upon sinners for their sin.
   While it is true that God disciplines His children, e.g., 1 Cor 11:32 and Heb 12:7-11, His wrath is reserved for those who are not part of His family, for those who do not obey the Son. (Jn 3:36) Concerning God's children, Paul wrote these words: "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thes 5:9) Christians have escaped the wrath of God because their sins have been forgiven in Jesus. "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him." (Rom 5:9) However, should a Christian turn away from God, he/she returns once more to the wrath God holds for those controlled by sin, e.g., 2 Pet 2:20-22; Heb 10:26-27.
   By our faith, our submissive faith in God through Jesus Christ, the sin that prompts God's wrath has been removed from our record. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom 8:1) But for those who have not had their sin forgiven in Christ, God's wrath is the only future they are facing.
   What about our friends and family who are not yet a part of the family of God? What does their future hold? Is it possible we have glossed over the wrath of God when we think in terms of those we hold dear? Have we decided that somehow God will make an exception for those we love and they will thus escape the wrath of God? Or could it be that we have bought in to the idea that God's wrath is "an Old Testament kind of thing" and today God will not express His wrath?
   If you care for them, will you not help them escape the wrath of God? Until next time…

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7/23/2000 - Lessons from Two Rocks

     There are many lessons that we can glean from the pages of the Old Testament. Some of them have direct impact on our walk with God today in that they show us something of the seriousness of God. One such account is found in the life of Moses.
     When the people came out of Egyptian bondage and were camped at Rephidim, they had no water. God commanded Moses to strike a rock with his staff and water would come out. (Ex. 17:1-6) On another occasion when the people complained about having no water while camped at Kadesh, God told Moses to speak to a rock and it would bring forth water for the people. (Num. 20:1-8) Moses chose to strike the rock as he did at Rephidim, ignoring God's new instruction. (Num. 10:11) Although God did provide the water for the people, God held Moses accountable for violating His command. God said it this way: "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." (Num. 20:12) The instruction from God changed; Moses ignored the change and acted under the previous instruction; God held him accountable for his violation.
     There is a direct application of this principle in our worship today. People argue that because the music in the Temple was accompanied singing, it is also acceptable to God for us to use accompanied singing as the church. "Okay then; okay now." Perhaps if Moses were living today he would be among their number based on his actions with the commands of God concerning the rocks. (I seriously doubt it!)
     In the Temple worship, God expressly called for accompanied singing: "for the command was from the LORD through His prophets." (2 Chr. 29:25) There is no such command in the New Testament. The Divine instructions concerning music among the saints are for singing, never for accompanied singing. (Mt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12; Jms. 5:13) The Divine command has changed concerning the kind of music God wants from His people.
     Moses did not treat God as holy when he ignored the command change. Let's not make the mistake that Moses did in not treating God as holy. Let us follow the instructions He has given us for music as those who have been released form our bondage to sin, as those who have been redeemed by Jesus.
   Until next time... 

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7/30/2000 - Vacation Bible School Y2K

     The Y2K edition of our Vacation Bible has been written into the pages of history. What a week it has been! Our young people and their guests spent a week investigating the character prints of Jesus and examining their own lives to see if there was evidence of those same character prints within them. The adult class had a different focus from the young people this year. Their lessons were all focused on evidences of God in His wonderful world.
      We were privileged to have had around 120 young people participate in our VBS for at least one night! Six different congregations of the Lord's family were represented, accounting for something over half of the young people. That means there were many who are not associated with the Lord's church. Each of these young people needs the good news of Jesus. They were introduced to it this week.
As usually happens, we had one class bursting its seams. This year, the 1st and 2nd Grade Class had about 28 students and teachers on one evening! That same evening, Thursday, our count for all those present was over 180. To God be the glory for the number of lives we were able to influence for this brief time.
     Our Vacation Bible School program does not work without the active involvement of many people, especially the adults. We had classes for nine different age groups. Each of these classes had at least two teachers who worked with them, plus others who helped with "crowd control." The adult class had the teaching shared by five of our men. Besides those who worked in teaching the classes directly, there were others who helped the young people with their craft projects. Add to that number those who worked during the auditorium time with the young people, those who helped prepare and serve the refreshments following Friday evening's closing program, and those who worked in the background to see that everything flowed right, and there was a multitude of our church family directly involved in touching the lives of so many young people. 
     Thank you to everyone who was involved in touching the lives of these young people this week. Let us not forget them now that VBS is over. They came because they were the friends and neighbors of our children. Perhaps you can invite them to come on a regular basis to our Bible school program.
   Until next time... 

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8/6/00 - Punctuality for Bible Class

     Each week, we, as a church, provide opportunities to help our families carry out their responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We call those opportunities "Bible class." The following are some reasons I came across which express some very good reasons to be on time for Bible class.

     If you and your child are on time for Bible study, he or she will...

1. Understand that Bible study is as important as it has ever been.

2. See where your priorities are? (Are they late to school, ball practice?)

3. Not miss the opening moments of the instruction that are crucial to the lesson.

4. Feel that he or she is an important member of their class.

5. Be saved from the embarrassment of being late.

6. Get a good seat in their class.

7. Not disrupt the other students in their attention to the lesson by coming in late.

8. Not distract the teacher from his or her teaching by arriving late.

9. Be able to bond with other students in the few minutes before class begins.

10. Be there to welcome other students as they come to their Bible class.

     There are times when the unexpected comes up and even the most punctual parent arrives a little late with their children. These are rarities. 

     Punctuality is a habit that we develop. It is a habit that can be changed with some diligent effort. Parents, show your children how important the study of God's word is in their lives by striving diligently to develop the habit of not only being on time, but a little early for Bible class on both Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.

     Thanks to the Silver Springs, Maryland, church for these thoughts.

   Until next time... 

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8/13/00 - Being More Punctual

     Last week, we looked at some reasons why it is so important for us to be on time for Bible class. I hope that each of us will try diligently to be on time for every Bible class. They are so important to our walk with God. Toward that end, I want to continue with some thoughts that can help us to be on time for Bible class especially on Sunday morning. These did not originate with me, but they are great ways to help us to be on time if we tend to have a habit of being late for Bible class. They are broken down into three time frames: Today, Saturday and Sunday.

Today:
     1. Decide that your family will be present and be early for every Bible Class.

On Saturday:
     2. Make sure the car has gas.
     3. Lay out the clothes to be worn to Bible class and worship (shoes and coats also).
     4. Set the breakfast table before you retire Saturday night.
     5. Take baths/showers on Saturday night, or make Sunday morning baths/showers short.
     6. Put Bibles and lesson materials by the door you use to go out to the car.
     7. Set the alarm clock to allow ample time to get ready.
     8. Go to bed early enough on Saturday night so that getting up Sunday morning will not be a problem.

On Sunday:
     9. Get out of bed when the alarm goes off (no snooze buttons today!); get the children up when you get up.
     10. Walk out the door at a time that will allow you to be on time, e.g., your travel time plus 10 minutes.

     With your determination and your preparation, you can be on time for Bible class at every opportunity. See you on time in Bible class next time.
     Until next time...

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8/20/00 - Knowing Consequences

     I've never seen a grizzly bear in the wild. Really don't think I want to, either. This huge, long clawed meat-eater can grow to a height of 9 feet and weigh in at 1500 pounds. It is a fiercely aggressive animal and does not tolerate the presence of humans. The explorers Lewis and Clark knew no greater fear than the sound of a grizzly moving through the under brush. Its skull is thick enough to deflect a 50-caliber lead ball. Moving at a speed of up to 35 miles per hour, it can kill a man even after it has been shot through the heart.
     Dale Carnegie wrote about his first encounter with the grizzly at Yellowstone Park. While tourists watched the nightfall, the grizzlies crept out of the woods to eat. Carnegie was impressed by the fact that only one animal ate with the Grizzly - the skunk. The bear could have easily killed it with one swipe of its mighty paw. And yet, he did not. Why? The bear understood well the concept of consequences.
God has taught us about consequences. Some of them deal with forgiveness. The news is full of reports about terrible problems present in our society because people retaliate for both real and imagined slights by others. When we consider all these facts we don't often think of asking "Must I forgive?" Instead, we find ourselves asking, "How can I forgive?" But God says to forgive, and there are consequences if we do not.
     There are a number of physiological reasons why we should forgive. Doctors tell us that illnesses can be triggered or greatly aggravated by an unforgiving spirit. We should therefore want to forgive. But there is another more urgent reason to forgive others.
     When we find it difficult to forgive others, we should always remember that each one of us has sinned against God and against others. (Rom 3:23) But God, in Christ, has forgiven us, and of far more than any person has ever sinned against us. We should also remember it was not just the sins of "bad people" that sent Jesus to the cross. It was my sin also. (Isaiah 53; 2 Cor 5:21) And if the Lord could pray for the forgiveness of those who crucified him, can I not pray for the forgiveness of those who sin against me? 
     When we are having trouble forgiving others we must first recognize that it is God's will that we forgive others. The Bible teaches God will not forgive us if we do not forgive others. (Mt 18:35)
     Until next time...

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8/27/00 - Enthusiasm for Bible Class

     This past week, our area schools opened up for the 2000-1 school year. Over the last few weeks, the children's excitement has grown in anticipation of seeing their school friends after the summer. For some, there has been the excitement of going back to school. They enjoy the learning experience. But not everyone shares that excitement. The same can be said for our Bible school program.
      Next week, we will begin the Fall Quarter and students will be promoted to their new classes. Some of them are excited about "moving up." Others are less than enthusiastic about any possible move up, and sometimes just about being in Bible class. 
      We are privileged to have a wonderful Bible School Program here at Columbus Avenue. There is always room for improvement, but our teachers do an excellent job of not only being prepared for teaching their classes, but they reflect their own enthusiasm in their teaching to their students. It's exciting to see teachers who enjoy teaching God's Word to the children.
      Parents, you can help build your children's enthusiasm for Bible class. Your enthusiasm for your own Bible class is contagious - either in a positive or a negative way. How do you talk about your Bible class experiences at home? Do you talk about what you are studying on Sunday and Wednesday? Does your voice reveal excitement or apathy? Your children will "catch" your enthusiasm - for better or for worse.
     You can actively help build enthusiasm for your children's own classes. Help them to be prepared for Bible class. Are they memorizing verses, or important Bible lists? Working with them will show you are interested in what they are learning. (And you will be memorizing the material right along with them!) Do they bring material home from Bible class? Talking about their class during lunch will show them that you care what they are studying. Do you have a tendency to run a little late for class? Since their enthusiasm can be dampened by having to walk into class tardy. When we ensure that we are on time, we can cultivate their enthusiasm.
     Even though our Bible School doesn't have a "summer vacation," as we promote our children in the fall, it is a good time to rekindle not only their enthusiasm, but also our own enthusiasm for Bible class. Until next time...

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9/3/00 - Grandparents' Day

     The church is family - God’s family, made up of our many families. Each of our families is made up of many members. We can start with Mom and Dad, the basic family unit. But Mom and Dad each have a Mom and Dad, two more families but also part of the same family. Add in some children, a boy, a girl, maybe several of each. Mom and Dad’s Mom and Dad have now become Grandma and Grandpa. Three generations of family, distinct families, but still just one extended family. 
     While all of our grandparents here at Columbus Avenue are "great" grandparents, many are great-grandparents. The extended family just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
     Often times one’s extended family has ties to the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of them are active members of the family of God. Sometimes, however, we have extended family members, and even immediate family members, who have fallen by the wayside as it were. Though once active members of God’s family, their interests lie elsewhere these days. And some of our families have members who have never become part of God’s family.
     In May we remembered our Mothers; in June, it was our Father’s day; next Sunday is Grandparent’s Day. We want to take time to remember them next Sunday. 
     This would be a good day for all of our extended families to worship together with our Columbus Avenue church family. Children can invite their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents to join them for Bible Class and worship. Parents can invite their children, their parents and their grandparents. Grandparents can invite their parents, their children, and their grandchildren. Even great-grandparents can invite their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. And... if there are great-greats in your family, invite them also.
     I wonder how many we could have present in worship if all of our extended families living in our local area were able to be here together? There’s only one way to find out - bring them in next Sunday. Following our worship together, we will be having a pitch-in. 
     Hope to see all your family with you next Lord’s Day. Until next time...

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9/10/2000 - On Being Grandparents

     Welcome to our family! We are glad that you have joined us today to give honor to whom honor is due - those who are grandparents.
     I've been told that one of the best parts about being a grandparent is that you can spoil your grandchildren and then send them home. There may be a grain of truth in that statement. And certainly grandparents joke about doing such things. But those of us who are grandparents really don't cotton to that kind of an attitude. We like our grandchildren and their parents, our children.
When we become grandparents, we are thrust into a brand new role in life.
     We worked diligently to bring our children up in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord. We sought to train them up in the way they should go. They now have stepped out into parenthood themselves - with all of its incumbent responsibilities. Over the years, we made mistakes in rearing our children, and oh, that we could spare them from making some of those mistakes with their children. To be able to infuse the results of our own trial and error parental learning would be so nice, but we can't. And when we try, our children may not want our help: "Mother, please! I'd rather do it myself!" So, we pray diligently for them, coaching as we can from the sidelines so as not to hinder our own relationship with our children.
     The torch is passed again from one generation to another. Wise parents will cut the apron strings just a little bit shorter, but always standing in the wings ready to help when called upon. We are still Mom and Dad, but our role has changed. We even get new "names" like Grandma, Grandpa, Papaw, Mamaw, Granny, Gramps, or even "Grankie." It's wonderful how our children come up with their own special way of identifying their grandma and grandpa. They are special. They make us special.
     As we worship together this morning, take time to give thanks for the privilege of being someone's grandma or grandpa. Ask God for the wisdom that is needed not only to adapt to that new role in life, but to be the very best grandma or grandpa to the very best grandchildren in the world - yours.
     Until next time...

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9/17/2000 - Divorce

     Divorce - how many families have escaped its tentacles? We would be hard pressed to find more than a few who have not had their mother and father, or their son or daughter, or their brother or sister, or an aunt or an uncle, or even a grandparent who has not gone through a divorce at least once.
     Divorce is nothing new to our day and age. Its rate of occurrence may be greater today than 25 or 50 years ago, but it is not new. What grieves me is the frequency of divorce among God's people today. It should not be surprising that those who do not know God would be found in the divorce courts of our land. So often their own search for personal happiness motivates such people: "If my wife doesn't make me happy, I'll find one who will." Christians, however, are to be motivated by God's "happiness," that is, seeking His good pleasure. Christians do all things to please God. (Phil 2:13; Col 1:10)
     There is something dreadfully wrong when those who profess to be the people of God no longer believe that pleasing God is their chief purpose. When other religious people divorce, we rationalize that they weren't trying to please God anyway. Their decision to divorce in order to seek happiness is simply evidence that they are not truly seeking to please God because God hates divorce. (Mal 2:16) 
     Is that the problem when children of God choose to seek their own happiness through divorce today? Have we, as teachers and preachers and elders in the church, and as parents, failed to instill God's value on the marriage vows? To teach our young people that God expects us to stay married "for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do us part?" Have we unwittingly taught our children that their happiness is the supreme good in life? Have we sold them the devil's bill of goods: "Don't worry; be happy"?
     We may not be able to undo some of what we have done or failed to do in the past. But we can redouble our efforts to teach our children at home, as well as ourselves, that God still hates divorce and that pleasing Him is our ultimate purpose in life. We can commit our own family to walking even more closely to the way of the cross.
     Until next time...

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