LIKE MY DOG

A little lad of six was invited to lunch in a neighbor’s home. As soon as all were seated at the table, the food was served. The little boy was puzzled, and with a child’s frankness, asked, “Don’t you say a prayer before you eat?” The host was uncomfortable and said, “No, we don’t take time for that.” The lad thought diligently a moment and said, “You’re just like my dog! You start right in.”

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (I Timothy 4:4-5).

Author Unknown

Prayer

Jesus told us what to say when we pray. When you pray, you should address God and not man. Prayer to God is sacred, “Hallowed pray to “Our Father who art in heaven.” (Matthew 6:7-9). Our prayers are to be in “thy name.” Jesus, our example, showed us when to pray. He prayed before He made a decision (Luke 6:12-13). Before selecting His apostles He spent all night in prayer (Luke 6:12). He prayed for the sorrowing souls of Mary and Martha at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:32-43).

He prayed for Peter when Satan had asked for him. Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you. But I have prayed that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus prayed in His own sorrow. He cried out in prayer, “Father the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee” (John 17:1). In the garden He prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew. 26:39). Jesus prayed for those who abused Him. He said, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). As we often sing. “pray when in sorrow, pray when in trouble, pray all the time.”

G.K. Wallace

Wait On The Lord

We live in a fast paced world.  It seems like people thrive on fast food, fast Internet and fast cars.  They want to get ahead of the other guy.  We tell people, “Eat my dust” and compete in what some call a “rat race”.  We want things “ASAP” or “Done yesterday” (Is that even possible?)  Some even say, “I can’t wait for tomorrow!” (What else are they going to do?)  Such frenzied living has caused many to be stressed out and others to suffer from mental and physical maladies.

This impatient attitude has afflicted some of God’s children.  In the time of Isaiah, Jerusalem was beset round about by enemies.  They were crying out for deliverance and thought that God wasn’t listening or was unable to help in their time of great need.  This led many to despair and others to give up their faith and turn to idolatry.  They demanded that God operate on their time table.  However, in Chapter Forty, Isaiah comforts the people, reminding them of God’s wisdom and power.  He then instructs them to “wait” on the Lord and reminds them that those who patiently wait on the Lord will be blessed. (v. 31). 

Like Jerusalem of old, we must learn to trust in God and allow Him to work things out in His own time.  Christians are encouraged, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).  We are to walk by faith not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7).  Those who are impatient with God are walking by sight.  Faith is unshakable acceptance that leaves no room for doubt.  When one walks by faith, he takes God at His word and trusts in His Wisdom.  Prayer must be offered in faith without wavering (James 1:5).  Persistence in prayer doesn’t imply doubt or impatience (Luke 11:6-8). 

One thing that will help with impatience in life (secular and spiritual) is to learn contentment.  Paul stated, “...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).  Paul declared, “...I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (II Timothy 1:12).  So, when things seem hopeless, wait on the Lord and He will deliver you!

Bruce Stulting

Scriptural Worship

  • Preaching the Word of God – Acts 2:42
  • Giving of Your Means – I Corinthians 16:1-2
  • Observing the Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7
  • A Cappella Singing – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
  • Praying – Acts 2:42

Prayer

Jesus told us what to say when we pray.  When you pray, you should address God and not  man.   Prayer to God is sacred, “Hallowed pray to “Our Father who art in heaven.” (Matthew 6:7-9).  Our prayers are to be be thy name.”  Jesus, our example, showed us when to pray.  He prayed before He made a decision (Luke 6:12-13).   Before selecting His apostles He spent all night in prayer (Luke 6:12).  He prayed for the sorrowing souls of Mary and Martha at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:32-43).   

He prayed for Peter when Satan had asked for him.  Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you. But I have prayed that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31-32).    Jesus prayed in His own sorrow.  He cried out in prayer, “Father the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee” (John 17:1).  In the garden He prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew. 26:39).    Jesus prayed for those who abused Him.    He said, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  As we often sing. “pray when in sorrow, pray when in trouble, pray all the time.”

 G.K. Wallace

The Christian Life

The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26). “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian’” (Acts 26:28). “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf” (I Peter 4:16).

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN

  1. It means remission of past sins (Acts 2:38).
  2. Membership in the church, the Body of Christ (Acts 2:47).
  3. He can call God, Father (Romans 8:15).
  4. He can worship and serve God acceptably (John 9:31).
  5. He has the hope of eternal life in Christ (Revelation 2:10).

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

  1. He believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10).
  2. He repents unto life (Acts 11:18).
  3. He confesses unto salvation (Romans 10:10).
  4. He is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27; Romans. 6:3). He is born again (John 3:5). See also I Peter 1:23.
  5. A Christian must live like Christ; must follow Him.

WHY WEAR THE NAME CHRISTIAN?

  1. It honors Christ who died for us (Hebrews 2:9).
  2. We were baptized in the name of Christ (Acts 19:5).
  3. Paul condemned human names (I Corinthians 1:10).
  4. We are married to Christ (Romans 7:4). Therefore, we should wear His name.
  5. There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12).
  6. We are His children (Galatians 3:26). Hence, we are in His family, and should wear His name and no other.

BECOME AND REMAIN A TRUE CHRISTIAN!

WHAT MUST ONE DO TO KEEP SAVED?

A. This great question implies:

  1. Man was once lost in sin.
  2. That he has been saved.
  3. There is a danger of falling.
  4. Something must be done to remain saved.

B. There is a danger of falling.

  1. Demas hath forsaken me . . .” (II Timothy 4:10).
  2. Simon was commanded to repent and pray (Acts 8:22).
  3. The last state was worse than the first (II Peter 2:20).

C. Christians have the power to stand.

  1. Give all diligence and add the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-10).
  2. Make your calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10).
  3. Then, “Ye shall never fall” (II Peter 1:10).

D. Four safe rules to follow:

  1. Read the Bible daily. The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica because they searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). Newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby (I Peter 2:2). The engrafted word will save (James 1:21). We will be judged by it (John 12:48).
  2. Pray to God every day. Pray Without ceasing – have a regular time for prayer (Ephesians 6:18).
  3. Attend all the services of the church. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). The disciples met upon the first day of the week.(Acts 20:7). Christians need this spiritual food.
  4. Give liberally of time, talents and means. See I Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:7. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”

MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN!

OUR RELATIONS ONE TO ANOTHER

A. Love one another.

  1. “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
  2. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
  3. One cannot love God whom he hath not seen and hate his brother whom he hath seen (I John 4:20).

B. Bear one another’s burdens.

  1. “Bear ye one another’s burdens [the crushing burden beyond one’s ability to carry, John Rose] and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
  2. “For every man shall bear his own burden [any load one can carry, himself; John Rose]” (Galatians 6:5).
  3. Each individual must bear his own responsibility to God.

One cannot obey God for another person. However, we can help one another bear the infirmities of the flesh.

C. Forgive one another.

  1. "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
  2. How often shall we forgive? Jesus said to Peter: “Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
  3. “And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:4).

D. Pray for one another.

  1. Paul said: “Brethren pray for us” (I Thessalonian 5:25).
  2. “Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
  3. Samuel said: “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (I Samuel 12:23).

LET US HELP ONE ANOTHER

(above adapted by John Rose from a tract)

What Can We Do to Prevent Apostacy?

  1. We need to appoint and support faithful elders who will properly oversee the flock (Acts 20:28-32).
  2. We need to be busy now training other leader to take their place. Consider Joshua’s training and the influence he wielded (Joshua 24:31).
  3. We need to learn again proper respect for the Word of God (Psalm 119:9-16). We must teach this to our children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
  4. We must vaccinate against the errors of our day by exposing all false teachers – even if this means being negative (Acts 20:29-32; II Timothy4:1-5).
  5. We must indoctrinate each generation. It is right to teach doctrine (I Timothy 4:16; II John 9-11).
  6. We need to pray fervently for elders and preachers (James 5:16).
  7. We must be set for the defense of the gospel (Philippians 1:17).

B. C. Carr