Meekness is not Weakness

I don't know why many people get the idea that Jesus was weak. You often see pictures that portray Him as soft skinned and non-muscular. But He was a carpenter. Have you ever seen a carpenter's hands? He drove the money changers out of the temple with a whip of cords. He knew how to work. His skin was darkened and rough from the long dusty walks of Palestine. He had no form or comeliness that we should behold Him, no beauty that we should desire Him (Is. 53:2).

The reason why artists and people in general view Jesus in such soft tones has more to do with His character than anything else. He was gentle and kind. He was compassionate and caring. He was not overbearing, rude, or seflish. But He was not weak - not in the least! He was physically, mentally, and spiritually strong.

Have you ever seen any reference to Jesus saying, "I have rights." Did He ever complain about His rights being violated? Did He ever talk about what others owed Him? Did He ever complain about being jipped?

You see, the world paints the picture that fighting for oneself is a sign of strength. If you don't serve yourself, then you are weak and therefore you are selected out. But Jesus proved what meekness really is - "strength under control." That which has power and is readily usable and bridled is better than any uncontrolable force, no matter how great.

Jesus taught mankind true strength. His strength in meekness was not self-serving. It was exemplified and given for our deliverance.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." ~ Matthew 11:28-30

The Greatness of Attending Gospel Meetings

Ok, folks, here's the deal. We are blowing it. We are messing up big time. We are making the mistake of not attending gospel meetings. I, too, am guilty. I see them in bulletins, hear of them in anouncements, and see the fliers come to the office. But this last week I attended two different gospel meetings, and I have to say it was the most encouraging and uplifting thing I have done in a long while.

Here's why:

I supported the work of my brethren - They were encourgaed to see me. They were glad I was interested in the preaching of the gospel.
I received the gospel - As a preacher I don't get many opportunities to hear the gospel preached. I need it so desperately to grow!
I grew closer to fellow Christians - Those of us who went in the van to Ardmore had such a great time talking and just being brethren. I feel closer to the group of folks who went than I did before.
I restored my spirit - By being in the pew with brethren in different locations who feel the same way, speak the same thing, love the same Lord, I was resolved to begin again in Jesus Christ. Whether one answers the invitation publicly or privately, assembling with Christians and hearing the gospel can revive the soul.

We need to go to more gospel meetings individually and collectively. PERIOD.

"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!" ~ Psalm 122:1

When The Church Becomes Imperfect

"I will not go to that church because..."

• "There are many hypocrites who worship there." (Answer): No drowning man ever refused to get into the boat with a hypocrite.
• "Someone hurt my feelings." (Answer): "So my heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his tresspasses" (Matt. 18:35)
• "They think they are the only righteous ones living." (Answer): "There is none righteous, no, not ,one" (Rm. 3:10). "Nevertheless we, according to His promises, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pet. 3:13).

The church is the called out body of Christ. It is composed of people who make mistakes, people who are still human, through striving to be more. The key to peace and growth in the church is knowing when the church, purchased by a perfect Savior who shed His perfect blood, becomes imperfect.

The church becomes imperfect the moment I enter in.

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." ~ Eph. 4:1-3

Recognizing the Truth

Abraham Lincoln, while still an attourney, was once receiving a court-room challenge from an obstinate opponent. So Lincoln asked him, "How many legs does a cow have?" "Four," was the quick reply. Lincoln continued, "Well what if you were to call the cow's tail a leg, how many legs would the cow have then?" "Well, five," said the arguer quickly. Lincoln ended, "See this is where you are wrong. The cow has four legs. Just because you call a cow's tail a leg, that doesn't make it a leg."
People call a lot of things by different names. One of the most important keys to understanding the actual truth is to remove the attributed names of man and see an object for what it is in reality. I believe firmly that what the majority of the world calls "Faith," "Christianity", "Church", or "Religion" stands a far cry away from the actual definitions of these words. How do we see the truth about these issues? Remove man's label and look at the object in its purest form. If you want to know the true definition of these words, go to the source - the original place of these terms. Consult the Bible!

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32)

God's Store Results

Members of the church of Christ were asked to complete a survey. They were given the opportunity to pick 5 things from God's store (talents, favors, blessings) - things they felt were very important. After 163 people answered, here are the results:

Love: 82 (50.3%)
Wisdom: 66 (40.5%)
Patience: 49 (30.1%)
Truth: 40 (24.5%)
Self Control: 39 (23.9%)
Knowledge: 37 (22.7%)
Faithfulness: 36 (22.1%)
Organization Skills: 35 (21.5%)
Hope: 34 (20.1%)
Understanding: 30 (18.4%)
Teacher: 29 (17.8%)
Happiness: 28 (17.2%)
Humility: 26 (16.0%)
Personal Evangelist: 23 (14.1%)
Grace: 22 (13.5%)
Public Speaking: 21 (12.9%)
Leader: 20 (12.3%)
Mentor: 20 (12.3%)
Artistic Ability: 18 (11.2%)
Peace: 17 (10.4%)
Boldness: 15 (9.2%)
Kindness: 14 (8.6%)
Mercy: 14 (8.6%)
Joy: 12 (7.4%)
Business Sense: 12 (7.4%)
Counselor: 11 (6.7%)
Writing: 9 (5.5%)
Elder: 8 (4.9%)
Goodness: 8 (4.9%)
Preacher: 6 (3.7%)
Gentleness: 5 (3.1%)
Deacon: 2 (1.2%)

As a preview for Sunday's sermon consider this passage - "Buy the truth and do not sell it. Also get wisdom, instruction, and understanding" - Proverbs 23:23

Quick and Quiet Prayers

In the twentieth year of the reign of Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah said a quick, silent prayer. While he was serving wine to the king, the king noticed his sad countenance. After Artaxerxes asked why Nehemiah was sad, Nehemiah responded that his concern was for his homeland and his people (Neh. 2:3). Jerusalem had been desimated. Nehemiah was now captive in a land which to him had no significance.
When the king asked Nehemiah if he had a request, Nehemiah said one of those two-second, inner-man prayers (Neh. 2:4). He was in the middle of a conversation with the most powerful man on earth, but he didn't forget the One who had given the king his power. His request to go home and rebuild was granted. Artaxerxes even gave him the tools and the workers he needed to finish the work.
Sometimes we get in situations that are difficult to face. It gets even tougher when there is so much going on there seems to be no way to ask for help. But we can say a quick and quiet prayer, and God will hear us.
It is not in the power of the prayer itself that deliverance is realized. It is not the length, the eloquence, or the timing that gets things done. God is the power. God is the deliverer. He hears the prayers- even the quick and quiet ones.

"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Mother Murders Her Children....Or Not?

I haven't had time to develop this yet, but I am working on this article. I suggest you all read this article - http://www.charter.net/news/news_reader.php?storyid=13894233&feedid=7. The point is that the law as it stands protects the mom in some cases and the child in others. I thought murder was murder...