Attitude

Attitude Helps Determine Altitude

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Do you remember when you received your first love letter? I’ll never forget mine. It went something like this, I like you, do you like me, check yes or no. I was young, and had no idea what love really was. All I knew was my belly was full of butterflies.

Did you know the Apostle Paul had a love for the Philippian brethren? In Philippians 1:7 he writes, “I have you in my heart…” In the next verse he again writes, “I long after you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 1:8).

It’s in this very city that Paul so loved that Silas and himself were beaten for preaching Christ and put in prison and around midnight they were praying and singing hymns unto God and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25). Oh, the power of love is stronger than any physical wound. No amount of ill-treatment could lessen the love that Paul and Silas have for their God. Beaten and in chains, they sing. It’s in this same love letter that Paul penned the words, “Rejoice in the Lord always…” You might say, Paul lived what he preached.

The message is true for you and me today. We are commanded to rejoice in the Lord always. But do we? We have become a nation that spends our time complaining. We complain about politics. About school boards. How it rains too much, or it’s too hot, or it’s too cold. How no one spoke to me. They didn’t ask me to do this or that.

Do you know what the results were that day when Paul and Silas were praying and singing in prison? The “prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25). And because of that, the jailer cries out, “what must I do to be saved.” And that very night all that was in his house believed and was baptized. Do you realize the power of your attitude? By Paul and Silas giving praise to God, souls were saved that night.

It also teaches, we should be careful because there is always someone listening. In the darkest of places. In the places where we think God isn’t wanted. Around people that we think would never accept Jesus. A jailer cries out. “What must I do to be saved.” (Acts 16:25-34). Do you realize, this night could have turned out very differently? Paul and Silas and the prisoners could have run when the jail doors were swung open miraculously. But even before that. Paul and Silas could have chosen to be mad about their unfair treatment. They could have been ugly to the guards. And if they had, the jailer would never have seen a difference in them than any other prisoner. But because they choose to “rejoice” souls were saved.

The next time you find yourself complaining about life, remember someone is listening. Even in places you think they’re not. How you respond to struggles in life may be the difference between someone being saved or remaining lost. Lord, I pray you forgive me for the times I have been negative. For the times I failed to “rejoice.” May others see my joy and may it be infectious. Let me be a part of the cure not part of the problem. And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.

The Will of Man

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Those who abuse the will of man by being self-willed are counted among the unjust (2 Peter 2:4-11).  Such persons are unyielding, persistent, and exaggerate one’s own worth in an overbearing manner.  They adhere to a course in spite of reason, argument, or persuasion, and are commanding and domineering.  They easily violate biblical regulations concerning judgmental pursuits (Rom. 14) and may threaten others in pursuit of fulfilling self-will.  Listed below are some of the potential effects of being self-willed.

 

  1. Personal relationships may be strained if not damaged.
  2. Others may be encouraged to be unyielding toward such a person.
  3. Others may be encouraged to retaliate against another.
  4. Personal influence may become more limited.
  5. One may become a law-breaker in other matters.
  6. Respect from others may be lost.
  7. Peace may be threatened in the home and in the church.
  8. Potential progress in various contexts may be impaired.
  9. Christian cooperation and fellowship may be challenged.
  10. Genuine spiritual growth in others may be impaired.
  11. The leadership of a congregation may be undermined.
  12. One is disqualified from serving as an elder in the church.
  13. One may tear down the progress of another.
  14. A congregation may be misdirected.
  15. A congregation may develop competing factions.
  16. The Christian spirit of God’s people may be quieted.
  17. Dreams and visions may be destroyed.
  18. One may be viewed more so as a radical rather than sensible.
  19. The future of a congregation may be radically affected.
  20. One may lose his soul.

 

In view of the potential devastation that may result from the free exercise of self-will, may each of us be gently guided away from such an attitude and be guided more toward a cooperative spirit as we labor together in the context of Christian fellowship.

The Ideal Congregation (Pt. 5)

Posted on by Bob Mathews

The ideal congregation responds in a positive manner to the plans of its leadership, especially when a congregation is led by an appointed godly eldership.  Christians were exhorted to “obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…” (Heb. 13:17).  On the one hand, we must obey our elders both in matters of faith and matters of judgment as such concerns the work and well-being of the local congregation.  On the other hand, may our elders have the courage and vision to plan the work of the congregation so that unity, truth, and the mission of the church are supported and fulfilled.

To achieve and maintain the above aspirations, we as members should establish and nurture a trusting, respectful relationship with our elders.  The effort required to do so must be reciprocal, all parties making their best effort to work well together.  Additionally, may we respond to leadership plans by seeking out an active role in the actual implementation of the work.  If improvements are needed or desired in our cooperative efforts, may we employ well-timed constructive criticism whose only goal is to assist in improving our work.  In this manner we will bring a greater measure of glory to both the Father and the church as we struggle together to do the work of the Lord.

The ideal congregation practices liberality in both attitude and action, especially as such relates to the planning, organization and implementation of individual or congregational spiritual labors.  The apostle Paul, in commending liberality, encouraged the brethren in Corinth to sow bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6) and to “ lay by him in store as God hath prospered him“ (1 Cor. 16:2).  He set before the congregation the sacrificial liberality of the Macedonians to motivate them unto similar action (2 Cor. 8:1-7).

Liberality may be rightfully exercised in contexts that may not involve financial interests and be equally important and impacting.  May we as the people of God better learn the art of liberality in mercy (Col. 3:12) and compassion (Matt. 18:21-35), thereby relieving others’ affliction as prompted by a heart that is truly touched by their distress.  May we better develop loving concern for all men (Rom. 13:8) so that we better imitate our heavenly Father (Eph. 5:1; John 3:16).  May we exercise liberality in the commitment and use of both our time and our talents in the work of the Lord (Matt. 25:14-30).  Such liberality is wisely exercised in all good works that the Father demands of us individually.  In order to successfully attain the worthy goal of liberality, may we be as the Macedonians who first gave themselves unto the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5).  Only then may we prosper as we never have before.