Study

What Do You Think About Most?

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Has anyone ever asked you, what are you thinking about? Or what’s on your mind? Can I ask you that question today? What do you concentrate on the most? Is it money, or family, or sports or something else? This time of year, many are thinking about warmer weather.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.” Did you know the bible says the same thing in Proverbs 23:7, when it says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” The bible is also clear, that the mind and the heart cannot be separated. For in Genesis 6:5 we read, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Whether good or bad thoughts, the more we think about something the more they become who we are. That is why we are told to think about things that are true, honorable, and right. To think about things that are worthy of praise in Philippians 4:8.

So, let me ask you, are you unhappy? Are you struggling to find peace in your life? Do you seem over stressed and worried about tomorrow? Are you unable to sleep at night? If this is you, can I offer you some help? Read the word of God and think of things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Take a few minutes a day and read something positive from God’s word. For example, “The Lord is my Shepperd I shall not want” Psalms 23. The more you read this the more you will understand that God is your Shepperd, and he will take care of you. He knows what you need. You aren’t all alone. Or read John 10:11 where Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” By reading and thinking about this text you will be changed. Read it in the morning when you wake up. Read it after breakfast. Read it at lunch time, read it at supper time. Read it before you go to bed. Sadly, some tell me they don’t have time, or that they memorized the verse, so they stopped reading. If your doctor told you to take your medicine 3 times a day or you’re going to die, would you follow his instructions? Would you take it all at once? Would you stop taking it after you felt a little better? Absolutely not because you want to live. Jesus said man does not live by bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). For most of us, our next meal is not our problem. For us, our challenge is the lack of spiritual food. If you want to live, you must think of good things. You must read it over and over. Meditate on it. And if you do, your life will be changed.

The Ideal Congregation (Pt. 3)

Posted on by Bob Mathews

The ideal congregation faithfully attends and supports the various public services of the church, whether the occasion be Bible study, worship, or other worthy efforts such as gospel meetings or related events.  The inspired penman wrote, “and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25).

Motivation to obey this biblical mandate is abundant: By so doing, one (1) obeys the command to study (2 Tim. 2:15), (2) better possesses the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5), (3) is better able to always give an answer for the hope within us (1 Pet. 3:15), (4) has opportunity to express thanks to and faith in our Father (Phil. 4:6; Heb. 11:6), (5) is more diligent (2 Pet. 1:5), (6) is better able to grow spiritually (2 Pet. 3:18), (7) may deepen fellowship with brethren (1 Cor. 12:14), (8) is edified (Eph. 4:12), (9) may exorcise the love of the world (1 John 2:15-17), and (10) will be present in the habitat of the Lord (Matt. 18:20).  Though mandated biblically, let us assemble regularly because of our responsive love unto the Lord (1 John 4:19) which anxiously compels us unto good works (Eph. 2:10).

The ideal congregation responds positively when encouraged to better learn the truths of the will of God.  Our spiritual screen must ever allow the fresh, gentle breeze of God’s word to penetrate deeply into the whole of our spiritual house.  The attitude of the Ethiopian eunuch in relying on others as they were  qualified to guide him is worthy of our  imitation (Acts 8:30-31).  Our spiritual screen must also be strong enough to  prevent pests of error from entering our personal and congregational fellowship (Eph. 5:11).

To better develop an openness to learning truth both in breadth and depth, we must view ourselves as students truly in need of a greater measure of knowledge of God’s word.  We must be committed to growing beyond spiritual infancy (Eph. 4:15).  Such commitment, if not accompanied by decisive action designed to achieve and maintain spiritual growth, will be impotent in its impact in our lives.  We must both plan and implement if genuine success is to be realized.  Additionally, timely self-evaluation will enhance and support our personal efforts in expanding our knowledge of the will of God.  Our full individual and corporate potential can indeed be attained as we open our minds to the wonder of his Word.

As Christians, our desire should be to better ourselves each day because that is what our God deserves from us. Hopefully, these are a couple more ways we can work together towards that goal.

In Search of Wisdom

Posted on by Bob Mathews

There is something about the value and splendor precious metals that has always attracted the human eye. If we stop and think about it, much of America’s westward expansion was due to precious metals. Many pioneers came from the East in search of silver and gold.

In 1849, people heard about the gold in California and “rushed” to find some for themselves. This is the background for the name of the San Francisco 49ers, a National Football League team. In 1859, there was another “rush” into the Pike’s Peak district which later became Colorado. Gold had been discovered, and a mob of 50,000 prospectors were drawn to this territory like a magnet. They came from California, the Mississippi Valley, and the East. One last important gold find is worth noting. In 1874, gold was found in the Black Hills of the southwestern Dakota Territory.

It was the prospect of a better life that drew these people from place to place in the west. Gold and silver could make one wealthy. And for that reason, it was worth earnestly searching for. Many left their homes and exhausted their resources in search for gold and silver. The wisest of all men, Solomon, uses the search for precious metals and hidden treasures as a comparison to our quest for spiritual wisdom:

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if seek her as  silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:1-5).

All throughout the Proverbs Solomon tries to aid in our search for true wisdom. Always pointing to God as the source of that truth, Solomon wants us to have the same passion to seek after the wisdom and knowledge of God as we would the things that hold monetary value to our lives. He even goes on to teach that all things under the sun are pointless without having God. God is the one that has given all things and all things will return to Him. After talking about the truths in life and what has worth and what doesn’t matter, Solomon gives one final conclusion that is the exactly what we all need if we truly are searching for wisdom.

He had this to say, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is; fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Eccl. 12:13-14).

As a person what are you searching for?

Is it for money or fame? Do your search for knowledge and truth? Have you been wondering where to find the truth of God? God has made the truth readily available to you by having it written down. Are you willing to put in the effort of searching the scriptures as if searching for silver and gold?