Count Your Blessings
 
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm.100:4).


Of all the hymns in our songbooks, none expresses the joy of thanksgiving better than “Count Your Blessings”. With its true to life lyrics and up-beat tempo (It is NOT to be sung slowly), it is difficult to sing the words without thinking upon the countless blessings we have received from our loving, caring, and benevolent God.
 
The first verse describes a life filled with trials; a life tossed about by the tempests of this world. Such difficulties may leave us tired, disheartened and discouraged. The lyrics then offer a tried-and-true remedy: “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” Doing so will not only help us realize how much we are blessed by God, but will lift our spirits, as well.
 
The second stanza speaks of heavy burdens and the cross we may have to bear. But cross bearing is part of discipleship (Luke 9:23). Yet God will not only provide strength to hold us up, He has also blessed us with supportive brethren to help bear our burdens (Gal. 6:2).


The third verse mentions observing the wealthy of the world who seem to have it all. However, as Christians we have something of far greater value than fleeting  riches - everlasting treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21).
 
The final section describes a God who is in control of all things (Dan. 2:21). This knowledge is a great source of comfort and encouragement in this seemingly chaotic world. Regardless of what is occurring around us, God’s presence, promises, help and blessings cannot help but sustain us with courage and hope.
 
Above all, the reunions and glorious mansions awaiting us in heaven should fill out hearts with perpetual thanksgiving!
 
“Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.”
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

United We Stand!
 
Following the most tumultuous election in recent memory, some Christians have suggested that if Americans would apply several scriptural directives, our nation will become stronger and more united than ever. Scriptures frequently cited include:
 
 
·    SPEAK EVIL of no one – Tit. 3:2.
 
·    DO NOT RETURN EVIL for evil – 1 Pet. 3:9.
 
·    HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN, let him cast the first stone… John 8:7. 
 
·    BE PEACEABLE, gentle, showing humility to all men - Tit. 3:2.
 
·    WORK HARD to maintain unity - Eph. 4:3.
 
·    TREAT others as if they are superior to you - Phil. 2:3.
 
·    BE PATIENT with the failings of others - Eph. 4:2.
 
·    FORGIVE as you have been forgiven - Col. 3:13.
 
·    BE WILLING to sacrifice your personal rights for the sake of unity – Rom. 14:21.
 
·    PRAY for each other – Jam. 5:16.
 
·    PRAY for our leaders, regardless of who they are – 1 Tim. 2:1-2.
 
·    LOVE as brothers, be tenderhearted and courteous - 1 Pet 3:8.
 
Who can dispute that compliance with even half of the aforementioned scriptures would make a significant impact in bringing Americans together, regardless of party affiliation?
 
In addition, the same commands will also aid in unifying the Lord’s church. Are you aware that discord and friction between members has caused more congregations to struggle, decline and even close down than virtually all other reasons? Although disagreements between Christians sometimes occur, failure to deal with them with love, patience and humility often leads to resentment and animosity. Division frequently follows. Jesus warned, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation: and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matt. 12:25).
 
That said, reread the 12 scriptures cited above. Make it a point to apply them to your interactions with others in the church. Doing so will have a significant impact in increasing and preserving the unity of the body of Christ.
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

​Is Lunch TOO Important?
 
There is a question that sometimes distracts Christians during the Sunday morning worship service. “Where shall we go for lunch?” As the service continues, some members think about possible options: Arby’s, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Pizza, KFC, Kroger’s fried chicken, leftovers, etc.
 
Should you walk into any given restaurant at noon on a Sunday, you’ll likely see “church folks” answering the question (that may have been on their minds during worship). They might be seen feasting on roast beef sandwiches, tacos, burgers, fries or fried chicken, while sipping soft drinks or iced tea.
 
Before proceeding, let it be known that there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a meal at a restaurant subsequent to church services. However, this is a suitable opportunity to consider three salient points.
 
1. None of us (the preacher included), is immune to being distracted as we worship God. Nevertheless, if we notice that our minds are increasingly straying at church services, we need to examine our priorities (2 Cor. 13:5). Being easily distracted is a sign that our focus is faulty. Whether we are worshipping God or doing virtually anything else, we must heed Paul’s directive to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2).
 
2. Our concentration must be especially focused when we partake of the Lord’s Supper. “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Cor. 11:29).
 
3. I recall hearing a waitress comment, “I am glad that many Christians eat out on Sundays. If they didn’t, we’d be forced to close every Sunday.” Think that over for a moment. Would that be a bad thing? Some of us remember a time when the vast majority of stores were closed on Sundays. It was considered “Church Day”. In time, however, increasing numbers of people (including Christians) clamored for stores to open up on Sundays. Due to this, some Christians are now obligated to work on Sunday.
 
Remember – “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

​Jesus Yes, the Church No?
 
There is a tragic trend among many religious people in which they claim to be Christians, yet have no desire to attend or even be affiliated with any church. In 2014, a YouTube video entitled “Why I Hate Religion But I Love Jesus” has received 35 million views and counting!
 
The man in the video actually condemns hypocrisy, false teachings and duplicitousness that are common in many modern-day religions and denominations. However, he asserts that he is NOT against the church.
 
Unfortunately, some people have misunderstood his intended message by assuming that he promotes following Jesus wholly apart from any church. These individuals assume that today’s churches are rife with hypocrites and false doctrines, demand blind obedience and are money hungry. If that is true, why would anyone want to be identified with such corrupt institutions?
 
Especially when they can accept God’s grace, love Jesus, live a decent life and go to heaven apart from the church.
 
Although many religions and denominations HAVE wandered far from the straight and narrow road that leads to life (Matt. 7:14), the idea of “Jesus yes, the church no!” is as displeasing to God as hypocrisy, false doctrines and duplicity. Consider the following:
 
·        Jesus Christ promised to build HIS church – Matt. 16:18.
·        The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved – Acts 2:47.
·        Jesus Christ purchased the church with His own blood - Acts 20:28.
·        Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the church – Col. 1:18
·        God made Jesus Christ to be head over all things to the church – Eph 1:22.
·        Jesus Christ is the Savior of the body, the church - Eph. 5:23.
·        God will be glorified in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations – Eph. 3:21.
 
In view of these (and many more) scriptures, any attempt to separate Christ from the church is egregiously wrong. Since God adds us to the church when we obey the gospel and are saved (Acts 2:47), we should say, “Jesus, yes! His church, yes!”
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

Real Faith Obeys!
 
The New Testament has much to say about faith. Unfortunately, millions of people have a faulty concept of faith. They believe that genuine (saving) faith is simply believing in the existence of God and that Jesus Christ is His Son.
 
But a close examination of the Scriptures reveals that authentic faith is more than merely believing. The 2nd chapter of James makes it clear that faith must be coupled with obedient works, else, it is dead and useless - James 2:14-26. Moreover, James also tells us that the demons believe and tremble, yet their faith is dead because they refuse to obey.
 
Some people argue that it is impossible to earn our way to heaven by good works, and they are right – Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-5. However, the Bible also indicates that obedient works, while NOT earning anything, are necessary in order to demonstrate genuine faith. Obedient faith IS a requisite for our salvation – Rom. 6:17, Heb. 5:9 & 1 Pet 1:22.
 
Consider the “Heroes of Faith” listed in Hebrews 11:
·        By faith, Abel “offered to God a more excellent sacrifice” (v. 4).
·        By faith, Noah “prepared an ark” (v. 7).
·        By faith, Abraham “obeyed” God’s voice (v. 8).
·        By faith, Abraham “offered up Isaac” (v. 17).
·        By faith, Isaac “blessed Jacob & Esau” (v. 20).
·        By faith, Jacob “blessed each of the sons of Joseph & worshiped” (v. 21).
·        By faith, Moses “forsook Egypt…kept the Passover” & more (v. 24-28).
 
James 2:18 states, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” As you might imagine, it is virtually impossible to “show faith” without a corresponding action. Genuine faith always obeys God. And that is the kind of faith by which we are saved.
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

Please Help Us!
 
"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, come over to Macedonia and help us. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately, we sought to go to Macedonia concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them." Acts 16:9-10
 
I've often wondered about the identity of the man from Macedonia that appeared to Paul in that vision. Regardless of his identity, however, his plea was urgent. The gospel message of salvation was desperately needed in that region, so God revealed this to the apostle Paul and his companions. They wasted no time in leaving for Macedonia.
 
There is a similar urgent plea from thousands of hurting, struggling, and displaced souls in the South who were affected by hurricane Helene. Many have died, and more are unaccounted for. Fresh water, gasoline,  generators, food, blankets, clothing and first aid supplies are in short supply. The need is as overwhelming as we have seen in recent years.
 
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort (based in Nashville, TN) Is currently involved in coordinating deliveries of the above items and much more. However, the staggering need far outweighs the financial resources currently available.
 
Which is why our help is urgently needed in sending a donation to the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort as soon as possible. If you can assist, please give your most generous donation possible to Jim Romans. We hope to send a check very soon.
 
Thank you, and may God bless you for your help during this extraordinary time of need.
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

PULL THEM TO SAFETY!
 
Two young mountain climbers were attempting to negotiate a sheer cliff face on the Teton mountain range in Wyoming. Near disaster occurred, however, when the lead climber placed his hand into a crevasse and felt a sharp, jagged stone cut into his fingers. Losing his grip, he promptly fell to the end of his safety line, but a carabiner (special metal clip) then failed, leaving him dangling upside down, disorientated and helpless. Fortunately, his partner and close friend (“Two ARE better than one” – Ecc. 4:9) swiftly came to his friend’s aid, shouting words of encouragement and reassurance. Although the rescue required hours of careful, grueling work, he finally pulled his grateful companion to safety.
 
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As Christians, there are times when you and I are needed to pull fellow Christians from the perilous cliffs of willful sin, spiritual stupor or unfaithfulness. At this moment we have struggling brothers and sisters that desperately need our attention, concern and encouragement to restore them to the safety of God’s fold. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that this is an important part of our service to God.
 
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).
 
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
 
God’s word also reminds us to “look out not only for (your) own interests, but also for the interests of others (Php 2:4).
 
So, let’s begin contacting members who have not attended our services for some time (or attend infrequently). They may have lost their spiritual grip, and are helplessly dangling between God and the devil. Remind them that we love them, care for them, and desire to be in regular fellowship again.
 
Who knows what might result if each of us makes just one call, sends one text, or makes one visit of encouragement to those struggling souls who are waiting to be pulled to safety?
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis