ANYONE LISTENING?
 
“He who has an ear to hear, let him hear...” (Rev. 2:7)

Scientists claim that normal ears are capable of detecting 73,700 vibrations a second. In fact, our ears are so sensitive that if we were placed in a soundproof room we would likely hear the blood coursing through our veins, and possibly the beating of our heart.
 
Which makes it ironic that, despite the remarkable sensitivity of our ears, many of us find it challenging to listen.....carefully. While most of us can hear, we sometimes choose not to do so. And that is when issues typically occur.
 
It is a well-known fact that most marital breakdowns begin when one or both spouses stop listening. The so-called “generation gap” is essentially a “listening gap”. Even close friends drift apart when one or both stop listening. A wise counselor observed, “If people would only listen to each another (instead of trying to be heard), I’d be out of a job.”
 
And what about our relationship with God? Although God directs us to speak to Him as often as possible in prayer (1 Thess. 5:17), we must also listen carefully to Him via His word (Rev. 2:11). Listening to God means more than just reading the Bible, it means to carefully consider what we read. No wonder the Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of listening. “Be swift to hear...” (James 1:19); “Take heed how you hear...” (Luke 8:18).
 
After warning His disciples of those whose “ears are hard of hearing” (Matt. 13:15), Jesus commended His faithful followers by saying, “But blessed are your…ears, for they hear.” (Matt. 13:16).
 
Are we listening?
 
Jesus FIRST!
 
Dennis

I Give Up!

“...submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7–8).

As children, many of us of us were involved in competitions with siblings or friends. The word "uncle" was frequently used to indicate one of the participants had "thrown in the towel" or given up.

As adults, the phrase "I give up" generally carries a negative connotation because it means to quit or surrender. For Christians, however, giving up is mandatory for pleasing God. What do I mean? Our culture applauds those who are strong, independent and self-sufficient. However, in order to please God, we must be just the opposite. We must be willing to acknowledge that we are weak, flawed, and dependent on God for forgiveness, strength, guidance and sustenance. Unless we are willing to do so, we will never truly submit to His will.

The aforementioned scripture from the book of James commands us to “submit to God.” The word submit means to "yield fully, surrender or capitulate". In other words, we must "give up" and "give in" to God, allowing Him to control every aspect of our lives. But if we resist by insisting that we have some things "our way", we will soon find ourselves in deep spiritual trouble.

Being totally dependent on God may go against human nature and the expectations of society, but in the end, it will be the best thing we will ever do. When we give up and give in to God, we will find it easier to resist the devil and draw nearer to God.

Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). The same is true for us when we tell God, "I give up...to You!"

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis

​Coming or Going?

The Great Commission of Jesus Christ states,  "GO into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized will be saved, but he that does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16).

Unfortunately, some Christians (and even entire churches) attempt to modify the Great Commision as follows, "COME from the world and enter our church building so that we can conveniently preach the gospel to you."

Such Christians replace the word "Go" with "Come". As you read this you may be thinking, "I would never do that!" However, Jesus once said, "...by their fruits you will know them" (Matt. 7:20). So, let's be honest - do we spend more time GOING to others to share the gospel or are we hoping that others will COME to us?

A careful study of the New Testament teaches that Christianity is about GOING.

 “Go” tell what great things the Lord has done – Mark 5:19.

 “Go” and tell these thing to the brethren – Acts 12:17.

 “Go”, I send you out as lambs among wolves – Luke 10:3.

 “Go” and bring forth fruit – John 15:16.

 “Go” and do likewise – Luke 10:37.

 “Go” and make disciples and baptize them – Matthew 28:19.

We occasionally hear someone say, "I'm not sure if I'm coming or going." Does God wonder the same about us? When it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, we must be GOING.

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis

Beware Neglect!
Most of us have seen tragic photos depicting victims of neglect - children, elderly people, homeless people, even animals. We wonder how people can be so heartless as to willfully neglect those in need.

However, we need to be careful that we are not guilty of neglecting others. James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Doing good frequently presents itself in opportunities to assist others that have legitimate needs. Galatians 6:10 declares, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Although we will occasionally come across neglected people in our day-to-day activities, we should not overlook members of our church family. James 2:15–16 says, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”

Although we may encounter Christians that are genuinely hungry or in desperate need of clothing, we are virtually surrounded by Christians who are ill, bereaved, discouraged, lonely, and depressed. Though some brethren are hesitant to publicize their need for assistance or encouragement, if we look and listen they will not be difficult to identify. While praying for such people is good, we must try to help in other ways as well.

A keyword of the Christian life is “ACTION”. Ours is not a religion of leisure but perpetual service. According to 2 Corinthians 510, "...we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds and the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." The busier we are doing good, the less time we will have do bad.

“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis
​

​WHOSE SIDE?


After the Israelites escaped from Egypt and reached Mt. Sinai, they soon gave up on Moses because he was on the mountain longer than expected. Then they compelled Aaron to make a golden calf for them to worship. Finally descending the mountain, Moses could not immediately distinguish between the people loyal to God and those devoted to the calf. Thus, he asked, “Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come to me" (Exo. 32:26). Moses needed to determine whom he could count on to stand up for the Lord.

Sometime later, as Joshua prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land, he encountered a man with a drawn sword. Joshua cautiously approached and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" (Josh 5:13). It was imperative that he determine if the man was friend or foe. It turned out that the “man” was the captain of the Lord's host, and on the side of Israel.


Those examples provoke a pertinent question for us - Whose side are we on? God requires that His children stand unequivocally with Him. Unfortunately, some Christians have regressed spiritually and re-acquired some of the behaviors, habits and speech of their former lives. As a result, the distinction between them and the world is blurred.

For example, some Christians frequently take God's name in vain and even use profanity on occasion. And others routinely tell “white lies” (Which are lies, nonetheless). Whose side are they on?

Other Christians frequently wear clothing that is too short, too low or too tight. A few even attend worship and other services wearing such attire. Based on their appearance, whose side are they on?

What of those Christians that frequent casinos, bars, nightclubs, dance halls, even strip clubs? It is not hard to guess whose side these folks are on.

God wants His children to be decidedly different from the world. "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17). But if we “blend in” by becoming more like the world, we have little chance of bringing lost souls to Christ and pleasing the Lord.

Whose side are we on?

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis

If It Smells Like a Skunk…

Over the years some of us have been greeted with an unpleasant odor when entering the church building. I'm referring to the skunk that lives on our property. Despite setting up live traps, we've never succeeded in catching the smelly critter.

As a child I once came across a nest of abandoned baby skunks. I thought they were kittens, so I picked them up and played with them. I was having so much fun that I was oblivious to the pungent odor that was enveloping my skin and clothing. But when entered our house an hour later, I was literally chased outside. My clothes were discarded and it required 10 days for the scent to dissipate from my skin.

Once you have experienced that nauseating scent, you never forget it. If it smells like a skunk, it probably IS a skunk. 

Sin is much like that. If an act, word or thought feels like sin, then it probably is.

 If it feels like pride, then it probably is.
 If it sounds like gossip, then it probably is.
 If it feels like lust, then it probably is.
 If it sounds dishonest, then it probably is.
 If it sounds like an excuse, then it probably is.

God wants us to read His word daily so that we can quickly recognize the stench of sin. His Scriptures are brimming with divine guidance that will enable us remain as odor free as possible. "An ounce of THE WORD is worth a pound of cure."

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all
discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be
sincere and without offense till the day of Christ..." Phil. 1:9-10

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis
​

Pray for Our Leaders, Regardless!


"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Tim. 2:1–2).

It is not always easy to pray for our leaders, especially when their agenda is contrary to God's truths. Although God does not instruct us to agree with them, He does direct us to pray for them, regardless of the outcome.

Consider the plight of Christians when Nero ruled the Roman Empire. In 64 AD a devastating fire destroyed nearly 2/3 of the city of Rome. Many historians suspect that Nero ordered the fire set for his own amusement or to rebuild the city more to his liking. 

However, in order to escape personal responsibility, Noro blamed the fire on the Christians living in Rome. He even
declared “open season” on them, which initiated a period of terrible persecution. Christians were hunted down, imprisoned, tortured and put to death.

The persecution was so horrendous that some Christians we're concerned that it might bring an end to the church altogether.

To the contrary, historical accounts indicate that the persecution and martyrdom of those Christians resulted in an increase in faith and commitment to Christ. This in turn led the church to not only survive, but experience impressive growth.

That’s amazing, and causes us to wonder how we would react to such persecution. Regardless, we need to pray daily for our leaders. And even if severe persecution occurs, we can be confident that a far better place awaits us, and that Christ's Church will continue.

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis

​Preserving Unity!

What has arguably destroyed more congregations of the Lord’s church than any other cause? DIVISION, typically caused by an unwillingness to lovingly deal with the inevitable differences in opinions, personalities and preferences in the church. What Jesus said is truer than ever, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation: and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matt. 12:25).


Few things distress and dismay God more than seeing a local church fracture and split. So how can we prevent such a disaster from occurring? The answers are clearly revealed in the scriptures:
 ALWAYS follow Jesus’ guide to conflict resolution - Matt. 18:15-20.
 NEVER return evil for evil – 1 Pet. 3:9.
 Be PATIENT with each other’s imperfections - Eph. 4:2.
 FORGIVE as you’ve been forgiven - Col. 3:13.
 RESTORE erring Christians in a spirit of gentleness – Gal. 6:1. 
 WORK HARD to maintain the unity of the Spirit - Eph. 4:3.
 WITHDRAW fellowship from divisive members - Rom. 16:17.
 LOVE as brothers, be tenderhearted and courteous - 1 Pet 3:8.
 WARN wayward members just as you would anyone heading for danger – 2 Thess. 3:15.
 BE WILLING to sacrifice your personal rights for the sake of unity – Rom. 14:21.
 TREAT every member as if they are superior to you - Phil. 2:3.
 PRAY for each other – Jam. 5:16.
 LOVE each other (despite failings & flaws) as God loves us - 1 John 4:11.

Applying a few of these divine directives will increase unity in the church. Applying them all will guarantee it!

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis