Whose Day?
 
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:23-25).
 
Isn’t it tragic that many people, finding themselves with two days off weekly, use them for recreation or leisure, essentially leaving God out. One sometimes hears the excuse, “Sunday is the only day I have to sleep in or do this or that.” Even some Christians insist that they sometimes have other obligations on Sunday.
 
To the contrary, Sunday is THE ONE DAY that no one can rightfully claim as his or her own to use as they wish. It is the LORD’S DAY. Christ claimed the first day of the week through His resurrection on Sunday. Early Christians honored Him by assembling for worship every first day of the week, frequently beginning before dawn and continuing well into the day. The most devoted of these Christians sometimes wept as they left the worship assembly. To them, Jesus Christ deserved to be praised for much longer than a few hours.
 
Their commitment to worshipping God and Christ every Sundays set an example for generations that followed. For those Christians, the first day of the week was the most important day of all - the LORD’S DAY.
 
It is tragic that such overriding zeal for worshipping God on the first day of the week has diminished through the centuries. Thankfully, some Christians remain determined to reserve Sundays for worshipping God and glorifying Christ. Let us pray that the passion possessed by early Christians for worshipping God be restored. If Jesus should return on the first day of the week, may we resolve to greet Him as we are assembled to worship Him.
 
Be a Light for Christ in 2025!
 
Dennis

ALL ABOARD!
 
A friend told me about a wonderful Caribbean cruise he recently took. Prior to departure, however, many arrangements had to be made. These included booking, documentation gathering, purchasing seats for the flights, packing and obtaining required shots. “But”, he commented, “the cruise was well worth the hassle”.
 
There is another “trip” of far greater significance and duration which is extended to everyone from the divine Director and Benefactor, Jesus Christ. Prior to accepting His generous invitation, however, prospective passengers must be aware of the following requirements.
 
BOOKING:  Arrangements must be made in advance, preferably today (2 Cor. 6:2).
 
I.D.: Persons will not be permitted to enter the narrow gate unless their names are recorded in the official log book (1 Thess. 5:2).
 
DEPARTURE DATE & TIME: The exact date of departure is unknown. All travelers are advised to be prepared for departure at any time (Matt. 25:13).
 
TICKETS: Jesus paid the full price on the cross. However, prospective passengers must accept His gift by believing in Him, repenting of sins, confessing faith in Jesus, and being baptized (Acts 2:38; Matt. 10:32; Acts 22:16). Passengers must also hold on to their "tickets" at all costs (Col. 1:23).
 
LUGGAGE: No luggage is permitted (1 Tim. 6:7). Everything passengers will require will be furnished upon arrival (1 Pet. 1:4).
 
MEANS OF TRAVEL: All passengers will be going by air (1 Thess. 4:17).
 
VACCINATIONS: None required, as the destination will be disease and death free (Rev. 21:4).
 
CURRENCY: Non-perishable assets can be forwarded to await the passenger's arrival. Deposits are made by giving generously and serving others (Luke 6:38; Matt. 6:20-21).
 
CLOTHING: A glorious and durable wardrobe will be provided at the destination (2 Cor. 15:53).
 
RESERVATIONS: Tickets may be obtained at any time. Since the departure date is unknown, everyone should obtain a ticket as soon as possible (See “Tickets” above.). Procrastinators may be too late (Heb. 4:5).
 
FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS, consult your Bible (Jam. 1:21).
 
Are YOU ready for departure?
 
Be a Light for Christ in 2025!
 
Dennis

Steadfast in the Faith
 
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1Cor 15:58).
 
Among other things, the Apostle Paul reminds Christians in Corinth about the need to be steadfast. This also applies to Christians living 20 centuries later.
 
Surprisingly, some Christians have little idea as to the meaning of “steadfast.” It means to be firmly fixed in place, immovable and not subject to change. In a religious sense, it means to remain fixed in faith, doctrine and lifestyle. Instead of being wishy-washy, wavering or spiritually unsteady, Christians need to remain committed in their faith and service to the Lord.
 
Doing so means being steadfast in the following areas:
 
•        In the Apostle’s teachings (Acts 2:42).
 
•        In Bible study (Acts 17:11).
 
•        In prayer (Phil 4:6).
 
•        In assembling with the saints for worship (Heb 10:23-25).
 
•        In partaking of the Lord’s supper (Act 20:7).
 
•        In giving (1 Cor. 16:2).
 
•        In doing good (Gal 6:9).
 
•        In being lights for Christ (Matt 5:16)
 
•        In sharing Christ with the lost (1 Cor 9:16).
 
Like a man attempting to stand against hurricane-force winds, Christians today face relentless onslaughts by Satan’s temptations, diversions and worldliness. Unless anchored steadfastly in the hope found only in Jesus Christ, Christians may eventually be swept away (Heb. 2:1; 3:12; 6:19).
 
Be steadfast, and a Light for Christ in 2025!
 
Dennis

God Deserves More than Crumbs
(Revised, by Keila Ochoa)
A close friend recently came to town. He is typically busy and his schedule was tight, but after a day of important meetings he managed to see my family for a brief dinner. We enjoyed the visit, but as he was leaving, I thought, “We only got a few crumbs of his time.”
Then I remembered how many times God essentially gets the crumbs of my time. Perhaps a few minutes in the morning, and possibly the last minutes before I fall asleep. All in all, mere crumbs.
Consider Daniel in the Old Testament. He was a VERY busy man. He held a high government position in ancient Babylon, and faced important decisions daily. Despite his full schedule, he spent quality time with God every day. He prayed at least three times, thanking and praising God (Daniel 6:10). This routine helped him develop a strong faith that did not waver, even when he faced possible death in the lion’s den.
Should we be any different? God desires (and deserves) more than a few crumbs of our time.
We should begin each day praising God for our blessings, praying for others, and reading from His word.
Our prayers should continue as we proceed through the day. Moreover, lunch and dinner may present additional opportunities to feed from God's word.
Whenever we get a few minutes to ourselves, we can even spend priceless  alone time with God, taking comfort in His presence.
In addition, no day should end without thanking God for His love, mercy, protection, along with His willingness to forgive us for any sins of which we are aware.
Don’t give God mere crumbs of your time and attention. Make time with Him a daily priority.
Without God our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday and Shatterday. Seven days without God does make one weak.
Be a Light for Christ in 2025!


Dennis

What does it Cost to Be a Christian?
 
A preacher friend told me about an unusual question he received from an elderly Christian brother. This particular Christian had numerous health issues, so could only attend sporadically. Before the beginning of a service, the elderly brother asked my friend, “What are my dues?”  In other words, “What do I need to give in order to make up for the many weeks that I was absent?”
 
My friend explained that whatever the elderly brother gave on that particular Sunday was entirely up to him. The New Testament never specifies an amount or percentage that Christians should contribute to the Lord’s church. Instead, Christians are commanded to give “as he may prosper” (1 Cor 16:2), as “as he purposes in his heart” and “cheerfully” (1 Cor. 9:7). If the elderly brother had been sufficiently blessed to give extra due to not being at services for a while, that would be entirely acceptable to God
 
Many years ago, I was a member of a civic club. In order to maintain my membership, I had to “keep up with my dues”. If I missed numerous weekly meetings, I was still obligated to pay my dues and make up for any unpaid amount. But not so in the Lord’s church. Although we are commanded to give, the amount is up to us. No one will “show us the door” if we have little or nothing to give.
 
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Speaking of which, WHAT DOES IT COST TO BE A CHRISTIAN?  When I obeyed the gospel, no one approached me with a collection plate. No one asked for a credit card. No one requested my mailing address in order to send me an invoice. What was required? Faith in Jesus as God’s Son (Jn 3:16), Repentance (Lk 13:3, 5), confession of my faith (Mt 10:32) and baptism (Mk 16:16). Is there an ongoing cost? Yes, abiding in Jesus – Jn 15:4, 7 & 9.
 
The real cost, however, was paid by Jesus Christ. “…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree…by whose stripes you were healed” (1Pe 2:24). “…so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Heb 9:28).  
 
All the gold in Fort Knox couldn’t pay the interest on the down payment for salvation from sin. Jesus’ blood, however, paid the atonement price in full. Praise God for saving us by the grace that is found In Jesus Christ – “…being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:24).
 
Be a Light for Christ in 2025!
 
Dennis