CHRISTIAN MEMORIAL DAY
 
Memorial Day is intended to honor the memory of the 1.3 million men and women that perished while serving in the armed forces of the United States. Early on, Memorial Day evoked considerable solemnity across the United States. Millions of grateful Americans visited cemeteries, stood at attention, saluted, wept, and/or placed wreaths or flags on the graves of those who died serving our country. It was not considered a celebration, but a time of solemn and respectful remembrance.
 
Unfortunately, the significance of Memorial Day has declined for many Americans. It is now considered the start of summer, an excuse for a family trip, spring-cleaning or watching the Indianapolis 500. While these activities are not wrong, it is tragic that fewer Americans take time to acknowledge the courageous souls that gave their lives to preserve our freedom.
 
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But there is something even more regrettable. Sunday, the Lord's Day, is a “Memorial Day” that surpasses Monday’s national holiday. This is the day that Christians assemble to worship God and remember the suffering and death of Jesus. Today (and every first day of the week) is a sacred occasion that deserves solemn observance.


Unfortunately, millions of Americans (including many Christians) have forgotten the significance of the Lord's Day. For them, it is a day to sleep in, work in the yard, play golf, fish or pursue other hobbies. Ignoring the importance of the Lord’s Day is jeopardizing countless souls, leaving them at the mercy of the devil.
 
Observing Memorial Day is always appropriate, but honoring God and Christ on the first day of the week is even more so.
 
“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7).
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

PREACHING TRUTH
 
Two Christians, a preacher and a taxi driver, died and went to heaven. An angel met the taxi driver and escorted him to a luxuriously furnished, spacious mansion. “I'm overwhelmed!" exclaimed the humble cabbie.
 
Returning to the preacher, the angel directed him to a smaller, modestly furnished structure. "Hold on", protested the preacher. "Shouldn't I have received the mansion? After all, I preached for over 50 years!"
 
"True", replied the angel. "But most people fell asleep during your sermons." "Granted”, retorted the preacher. “But what entitles the taxi driver to a far superior reward?" The angel said, "Because his passengers not only remained awake, but they frequently PRAYED for the duration of their ride."
 
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It’s been said, “A faithful preacher comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” The apostle Paul wrote, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). When preachers speak the truth, even sleeping saints sometimes awaken.




Unfortunately, it is tempting for preachers to soften (or dilute) their messages in order to avoid offending anyone. After all, preachers who “rock the boat” tend to have the shortest tenures. On the other hand, preachers that “preach to please” invariably fail to help Christians grow spiritually.
 
Although the apostle Paul preached the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), he never diluted his messages in order to please men. “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16) Moreover, he exhorted Timothy to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2-3).
 
Summing up, Paul wrote “…do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10).
 
Preaching the truth is not always easy. So please pray that I will lovingly but courageously preach the truth, regardless of consequences to myself.
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

GODLY MOTHERS – A PICTURE OF GOD


When we think about the wisdom, strength and powerful hand of God, the term “father” may come to mind. In many respects, godly fathers should remind us of our Father in heaven.


In addition, the love, patience and compassion displayed by godly MOTHERS also reminds us of God. For example…


·        The UNIQUE TENDERNESS that a godly mother displays in holding her newborn child is reminiscent of the amazing care that God provides for His children (1 Pet. 5:7).


·        The UNCONDITIONAL LOVE displayed by godly mothers toward their children may be the closest thing on earth to God’s undying love for us (1 Jn. 4:8.)


·        The INSTANTANEOUS SYMPATHY felt by godly mothers for scraped elbows, knees and hearts are not unlike the infinite compassion that God has for His struggling or suffering saints (Psa. 145:8).


·        The UNSELFISH SACRIFICE that godly mothers demonstrate to their children remind us of God’s generosity and benevolence to His children (Psa. 68:19).


·        The WARM EMBRACES and SPECIAL KISSES given by godly mothers to their children embody the deep affection that God has for each one of us (1 John 4:10).


Thank God for all the godly mothers that we blessed to have at the church of Christ in Milan. They continually remind us of our wonderful Father above!


“As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you…” (Isa. 66:13)


Live for the Lord in 2024!


Dennis

MARRIAGE OR NIGHTMARE
 
Following their wedding reception, a young man and his bride eagerly jumped into their vehicle. But as they pulled away, the new bride spoke up, "Honey, if you don’t mind just take me back to my apartment." "Apartment?" The startled man exclaimed. "What are you talking about? We have a plane to catch, a honeymoon to begin and a new life ahead of us."
 
"Oh, about that," she replied, "Our wedding was beautiful, and I’ll take your name and wear your ring, but…” “But what?” the stunned young man interjected. She continued, “To tell you the truth, I already miss my apartment, single girlfriends and other diversions. I want to get back to them. But no worries, you and I can still get together occasionally!”
 
The young man was speechless as she continued. “Please don’t take it personally. I love you and always will, but I also love my old life. You can understand that, can’t you? And if it will make you feel better, I’ll call you at least once a day. Okay? Okay???”
 
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If your reaction is, “That’s no marriage!”, you’d be right. A nightmare would be a more apt description. But before you dismiss the story as nonsense, it actually depicts some “marriages” fairly accurately.
 
In Romans 7 the apostle Paul uses marriage to illustrate the commitment involved when we become Christians. “You (are) married to another -- to Him who was raised from the dead” (Rom. 7:4). When we obey the gospel, we commit our lives to Christ, just as a new husband and wife commit to one another. Everything else in life must be secondary to our relationship with Jesus.
 
Yet some Christians have an attitude akin to the wife in the aforementioned story. Although they initially repented of their sins, confessed Jesus and were immersed for the forgiveness of their sins, they eventually returned to their former ways. Although they may occasionally read the Bible, attend church services and pray to God, they otherwise live just as they did before they obeyed the gospel.   
 
One cannot be truly joined to the Lord and return to one's former, worldly ways. Attempting to do so is not a marriage, but a nightmare with eternal repercussions. “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Pet. 2:20).
 
Christians, remain faithful to Jesus! But if you have returned to your old ways, come back to Jesus while you still can!
 
(Truly) Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

IN GOD WE TRUST
 
"He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him" (Psalm 22:8).
 
Years ago, a dejected young man sat down with his minister. "I prayed and trusted in God to provide a way for me to get through college. My finances are now gone, and I feel like God let me down." The minister wisely replied, "I understand your disappointment, but God didn't let you down. It may be that He has another plan for your life. God wants us to trust Him, no matter what."


Utilizing a few connections, the minister assisted the young man in obtaining a scholarship at a different college. While attending that school he met a committed Christian woman that became his wife. Sometime later he and his wife visited the aforementioned minister. During their conversation, the grateful young man said, "You were right. God didn't let me down. He changed the direction of my life in order to help me find the best possible Christian wife. I have now learned to trust God, no matter what."
 
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Psalm 22 prophetically describes many details of Jesus’ crucifixion. The words, "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue him", were repeated a thousand years later by scoffers that watched as Jesus died on the cross. Little did they realize that, despite His suffering and imminent death, Jesus unconditionally trusted His Father. He believed that God had a plan. In doing so, Jesus became the pioneer of our faith, teaching us to trust God, no matter what.
 
We are living in a time of unprecedented political strife, crime, economic woes, conflicts and wars. Because of this, some people doubt God's sovereignty or concern for His children. Although it's easy to trust God when all is well, trying times always challenge our faith.


However, let's be determined to meet the challenge by unconditionally trusting God and His word, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Prov. 3:5).
 
No matter what is happening, trust God. He has a plan.
 
Live For the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis