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Where is Your Focus?

9/27/2017

ALL EYES ON HEAVEN!

“…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE AHEAD, I press toward THE GOAL for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

Whether proclaiming the gospel from province to province, or sitting in a lonely Roman prison, the apostle Paul had a great deal on his mind. “…besides the other things…my deep concern for all the churches.” (2 Cor. 11:28) Yet his words to the saints in Philippi indicate that HIS OVERRIDING FOCUS WAS GETTING TO HEAVEN. And, as he added in vs. 15, “…Let US, as many as are mature, HAVE THIS MIND…”

The author of Hebrews mirrors Paul’s thinking, adding that our Lord kept His focus on getting (back) to heaven. “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance THE RACE that is set before us, looking unto Jesus…who for the JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the RIGHT HAND of the THRONE OF GOD.”  (Heb. 12:1-2)

Going to heaven must be our #1 PRIORITY in life. Nothing else is as important. We are told in Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."  We need to remind ourselves daily that the MAIN THING in life is GETTING TO HEAVEN.

We need such a reminder because, in our materialistic society, it’s EASY to get caught up in the pursuit of pleasures or things. It is easy to lose sight of our goal when so many things compete for our attention. This is a MISTAKE. Jesus warned, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."  (Matt. 6:19-21)

Heaven will be wonderful beyond our wildest dreams. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him"  (1 Cor. 2:9). So let us stay focused on the goal ahead as we "run with endurance the race that is set before us…" (Heb 12:1), Heaven will surely be worth it all.

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Interesting Message

9/27/2017

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MESSAGE FROM AN UNLIKELY SOURCE
"Greetings. First, I rarely express my feelings publicly; in fact this may be the only time I have ever done so. And although I am not given to complaining, I feel compelled to say something.
Most of you know me well. In fact, we were once VERY close. Moreover, you typically see me at every church service on Sunday and Wednesday nights. And that is part of the problem - regardless of my regular presence, I’m usually ignored. Even when many of you look my way, you typically pass by without so much as a word.
I realize that I’m not the outgoing type, nor do I attempt to draw attention to myself. But that does not mean I like being overlooked. And although I am not able to teach, preach, lead singing or pray publicly, I am ready and willing to do what I can to serve.
And that is my main issue – I really want to serve the Lord’s church! Indeed, I feel that I was made for that very purpose! Not just occasionally, monthly or weekly, but daily. And therein lies the “rub” – I’m rarely given the opportunity to serve. Even though I show up ready and willing to work, I am repeatedly unused.
That’s the reason for this note. I am tired of being overlooked. Admittedly, I do not have a higher education, money or connections, but I can still serve if you will let me.
Please use me soon! All you have to do is talk to others about their lost condition… their need for Jesus… their need to be ready for His return. If you will do that, I will do my part.
Sincerely,
THE BAPTISTERY"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15-16)

“…we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 2:20)

“…those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4)

“…those who were scattered…traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word…” (Act 11:19)

“…I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Rom 1:16)

Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis

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Tribute to Teachers

9/27/2017

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Tribute to Bible School Teachers

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and TEACHERS, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Eph 4:11-12)

Beatitudes for Bible School Teachers

Blessed are the Bible School teachers -
Who reveal Jesus and His word to children,
For they will be called, “Teachers of God.”

Blessed are the Bible School teachers -
Who help, hug and hold our children,
For they will be embraced by God forever.

Blessed are the Bible School teachers -
Who endure talkative children and screaming infants,
For God sees their tears and hears their prayers.

Blessed are the Bible School teachers -
Who laugh and draw and play with children in class,
For they will be forever young in heaven.

Blessed are the Bible School teachers -
Who patiently listen to the queries of children,
For God will one day answer all their questions.

Blessed are the Bible School teachers -
Who teach our children to sing and pray and give,
For they will sing around God’s throne forever.

Blessed are the Bible School teachers -
Who lead our children to accept and obey Jesus Christ,
For they will be with these children forever in heaven.

Blessed are the Bible School teachers -
Who continually ask God for strength, wisdom and patience,
For He will grant them all three, and much more, besides!

Bible school teachers are truly heroes. Have you taken time to thank your teacher (or your child’s) lately?

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Life really is SHORT

9/27/2017

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LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO TAKE CHANCES!

Life is short. Job says, "My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle" (Job 7:6). We cannot stop time or even slow it down. Job continues, "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.  He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue" (Job 14:1-2).

In view of this, it is incumbent on us to submit to God and follow Jesus Christ while we still can. God warns, "Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’" (Jam. 4:13-15). Life is too short to take chances!

Many people put off becoming a Christian because they are “too busy”. Yet every second of the day cars crash, fires erupt, murderers kill, people drown and hearts stop. Thousands of people die daily without warning. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).  Every day brings us closer to death. No one is promised tomorrow.

Yet countless people live as though tomorrow is guaranteed. Thus they focus on finding happiness in this life. "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26)

Remember the parable of the rich farmer - Lk. 12:16ff? He believed that he had many years to enjoy his wealth. But God said, “Fool! THIS NIGHT your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (vs 20)

There is not much time left to prepare. In fact, the vast majority who “gamble” that they have plenty of time left will run out of time. And there will be no second chances. No one will reach heaven by luck or accident.

Chances are that a few that are reading this now will be dead in less than a year. They will subsequently either join the masses to be tormented in hell or the few that will rest forever in Heaven (Matthew 7:13-14).

Time is running out. Don’t take chances with your soul.

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Planning or Boasting

9/27/2017

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PLANNING OR BOASTING?
(A reprint of an article written by my gifted brother, Bo Rye.)

Are you a "planner"? I believe that most of us are, to one degree or another. Many of us recognize this as a positive trait, necessity to accomplishing goals. On the other hand, would you consider yourself to be a "boaster"? You know, a person who can't carry on a conversation without bragging about something they've done. Telltale phrases include, "I don't want to brag, but…" or "I hate to toot my own horn, but…" Of course, those hearing these lines know they are in for some real boasting (or horn-tooting)! The bottom line is, being a "planner" is normally positive, while being a "boaster" is NOT.

As Christians, we may tell others about our plans to do such-and-such tomorrow, next week, or even next year. When doing so, we likely consider ourselves as "planners", not "boasters". Yet, we don't always think about how little control we have over what will happen tomorrow (much less beyond). By not reminding ourselves of how brief this life can be (as well as how little control of outside forces we have), we can open ourselves up to sounding boastful.

James 4:13-16 reminds us that failure to acknowledge the key part the Lord plays in ALL our future plans makes of guilty of "evil boasting"! “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘IF THE LORD WILLS, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

We'd do well to train ourselves to remember these words when sharing our plans! This can accomplish several great things: 1) It will remind us of Who is really in charge of what we will do; 2) It will remind our hearers (or readers) of Who is really in charge of what we will do; 3) It will reveal our belief in God and His power to others; 4) It may prompt unbelievers to ask why we say “IF THE LORD WILLS”, giving us the opportunity to testify about God!

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Eclipse Trivia

9/27/2017

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Eclipse Trivia

As many of you know, Brenda and I (along with other relatives) recently traveled to Crossville, TN to witness the total solar eclipse. It was a breathtaking event that will long be remembered. Attending this event brings to mind common misconceptions surrounding solar eclipses. Some of these are revealed in the 4-question trivia quiz below.

1) It is more dangerous to look at the sun during a solar eclipse than at other times.

False. It is ALWAYS dangerous to look at the sun without appropriate eye protection. During an eclipse, however, people are tempted to look in order glimpse the moon crossing the sun’s disk.

2) Accidentally glimpsing at the sun for an instant during eclipse causes permanent eye damage.

False. Although it is dangerous to stare at the sun for more than a second or two, accidental glimpses pose little or no danger to the eyes.

3) Pets should be kept inside during eclipses to avoid being permanently blinded.

False. Most animals instinctively avoid looking at the sun during eclipses and at all other times. (Many humans can learn from them.)

4) Eclipses signal the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

False. Solar eclipses typically occur 2-3 times annually somewhere on earth. This has been happening since creation. If solar eclipses signal the return of Jesus, He would have come back LONG ago!

Although it is helpful to distinguish between truth and error as relates to eclipses, it is CRITICAL to discriminate between fact and fiction concerning God’s word. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Where is Your Focus?

Interesting Message

Tribute to Teachers

Life really is SHORT

Planning or Boasting

Eclipse Trivia

Preacher's Corner

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