Genesis and New Beginnings

Genesis and New Beginnings

When I consider the first few chapters of the book of Genesis I am struck by a couple of profound thoughts I want us to consider as we begin this new year and our chronological reading of the Old Testament.

Refresh, renew, begin once again.

Refresh, renew, begin once again.

First, these first few chapters are about new beginnings. The creation of the world, mankind, and all that exists. The beginning of mankind’s relationship with God. The renewed beginning after God destroys the world with a flood. The new beginning of Abraham’s life and walk with God. How do new beginnings in our lives effect our relationship and walk with Him?

Secondly, consider the patience, love, and righteous judgment of God. He didn’t smite Adam and Eve dead in the Garden of Eden. Yes, they suffered consequences for their sins, but God showed them mercy and grace. Cain was shown forgiveness, mercy, and grace for his sin. God was longsuffering in the days before the flood. How has God’s patience, love, mercy, and grace blessed our lives?

Lastly, consider how our actions may be causing the spirit of God to strive with us. Think if we are trying to make a name for ourselves or if we are working to allow God to make a name for us. We should seriously consider the righteousness of God. He doesn’t want mankind to be “accepting” of sinful lifestyles and behavior. He wants us to do His will and be faithful. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9). Be faithful.

Posted in Tim Dooley | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Genesis and New Beginnings

What Biblical Masculinity Looks Like

What Biblical Masculinity Looks Like

Much has been said and reported about “toxic masculinity.” Gillette razors made the news by producing a video that soon went viral about men changing the notion that “boys will be boys.”

Are you behaving like a real man?

Are you behaving like a real man?

The American Psychological Association (APA) recently released their “first-ever guidelines for practice with men and boys—pointing out that the notions of traditional masculinity are inherently dangerous, harmful, and unhealthy. (This is the same organization that took homosexuality and gender identity disorder out of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder [DSM-V]).

I think we would all agree that anything “toxic” is bad, but what about masculinity in general? Or specifically, what about Biblical masculinity?

– Biblical masculinity means a husband loves his wife (Ephesians 5:25).
– It frowns on men objectifying or lusting after other women (Matthew 5:28).

– Biblical masculinity means that a man helps train up his children (Proverbs 22:6).
– It frowns on men who abandon their children (Proverbs 29:15).

– Biblical masculinity means a man provides for his family and widowed parents (1 Timothy 5:8).
– It frowns on men who do not work (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

– Biblical masculinity means a man tries to be holy for God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
– It frowns on crude jokes and immorality (Ephesians 5:3-5).

– Biblical masculinity means a man gives to the needy (1 John 3:17; Hebrews 13:16).
– It frowns on men who waste money on materialism (1 John 2:15).

– Biblical masculinity means a man protects his wife and children (Psalm 82:3-4).
– It frowns on men who despise children (Matthew 18:10; Psalm 127:3).

– Biblical masculinity means a husband recognizes the differences between he and his wife (1 Peter 3:7).
– It frowns on men who do not honor their wives (Ephesians 5:33).

– Biblical masculinity means a man prays for his family (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
– It frowns on a man who is prideful thinking he can do it on his own ( Proverbs 16:18).

– Biblical masculinity means a man is the spiritual leader of his home (Ephesians 6:4)
– It frowns on men who delegate this command to their wives (1 Timothy 2:11-12).

– Biblical masculinity means a man devotes his life to making sure his family members are in the book of life (Revelation 20:11-15).
– It frowns on men who allow their children to love the world and walk out onto the broad way (Matthew 7:13-14).

Posted in Brad Harrub | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on What Biblical Masculinity Looks Like

The Commandments: With My Whole Heart

The Commandments: With My Whole Heart

When the Jewish leaders asked Jesus which of the commandments of God was the greatest one, it was of real concern to them (Matt. 22:34-40). The Jews had carefully gone through the Old Testament and identified 613 distinct commands God had given to them. They had divided them into positive and negative lists. There were 365 times when God had given a negative (thou shall not) and 248 positive commands.

The answer Jesus gave to them was taken from one of the Ten Commandments but two commands on which the entire law and prophets were based. The first and greatest thing God had ever said was, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

How much of you is given to God?

How much of you is given to God?

The question is, “How does one do this?” Perhaps the answer lies in the words of David, whose heart was like the heart of God.  By looking at how this godly man talked about using his “whole heart,” we can have a deeper understanding of the practical application of the greatest commandment God ever gave. Below is a discussion of the nine times David spoke about using his “whole heart” in Psalms.

David praised the Lord with his whole heart. Three times in Psalms David said, “I will praise You…with my whole heart” (Psa. 9:1; 111:1; 138:1). One cannot love the Lord with all of his heart unless He uses his entire heart in praising God. God has no delight in worship that is half-hearted.

David prayed to God with his whole heart. “I entreat Your favor with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:58). He also said, “I cry out with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord” (Psa. 119:145). There is a great difference in just saying the words of memorized prayer and praying to God fervently (Jas. 5:16).

David read the Bible and followed it with his whole heart. Hear his words. “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart” (Psa. 119:2). “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments” (Psa. 119:10). “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (Psa. 119:34).  “The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep Your precepts” (Psa. 119:69). David longed to obey God.

Do you want to have a heart like the heart of God? Then let these words from David’s heart become the words of your heart. Serving God involves praising and praying to God with all our heart, but it involves more than that. It involves diligent study of His word, deep devotion to knowing His word and wholehearted service in obeying the Lord.

One final question. Are you keeping the greatest commandment like David did?

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Commandments: With My Whole Heart

Communion: Unity Divided?

Communion: Unity Divided?

The night before our Lord and Savior was betrayed, arrested, beaten, scourged, and crucified for the sins of the world, He prayed to His heavenly Father that His followers might all be one (Jn. 17), thus proving to the world that He was indeed the Son of the living God (vss. 20-23). Such oneness and unity though, He repeatedly indicated throughout, could only occur as a result of His disciples devoting themselves to following His word alone (vss. 6 – 8, 14, 17, 19, 20 – 21).

Unity divided over communion?

Unity divided over communion?

Today however, there are several terrible fissures – great, ghastly, grizzly and ungodly wounds and divisions – hampering the health, well-being, and evangelistic effectiveness, of the once one and unified, but now beleaguered and deeply divided body, bride, and church of Jesus Christ. Sadly, amongst the worst of atrocities, the greatest of ironies, and the most terrible of tragedies, is the fact that one of the most horrific wounds and divisions in the entire blood-bought body of Christ, revolves around the very event that ought most to unite us – communion!

If you examine the 2018 edition of the Directory of Churches of Christ in the United States, you will find that in many of the small towns as well as major cities across this land, there is a multiplicity of places wherein our brethren are deeply, sharply, and needlessly divided, over – of all things – the containers to be used in the communion celebration! In fact, it appears that a great number of those of the “one cup” persuasion are so serious about their perspective, that they not only militantly refuse to fellowship their brethren who use multiple, individual, communion cups, but have actually convinced themselves that those who use more than one are so sinning as to perish because of it.

Where did such an idea originate? Why and how is it so aggressively defended? Are they right? If not, why not? What can possibly be done to bring us all back to the same Biblical understanding, so that we might once again be the one, united body which Jesus prayed we would be?

This coming Thursday evening, January 24th, beginning at 7 Central, I have been blessed by God to have been given the very special privilege of discussing just these sorts of questions with the good brethren at the Gospel Broadcasting Network on GBNLive (Via Facebook Live). You are invited to watch/listen/join in, as we discuss the contents of the book, “Clearing Up The Confusion – The Cup, The Cross, And The Chaos” (see www.amazon.com/author/douglasdingley). You can also call in at 662-874-5508, or e-mail questions in advance to GBNLive@gbntv.org.

Posted in Doug Dingley | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Communion: Unity Divided?

Obeying God’s Commandments

Obeying God’s Commandments

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:Fear God and keep His commandments,For this is man’s all.For God will bring every work into judgment,Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Obedience... answer the call with humility or pride?

Obedience… answer the call with humility or pride?

Sin takes a toll on our thinking, and we must pay the price of ignorance by confessing that we don’t understand many things.  It is fortunate for us that God, in His mercy and love, understands this, and gives us clear commandments to follow in His word.  There are some things that I simply do not need to understand to obey God’s commandments.  The only question that I need to answer is whether I am going to obey.  This is the greatest struggle that we face as God’s people; will it be our own will or God’s will that we follow?  We must obey God’s commandments.  If we love God, we will obey (1 John 5:2-3).  Failure to obey is simply a lack of love for God in our life.

Sometimes, however, there are those who use God’s commandments to elevate self.  The Pharisees had this problem.  They did not look at God’s commandments as a way to improve their relationship with God, but rather, as a way to elevate themselves over their fellow man.  This notion of “obedience” is deceptive, because it isn’t really obedience, it is haughtiness.  The problem is the same problem as those who refuse to obey—they love self more than they love God.  We learn that we must empty self if we are to obey God in the way God wants to be obeyed (Philippians 2:5-8).

Love God enough to study His word, learn His commands, and obey them, and be free of self.  God bless you, and I love you.

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Obeying God’s Commandments