Are You Stressed (Part 1)

How do we define stress? Oh, the house mortgage is late, there’s no food in the cabinet, clothes are wearing out or shrinking on your children, everyone’s calling wanting something while all in all, you feel like just shutting the door to your closet and crying yourself to sleep. Is this stressful enough? Or how about the preacher who is under pressure to get this sermon done, make that devotional, spend time preparing Bible class lessons, counseling others, visiting this person and helping that person, evangelizing and trying to raise a Christian family while hearing all the complaints from the congregation on how their preacher and his family is inadequate? Is this stressful enough? What about the Christian who tries to pray when people make fun of her, or is made fun of at work or school when standing on Biblical principles, or even mocked by other Christians who considers you to be a Bible thumper while people from all walks
attempt to pull Christianity right out of your soul. Is this stressful enough? How do we as Christians deal with stress?

You know, stress tends to be put on us when we are already tired and sick or have too many responsibilities. Basically, when we feel our circumstances are out of control, we feel stress. We feel that things are not being met, that things are not going our way and our safety is threatened and we get anxious. When we feel like this, we know that it takes on many shapes and forms, but generally, stress boils down to one basic idea–a lack of trust in God.

Most Christians are under the impression that God is sovereign and in control of our lives. We believe He is the author of our life and that He has given us everything we need for life (2 Peter 1:3). So, when stress dominates our lives, somewhere along the way, we have failed to trust God. The statement, “To trust God and you will never deal with stress again” is a wonderful statement. But oh, if only it were as easy as that statement. The fact is, we are not perfect and life is much too complicated that we, at times, give in to it. However, stress does have a positive side. It can be a reminder that our lives are drifting away from God. It can be an indicator that we have stopped depending upon Him daily for strength. Perhaps, we have forgotten all the promises in His word. So, let’s notice some ways in which Christians can cope with stress.

(To Be Continued… Part 2)

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Maturity

The need for mature Christians today is as great as it has ever been among the people of God. Mature Christians do not fight and devour one another, as is the practice of so many people today in religious association. There is a great need today for godly elders, preachers, Bible class teachers, and Christians in general in every congregation in our vast brotherhood.

To put it another way, the church today needs men and women who are maturing into dedicated Christians.

In 1 Corinthians 16:13 Paul says, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” Paul is encouraging the Christians at Corinth to manliness (i.e., maturity) in this text.

BUT, maturity consists of many facets; a few of them follow:

1.  Maturity is the ability to control anger.  We must learn to deal with the problem of anger if we have a problem with it. “We must not let the sun go down on our anger” as the old adage says. We must settle our problem of anger with our friends; family, etc. so that we can begin the next day free of anger.  We must not allow our anger to abide, for to allow anger to abide in us will allow us time to devise sinful conclusions. We must know how to control this problem that is common to most people.  … Resolve the problems that anger create “quickly.”

2.  Maturity exhibits itself in patience.  Patience is the willingness to pass up temporary pleasure or conquest in favor of the long-term gain.

3.  Maturity is perseverance.  The ability  to  sweat  out  a  project in spite of opposition. The mature Christian will hold on until the task in completed.

4.  Maturity is the ability to Face unpleasant, difficult, frustration, discomfort, and even defeat, without collapse.

5.  Maturity is humility.  It is being big enough to say “I was wrong,” and when right, the mature Christian will not say, “I told you so.”

6.  Maturity is the ability to make the right decision and stand on it. The immature spend their lives exploring endless possibilities and projects, and then complete none of them. “What a wasted life, such is!”

7.  Maturity is dependability. The mature Christian can be counted on to keep his promises and commitments, to keep his word, and to always stand on and defend the “TRUTH.”

CONSIDER THIS:  The mature Christian will always come through in a crisis (i.e., the dependable). The immature are apt in the alibi department. They are the confused and disorganized. Their lives are a maze of broke, dreams, unfinished projects, and good intentions that somehow never seem to materialize.

8.      Maturity is the art of living in peace with that which cannot be changed or altered.

2 John 9-11, Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.  Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.  NIV

Revelation 22:17-19, I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.  NIV

Ephesians 4:1-3, As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

9.         Maturity is gained through self-exercise.

2 Peter 3:18, But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

ALWAYS INSECURE: In our society today there are many bad people. We know that to be true from reading the Newspaper, listening to the radio, watching TV, and surfing on the web. These bad people are a constant source of discouragement to the people that have a desire to live an ethical, moral, and upright life with those around them. The crime rate that has been recently revealed shows violent crime figures down some but this has not created a sense of security in anyone that I have talked to. It seems that in our world there is no peace of mind. But let me assure you of this fact, “there is peace of mind available to all who really want it. There is available to everyone a relationship that encourages joy, happiness, and well being even while living in the world of today.

CHRIST IS THE ANSWER TO OUR INSECURITIES! Although our problems are so unsettling as we live in this world, if we are Christian’s we have a sense of well-being that the unsaved do not have. As we understand the teaching of Christ we see that our hope for heaven is a secure hope so long as we maintain out faithfulness.

Matt 11:28-30 – Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

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Familiarity Breeds Contempt

Such are the words that many generally attribute to Aesop in his fable, “The Fox and the Lion.” As an axiom, it is definitely true. In fact, it is one of the greatest challenges of Christianity today. Most Christians originate from two sources—either we gained a tremendous blessing by godly parents rearing us in a godly home or we converted to Jesus Christ from religious error. I am one whose parents obeyed the gospel when I was very young, and thus, for the vast majority of my life, I am the product of a Christian home, and many brethren are in similar circumstances. However, I have met many other brethren who obeyed the gospel by what is often a difficult process of conversion. This expression is much more prevalent by way of application among the former group than it is the latter.

I appreciate our elders emphasizing a need to develop daily Bible readers. It is so important because of this very point. Have we lost our desire and love of the Bible? For those who grew up with the Bible in their homes and for those who have attended worship for just about their whole lives, the temptation is strongest among us that “familiarity breeds contempt.” In other words, our familiarity with the word of God over our lifetime has caused us to lose our attraction to it. No less than eight (8) times in Psalm 119, the psalmist declared his love for the law, commandments, testimonies or statutes of God. Do we feel the same?

In the days of Jesus, the scribes were as familiar with the word of God (the old covenant) as any class of people could possibly be familiar. They literally handled the word of God on a daily basis. Yet, they were not godly. In fact, Jesus preached, “…except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes…ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20), and sadly, they would be among those who would call for his crucifixion (cf. Matt. 16:21; 20:18). In a scathing rebuke to them and the Pharisees, he would often refer to them as hypocrites (Matt. 23). Nevertheless, I must ask myself the questions, “Am I as these scribes are? Do I struggle to be godly in view of the fact that I possess the word of God? Has my familiarity with the word of God bred contempt for the precepts and principles therein?”

If this is a problem for me, I need to remind myself of the great sacrifice many have given on behalf of the written word of God. I need to review my history lessons and realize the countless number of individuals who lost their lives during the Reformation Movement (and thereafter) just to obtain a written, personal copy of the Bible. I need to remember that various countries still exist today where governments do not allow their citizens to own Bibles.

Therefore, the Bible that we possess is one of the greatest blessings we have. For a Christian, the answer to the question, “If you were stranded on an island, what one possession would you desire?” is quite easy. I would want my Bible! I cannot live without my Bible! As far as physical possessions, it is the most valuable thing I own! We all may share these same sentiments, but do we practice what we preach—do we read, study, live and teach the things in the Bible regularly (daily) to prove to God that indeed, familiarity (in the case of the Bible) does not breed contempt?

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Can There Be Opposite Truths?

Two opposites cannot both be right at the same time. It goes without saying, but I will say it, an item cannot be black and white at the same time. Two plus two cannot equal four and also equal five. There cannot be 16 ounces in a pound and 8 ounces in one. Nothing can change this truth. It is inherently true.

Now, consider this when it comes to spiritual matters. Somehow, many have arrived at the conclusion that sincerity of one’s heart can negate what God has said. One can be sincerely wrong, but they are still wrong. The sincere devotion of Buddhists or Muslims cannot negate the fact that God gave His Son to die for mankind, and that Son is the only avenue of acceptance with God (John 14:6). The sincere devotion of Paul in following Judaism was no substitute for following Jesus. His prayer was for the salvation of all Israel who were zealous but lost (Rom. 10:1-2).

Look at the application of this concept. Some sincerely believe that one is saved without baptism and are adamant in affirming that baptism does not save. Others believe that baptism is a condition of salvation, and unless one is baptized there is no salvation. Both of these statements cannot be true. One is truth, the other is error.

To see this more clearly, look at the following and mentally draw a line through the one which is wrong.

Baptism does not save us.

Baptism does now save us.

Which of these two represent what you believe about baptism? More importantly, which one represents what God teaches about the matter? Look at the statements again and draw a line through the one which is wrong.

Having done that, look at what God says about this. God’s Holy Spirit guided the hand of Peter to write, “Baptism does now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21).  Some sincerely might draw the line through this plain statement, but they are sincerely wrong. Sincerity cannot negate what God says.

Now, think about other opposite “truths.” It cannot be that God allows women to speak in the assembly and God forbids women to speak in the assembly. They are opposites, both cannot be true. It cannot be that a baby enters this world with a sinful nature and that he enters this world with the nature of Jesus. Think of other opposites “truths.” They cannot both be true!

So, how does one determine what is right? Love truth, seek truth, study to find truth, follow truth and you will know!

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Beautiful Isle of Somewhere

In 1897, Jessie B. Pounds awoke one Sunday morning not feeling well. So her husband, to whom she had only been married a few short weeks, readied himself and went to worship services alone. Jessie, home alone, began to ponder on heaven, and by the time her husband returned she had penned the words to this beautiful hymn.

Somewhere the sun is shining,
Somewhere the songbirds dwell;
Hush, then, thy sad repining,
God lives, and all is well.

Somewhere the day is longer,
Somewhere the task is done;
Somewhere the heart is stronger,
Somewhere the guerdon won.

Somewhere the load is lifted,
Close by an open door;
Somewhere the clouds are rifted,
Somewhere the angels sing.

Somewhere, somewhere,
Beautiful Isle of Somewhere!
Land of the true, where we live anew,
Beautiful Isle of Somewhere!

I love this song and its message. And though Mrs. Pounds may have been thinking of our eternal abode in Heaven I believe that this beautiful Isle can be found here on earth and it is the church of our Lord. And those of us in the church can take courage in knowing that God is alive and all is well. Jesus encouraged His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). And He further invited all men here on earth to come to Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

In this life we can often become discouraged. But God tells us to, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6). And God promises a peace that passes all understanding that keeps the hearts and minds of those who are obedient and faithful (verse 7). We are instructed to cast all of our cares upon Him. Why, because He, “…cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

In Christ the sun is indeed shining, the day is longer, and the load is lifted! So do not worry The Beautiful Isle is found in Christ and in His church. What a blessing it is to be part of the kingdom of God. Are you a Christian? Be faithful!

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