OUR FATHER’S FAMILY

June 11, 2017 By Pastor David Stone

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,”–Eph. 3:14-15

The family is the oldest institution on earth. Perhaps no other word stirs up such pleasant thoughts as does “family” and “home”. But there is something even greater! I’m speaking of the family of God. There is absolutely nothing we could be a part of that’s more important. Since that is such a bold statement it raises questions that deserve to be answered.

I. WHAT MAKES GOD’S FAMILY POSSIBLE?

Answer– a supernatural formation. The family of God is unlike anything man ever made. It is a special creation wherein God takes the vilest of sinners out of all nations, forgives them, accepts them, and makes them His own. It is entered by the new birth which unites us together with God and one another. We become the children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs of Christ.

II. WHAT MAKES GOD’S FAMILY PRECIOUS?

Answer– a sweet fellowship. Believers share a spiritual bond that is even stronger than blood. Paul describes this with the word “fellowship”, which means to have in common, share, or partnership. In his letter to the Philippians he speaks of the fellowship of —

–their service, 1:5

–the Spirit, 2:1

— their suffering, 3:10

III. WHAT MAKES GOD’S FAMILY PERMANENT?

Answer– a sure future. While earthly families come and go, God’s family is forever. There is an entrance but no exit. God’s children will be eternally supplied, perfectly satisfied, and perpetually serving their Father (Rev. 22:3). Although separated by death for a short time, God’s children never meet for the last time. They live each day with the prospect that they will be reunited. What a day that will be!

THERE IS NO ONE

June 10, 2017 By Pastor David Stone

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”–1 John 4:11

The Everly Brothers sang, “Love Makes The World Go ’round'”. But, Journalist Franklin P. Jones said, “Love doesn’t make the world go ’round’. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile”. I’m sure many others could chime in with their views also. But, regardless of your take on this subject, or what others say, it is God’s opinion that matters most and He has spoken loud and clear. Love is demanded by God, needed by man, and the obligation of all. According to 1 Cor. 13:1-3 to fail here is to fail altogether. This is a subject that relates to all of us. There is no one–

— that doesn’t need love.

Some might put on their best brave face and pretend that they don’t need it but they do. God designed us with a need for one another.

— I shouldn’t love.

As much as we might like to make some exceptions in this duty, God won’t allow us to do so. My obligation to love others doesn’t depend on their worthiness. It is my duty to love the vilest offender, and worst enemy. We are to love others whether they love us or not. We are to love them even though we don’t, for good reason, like their ways. By the way, the characteristics of love don’t change because of their behavior.

— that is deserving of love.

If we are going to base love on behavior that leaves everyone out of the picture. If you can withhold love from others because of their faults they can do the same to you.

— that I can’t love– if I truly love God.

— that isn’t loved.

There are a great many folks who feel unloved, and some who are unloved by most, but no one can say no one loves them. God loves them. He proclaimed it and proved it (John 3:16). HDS

DEADLY DECEPTION

June 9, 2017 By Pastor David Stone

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:“–1 Pet. 5:8

Things are not always what they seem. I was reminded of that the other day when someone asked “What’s the purpose of TV?” I’m guessing that most people would say “Entertainment”. A few might suggest “education. But I believe both are wrong. The main purpose of TV is to sell you something. It is a business, and it’s all about the money. Now if we can be so easily deceived about something so obvious as that it can happen in many other ways. Con-men, politicians, religious hucksters, and others know it and make a practice of doing it. The results can be costly, even deadly.

It’s been said that “discouragement is the most effective tool in the devil’s workshop”, but I don’t believe it. I believe it is deception. We can trace that all the way back to Adam and Eve. Satan is a master counterfeiter. He uses whatever and whoever that serves his purpose. Our safety depends on our discernment, and that depends on a knowledge of the truth. We can’t afford to be deceived, especially when it comes to salvation. And if you own a Bible there is no reason to be deceived. It gives you all the information you need. It shows how God, through Christ, has provided exactly what you need.

If you are already a Christian, be vigilant. Although Satan can’t damn your soul he can ruin your life. Don’t fall into his trap. It might start out as a little thing, but it can be enough for him to get his foot in the door. He is an ever present danger, a fierce foe who is deceptive and determined. To accomplish his goal, the devil uses many deadly devices. In other words, he is planning and scheming for your downfall.

Going back to the TV question, there’s another issue you need to consider. What most people don’t realize is that most producers admittedly have an agenda besides making money. They use the programing to sway and shape public opinion by showing things that promote and support their views on various issues. They might present it in the form of humor, drama, or whatever appeals to people, but always with the intent of changing their views. And they are masters at it. But TV isn’t the only means used by Satan. Life is like a mine field and one wrong step can destroy you. That’s why we must “Be sober” and “vigilant“. Psalms 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” God’s Word “is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”(Psa. 119:105). —HDS

HUSH

June 8, 2017 By Pastor David Stone

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards”.–Prov. 29:11

Feelings can be powerful and sometimes not being able to express yourself is one of the most frustrating things in life. Most people know it’s not always appropriate to say what you think, but refraining can be very difficult. Because of the nature of certain problems we feel justified in expressing ourselves– even though we know that it probably won’t help. We feel the underlying cause is so great, painful, or important that we ought to say or do something even if it’s wrong, and sadly we often do. But he is a fool who says,”I’m thinking it, I might as well say it!”

Let’s face it, people do horrible things to others. Sometimes those you love dearly will intentionally hurt you without any regard for the harm they cause. I have to admit it–I’m afraid! I fear that someday I will cast off all restraint, unleash my pent up emotions and say what I think. If you think I’ve already done that you are mistaken– as we hillbillies say, “You ain’t heard nuttin yet!” I hope you never do. But I confess that much of the time I am walking a tightrope and fear I will fall.

I have written several articles that I cannot, in a good conscious, send out– it would be a fool uttering all his mind. Everything in the articles is true and certain people really do need the message, but not from me, or not now. As much as my flesh would like to express itself I hope and pray that it never does. Venting might give you some relief for a moment, but chances are it will do more harm than good. Changing others by way of complaint is not in my job description, nor yours. Your example is much more effective than your expression of displeasure.

Mark Twain gave us some good advice when he said, ” Don’t complain and talk about all your problems– 80 percent of people don’t care; the other 20 percent will think you deserve them”. –HDS

A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE

June 7, 2017 By Pastor David Stone

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”–Romans 6:1–4

Mark Twain, though a gifted author, had a deep disdain for Christianity. It is impossible to read much of his work without seeing his contempt for what he once referred to as a “slaughterhouse religion” because of the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice to pay for sins. Sadly, Twain meant his words as a dismissive critique, when he could have seen in them the hope he needed. For as Hebrews 9:22 says, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).

Jesus’ sacrifice for us was part of God’s plan from the beginning of the world (1 Peter 1:19–20). It is not, however, just His death on the cross, but that death combined with the resurrection, that offers us the promise of new and eternal life. The purpose of the sacrifice was not completed until Christ rose again. Once we receive Christ as our Saviour, we have the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. This, however, is just the beginning of God’s plan for us. As we join with Christ in death and resurrection, we have the means to live a new kind of life even here on Earth.

The pattern for our life was set for us by Jesus. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). The Holy Spirit provides for us the power and ability to walk as He walked. Everything we need to live like Jesus lived is available to us. Only by identifying with Christ’s death and resurrection can we walk as new creatures in Him.–Paul Chappell

The Christian life is the life of Christ reproduced in the child of God by the Spirit of God who conforms him to the Word of God and enables him to live for the glory of God. It is not what we do for God, but what He does for us, in us, through us, and with us that make us like Christ.–HDS

OUR FATHER’S FAMILY

THERE IS NO ONE

DEADLY DECEPTION

HUSH

A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE

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