The truths of God's word are either being disregarded or twisted into some kind of perversion to allow people to say and do whatever they want.

 

Thought for the Week

 

Be strong and of good courage and do it, fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God will be with thee, and he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of God.--1 Chronicles 28:20

 

These are the beautiful words of a charge David gives to Solomon concerning  building the temple. The thought echoes within my heart that so long as we faithfully serve our God he will be with us, he will not fail us nor forsake us until the day we finish this earthly journey and go home to God's celestial shore to live forever with him.

 

Today we must be of good courage, not be dismayed or disheartened even though we are surrounded with so much corruption of God's word which has resulted in some of the most evil and wicked practices ever known to mankind (Romans 1:21-32; 2 Tim. 3:1-5). The truths of God's word  are either being disregarded or twisted into some kind of perversion to allow people to say and do whatever they want.

Truly these are perilous times in which we live (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Rom. 1:18-32).Even though our hearts are saddened as we behold the anger, evil speaking, corruption and unbelievable immorality surround us each day, we can and must be strong and of good courage because as children of God we have help from the divine to sustain and keep us safe as we journey through this life (Psa. 46:1-3; Psa. 121:1-8). Our God is our refuge, strength, and help because he loves us and will never forsake us (Rom. 8:35-39; Heb. 13:7; Heb. 4:16).

Should we be concerned about the wickedness that surrounds us?  Yes, but we should not be consumed with anxiousness and worry because we have help from the divine that brings to us a peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:6-7).

Charles Hicks

 

 

 

 

CHS
"Everyday Is An Adventure"

Olympic Games in Mexico, 1968

Finished!

It occurred during the Olympic Games in Mexico, 1968.

The marathon is the final event on the program. The Olympic stadium is packed and there is
excitement as the first athlete, an Ethiopian runner, enters the stadium. The crowd erupts as he
crosses the finish line.

Way back in the field is another runner, John Stephen Akwhari of Tanzania. He has been eclipsed by
the other runners. After 30 kilometers (just over 18.5 miles) his head is throbbing, his muscles
are aching and he falls to the ground. He has serious leg injuries and officials want him to
retire, but he refuses. With his knee bandaged Akwhari picks himself up and hobbles the remaining
12 kilometers (about 7.5 miles) to the finish line. An hour after the winner has finished Akwhari
enters the stadium. All but a few thousand of the crowd have gone home. Akwhari moves around the
track at a painstakingly slow pace, until finally he collapses over the finish line.

It is one of the most heroic efforts of Olympic history.

Afterward, asked by a reporter why he had not dropped out, Akwhari says, "My country did not send me
to start the race. They sent me to finish." *

As Jesus, the Son of God, hung on the cross, "He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He
gave up His spirit" (John 19:30).

His work was complete. What was His work? Primarily to "seek and to save that which was lost"
(Luke 19:10). His death on the cross was the price for our redemption for sin (Ephesians 1:7).
Through the blood shed on that cross, our debt for sin is "paid in full."

We can accept His offer of salvation and receive the gift of eternal life by placing our faith and
trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our
sins (Acts 2:38). When we do so, the blood of Jesus washes away our sins (Revelation 1:5; Acts
22:16).

That's a wonderful start.

Now we must finish the race.

We finish the race by keeping our eyes fixed on Him (Hebrews 12:2), being faithful to Him
(Revelation 2:10), "walking in the light" of His Word, and trusting His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The promise is that "if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

Won't YOU run the Christian race? You must be in it to win. Jesus has won the victory for us! You
can share in His victory if you'll begin the race through your trusting obedience. and continue to
follow Him faithfully all the way to the finish line.

Then, you can say with the Apostle Paul: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved
His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

-- David A. Sargent

Source: reported on Sydney 2000 Olympics website as quoted by www.storiesforpreaching.com

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

 

Thought for the Week

 

"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?,,,,,(John 21:15-17)

 

In this passage, Peter is asked three times if he loves Jesus. Each time Peter answers, Yes, you know I love you. I am convinced that this question, "Lovest thou me", is one that each of us should think about seriously as to the answer we will give. I feel pretty confident that like Peter, all of us will answer, "Yes Lord, I love you". Let's think about that for a moment.

 

The love we have for Jesus cannot be just a shallow, emotional love born out of some kind of hollow profession. It must be a love that is active in a complete obedience to the will of God (Acts 5:29; 2 John 9). It must be a love that gives full surrender to Jesus (John 14:15; Heb.5:8-9), It must be a love that seeks to obey the truth (Gal. 5:7; 2 Thess. 1:7-9). Truly loving the Lord, we will give to him our best. The best of our love (Mark 12:31; 1 John 5:1-3); the best of our gifts, namely time, talents, money (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:1-5; 2 Cor. 6-8; Matt. 6:19-21); the best of our labors (Luke 10:7; 1 Cor. 15:58).

 

We must be careful that the Lord does not just get the crumbs, the leftovers of our life. Many spend their days using their time, talents and money in pursuit of that which is only temporal such as fame, fortune, popularity or success in this life. Money is used to acquire things or to satisfy the craving for amusements and recreation. Then once, maybe twice a week come into an assembly to worship God and say, "Lord this is all I have left of my life this week, its yours". Make no mistake, God requires of each of us the best we have, not what is left over.

 

"Lovest thou me?" What a profound question for our consideration. I wonder, what answer will we give?

 

Charles Hicks

Psalm 62:8

 

For our citizenship is in heaven from which we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.........(Philippians 3:20-21)

 

Each day we live, we move a little closer to that moment in time when we will shed this earthly tabernacle and step out into eternity. As a faithful child of God we will be going to that better country where we will live for ceaseless ages with our Lord and the redeemed of all ages.

 

The Lord willing, in just a few more weeks, I will celebrate my 84th year on this side of eternity. This life has been exciting and certainly most interesting. It has been a great adventure so far and I feel confident that the same holds true for all who read these words. The path through life is sometimes smooth and easy while at times it is rocky and difficult. In our youth we are strong, vibrant, full of energy and it seems as if nothing can stop us. As we grow older our strength fades considerably and all too quickly the aches and pains that accompany age begin to set in and even though life is still exciting, it does become a little more adventurous.

 

When all is said and done, if  we could not go to God for help, if we could not find strength and refuge in him, if in those times of troubles and afflictions that strike our human frame causing anxiety and sorrow to trouble us, our walk on this side of eternity would be most difficult indeed (Psalms 94:17; Psalms 40:17; Psalms 46:1-3; Psalms  121:2; Hebrews 4:16).

 

"Preserve me O God, for in thee do I put my trust-- Psalms 16:1. This is a short but powerful prayer uttered by David asking God to keep him from harm and that God will defend and sustain him as he walks this earthly pathway. This is a prayer that should be on our lips every day. It tells our God that we trust him to watch over us and in turn we are willing to commit ourselves to him at all times(Psalm 62:8).

 

Charles Hicks

For our citizenship is in heaven

 

For our citizenship is in heaven from which we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.........(Philippians 3:20-21)

 

Each day we live, we move a little closer to that moment in time when we will shed this earthly tabernacle and step out into eternity. As a faithful child of God we will be going to that better country where we will live for ceaseless ages with our Lord and the redeemed of all ages.

 

The Lord willing, in just a few more weeks, I will celebrate my 84th year on this side of eternity. This life has been exciting and certainly most interesting. It has been a great adventure so far and I feel confident that the same holds true for all who read these words. The path through life is sometimes smooth and easy while at times it is rocky and difficult. In our youth we are strong, vibrant, full of energy and it seems as if nothing can stop us. As we grow older our strength fades considerably and all too quickly the aches and pains that accompany age begin to set in and even though life is still exciting, it does become a little more adventurous.

 

When all is said and done, if  we could not go to God for help, if we could not find strength and refuge in him, if in those times of troubles and afflictions that strike our human frame causing anxiety and sorrow to trouble us, our walk on this side of eternity would be most difficult indeed (Psalms 94:17; Psalms 40:17; Psalms 46:1-3; Psalms  121:2; Hebrews 4:16).

 

"Preserve me O God, for in thee do I put my trust-- Psalms 16:1. This is a short but powerful prayer uttered by David asking God to keep him from harm and that God will defend and sustain him as he walks this earthly pathway. This is a prayer that should be on our lips every day. It tells our God that we trust him to watch over us and in turn we are willing to commit ourselves to him at all times(Psalms 62:8)..

 

Charles Hicks

The Journal Herald newspaper of Dayton, Ohio

Brotherly Love

Mike Willis once shared the story of 13-year-old hero that was the subject of an article in the
February 13, 1984 edition of The Journal Herald newspaper of Dayton, Ohio. The article disclosed how
this young teen saved the lives of his two brothers, ages three and four, when their house trailer
caught on fire.

The boys' father awoke one morning and quickly discovered that the trailer was on fire. Flames of
fire in the hall of their home separated his room from the boys' bedroom. The father ran outside,
broke the window to the boys' bedroom, and yelled to his 13-year-old son, William Holsclaw, to hand
his brothers to him through the window.

William's father later told how William saved his brothers: "He stood there and handed me them
babies out while he was cooking [i.e., was on fire]. He never looked up or hesitated a minute; he
did just what he was supposed to do. The flames were . coming up his backside. He was on fire! I
could see him, but there wasn't a thing I could do except grab the babies. I didn't think he was
going to get out, but he made it. . All he had on was a T-shirt and underwear, and the shirt was
burning on his back while he got the boys out."

After sharing the account of William's heroic actions, Willis stated that a subsequent newspaper
account revealed that at the time of the article, William was in critical condition but was expected
to survive the ordeal.

William's actions were indeed heroic. They also reflect a wonderful example of brotherly love.

As Willis commented: "This thirteen year old lad demonstrated what brotherly love is all about. He
endured pain - excruciating pain - in order to save the lives of his brothers. He put his own safety
second to their good. Surely we can learn a lesson from this beautiful example of brotherly love."

I want to suggest two lessons:

One lesson is that Jesus loves us even more than this amazing brother loved his brothers. "Greater
love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). William risked
his life for his brothers. Jesus laid down his life for us, and He did it, not just for His friends
but His enemies, too! Read Romans 5:6-10. He died for us so that we can be saved from our sins which
separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). His
blood will continue to cleanse us from sin as we continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
1:7).

A second lesson is "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11).
Jesus instructs His followers: "love one another; as I have loved you" (John 13:34). "Let brotherly
love continue" (Hebrews 13:1), and may that love reflect the depth of love that Jesus has for you
and me. Won't YOU accept God's loving offer of salvation and eternal life through Christ?

Won't YOU share the love of Christ with those around you?

-- David A. Sargent

SOURCE: "Brotherly Love" by Mike Willis in Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 11, pp. 322, 345-346. June 7,
1984. http://www.truthmagazine.com.

Is Easter a pagan holiday?

Easter Sunday

There is no such thing as "Easter Sunday" in the Bible.  Many people have been led to believe that there is a special day, set aside by God, called "Easter Sunday".  The religious world has been taught that this is the day that Christ resurrected from the dead and that we are commanded to observe the Lord's Supper that Sunday in remembrance of that occasion.  Let's take a Bible look at this.
 
1) Use of the Word Easter in the Bible. 
The word "Easter" does occur in the King James Version of the Bible.  "And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people" (Acts 12:4).
 
2) Easter Refers to Passover. 
The word translated 'Easter' in Acts 12:4 is translated 'Passover' 28 times in the New Testament. Only this one time did the translators render it 'Easter.'  The American Standard Version renders it properly - 'Passover.'
 
3) No Example of Observance. 
Read the Bible as much as you will, you will not find one command, or example, of Christians observing a special day called "Easter".  We do read of early Christians meeting on the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 20:7).  We find them being told to "lay by in store" upon the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-2).  But no where are we told to meet for an "Easter Service"!
 
4) The Resurrection of Jesus. 
The Bible teaches us to remember the death of Christ.  As we partake of the Lord's Supper, the death and resurrection of our Lord is remembered (1 Cor.11:23-26). This is to be done weekly, not just once a year!  Remember Paul said, "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain" (Gal. 4:10-11).

- by Johnie Edwards

1 Corinthians 16

 

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all things be done with charity (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

 

Five great responsibilities for the child of God are revealed to us in this passage from 1 Corinthians 16. If we are going to be successful in our pursuit for the prize of the high calling of God (Phil. 3:14), it is imperative that we give heed to these responsibilities.

 

WATCH YE: Be awake, alert, vigilant--watch heart (Prov. 4:23); thoughts (Phil. 4;8); affections (Col. 3:1-2); words (Matt. 12:37); speech (Titus 2:8); actions (Col. 3:17).

 

STAND FAST IN THE FAITH: uphold sound doctrine (Titus 2:1; 2 Tim. 1:13). Standing fast means to hold on to everything God has commanded of us with our entire being. Call it steadfastness, persistence, endurance, even stubbornness, call it what you will, it is essential to our spiritual well being (1 Cor. 15:58; Eph. 6:13-14)

 

QUIT YOU LIKE MEN: Don't behave like children--abandon childhood tendencies (1 Cor. 14:20; 1 Cor. 13:11). Grow up spiritually (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).

 

BE STRONG: Be of good courage--fear no enemy (Ephesians 6:10; Isaiah 12:2; Proverbs 24:5; 1 Timothy 6:12). Spiritual strength will only come from proper growth (2 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 4:14-15;  2 Peter 1:5-11).

 

LET ALL THINGS BE DONE IN LOVE: There is no place for bitterness, jealousy or envy in the Lord's church or between brethren (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:13-18; 1 John 4:10-11, 20-21; Ephesians 4:25-32; 1 Corinthians 13:13)

 

Each of these five responsibilities are a great challenge to us. Will we accept the challenge and be successful in our quest for a home in the land where joys shall never end? Only time will tell.

 

Charles Hicks

"Then the Lord God said. It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18).

 

After creating man, God determined it was not good for man to be alone so he created a  woman to be a mate who would be a  partner, sharing in all the activities of daily living Thus the first marriage of man and woman takes place in the garden of Eden

 

The union of a man and woman in marriage is a very serious union that should not be entered into lightly. The marriage bond is a life time commitment between a man and a woman in which two hearts will beat as one. Two individuals walking together, hand in hand down the pathway of life as one. When a man and a woman become husband and wife, they mutually agree to cleave to each other in a bond that is to last for so long as they live. This is a serious commitment (Matthew 19:3-9; Ephesians 5:22-25). It is this writer's conviction that an enduring marriage is one that begins with and continues with a firm commitment on the part of husband and wife to always make God an integral part of the marriage.

 

It is only after living together for many years, jointly sharing together everything, walking side by side, hand in hand, planning and dreaming together rejoicing when the road is smooth and easy, sticking together when the road is rocky and hard,  that the marriage of a man and woman will know the depths of a love that truly binds two souls together as one.

 

Sadly we are living in a time when so many marriages are ending in a divorce and many that do not end in divorce are void of the happiness and harmony that should be in the marriage. The likelihood of this happening is greatly diminished if husband and wife have it in their hearts to sweeten an beautify their marriage every day with a large measure of kindness, tenderheartedness and a forgiving spirit (Ephesians 4:32). In marriage there is the ever present need for a love that is dependable, responsible, strong and enduring, a love that will stick, stay and win, a love that is portrayed in 1 Cor. 13:4-7.

 

Charles Hicks