Home Of The Soul

Home of the Soul

    No doubt as we’ve lived our lives we’ve moved a few times. When one is a child, they usually relocate whenever and wherever their parents transfer from one place to another. Those places to which we move are our homes. Very young people don’t have a lot of choice in the moves as these are often dictated by the parents vocation or perhaps an opportunity for their parents to advance within a particular occupation.
   However, as we become older and face these decisions on our own, for the most part we realize the ability to choose where we want to live. Of course, if we are in the military services, we are directed by our government where our home is to be, whether temporary (in deployment), or for the time in which we are stationed on a particular base etc. Some gospel preachers have discovered that their chosen vocation could require a ‘series of moves’, and living in a multiplicity of homes during their career.
   Have we ever considered that our soul will ‘move’ one day? Our soul was given to us as a part of God’s plan of procreation and it lives in our bodies. But it will not always reside there. These bodies will die. Where will our soul reside then?   This is a question we need to ponder. In Eccl. 12:7, in the context of the decay and death of our bodies, we have a statement that may have been misunderstood over the years. Here, Solomon was directed by the Spirit to write: “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Does this indicate the departed goes to where God is? NO it doesn’t! How do we justify such an idea with 1Jno. 5:7 which say only three bear record in heaven? If all souls, upon the death of the host, go directly to heaven where God is, for what reason would the rich man and Lazarus of Luke 16 be in two different places or ‘states’ within the same realm? It seems to me that these both, Paradise and the ‘place of torments’, are temporary receptacles of souls based on how each lived while in the flesh.
     We know after a life of pain and suffering, the beggar (Lazarus) died. He was carried to a place called ‘Abraham’s bosom’ which we understand to be Paradise. We also know the rich man, who lived his life according to his fleshly desires, died. He went to ‘torments’ as Luke 16:23 shows. The Greek word translated ‘hell’ in the KJV Bible is “Hades”, which is the realm of departed souls. According to what Jesus taught in this passage, we see that there are two separate ‘compartments’ into which souls go after this life. Luke 16:26 speaks of the “great gulf” that is “fixed” between the two parts of the Hadean realm, and none are allowed to ‘change’ their location after arrival. The rich man was tormented, and Lazarus was comforted.
   The only conclusion we can draw from this is that while we live here on the earth, we are to prepare for the next “phase” of existence of our soul. There is not one single chance to alter the outcome after our soul ‘moves’ to its temporary assignment to await the end of all things. However, there seems to be some things to consider as we contemplate our next move. Do you remember some of the homes in which you lived and the moves you’ve made?   It seems that a certain amount of memory is retained in death. We see in Luke 16:25 that when the rich man cried out to Abraham for mercy, none was offered. Rather, Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  Perhaps the remembrance of these things done or not done ‘in thy lifetime’ resulting in their terrible situation are part of the punishment of the disobedient.
   Notice also that Abraham called the rich man ‘Son’.   This indicates that both of these men were ‘sons of Abraham’, and while under the O.T. Law, children of God. As such, they were subject to that Law and disobedience in life resulted in ‘torments’. The rich man desired only a ‘drop of water’ to cool his tongue, and someone to warn his five brethren so they also did not “come into this place of torment”. He was told that Moses and the prophets had provided sufficient warning. If they, like him, failed to hear Moses and the prophets, even one who rose who from the dead (as Christ did) would not convince them.
   Today, under the N.T. system, God gives all people (whosoever will) the opportunity to become His children. Also, this is when one makes the choice where they want to spend eternity. To make the choice for their soul to go to Paradise upon death, and spend eternity with God, one MUST obey the gospel to be ‘born again’. Then, as a child of God, one MUST remain faithful, be dedicated, and continue to grow in “grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2Pet. 3:18). The Spirit had the apostle Paul tell us in 1Thess. 4:16-17 what occurs for the faithful in the end. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  But what of the ungodly, the disobedient and the unfaithful? We see this in 2Thess. 1:8-9. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: ⁹ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 
      What choice will you make for the eternal home of your soul?

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ

Plant, Nurture, Harvest, and Repeat

Plant, Nurture, Harvest, and Repeat

     If you’ve ever worked on a farm, or maintained a garden for any period of time, you understand this is how it works. The ground is prepared, the seed is planted, the ‘row’ nurtured with water or fertilizer as needed in the growth of the plant till the harvest of the ‘fruit’. One can only expect a good harvest if the process is carried out with ‘good seed’ and one tends to the crop properly by nurturing it at each stage of its development. After the harvest, the process begins again and the ‘work’ continues.  
   How is it that we can readily see this in horticulture, yet fail to understand the analogy the Lord made in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 as He spoke to the multitudes by the seaside while He sat in a ship? His final Words as He concluded the parable were: “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt. 13:9) In the Luke account of this parable, the Lord explained to His disciples “the seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11). Then, in verse 15, we find what MUST exist for the seed to become effective. The Word of God must be “planted” into the right type of soil. Those with an honest heart can develop a good heart by ‘keeping’ the Word. We are told that the end result is ‘fruit borne with patience’.  
   It is equally true in the physical realm and the spiritual realm that seed, if not planted cannot grow. Seed is a remarkable thing. One obtains seed through God’s providence. God created every living thing and He created each for a purpose and with the capability to reproduce. The purpose for each herb and tree was to feed man whom God also created. We are told this in Gen. 1:29. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.  After the flood, in Gen. 9:3, God also included the beasts of the field as food for humanity. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. 
   Every living thing God made was created containing the “seed” needed to reproduce “after his kind” so when the original (or parent plant or animal) is consumed, additional plants and animals (of the same kind) would be available for the continual sustenance of man. If, when each plant was cut down or pulled up, or when each animal was killed and eaten, their kind became extinct, it wouldn’t have been very long before man himself would likely starve to death for lack of something to eat. This was God’s way of ‘providing’ food, and foregoing the need to create continually. This is also evidence of ‘patterns’ that are seen throughout the Word of God.
   From Genesis we read of the dream of Pharoah and the famine that was to occur after seven years of plenty. We read of the plan of God using the literal seed (grain) to preserve the family of Israel in Egypt until it became a great nation. After this, Israel was delivered from bondage and much later the Spirit had the psalmist pen the Words of Psa. 105:6. In this verse He was speaking of the Old Testament chosen people of God, the physical ‘seed’ of Abraham. O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.  We also know that Christ came in the flesh. This follows God’s pattern. God created man, and after that all that have been born have been “begotten”. John 3:16, perhaps the most misquoted verse, shows that Christ is the “only begotten Son” of God. Matt. 1:18 & 20 should make it clear to all, that the Christ was “of the Holy Ghost”. Therefore, Christ was of the ‘seed’ of God spiritually, (begotten of God), and of the seed of Abraham physically, (a Jew, of the tribe of Judah and of the house of David).  
   But how are we to apply this today? In Luke 10:2, the Lord directed His servants, in this case the 70, regarding the harvest. He told them: “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” What were they to do? They were to “plant” the word of the news of the Christ and the coming kingdom. Israel was being called back to God to “repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” as Jesus also preached (Mark 4:17).
   Today, that kingdom has come, yet the “seed”, the Word of God needs to be continually ‘planted’ in the minds of lost souls. When this is done, they can then be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (1Tim. 4:6). Those that are obedient to the doctrine of Christ become part of the earthly harvest and are added to the church (Acts 2:47). And only if they continual faithfully until death, (Rev. 2:10b), can they be part of that eternal harvest. This occurs when the Lord returns.
     Sadly, many misunderstand this concept. Many misapply 1Pet. 1:3b and think that simply because Christ died on the cross, and came forth from the grave to die no more they have hope of eternal life. But 1Pet. 1:23 clarifies this as the ‘seed’, the Word of God must be planted and nurtured, before that soul can be ‘harvested’ for the kingdom by their obedience to the gospel. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  Only when one obeys the gospel, can they be ‘born again’.
     So, plant that seed, nourish it, and it will bring forth life in the soul that gladly receives and obeys it. Then repeat with other souls. This is how God gives the increase,1Cor 3:6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  Be part of God’s plan to save souls. Plant, Nurture, Harvest and Repeat.

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ

Where Are You Going? How Will You Get There?

Where Are You Going? How Will You Get There?

   Two questions head this week’s article. Both are important as each of us are going somewhere, and each has to determine how each will make our way to our destination.   This applies in both realms, physical and spiritual. When it comes to the physical realm, where one is going depends on what one wishes to accomplish. For example, if one wants to purchase groceries, they will want to go where groceries are sold. However, the way in which they journey to the grocery store matters little.   They may drive a car, walk, or they might even use public transportation.
   If one is seeking an education, they likely “go to school” in some form. The means of conveyance to school rarely impacts the course of study. If the distance is not too far, a bike or walking will get one to the destination.  The desired objective can be reached and the intended result achieved. Of course, in both of these secular scenarios, and many others which might be considered, a number of different means might be utilized to transport one to and fro that they might accomplish that which they set out to do.
   In every physical endeavor, an end result is perceived and a way in which to achieve that outcome is considered. This life is when we are given options and choices. We must choose where we are going and how we intend to get there, or else we simply “drift through life” and take what comes.  If we do this, we have no idea where we are headed; no direction in life. Many seem to do this, yet often complain when things ‘turn out’ not to their liking.
   Sometimes, it is necessary to consult a map or ask directions, or in this “modern age” to tune their GPS to a certain destination. This is especially true when one has not made a previous journey to a particular place. In such a case, one may know ‘where they want to go’, but aren’t sure how to get there.   The failure to seek the proper guidance results in one becoming lost or the wasting of much time.
   Sadly, as many consider what’s after this life, they have determined where they would like to go, yet aren’t making adequate preparations so that they can get there. The obvious preferred destination for the “afterlife” is heaven. This is known from 1Pet. 1:4. Of course, this was written to Christians, those who have heeded direction from the Word of God and had laid hold on the “lively hope” by the resurrection of Christ from the dead. They were looking forward-“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”.
   I don’t think any desire the fate of the “rich man of Luke chapter 16. He and Lazarus were Jews, under the same Law, having the same opportunity of obedience or disobedience to God. Both of them, as all who live, had a destination after death. Yet, each didn’t go to the same place because each made different preparation.   We also know that none go directly to heaven upon dying, as 1John 5:7 points out. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  Therefore, God has provided a temporary destination for the departed souls, depending on how they lived their lives on earth.
   This is additionally supported in 1Thess. 4:13-17, as the Spirit had Paul comfort these brethren regarding “them which are asleep”. He tells them that when Christ returns, He will bring those “which sleep in Jesus” with Him. Will He take them from heaven, to ‘make a trip’ to the world that is about to be destroyed? I think not. He’ll retrieve these souls from Paradise as He comes to receive the ‘saints’ that remain until His coming. This passage also informs that “we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep.”. The 16th verse says that the “dead in Christ shall rise first”. Rise from where? The temporary abode of the righteous soul that had completed it’s earthly time. The 17th verse tells us that the faithful Christian will meet the previously departed faithful “in the clouds” and “so shall we ever be with the Lord.”. There is no need to be ignorant of this as God’s Word provides all the instruction and direction we need.
     Luke 16:22-23 provides inspired description of both these destinations. The rich man was in the “Torment” part of the “Hadean” realm where the wicked abide. Lazarus was comforted in “Abraham’s bosom” which is “Paradise”, the temporary home of the faithful. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  Each of these places are like unto where each of these souls will spend eternity. To which of these do you desire to go?  
     2Cor. 5:10 was written to the ‘faithful Christians’ at Corinth, proving that each has a choice in “where they go” for eternity. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  Everyone has been given time to make their choice.   How will they get there? Each will arrive at their eternity based on their choice to believe and obey God’s Word, or to reject it.   Choose wisely. Your soul’s eternal destination depends on it.

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ

What Are You Doing Today?

What Are You Doing Today?

     The question which heads this article could have multiple answers. This can possibly depend on what day this is asked, of whom it is asked, or the context in which it is asked. Of course, we all have daily activities, and on various days these may differ. There are also some activities which should occur every day. Hopefully, we all participate in certain daily things that promote good health like brushing teeth, cleansing our bodies, and taking general care of these earthly tabernacles.   We seemingly often do these things without giving them a second thought. Of course, we always have choice regarding what we will do day to day.
     There are also some things which should be attended to daily, especially by those who are Christians. However, in prioritizing the activities of any given day, some of the more important things are sometimes relegated to a less important status and often become ignored or forgotten for the day or “put off” until a later time. Many today procrastinate like Felix did in Acts 24:25 as Paul “reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come”. Even as he trembled, Felix refused to do ‘today’ what he really needed to do for his soul. He answered: “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” If a ‘convenient season’ doesn’t present itself in a given day, what then?
     Every Christian should look into the Word of God daily because this is the source of strength for the child of God. The ‘noble’ Christians in Berea of Acts 17:11 were more so than the brethren of Thessalonica, because of ‘daily attendance’ to Bible study. In their daily study, they received the Word “with all readiness of mind” and were strengthened as they did so. In Psa. 119:28 the Spirit had the psalmist write: My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.  The servant of God needs spiritual strength on a daily basis.
     The Spirit had Paul write to his protégé in 2Tim. 2:15 saying: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” I ask, should not everyone wish to ‘be approved’ of God daily? The obvious answer is ABSOLUTELY!   It is equally apparent that ‘study’ and meditation on the Word helps a Christian remain ‘approved’ before God. Then, why do some Christians not study God’s Word daily? If more Christians would do more daily Bible study, apply what is learned, doing as directed in the Word, there would be far more ‘faithful’ Christians. If more Christians participated in diligent daily Bible study, there would be more love between Christians, a deeper love for God, and a greater adherence to what God has directed in His Holy Word. This should not be ‘difficult’ for us to do as 1John 5:2-3 shows. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  Is not ‘study’ a commandment of the Lord?   None of His commandments are grievous.
    Sadly, many Christians expect God to strengthen them, and some ask Him in prayer to do so, yet themselves do nothing daily to be strengthened. The athlete has to prepare him/herself for the next contest by exercising their muscles and eating properly so they can have the strength and ability to win the contest. The person who desires success in a business endeavor puts “all they have” into reaching the desired goal. Why won’t some Christians ‘work out’ daily in the Word of God, or “put their all” into learning God’s Will and Way? Were not the brethren in Philippi told to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” in Phil. 2:12b?
    Prayer is also important, but prayer is not a substitute for Bible study, exhortation, evangelism, or the “doing” of many other things a Christian should do on a daily basis in accordance with the New Testament. At the beginning of the church in Acts 2:42 we see these new Christians “continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Verse 26 states that all these things continued ‘daily’ and these brethren were “with one accord”. It is also a certainty that daily evangelism occurred as verse 47 tells us: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” There is not a single case of conversion in the New Testament that occurred without one being taught, them receiving the Word, and their obedience to the gospel.
     As the first century Christians ‘daily’ exhorted one another, the likelihood for departure from the faith diminished. In Heb. 3:12-13 the converted Jews who were in danger of apostacy were told: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  Should not each child of God encourage each other to draw closer to God in accordance with His Word daily so less fall or fall away? There’s plenty of ‘daily’ work to do. There is no reason why the child of God cannot be “renewed day by day” in the inner man (2Cor. 4:16). It depends on what they do each day.
     Also, regardless of the day in which one reads this; it all still applies as every day is a day in which to serve the Lord.   What are you doing today? Something to think about, isn’t it?

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ

Take Heed

Take Heed

     “Take heed unto thyself and to the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1Tim. 4:16)
     To say that there are warnings given in the gospel of Christ is to state the truth. The above passage is one example. Every Christian ought to give the most earnest heed thereto.
     In the first place, the teacher, preacher or saint of God is warned to “take heed unto thyself . . . “. It is altogether possible to focus attention upon other people or things and forget our own personal lives. It is of little or no value to teach the truth if the one teaching it does not practice what he preaches. The apostle writes: “Ye are our epistles . . . KNOWN AND READ OF ALL MEN.” (2Cor 3:2). People read us far more then they do the Word of God.
    Next, let me point out that purity of life and conduct is not all that the Lord requires of His servants. He says: “UNTO THE DOCTRINE”. How many men have you known who lived a rather good life but perverted the doctrine of Christ? How many friends and neighbors do the same? When it comes to the point of friendship, neighborliness, they can’t be beat, BUT, they know little about the doctrine of Christ. (Note that the doctrine of Christ is always in the singular.) DOCTRINES of devils indicate that Satan has many doctrines. So he does. From 2John vs 10,11: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” This statement alone should be sufficient to cause the preacher to stick strictly to the book of books. In Gal. 1:8: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be ACCURSED.”
     If the preacher stays with the BOOK he shall SAVE himself and THEM THAT HEAR thee. Jesus said something about the “blind leading the blind” and He declared they’d both fall into the ditch. It is lamentable that men who can scarcely read and write attempt to preach the gospel. The souls of men, whether preacher or hearer, are too important for such. We are commanded to “study to shew thyself approved unto God. . . “ God does not call or invite men who are unprepared, in any sense, to represent Him in the most important and eternal things of all. TAKE HEED.

    The above article was written by my wife’s father, O.D. Wilson, in a church of Christ bulletin in July 15, 1962. The message is plain and the warning is clear. The same applies in the same way today as it did sixty-two years ago as well as over nineteen hundred years ago when it was originally handed down by the Spirit by inspiration and recorded for the church.
     When Linda, my wife, found this article of her dad’s and gave it to me, it occurred to me that folks often fail to “TAKE HEED” because they lack the PROPER MOTIVATION. When you think about it, most folks are motivated in some way to do something. When they lack motivation or have improper motivation to do what God Commands, they are either ignorant of God’s Word, lazy, or are doing wrong and evil things and refuse to change.
     This causes me to ask: “What is needed to MOTIVATE someone? First, you must love them, and care enough about their souls to help them. It is not enough to only help one’s physical needs, as this leaves the soul without that which can sustain it forever. Secondly, there is the need to educate them (evangelize), to equip them with what they need that they ‘might’ do something about their souls. Rom. 10:14 makes it abundantly clear that man needs someone to bring them the soul saving message. Most are not “self-starters” when it comes to matters of eternal things. Nor can man do what is needed for his soul as God’s Word tells us in Jer. 10:23b – “it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps”. Thirdly, provide these new brethren the support they need after they obey the gospel and become a fellow member of the body of Christ. This is much needed as the Word of God tells Christians in 1Thess. 5:14 to “support the weak, be patient toward all men”. The Christian can and will fall if they aren’t properly motivated by the Word of God. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1Cor. 10:12)
All these are equally important, because every child of God has an evil antagonist that is against them and against all that is good. 1Pet. 5:8 tells us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” In fact, as the Spirit had the apostle write to these ‘scattered strangers’, the Words “be vigilant” are the same as “Take Heed”. The unmotivated Christian that fails to take heed is described in the sad picture of 2Pet. 2:20 because they have become entangled again in the pollutions of the world from which they had once escaped when they obeyed the gospel. The final part of the verse says: “the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”
Take heed to yourself and to the Word of God. Your soul is at stake.

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ

The Father of Fathers

The Father of Fathers

   As much of the world celebrates “Father’s Day”, it is appalling how many forget God, the first “Father”. Believe it or not, what is known as Father’s Day has a long history, much of which is couched in denominationalism. The Eastern Orthodox church, centuries ago, appointed the 2^nd Sunday before “nativity”, (the supposed date of the birth of Christ), as the “Sunday of the Forefathers” to commemorate the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, starting with Adam and emphasizing the patriarch Abraham, to whom God said: in Gen. 22:18a: “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed”. This “seed” is Christ. It is sad that many fail to obey the gospel to become recipients of the ‘spiritual blessings’, which are only “in Christ”.  
   We also know Gen. 1:27 teaches the creation of man. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Man was made a living soul = a spiritual being. However, we can see the physical picture in Luke 3:38 at the conclusion of the genealogy of Christ. Here we see the ‘kinship’ of the created man to God, who created him, in addition to the son and grandson of the first man. Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.  This inspired record is composed of over seventy five generations. Adam was the ‘created son of God, and Jesus is the “only begotten Son” of God. Unfortunately for the Jews, when the fall of Jerusalem occurred, the official documented evidence whereby they could prove they were descendants of Abraham were utterly destroyed.
     Father's Day is a holiday recognized by many as a day of honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. This holiday is observed in various days in one hundred eleven countries. In the U.S., in 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd, with her five brothers who were raised by their father alone, convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association to celebrate Father's Day nationwide.
     Ironically, this “holiday” (from holy day) directs focus to earthly fathers and largely leaves out the Heavenly Father. There is nothing wrong with ‘honoring’ one’s physical parent as this is a biblical concept. Everyone in this age should be very familiar with Eph. 6:2, which is the New Testament Commandment concerning this. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;). A diligent Bible student will be equally acquainted with the fifth of the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament Law God gave to Israel through the ‘lawgiver’, Moses. It is easily seen that this Commandment had physical benefits for these people if they kept it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (Exo. 20:12)
   Yet, as was pointed out earlier, God is often forgotten on this holiday. He is “left out” of many folk’s life as they ‘honor’ their earthly fathers. The Hebrew Christians, in the context of chastisement, were provided facts and a question. This question applies in every area of life. The Spirit had the penman write: Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Heb. 12:9) Are not all to be “subject” to God in all things? From the beginning, God has issued ‘laws’, spoken or written, to instruct, guide and direct man as to how to live.  
     When God issued a written Law to His people Israel after their delivery from the bondage of Egypt, the first commandment as found in Exo. 20:3 is: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”. Jesus reminded the people of this first Commandment of God during His day in Mark 12:29-30 as He said: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  This “first Commandment” has not changed, nor will it. And, man should not find this, nor any other Commandment of God too hard. 1John 5:3 makes this abundantly clear. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  Putting God first is a Commandment that has existed as long as man has and will remain in effect as long as the earth continues.  
     The question then becomes, how does one “put God first” in all things? First we need to acknowledge that God the Father, God the Spirit, and God the Son, are all God. 1John 5:7 helps us to fully understand this. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  In serving God we serve them all. Jesus tried to help His people Israel see this in Matt 10:37. This should help all see that to ‘honor’ our earthly father (or mother, children, siblings etc.) more than God, Christ or the Holy Spirit is wrong. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 
     We serve God, the Father of Fathers, The Son and the Spirit as we read, study, meditate on, apply, and participate in the Word of God by doing as it Commands. We are to do so out of love for God and His Word. Sure, honor our earthly fathers. This is pleasing to God. But put God first in all things. To honor earthly fathers or anyone or anything else in preference to the “Father of Fathers” displeases Him. Think about it!

Dennis Strickland, Mooresville church of Christ

Abide With Me

Abide With Me

    This song is in many of the hymnals in the ‘churches’ today. It has been for a long time. It was written in 1847 by Henry Francis Lyte, who by some accounts, presented the hymn to his hearers not long before his death and as he preached his final sermon as part of the Anglican church. Reportedly, he had written part of the song several years earlier. It is also been said that the first time the song was sung was at Lyte’s funeral. It has also been speculated that he wrote the song during a period of poor health, and as he anticipated his departure from this life.
     Not knowing the man, nor his intent while writing the song, I cannot be absolutely certain of what he was trying to convey. However, the words of the first verse seems to be asking the Lord to be “with him” as the darkness of the close of life drew near. The second verse confirms that this is the idea in the song. An ill-conceived concept that many folks have, is that the Lord is with them so long as they are ‘religious’. The idea of the song is derived from Luke 24:29 as the risen Lord, along with some of His disciples came near a village. When the Lord “made as though He would go further”, those with whom He walked “constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.”
   Christ went in to tarry with them, and was with them in the flesh, having arisen from the grave to die no more. But as the account continues, we see He only remained with them for a brief period. As He sat at meat with them, He took bread, blessed it and broke it and gave it to them. When “their eyes were opened”, and they knew Him, He vanished from their sight. Later, in Luke 24:36-49 He appeared to His apostles. In Luke 24:50-51, He rose from their sight as He ascended into Heaven. However, Christ had not left them forever. He was returning to His Father having fulfilled His earthly part of God’s plan, designed from before the beginning of time.   Has not one of the Godhead “been with” humanity from the beginning?   Obviously, God was “with” Adam and Eve in the Garden. Gen. 3:8 clearly shows that God was in the Garden, and “Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden” after they had sinned. Years later, in Gen. 18:33, after Abraham interceded for sinful Sodom, we read: “the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.” Even later, the aging psalmist, in Psa. 37:25 penned the Words: I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
     This continued into the New Testament. After Jesus’ resurrection, before He ascended into Heaven, in Matt. 28:16-20, He met with His apostles, and after giving them the Great Commission, He told them: “. . . lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”. As Paul spoke to the Athenians at Mars’ Hill, in Acts 17:27-28a, speaking of God, he said: “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: ²⁸ For in him we live, and move, and have our being;” Then in Heb.13:5b the Jews that had become Christians were assured “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” With this abundance of evidence that God has always “been there” for all of His creation, should not His faithful children be comforted that God ever abides with them?
    But, should not all seek to abide with the Lord? It should be the goal of everyone to ‘go to heaven’. Many fail to realize that unless and until they seek the Lord in accordance with His Word, and “abide” with Him in this life, they haven’t a chance to be with Him for eternity. This is why Jesus, in Matt. 6:33, in that Sermon on the Mount, while continuing to call Israel to repentance told them of the church. He said: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;”. He wanted them to repent and prepare for the time when they could be baptized into Christ when the church came. In Acts chapter two, the gospel was preached, the church was established and some of these same souls were ‘added to the church’ and from that point forward, could ‘abide in Christ”.
   Even the Gentiles would be granted this opportunity. In Eph 2:12, those Christians of Ephesus were reminded of their condition before they obeyed the gospel. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But in vs 13, we see their condition afterward. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  They did as Jas. 4:8a advises. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
    This is accomplished initially in obedience to the gospel. 1John 2:24 tells us how, once we have been baptized ‘into Christ’ how to continue to ‘abide in Him’. One can only do so through abiding in His Word. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.  We don’t have to worry about God. His promises are sure. If we ‘go to Him in obedience’, He’ll always be there. Rather, we need to make sure we do as we should to obey His Word and always abide “in Christ” until His return. This the only way we can be with Him forever.

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ

Who Are You? Where Are You Headed?

Who Are You? Where Are You Headed?

    This is the kind of question one might expect if they are walking alone in a quiet dark neighborhood in the wee hours of the morning. Those who become aware of your presence, not knowing who you are, unaware of the reason for your being there, and ignorant of your intentions in a situation such as this have every reason to be concerned. Of course, those who mean no harm, and have the right and a purpose to be there will give answer and the desired objective will possibly be reached.  
   As we consider our identity on earth, we need to ask ourselves the same question. However, we all have reason to be here. In Genesis, we read the account of creation, and how that after that, all who are on earth arrive in the same fashion – they are born. We also learn from Job 14:1, that we also have something else in common.   That is the ‘trouble’ that life presents as we are here. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
   Additionally, this passage clues us into the fact that we have limited time in this realm. Because we are born, we become part of humanity, and have the ‘right’ to be here. But where are you headed? That is the question that all should ask and all should seek the answer. In Gen. 3:19, after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God said to Adam: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
   Is this it? Is that all there is? Are we simply like the “beast” as described in Eccl 3:20-21? Speaking of both, the Spirit had the penman write: “All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. ²¹ Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?” The last question in this passage shows there is a difference. Gen. 2:7 shows the difference when God breathed the breath of life into man “and man became a living soul.” That ‘living soul’ will exist forever somewhere. (Eccl 12:7; 1Thess 4:13-17; 2Thess 1:7-9)
     Now, we know who we are. We are members of humanity. We also know that physically, we shall return to the elements once our sojourn on earth is complete. We also know, unlike the ‘beast’, this is not “the end”, for man is a living soul. This sets up yet another question, which was asked by the suffering servant in Job 14:14 in the midst of his earthly tribulation. Where will man go? What is to become of his soul? He asked it this way: “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” He did not know “where he was headed”, but knew he had to wait to find out. It is obvious that he also knew that while he was waiting, he was to faithfully serve God.
   This inquiry of Job so long ago was actually prophetically answered in the Garden of Eden by God Himself. This was after Adam and Eve succumbed to Satan’s temptation to eat of the forbidden fruit and sinned against God. Gen 3:15 is the foretelling of Christ’s coming and dying, and that He would conquer death. Christ told how this would be fulfilled in Matt 12:29 as He foretold of entering Satan’s house (death) and binding Satan. The ‘binding of Satan’s power’ over death answered the question of Job 14:14. And we know this from 1Cor 15:55 as Christ was victorious over death. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  Christ’s death and burial were all part of God’s plan, but this wasn’t the ‘end’ of the plan.   Christ was resurrected to die no more. 1Cor 15:20 tells us this. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  Rev 1:18a also proves this. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,. Christ came forth from the grave so we could “choose” where we are headed for eternity ‘while’ we sojourn here on earth.  
   While we are members of humanity, we must ask ourselves the questions: Where am I headed? Where am I going after this life? What will happen to my soul after I pass from this realm? That, my friend is entirely up to you. Where you (your soul) is headed is a choice you WILL and MUST make. Each arrived physically here through procreation (God’s plan). We had no choice in the matter. Having been granted life, we have the God-given privilege of choice. The choice ‘now’ is whether or not to be ‘born spiritually’. Christ spoke of this in John 3:5 to Nicodemus. He said: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”. Then in vs 7b, He said “Ye must be born again.”  
   Being born of water and of the Spirit is speaking of being baptized into Christ as Rom 6:3-5 shows. When one is ‘baptized into Christ’, they are baptized into His death. Those being ‘born again’ are to “walk in newness of life” while awaiting the resurrection. Christ made preparation for this as He told Thomas in John 14:6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”. Jesus had just told His apostles He was going to prepare a place for them. Those that become God’s children by spiritual birth, (baptism into Christ), and remain faithful until death have a destination and a crown of life awaiting them. (Rev 2:10b)
   Why not determine your ‘new’ identity by being baptized into Christ and becoming a child of God today? Then keep your eyes on the ‘desired destination’ (heaven) while faithfully serving God in this life in accordance to His Word. So, who are you? Where are you headed? The plan is offered. You can know who you are and where you are going for eternity. The choice is yours.  Make the right choice today while there is still time.

Dennis Strickland, Mooresville church of Christ

My Prayer For You

My Prayer for You

    You may or may not know me, & I may not know you, but I still have a prayer for you. In fact, whether you are a Christian or not, my prayer for you is the same. It might even be surprising to some to know that the prayer I have for everyone is the same that Paul had for Israel, which is found in Rom 10:1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 
   However, Paul’s prayer for them could not save them. Neither can my prayer save you. In Israel’s case, they had a ‘zeal for God’, but it was ‘not according to knowledge’. Because they lacked sufficient knowledge, they went about to establish their own righteousness (follow their own desires and their previous religion). The result of this is that they would not submit to the ‘righteousness of God’. This means they refused to follow God’s Word. This can be proven from Psa 119:172b as we read: for all thy commandments are righteousness. When one is not following the Word of God (His Commandments), they aren’t being obedient to Him and God will not save the disobedient.
   My prayer cannot save you, because prayer does not save.   One can only be saved if/when they obey God’s Commandments for Salvation. In fact, per 2Thess 1:8, God will take vengeance on those who “know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” God will not “help” such a person. This is expressed in the O.T. as well. God, through his prophet in Judges 10:13-14, said to Israel (His own people under the Mosaic Law) -Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. ¹⁴ Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.  There was no rescue for Israel if they persisted in their disobedience to God.   Today, there is no Salvation to any who serves, follows, or is in allegiance to that which is in opposition to God’s Word.
   Neither will God “hear” such a person. Jer 11:14, again in the context of Israel serving other gods, shows Jeremiah was divinely instructed to warn faithful Israel against praying for even God’s own people who refused to follow His Commandments. Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.  God will not accept the prayer of those that oppose Him.  Previously, in Jer 7:16, the Lord also said He also would not accept the prayers of the righteous on behalf of the unrighteous. Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. 
     Then why did Paul pray for Israel? Should he not have been praying for them? Should I not have a prayer for others? Am I doing wrong in praying for others? No! Paul’s prayer for Israel, and my prayer for all today is that they become “righteous”. 1Pet 3:12 tells us that God hears the prayers of the righteous, but not the unrighteous. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.  Paul’s desire was that Israel would forsake their “own righteousness” and submit to God.
   Paul desired that Israel be saved. I desire that you be saved. In fact, that is God’s desire as well.  In 1Tim 2:4, the Spirit had Paul tell Timothy this in the context of prayer. He wrote (in reference to God) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. This meshes perfectly with the Words of Jesus Himself toward some who “believed on Him” from John 8:31-32. He said: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” From this, it is obvious that it is not prayer or belief that “makes one free”, but obeying truth does.
   John 9:31 confirms this as the once blind, now healed man spoke in response to the Pharisees. He said: Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. This is ‘inspired testimony’ as the Spirit gave it to the apostle John to record. The Spirit also had James direct the church in the same way. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. ²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (Jas 1:21-22)
   Those who are ‘hearers only’ and not doers, cannot be righteous. If one is not righteous, they must be unrighteous. If unrighteous, are they not ungodly sinners? God addresses this in His Word as well. We read in1Pet 4:18 what fate awaits those folks. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  My prayer for all is that they come to a knowledge of the truth, will embrace the truth (gladly receive it), and will obey the truth, so they can be saved.
   I can pray that you become righteous (obey and follow God’s Word), but that won’t save you. You have to do the work. Why not look into God’s Word, obey what He says to do, lay hold on Salvation, and then remain faithful till death.   My prayer for you will then be answered and we can be together with God for eternity.

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ

America Is In Trouble Indeed

America Is In Trouble Indeed

      Among the political rhetoric of the day, you’ve likely heard this said, or will hear it as our upcoming national elections draw nearer.   There is some measure of truth to this, regardless of which side of the political spectrum you stand.   This is because there is a greater harm America faces than the ones that are the ‘talking points’ or the debate subjects our political heroes or villains embrace.        Contrary to popular belief, the fate of our nation does not lie in the hands of its politicians.  It lies in the minds of the people.  Our democracy was founded on the great idea of being a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people”.  However, when people, regardless of their nationality, gender, or political affiliation forsake God, they are in trouble.  Such is the case in our country by many during our present time.
     Some Corinthians had obeyed the gospel.  In doing so, they became ‘children of God’. In 2Cor. 6:14-17, the Spirit had Paul warn the brethren in Corinth of the fallacy of ‘conforming to’ the world, and what kept them separate from the world and in favor with God.  Paul penned: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?¹⁶ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.Then in vss 17-18, we see the remedy and the way out of trouble.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,¹⁸ And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.   God did them a great favor in warning them of that which would cost them their soul if they didn’t change.   
    We can benefit greatly from the ‘foresight’ of those now gone on, as they perceived the track being taken even in their day as they gave the clarion call to return to a ‘thus sayeth the Lord’ and follow it always.  One such man was my wife’s father, O.D. Wilson, a faithful preacher of the gospel.  He foresaw the damage to America and its citizens as they forsook God, and also strove to bring this to our attention.
   Below is an article he wrote fifty-six years ago. If the decay was evident that long ago, and is equally evident that the “rot” that defiles has not been ‘rooted out’.  America is indeed in deep trouble!    

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ

AMERICA IS IN TROUBLE

    I’m sure this comes in no way as an announcement because everybody knows by now that unless drastic changes are made SOON America will fall. This may be unbelievable to some. It was one of the hardest statements I have been forced to accept in years. Communism is considered the problem but it is really not the problem. It is but a symptom of the disease. The real trouble in America is UNGODLINESS (Rom. 1:28-32). Many of her citizens no longer believe there is a God, Jehovah.  In living their lives, making important decisions, rearing their children, appealing for wisdom and strength they turn to the weak and beggarly elements, but not to God (Gal. 4:9).  If America were GODLY Communism and all the other “isms” would have no place here at all. The “seed bed” has been well prepared to bear the fruits of sin and that is what she is doing in such a terrible mess.
   Thinking people are agreed that the only answer to this dilemma is Almighty GOD.  This means that we must again open the “old Book” (John 5:39) and read its sacred pages in prayer. It means that we must repent of our sins and “get right” with God.  It means that God’s people, Christians, must get on their knees and ask God for forgiveness and look to His Word for guidance (Psa. 119:105). We have “played church” too long. It is past time to “get down to business with God.”
    The sinfulness of America has had its impact upon the Lord’s church too. Doctrinal weakness, compromise, worldly members and “apologetic” preaching have greatly weakened her (II Tim. 4: 2-3). Think of how this must hurt the Heavenly Father.  What a price was paid for the redemption of the body of Christ, His Bride. What more can one give than Jesus gave? Men have not only been vile enough to build their own churches in competition with Christ, but, even worse, they seem determined to destroy His church, FROM WITHIN, with unconverted members, gimmicks, apathy and the like. Yes, America, the church, each citizen is in grave trouble but that trouble is “in the heart”, SIN AND GODLINESS, and may God help us to know the difference in the DISEASE and the SYMPTOMS and to understand that if, and when, the disease is cured the symptoms will disappear. Jesus said: “Ye shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall make you free” John 8:32.  Whatever time we may have left, as God provides the means and opens the doors, let each Christian give his “all” in reaching the lost with the gospel, God’s power to save (Rom. 1:14-17). What will you do?????

O D Wilson, evangelist 1968 - - - deceased -1995