Everything is going well in Enola, Arkansas. We have settled into autumn and winter is on the horizon. The leaves are really falling fast now in those gentle fall breezes. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is less than four weeks away with Christmas and 2012 just around the corner? Our hunters are busy nearly every morning in the woods on a deer stand waiting for that trophy buck. Brothers and sisters: Hunt whenever you can, but be at church when the church meets for worship, Bible study, and fellowship. When we are where we are supposed to be good things happen. When we are somewhere else, well, how can God bless us when we are going against His will? Just a gentle reminder of what a great honor it is for Christians to assemble together before God for worship. Let’s not miss a single meeting.
Last Sunday our elders presented four men to the congregation for our consideration as prospective deacons: Wayne Beene, David Berry, Brandon Breeding, and Greg Floyd. These men are fine Christian men and fully dedicated to Christ and His church at Enola. Next Sunday, November 4th these men will be appointed as deacons to serve beside our current deacons, Brothers Patrick Breeding and Sonny Wolfe.
Brother Brandon has been working on our new church website. As soon as we get everything organized we will launch it over the World Wide Web. You’ll be surprised just how much we will use our site every day for updates, news, and information. We plan on recording the lessons every Sunday and uploading them to our website for anyone to hear and consider. People traveling in the area will be able to look at our site, locate where we are, and plan their trip to be with us for worship. People moving into Faulkner country will be able to check out our website and the church as they make their choices where to work and worship. I will be uploading articles related to life and living to the website for the church and those who visit our site to read and consider. Our website is just another way the church of Christ at Enola can reach out to our community for the cause of Jesus Christ.
Cindi and I will host another Birthday and Anniversary Party at our house on Sunday evening, October 30th immediately following our assembly. We will provide the drinks, cupcakes, and utensils. If you or a member of your immediate family has a birthday or anniversary in October, come and be a part. If you would like, bring your favorite finger-food to share. We look forward to having you with us. Nothing complicated. Just a good time to get to know each other a little bit better.
This Sunday morning we will continue in our series “Counting Our Blessings – One by One.” We will look at how we count our blessings when we decide to live our lives optimistically. Paul decided. Then he learned. Finally he knew. These are the facts of life. If you would like to read ahead, read Philippians 4:8-13 to see just how it is. He wrote; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I can in Christ. So can you.
On Sunday evening we will learn another lesson from a fisherman, Andrew, the disciple who was quietly effective. I am learning so much from these four fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James, and John. I hope you are learning too.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
In our world today just about every person you meet has some sort of religious affiliation. On any given day you might hear any one of dozens of names given to various religious groups. What name should we, the followers of Christ wear? Check the Bible. What do you find?
“Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26).
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe. Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Almost you persuade me to become a Christian.’ And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, ight become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:27-29).
“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:16).
Three times in the New Testament we find that the followers of Jesus Christ, His disciples were called “Christians.” You would think that we could understand such simple terminology. Yet even in the Lord’s church I often hear some of my brethren refer to themselves as “church of Christ” as if we are just another group of people who have denominated themselves along with the rest of the “religious” world.
I do understand that the word “Christian” has been manipulated by the world to mean many things. Much of the time the word is used to mean a “good” person in terms of behavior. Sometimes the word “Christian” is even used as a negative label; “Oh, you are one of those “Christians.” Don’t be troubled. If you believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, if you have turned away from sin in repentance, if you have confessed the name of Jesus before others, if you have been baptized (immersed) with the understanding that in baptism your sins are washed away, then you are truly and wholly a Christian. Nothing more! Nothing less! We must add nothing to it nor take anything away from it. Nothing needs to be explained. “Christian” says everything that needs to be said. I am a Christian, a member of the church that belongs to Christ, His church, the church of Christ.
This Sunday morning (October 23, 2011) at Enola we will continue in our series entitled “Counting Our Blessing One by One.” We count our blessing one by one when we LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME. Too many people try to live three days every day, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Yesterday is past. Tomorrow is yet to be. Today is called the present. What precious gift from God today actually is! We must not neglect it, refuse it, or waste it.
This Sunday night we will take a look at the next lesson from one of four fishermen. We will study about Andrew and how he was quietly effective in his ministry for Jesus Christ. He was looking for the Messiah. Are we? He was evangelistic in his every-day life. Are we? He was always helpful in a quietly effective way. Are we? He was faithfully dedicated. Are we?
“Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26).
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe. Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Almost you persuade me to become a Christian.’ And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, ight become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:27-29).
“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:16).
Three times in the New Testament we find that the followers of Jesus Christ, His disciples were called “Christians.” You would think that we could understand such simple terminology. Yet even in the Lord’s church I often hear some of my brethren refer to themselves as “church of Christ” as if we are just another group of people who have denominated themselves along with the rest of the “religious” world.
I do understand that the word “Christian” has been manipulated by the world to mean many things. Much of the time the word is used to mean a “good” person in terms of behavior. Sometimes the word “Christian” is even used as a negative label; “Oh, you are one of those “Christians.” Don’t be troubled. If you believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, if you have turned away from sin in repentance, if you have confessed the name of Jesus before others, if you have been baptized (immersed) with the understanding that in baptism your sins are washed away, then you are truly and wholly a Christian. Nothing more! Nothing less! We must add nothing to it nor take anything away from it. Nothing needs to be explained. “Christian” says everything that needs to be said. I am a Christian, a member of the church that belongs to Christ, His church, the church of Christ.
This Sunday morning (October 23, 2011) at Enola we will continue in our series entitled “Counting Our Blessing One by One.” We count our blessing one by one when we LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME. Too many people try to live three days every day, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Yesterday is past. Tomorrow is yet to be. Today is called the present. What precious gift from God today actually is! We must not neglect it, refuse it, or waste it.
This Sunday night we will take a look at the next lesson from one of four fishermen. We will study about Andrew and how he was quietly effective in his ministry for Jesus Christ. He was looking for the Messiah. Are we? He was evangelistic in his every-day life. Are we? He was always helpful in a quietly effective way. Are we? He was faithfully dedicated. Are we?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
We’ve had a good week of Christian living here in Enola, Arkansas. The fall weather is simply gorgeous with cool mornings warming up nicely through the evening. I hope you are taking full advantage of such wonderful blessings. Get up a little earlier to go for a morning walk. Walk outside just after sunset and look up at the stars. Sit on the deck for a few minutes early or late and enjoy a bit of nature: squirrels preparing for the winter, falling leaves, geese settling on or lifting off the lake if you are near the water or flying overhead toward a warmer climate. These simple experiences make life worth living. Some people never look up to see the evidences of God. They rarely look out past their own feelings and needs to see the beauties around them. They seldom look around them at the opportunities for joy and service to others. They have even more difficulty looking within themselves to see that they have become far removed from the balance of life.
As Christians, we can, we must live a different, better, balanced life. Every morning let us think of God, His majesty, His richness, His purposes, His blessings toward us. Let us speak to Him in prayer and remember the assurances we have in Jesus Christ. Let us read God’s word, the Bible to be reminded of our past, our blessings, our present duty to Him and to our fellow man, and our future in Christ. Let us do more than read the Bible. We must rightly divide it (2 Timothy 2:15), realizing that God communicated to people before the coming of Jesus Christ in different ways (Hebrews 1:1-2). Today we do not read to obey the Old Testament, the Psalms, nor the Prophets of old. The Old Testament was God’s word to those who lived before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We read to obey His Son, Jesus Christ in the twenty-seven books called the New Testament with words written down by nine inspired men chosen by God (Matthew, Mark, Luke (2), John (5), Paul (13), Peter (2), James, Jude, and the writer to the Hebrews). These twenty-seven books are the final revelation from God to mankind in these last days in which we live (Jude 3, Galatians 1:6-10, Luke 16:16). Now make no mistake about it. The Old Testament is valuable to us today. Paul wrote in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” The Old Testament was written for our learning, not for our keeping. The New Testament is ours today to read, respect, reflect on, remember, and respond to immediately.
This Sunday (10.16.11) at Enola we will begin a new series of lessons entitled “Counting Our Blessing One by One.” God blesses all of His creation every day with life and everything that is needed to live. There are blessings that only come from God to those who are in a right relationship with Him. We’ll see what the Bible says about God’s blessings.
On Sunday evening we will consider “Four Lessons from Four Fishermen.” Simon Peter teaches us about doing what we can with what we have. I hope the entire congregation at Enola will be here on Sunday evening for this special series of lessons. We all will be encouraged and challenged to come closer to God and to one another.
Cindi and I made a trip to Columbia, South Carolina last weekend. I preached in a gospel meeting at the Windsor Lake congregation on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Thank you for your prayers for us while we were away. Thank you to Brother Brandon and Brother Eddie for preaching and teaching for me in my absence.
As Christians, we can, we must live a different, better, balanced life. Every morning let us think of God, His majesty, His richness, His purposes, His blessings toward us. Let us speak to Him in prayer and remember the assurances we have in Jesus Christ. Let us read God’s word, the Bible to be reminded of our past, our blessings, our present duty to Him and to our fellow man, and our future in Christ. Let us do more than read the Bible. We must rightly divide it (2 Timothy 2:15), realizing that God communicated to people before the coming of Jesus Christ in different ways (Hebrews 1:1-2). Today we do not read to obey the Old Testament, the Psalms, nor the Prophets of old. The Old Testament was God’s word to those who lived before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We read to obey His Son, Jesus Christ in the twenty-seven books called the New Testament with words written down by nine inspired men chosen by God (Matthew, Mark, Luke (2), John (5), Paul (13), Peter (2), James, Jude, and the writer to the Hebrews). These twenty-seven books are the final revelation from God to mankind in these last days in which we live (Jude 3, Galatians 1:6-10, Luke 16:16). Now make no mistake about it. The Old Testament is valuable to us today. Paul wrote in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” The Old Testament was written for our learning, not for our keeping. The New Testament is ours today to read, respect, reflect on, remember, and respond to immediately.
This Sunday (10.16.11) at Enola we will begin a new series of lessons entitled “Counting Our Blessing One by One.” God blesses all of His creation every day with life and everything that is needed to live. There are blessings that only come from God to those who are in a right relationship with Him. We’ll see what the Bible says about God’s blessings.
On Sunday evening we will consider “Four Lessons from Four Fishermen.” Simon Peter teaches us about doing what we can with what we have. I hope the entire congregation at Enola will be here on Sunday evening for this special series of lessons. We all will be encouraged and challenged to come closer to God and to one another.
Cindi and I made a trip to Columbia, South Carolina last weekend. I preached in a gospel meeting at the Windsor Lake congregation on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Thank you for your prayers for us while we were away. Thank you to Brother Brandon and Brother Eddie for preaching and teaching for me in my absence.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
How about this beautiful fall Arkansas weather? I can barely remember what 110 degrees feels like now. Consider the following thoughts from a lesson I preached recently at Liberty on Highway 64. My topic was “Jesus Keeps Blessing Me Over and Over Again – But How?”
God blesses His creation simply because He is the Creator and Father of all. He blesses us with life, sunshine and rain, gravity, the change of seasons, the air that we breathe, and the capacity to breathe. God made the world and everything in it. He gives to all life, breath, and all things. He has made from one blood every nation of men. In Him we live and move and have our being. Paul spoke these things to the Athenians. Luke wrote them for all to read and believe in Acts 17:24-28.
God extends some blessings only to those who are in a right relationship with Him, to those who love Him and are following Him. Consider Romans 8:28. “Now we know that all things work together for good…” This promise that everything will work out just fine is made to whom? To all creation? No. God promises that everything will work out just fine to those who love Him, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Consider Psalm 1. God promises blessings to the one who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, to the one who does not stand in the path of sinners, and to the one who does not sit in the seat of the scoffer. He offers this blessing to the one who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on that law day and night. Prosperity is promised to this one. Consider Psalm 23. All the blessings of this psalm: green pastures, still waters, soul restored, leadership in the paths of righteousness, comfort walking through the valley of the shadow of death, comfort in view of a rod and staff, provision in the midst of enemies, an anointed head, a cup that overflows, the surety of goodness and mercy every day, and heaven are promised to the one whose shepherd is the Lord. Consider Mark 16:16. Salvation is promised to those who believe and are baptized. I could go on and on with many more examples from the Bible of blessings promised and delivered to those who choose God through His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus keeps blessing me over and over again because I live one day at the time. Too many people try to live three days at the time. They try to live today while at the same time reliving and regretting yesterday and also at the same time looking into tomorrow with fear and doubt.
Jesus keeps blessing me over and over again because I count my many blessings every day rather than focus on my sorrows. Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” I am richly blessed every day. We all are. Why not count those blessings and rejoice in them rather than look over those blessings to focus on my disappointments?
Jesus keeps blessing me over and over again because I have decided to be optimistic. Do you know that we usually feel, learn, find, and become what we expect to feel, learn, find, and become? Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
My grand daughter, Faryn made me a very special creation from construction paper, crayons, and tape. The words on the creation hanging from my dressing room mirror say, “God Morning.” Of course she meant to say “Good Morning.” She tried to add another “o” to “God” but I like the first creation better. Every morning should be and is a “God Morning.”
God blesses His creation simply because He is the Creator and Father of all. He blesses us with life, sunshine and rain, gravity, the change of seasons, the air that we breathe, and the capacity to breathe. God made the world and everything in it. He gives to all life, breath, and all things. He has made from one blood every nation of men. In Him we live and move and have our being. Paul spoke these things to the Athenians. Luke wrote them for all to read and believe in Acts 17:24-28.
God extends some blessings only to those who are in a right relationship with Him, to those who love Him and are following Him. Consider Romans 8:28. “Now we know that all things work together for good…” This promise that everything will work out just fine is made to whom? To all creation? No. God promises that everything will work out just fine to those who love Him, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Consider Psalm 1. God promises blessings to the one who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, to the one who does not stand in the path of sinners, and to the one who does not sit in the seat of the scoffer. He offers this blessing to the one who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on that law day and night. Prosperity is promised to this one. Consider Psalm 23. All the blessings of this psalm: green pastures, still waters, soul restored, leadership in the paths of righteousness, comfort walking through the valley of the shadow of death, comfort in view of a rod and staff, provision in the midst of enemies, an anointed head, a cup that overflows, the surety of goodness and mercy every day, and heaven are promised to the one whose shepherd is the Lord. Consider Mark 16:16. Salvation is promised to those who believe and are baptized. I could go on and on with many more examples from the Bible of blessings promised and delivered to those who choose God through His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus keeps blessing me over and over again because I live one day at the time. Too many people try to live three days at the time. They try to live today while at the same time reliving and regretting yesterday and also at the same time looking into tomorrow with fear and doubt.
Jesus keeps blessing me over and over again because I count my many blessings every day rather than focus on my sorrows. Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” I am richly blessed every day. We all are. Why not count those blessings and rejoice in them rather than look over those blessings to focus on my disappointments?
Jesus keeps blessing me over and over again because I have decided to be optimistic. Do you know that we usually feel, learn, find, and become what we expect to feel, learn, find, and become? Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
My grand daughter, Faryn made me a very special creation from construction paper, crayons, and tape. The words on the creation hanging from my dressing room mirror say, “God Morning.” Of course she meant to say “Good Morning.” She tried to add another “o” to “God” but I like the first creation better. Every morning should be and is a “God Morning.”
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Have you had a good week? These are very busy times for everyone. In these busy times please remember to set proper personal priorities. Jesus commanded every Christian to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and our every need will be met (Matthew 6:33). We must not allow worldly activities and events to overshadow the duties and privileges we have as Christians. Every Lord’s Day and at other times as well, the church meets for Bible study, worship, and fellowship. As a member of the church I have the duty and the privilege of taking my place among my Christian brothers and sisters to encourage and be encouraged in my faith. I promise that I will do my part as a gospel preacher to provide Biblical, challenging, encouraging, interesting lessons and sermons every week aimed at helping us all grow in our walk with God. Our elders are committed to God and to their responsibility to meet our needs and lead us ever closer to heaven. Our deacons are committed to their individual roles as special servants to the church. It is my prayer that every member of the Enola Church of Christ will make Christ and His church the #1 priority in their lives at home, at work, at school, in the neighborhood, everywhere. Ask yourself: Am I reading my Bible every day? Is prayer a priority in my life every day? Do I look for opportunities to help someone in some way every day? Do I meet with the church at every opportunity? Am I committed to doing what I can to help the church grow every day? Am I living the Christian life the way I should? Am I enjoying my life as a Christian? If you can answer these questions with a “Yes,” that’s great. If not, then make the change you need to make to be all you can be for Jesus our Savior and Lord.
This Sunday morning we will continue in our series “The Bible – God’s Inspired Word to Humanity” with a lesson aimed at helping us understand and appreciate the benefits of the Bible. God’s word makes us wise to salvation. God’s word promotes faith in the life of every believer. The Bible nourishes our spiritual life. The Bible teaches us God’s will and teaches us how to worship, how to pray, how to give, how to organize our lives, how to live and how to die. When we understand and appreciate these benefits, we will read and rely on the Bible more and more every day.
This Sunday evening we will begin a new series entitled “The Way of the Cross.” Lesson one will be “The Requirements of the Way of the Cross.” Each letter in CROSS will provide our points: C – Courage, R – Reason, O – Obedience, S – Sacrifice, and S – Sincerity. We sometimes sing the song entitled “The Way of the Cross Leads Home.” Maybe we can sing this song (#343 in our books) before the sermon to get us started in the right direction.
I will be preaching at the Liberty Church of Christ on Highway 64 on Sunday afternoon, September 25th at 3:00 p.m. Our topic will be, “How Jesus Keeps Blessing Me Over and Over Again.” Please mark your calendar and plan on being present for this lesson. We can still make it back to Enola in plenty of time for our Sunday evening worship hour at 5:00.
Remember the Birthday and Anniversary Get-Together at the Burleson’s on September 25th immediately following our Sunday evening worship assembly. Bring your favorite finger food and come out to celebrate our September birthdays and anniversaries. Drinks and cake provided.
This Sunday morning we will continue in our series “The Bible – God’s Inspired Word to Humanity” with a lesson aimed at helping us understand and appreciate the benefits of the Bible. God’s word makes us wise to salvation. God’s word promotes faith in the life of every believer. The Bible nourishes our spiritual life. The Bible teaches us God’s will and teaches us how to worship, how to pray, how to give, how to organize our lives, how to live and how to die. When we understand and appreciate these benefits, we will read and rely on the Bible more and more every day.
This Sunday evening we will begin a new series entitled “The Way of the Cross.” Lesson one will be “The Requirements of the Way of the Cross.” Each letter in CROSS will provide our points: C – Courage, R – Reason, O – Obedience, S – Sacrifice, and S – Sincerity. We sometimes sing the song entitled “The Way of the Cross Leads Home.” Maybe we can sing this song (#343 in our books) before the sermon to get us started in the right direction.
I will be preaching at the Liberty Church of Christ on Highway 64 on Sunday afternoon, September 25th at 3:00 p.m. Our topic will be, “How Jesus Keeps Blessing Me Over and Over Again.” Please mark your calendar and plan on being present for this lesson. We can still make it back to Enola in plenty of time for our Sunday evening worship hour at 5:00.
Remember the Birthday and Anniversary Get-Together at the Burleson’s on September 25th immediately following our Sunday evening worship assembly. Bring your favorite finger food and come out to celebrate our September birthdays and anniversaries. Drinks and cake provided.
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