Our summer series got off to a great start Wednesday as we were reminded of the significance of the birth of Jesus. As we spend our summer seeing how lives were changed by encountering Him, we should acknowledge our walk with Jesus is not a once-a-week activity. It is a changed life. For many Christians, it is a struggle to translate the truths we talk about while we are together to the rest of our weeks living everyday life.

• Busyness: Our schedules can get in the way of our study and prayer and other good things God has equipped us to do. Prioritize.
• Mobility: The ease of getting from place to place has made it more and more difficult for us to be still. Slow down and unplug sometimes.
• Debt: The desire to have can take away our ability to do good for others and replace that with worry. Money really won’t buy happiness.
• Conformity: Our culture will tell you there is a better way to live than what God asks of us. Remember who designed you.
• Security: We want so badly to be in control. God wants us to submit to Him.
• Regulation: There are rules about everything now. Regardless of those rules, we can continue following the greatest commands: love God and love people.

I enjoyed this recent article by Jacob Hawk, the Preaching Minister at Faith Village Church of Christ in Wichita Falls, and I want to share it with you. Jacob will be speaking in July for our Wednesday night summer series.   – Brian

This past week I was blessed to see the new movie, Paul: Apostle of Christ. Though there was theatrical longitude in writing the script, it was fairly accurate to the biblical account of Acts, and remarkably accurate to the historical account of Christian life in Rome some 30-35 years following the death of Jesus. In those days, professing the name of Christ as a “Christian”, a “follower of the Way”, wasn’t casually done for acceptance or social benefit. It was literally a statement of life or death.

 

The actor playing the role of Paul made some wonderful statements throughout the movie, many coming directly from Scripture, but one statement really stuck with me—“We can’t ever forget what it was like to be lost, and we can’t ever forget what it was like to be found.” Such beautiful, convicting, God-honoring words. However, the statement also troubled me, because at times in my life, I’ve forgotten what it was like. Or maybe better said–I didn’t know how to remember it. Let me explain.

As I write this on Thursday morning, it is the National Day of Prayer. Our nation had a long history of prayer before Harry Truman signed a law in 1952 setting aside the first Thursday in May for this purpose. I know that a setting aside a specific day annually for prayer is not a mandate from scripture, but I enjoy days like this where an increasingly secular culture takes a moment to remember God. It is also a good time to think about what scripture does say about prayer and the important role it plays in our relationship with Him. Jesus teaches us quite a bit about prayer in Matthew 6:5-13.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

 

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

What can we learn from the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6 about how we should pray?

If you are not here regularly on Wednesday nights or you are part of another class, you might not know that our adult auditorium class just finished discussing themes in the book of Proverbs from a study called “Practical Proverbs” by Scott Franks.  The book is filled with short sayings that are long on wisdom. Wisdom is described in the Bible Knowledge Commentary as “having the ability to cope with life in a God-honoring way.” That is something we should all be striving to do. I wrote about the first half of that study several weeks ago. You can read that post by clicking here. As for the second half of the study, these are some of the big ideas that we talked about during our time together on Wednesdays.

Anger

There are good and bad kinds of anger. Good anger is often a reaction to injustice and motivates us to improving the situation and righting the wrong. Usually bad anger is selfish and leads to bad decisions. “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” (Proverbs 29:11)

Quarreling

Some of us enjoy a good debate, but we can also be prone to pointless quarrels. The key to avoiding them is understanding their source and not fanning the flame once quarrels have started. “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” (Proverbs 26:20)

Marriage

It may seem humorous that the discussion of marriage came on the heels of lessons about anger and quarreling, but we realize the negative impact those things can have on a relationship. Our relationships should instead be filled with respect, honor and praise. “Houses and wealth are inherited from the parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:14)

Parents & Kids

Steven Covey talks about the “law of the farm.” Farmers understand that they should only expect a harvest of what they have planted and cultivated. If we have a desired outcome for our children’s lives, we must plant those seeds and nurture them through prayer, love and discipline. “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9).

Work

From the time man was placed in the garden, he was given a job to do. We have a need to do work, but how and why we do that work matters. We should not find our meaning in work, but it can be fulfilling. “He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.” (Proverbs 12:11)

Balance and Contentment

– Brian

I cannot restrain a few thoughts, and maybe just a dash of advice, on living each day to the fullest. If I could turn back time, I would try to be a better husband by telling my beloved every day how much I adored her and by spending more time with her and our children and less time on my business. I would go to more school activities, more PTA meetings, more ball games… I would spend more time reading my Bible, more time in prayer, and more time walking closer with God, realizing that life without God has no meaning. I will tell everyone to spend less time or worry about what to eat or what clothes to wear. If you are an American, you already have too much food and too many clothes.

For a young person, seeking advice from someone who’s been there and done that, I can tell them a few things I have learned during my ninety years on Earth. Continue your education all your life, whether it be in the classroom or from your life’s experiences. Read the Bible… it will convert your life to Christian principles and give you peace. Pray often to your God, and He will lead you to your life’s service. Search until you find the right person to marry…this is the second most important decision in your life. When you get a job, do it with all your might. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:1)

At the end of your life, you will find that the most important advice is to fear and to love God and keep His commandments as Solomon in his wisdom tells us. “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Fearing God is to realize that God is the Creator of man, the universe and all. That by your faith and His amazing grace, your life is in His hands. Fearing God will light the path of your life as long as you live. As I continue on life’s road to my end, not knowing where I will be or when it will end, my belief sustains me. I am persuaded that God will keep me until that day He calls me to Heaven for a life change with a new body that will not wear out. I will enter His kingdom with the certainty of my faith.

I offer a prayer of benediction: I wish for you the best for your life on this Earth, may God bless you, and may you have everlasting life. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Thank you, Reese, for living out a parable to encourage all of us.

– Brian

There has always been incredible power in a good story. Stories can teach and inspire. They can cause us to think. Good stories can illustrate ideas that are otherwise difficult to understand. They connect with people in ways beyond just the sharing of facts. Jesus was well aware of the power of story, and He used them frequently to explain deeply spiritual truths. He often did this using parables. Even His use of parables brought a question from His disciples that Jesus addressed in Matthew 13:10-13.

The first definition of parable that many of us heard is this: an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus encountered many people, including His own apostles, who did not understand how God feels about the lost, what Christ followers should do for those in need, what to expect when sharing the gospel and countless other theological ideas. However, they did understand the basics of shepherding, farming and the dangers of travel. Jesus helped them connect those truths and illustrations through the use of parables.

For the next few months we will look at several of the parables of Jesus on Sunday mornings. These amazing stories still teach us today about the truths God wants us to understand. As we better understand His story and become better followers of His, He continues writing our story.

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. – Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NASB)

– Brian

“Look!”  I can remember hearing that so many times when our kids were small. Sometimes they had discovered something new. Sometimes they had done something they thought was amazing. Sometimes they just needed to know I was interested and paying attention. They might have been diving into the pool for the first time or proud of a paper they brought home from school. There are other times for all of us that we have those “look” moments. We might do a double take or rewind the television to see if we just saw what we thought we saw. It could be the incredible or even unexplainable things that bring this reaction in us.

After His crucifixion the followers of Jesus were probably devastated. Their leader, teacher and friend was gone. Even though He had tried to prepare them for this moment, they struggle to understand. When Mary and Mary went to the tomb that morning, their plan was for the normal tasks done after a death. They did not expect to find an empty tomb. Instead of the lifeless body of their savior, they found an angel who told them to “come and see.”  Look!  They reacted with both fear and joy.

Nearly 2000 years after that resurrection morning, the tomb is still empty. His resurrection gives us hope and joy today. The angel told them to go and share the news of the empty tomb. We can share that same news to bring joy and hope to our world. He is risen; come and see!

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.  – Matthew 28:6 (ESV)

– Brian

I always enjoyed the week of spring break when I was in school. I was never much of a beach person, but I liked the time of relaxation or the opportunity to go somewhere fun. I miss it sometimes. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all still got that week off to enjoy? Although spring break can be a change from the usual schedule, it is a busy time here at Southwest.

Our youth group has spent the first half of spring break serving in our community. On Monday, they spent most of the day doing yard work. It’s amazing how much they accomplished in just one day. On Tuesday morning they got together for donuts then spent some time at Brookdale having a devotional and fellowship with the residents there. As I write this Wednesday morning they have unloaded food from the food bank truck, loaded it into our trailers and are unloading it again into the Yellow House for distribution next week. They will finish the week off with a fun afternoon on Friday. John always does a great job with our teens, and he put together plenty of service opportunities for them this week.

Several from our college ministry are spending the week in Haiti working with the Cap Haitien Children’s Home. David and Sarah are leading that group, and I know they will have lots of stories about the good things happening there to share when they return.

In the office we are beginning a time of transition as Paula prepares to retire at the end of the month, and Dana prepares to move into that role. A good church secretary is a blessing to the church and especially to those of us who are around the office regularly. Southwest has been blessed to have Paula in that position for nearly three decades, and we are looking forward to honoring her this Sunday.

I guess it doesn’t sound like much of a break, does it? Our spring break may be busy with work as usual, serving, traveling or relaxing. Whether we have the week off or spring break is a distant memory, let’s make the most of these opportunities to serve, go or rest.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  – Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

– Brian

Before the days of computer animation and incredible special effects, there was the TV show from the 1970’s, The Incredible Hulk. Instead of the computer generated Hulk we see in movies today, there was Bruce Banner (played by Bill Bixby). Due to an experiment gone wrong, his anger would trigger a change into the green, muscle-bound Hulk (played by Lou Ferrigno). When he knew things were heading that direction, he would warn people not to make him angry and say, “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” Sometimes his anger was triggered by an injustice. Often it was influenced by with the actions of others toward him. That’s what gets me angry sometimes too. I don’t enjoy being mistreated by others. What makes you angry?

In our class on Proverbs last Wednesday we discussed anger and recognized that there are good and bad kinds of anger. There is a selfish, unhealthy anger that often begins with being wronged, inconvenienced or frustrated. When we hang onto that anger, we say things we later regret and make poor choices. We do, however, have the ability to keep that anger under control. There is also an anger that is unselfish and righteous. It might be the result of an injustice we see happening to others. That anger can motivate us to bring light to the injustice and right the situation. That is the kind of anger we see Jesus display occasionally.

In Mark 11, we find the story that most people think of when it comes to the anger of Jesus. He encounters people selling and exchanging money in the temple courts, and he turns over their tables. There’s a big difference between his anger and the anger we deal with much of the time. His anger is about how God is being treated. His anger flows from a place of worship becoming a marketplace. The gospel is full of accounts of Jesus being misunderstood, mistreated and maligned. We don’t see anger as the response there; we instead see it here in the temple courts. He is far more patient with how He is treated than with the Father being disrespected. We can learn from His example. What makes you angry?

– Brian

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”   (Proverbs 29:11)