North End Church of Christ » Uncategorized

What Joshua Did Not Say

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:52:57 +0000

In his farewell address, Joshua stands before the representatives of all the tribes of Israel and tells them to make a decision. He says that they can either turn from God and serve idols, or they can turn to God and serve Him. Joshua told them what his decision was: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). The leaders who represented the nation of Israel agreed, saying, “God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods” (24:16). I am so thankful for Joshua and his dedication. I am also grateful for what Joshua did not say.
I’m thankful Joshua did not say, “My family will serve the Lord without me.”
Friends, so many wives and children serve God without fathers. Fathers should be the spiritual leaders of the home. Fathers have an obligation to their families and God to set the spiritual tone of the home. God give us faithful fathers!
I’m thankful Joshua did not say, “I will serve the Lord without my family.” Sadly, some fathers must serve the Lord on their own, because they have wives who refuse to follow their lead. Fathers must maintain their faithfulness, and one day they may win their families to Christ.
I’m thankful Joshua did not say, “My family and I will not serve the Lord.” Entire families will be lost eternally because they refuse to serve the Lord, I cannot help but think that greater punishment will come upon fathers who have the duty of leading the home in the way it should go. May God give us Christian homes!
Neil Richey, via House to House

TWELVE GUIDEPOSTS FOR LIVING

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 03:09:07 +0000

I will do more than belong — I will participate.
I will do more than care — I will help.
I will do more than believe — I will practice.
I will do more than forgive — I will forget.
I will do more than dream — I will work.
I will do more than teach — I will inspire.
I will do more than earn — I will enrich.
I will do more than give — I will serve.
I will do more than live — I will grow.
I will do more than be friendly — I will be a friend.
I will do more than be fair — I will be kind.
Bulletin Digest, 2009

GOD’S VERBS

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:56:55 +0000

Run:
We must run the Christian race, and run it until the end. Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24.
Sing:
We must sing praises to the Lord, and in doing so we are to teach and admonish one another. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.
Stand:
We must stand fast for the faith. Philippians 4:1; Ephesians 6:13; 1 Corinthians 16:13.
Rejoice:
We must always rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; 1 Peter 1:8.
Pray:
We must always pray, and when we pray we must pray for one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1; James 5:16.
Grow:
We have a responsibility to grow spiritually as children of God. 2 Peter 3:18.
Hear:
We must hear God’s Word and obey it. Revelation 2:7; 3:20; Matthew 17:5
Forgive:
We must always forgive one another. Luke 13:34; Ephesians 4:32.
Do:
We can do all things with the strength that Christ gives us. Philippians 4:13.
Love:
We have love, but our love should extend unto everyone. John 13:34-35; Matthew 22:37-39; 5:44.
via Saks church bulletin, Anniston, Alabama

WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:48:15 +0000

YOU CAN’T CONTROL the length of you life – but you can control its width and depth.
YOU CAN’T CONTROL the contour of your face – but you can control its expression.
YOU CAN’T CONTROL the weather – but you can control the atmosphere of your mind.
WHY WORRY about things you can’t control, when you can keep your-self busy controlling the things that depend on you?
Via the Jacksonville church of Christ bulletin

Finding Time for the Bible

admin — Sat, 29 May 2010 01:20:31 +0000

~ Put a Bible under your pillow to read each night before you go to sleep.
~ Wake up ten minutes earlier each morning.
~ Turn off the TV at 8:00 pm each evening and read to your children.
~ Read a few verses at mealtime when the family is together.
~ Talk less to have a few more minutes to read.
~ Keep a Bible in the kitchen, to read while waiting for food to cook or for water to
boil, or near the phone, to read while on hold.
~ Carry a Bible in your purse or pocket, to read while waiting in line for doctors or
when arriving early.
~ Take a Bible on trips and read on a plane or in a hotel.
Don’t just own a Bible — read it!
“Blessed is he that reads…” Revelation 1:3

Ten Steps Everyone Can Do To Reach Lost Friends

admin — Sat, 15 May 2010 03:25:39 +0000

By Phil Sanders
1. Prayerfully identify one to three people you know who are not Christians.
2. Pray for their salvation every day.
3. Be a blessing to your friends.
4. Invite each to a meal (no agenda), just to get better acquainted.
5. At an opportune time, ask each one for prayer requests. Check back.
6. Invite each one to outreach events, Bible class or church.
7. Be there for them when they need help.
8. Continue praying, and seek opportunities to expose them to the gospel.
9. Tell them why you became a Christian.
10.When they come to Christ, help them grow and become more in-volved.

Mothers of the Bible

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 02:30:27 +0000

In the book All the Women of the Bible we find this quote on page 338. “A mother is the Bible’s most honored woman, and great stress is laid upon the influence of mothers. The most significant phrase using the word “mother” is “and his mother was…” It appears twenty times in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles and underlines the importance attached to mothers of kings.”
The Bible has much to say about the importance of motherhood. “Like mother like daughter…” (Ezekiel 16:44). Leviticus 19:3 places the mother before the father in demanding honor for parents. The word “mother” appears in the Bible more than 300 times and mothers-in-law are referred to another 14 times. Mothers have played an important role in the lives of everyone who impacted the history of the earth in a positive manner.
None more than the mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. She treasured the things He said in her heart (Luke 2:51). She honored her Son by paying attention to Him. The mother of John the Baptist, Elizabeth, walked in the “…commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:6) The mother of James and John who asked for her sons to sit on Jesus’ right and left hand hoping for great things from her children (Matthew 20:20-23). Many great mothers have helped shape the world and especially the Lord’s church.
Mothers teach us patience and love. They show us work ethic and playfulness. They heal our wounds with a single kiss and show us how to love with absolute bliss. Mothers show sacrifice and devotion daily. Without the guiding influence of a loving mother many a man sailing life’s troublesome seas would be lost and run aground on the perilous shoals of despair and exasperation. Mothers are indeed one of God’s greatest creations.

Steven Haguewood

Christ’s Sacrifice

admin — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:48:47 +0000

He climbed the hill at Calvary
And stumbled on the way.
The cross was very heavy
But no grumbling did He say.
He heard the masses jeering,
Shouting time and time again,
But He showed such compassion
And great love for all of them.
Disciples were in the crowd that day,
So silent and discreet.
They watched them as they pounded
Nails into his hands and feet.
And as He died upon that cross
They were allowed to see
A love so great that wiped out sin
And set the whole world free.
The choice is ours to follow Him
Or turn and disobey.
Christ’s sacrifice will only help
The ones who choose His way.

By Louise Thompson, via Bulletin Digest

THE ART OF MARRIAGE

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:01:11 +0000

It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values and a common objective.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation.
It is demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person,
It is being the right partner.
Via, The Bulletin Digest, 2010

A Recipe For Happiness

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:01:40 +0000

Happiness is something we create in our mind,
It’s not something you search for and so seldom find.
It’s just waking up and beginning the day
By counting blessings and kneeling to pray.
It’s giving up thoughts that breed discontent
And accepting what comes as “heaven sent”.
It’s giving up wishing for things we have not
And making the best of whatever we’ve got.
It’s knowing that the future is secure for us,
And pursuing our tasks without fret or fuss.
For it’s by completing what God gives us to do
That we find contentment and happiness too.

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
Philippians 4:11