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Why We Study
Together
John 11
September 14, 2003
If
Jesus could raise the dead, why did He ask others to move the stone from
the tomb where Lazarus was buried?" Ever wonder about that? I
recall being in a Bible class many years ago when an older man gave his
answer. I expected to hear a standard answer like, “God
will only do for us what we cannot do for ourselves,” which would
have been appropriate. However, the man said: "He
wanted them to move the stone so they could smell death." I
thought to myself, "What a
great answer!" Indeed, moments before the stone was rolled
away, Martha cautioned Jesus: "Lord,
by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days"
(John 11:39). His insight never occurred to me. My view of this passage
was now richer than before. There were powerful benefits for those
standing by Lazarus' tomb. There would be no doubt in their minds about
a true miracle being performed.
That
Bible class experience confirmed a principle I've seen demonstrated many
times. When Christians come
together to seriously study God's word, they will almost always leave
with deeper understanding. That's what Hebrews 10:24 points
to:"And let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works." And when can
such "stirring" take
place? Read the next verse: "Not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of
some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).
Some dread the Bible class hour and look for a pass to get out of
the appointment. But those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
recognize the opportunity to be sharpened in their understanding of the
Lord's will. Come and study - and learn together!
[Doug Post]
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Count Them One by One
Perhaps we
have not counted
All our blessings one by one;
Perhaps we have not bothered
To remember whence they come;
And maybe we have taken
Just for granted all the things
That the good Lord has created
And the gifts that nature brings.
The autumn hills in glory robed,
A golden field of grain,
A sunset's dazzling splendor
Or the Milky Way's great plain,
The starry sky's sublimity,
The ocean's mighty power,
The wonder of creation
In the petal of a flower.
And so if we have failed to show
By word or act or deed
That we are thankful unto Him
Who fills our daily need,
May this day show we're grateful
When we add up all the sum
Of the blessings we remember,
As we count them one by one.
(Christiansburg Chronicle, Christiansburg, VA)
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Negative Thoughts
Dr.
Elinore Kinarthy says the average person has more than two
hundred negative thoughts a day—worries, jealousies,
insecurities,
cravings for forbidden things, etc. Depressed people have as
many as
six hundred. You can't eliminate all the troublesome things that
go
through your mind, but you can certainly determine which ones
will
stay there.
“Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things” (Phil 4:8). [Doug Post]
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Only
a Minute?
Doug
Post
By the time you finish reading this
article, 245 babies will arrive and 106 people will Die somewhere in
the world. This happens every minute of every day somewhere in the
world (World Vital Events, U.S. Census Bureau, September, 2003).
What
can you do in a minute?
You can pray to the Lord about a friend
who is lost. You can read a few verses of Scripture. You can count
your blessings. You can encourage a friend. You can write a short
note. You can make a brief phone call or send an email. You can
invite a friend to come to church. You can pray for others. You can
pray for your preachers and teachers. You can pray for your church
and petition the Lord on behalf of your brothers and sisters. You
can pray for your country and for people all over the world. You can
think about heaven and what it will be like one day. You can…
Once a minute has gone by, you cannot
retrieve it, no matter how badly you want to. Think a minute before
you say something you will regret. Count to 100 before you do a
hurtful act. Calm down a minute when you get angry. Walk away from
temptation for a minute.
What good is a minute? It can be worth a great deal if it is used to
do good for another. It can make a memory that will last a lifetime.
It can bring sunshine to the soul that will last all day. Use your
minutes and make the most of them (Eph.5:16).
Minutes make the day;
and when the day is done, how you have used your minutes will reveal
what you are doing with your life.
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