The Gooch Lane church of Christ is a group of people in Madison, Alabama seeking to study the Bible and put God’s teachings into practice. We’d love to have you join us for Bible study and worship.
All in Endurance
Without endurance, Christians “draw back to perdition” (Heb 10:38-39). Being burdened and ensnared in sin, they cease to run their race (Heb 12:1).
Can you see yourself in this story? We have a lot in common with Rick. We are the helpless sons.
There seemed to have been an undertone of jealousy within this challenge. The once heavenly being now sought to cause the fall of the Son of God himself.
Though it is a day just like the other 364, the first day of the year is a time of both optimism and planning; it is a time that leads most to think about what the future may hold. This is an especially important exercise for children of God.
As commemorations take place and multitudes of words are spoken about these tragedies, it provides a good opportunity to be reminded of the spiritual lessons that can still be gained two decades later.
Why did God send so many prophets to the Northern Kingdom which did not obey him? Because God loved them. Because a physician goes to those who are sick. Because a good shepherd knows which sheep are his.
I often think of the hymn that has the line: “This world is not my home, I’m just a’passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” It and other similar sentiments can be helpful to us. It is especially helpful to me when I find I become too attached to this world. I have this bad habit of following politics. Politics has this tendency to make you angry, and if it doesn’t make you angry, it makes you depressed. It is helpful to be reminded in those times that the troubles of this world are temporary (and politics is often the most temporary of problems). The reminder that there is a permanent home of joy awaiting us can be of extreme comfort.
The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy and happiness in the year. Unfortunately, depression often can strike hardest this time of year, as well. And tragedies don’t automatically put on hold just because it’s supposed to be a “joyous time of year.” Dealing with the sadness and tragedies of life is difficult any time of the year, but perhaps even more pronounced during a festive season.
“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30)
