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 Trust
Perhaps Mark would like for his readers to recognize a distinct difference between the Lord’s apostles and the sailors transporting Jonah to Tarshish
The past few months have been troubling for the people of God who are concerned about morality. Debates about transgenderism have led to cultural clashes around the country as states and their leaders make decisions that will impact younger, more vulnerable citizens. A recent leak from the Supreme Court on the hot button topic of abortion has reignited emotional responses so much so that fencing has been placed around the Supreme Court building, for fear of attack. Atrocities in a foreign war remain forefront in the news cycle and a reminder of how villainous humans can be to other humans. If one has a steady diet of news consumption, it can lead to hand-wringing worry about the state of the world. Yet, God says to live without anxiety: “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5b-7). How is this possible?
Yearly, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents “the Oscars” to celebrities and those associated with film making who are recognized as making a lasting contribution to the film industry. In recent years, the program has become little more than a self-congratulatory session, accentuated with political, social, and environmental stands. It is no surprise that the world has virtually turned off the Oscars as ratings in recent years have been in freefall. However, this year’s “slap heard ‘round the world” has revived interest in the failing awards ceremony. When comedian Chris Rock took aim at the wife of actor Will Smith, he did not expect what ensued. Coming to the stage, Smith demonstrated his offense to the joke by slapping the comedian. Since then, the media world, along with other segments of the population, has been abuzz in giving their take on the violent event.
2 Kings 5:1-14 tells us about one of the more well-known cases of healing in the Old Testament. This story tells of Naaman, who was healed of leprosy by God. In this article, we will discuss the story of Naaman and then draw some valuable lessons.
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.
Two weeks ago, the following challenge was given:
Beginning today and each day until Thanksgiving, write down five blessings you enjoy in your life and give thanks for these in your prayers. Secondly, commit yourself to make no complaint or grumbling at least until Thanksgiving dinner. This means no grumbling about traffic, bills, government actions, or the like. It won’t be easy; are you up to it?
Did you take the challenge? If so, how did you do? The first part was likely easy; we are a people rich with blessings from God both spiritually and physically. However, the second may have proved more difficult; many things occur throughout each day that can elicit complaints with little forethought. If a few days of complaint free living proves difficult, is it possible to develop a lifestyle that remains free of it? The answer to this question is yes; although, a great deal of self-control is essential.
Many think that David is the author of Psalm 27 and that he wrote it when he was fleeing from Saul. It has been called “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith.” It starts with David expressing great confidence in God (1-3). God is his light, salvation, and strength. He next speaks of his love for and communion with God (4-6) as the tone goes from celebration to contemplation. In the next section (7-12), the writer goes from contemplation to crying out and pleading to God in prayer. Finally, in the last part (13-14), he concludes by speaking of the power of faith and then advises and encourages others.
Abram was seventy-five years old when God spoke to him: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Seventy-five is certainly an odd age to be finally leaving home. Parents in our day and age get antsy when their children haven’t left by their twenties. Abram was called to leave his parents at seventy-five. The Hebrews author specifically mentions this incident as a demonstration of faith: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)
A word is a wonderful thing. Words are often aptly defined as vehicles of thought. Technically, they are a speech sound which has meaning attached to it. So strong is the word attached to the thing it represents that we cannot separate the two. Some have called words signs of ideas—and so they are. They represent something. They are not actually that thing, but they represent it so closely you cannot think of the thing without using the sign that represents it.
