New Video Series

Exciting News. As of today we have a new weekly video series, entitled "Faith Afield." In this series I will be discussing Bible topics in a 5-7 minutes video. I've included a link to our YouTube channel below. You can also view them on our Facebook page. Please share these videos with family and friends as they would be great conversation starters, or catalysts to form Bible studies around. These videos should be uploaded each week to our Facebook and YouTube accounts. Hope you enjoy them! Josh Robinson

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Take it for granted . . .

by Dan Curry

    There are certain things that we really do not think about very much.   When you get up in the morning you probably are not thinking that you are alive and breathing because that happens every day. You walk in bathroom and you flip a switch and the light comes on.  You turn the handle on the faucet and the water comes out.  You probably do not think about those things at all unless they do not work.  If for some reason the light does not come on then you wonder what happened or if the water did not come out like it was supposed to then you would think about it.  If you did not wake up, well, you would not have to think about that I suppose. 

    

But let’s do think about that for a moment.  When you woke up and did all that you normally do each morning; did you pause and thank God for the day?  One of my favorite verses in the book of Psalms is found in the 118^th chapter and verse 24: This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

   

    The true living God of heaven allowed this day to happen and everyone should be giving Him the praise, glory and thanksgiving for it.  Instead we seemingly rush around and take it for granted.  Maybe even saying that we will do some things tomorrow or even next week or next month and not realizing that those may not come for us.  One day this life will end and we should treat each day as a gift.  It has been said that it why it is called the “present”. 

    

    This is not something new or ground breaking but something that I do think about from time to time.  It should be on our minds constantly.  Remember the words of Jesus in Luke 12:16-21

And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.  "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'  "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.   'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'    "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'  "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

                                        

And in Matthew 6:33-34

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

    When we do take things for granted then we become complacent and when things go wrong we are upset.  Have a thankful attitude at all times giving the glory to God in Christ every day.

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Getting Away

by Dan Curry

   

   There is a good chance this summer that many of us will take some time away from our normal routine.  This is necessary sometimes to help us relax and unwind.  However, this should not include a break from worshipping God. 

   Some people will take a vacation and not plan on where to worship on Sunday or Wednesday evening.  One minister that I know told me that he went to Orlando, FL one year on vacation.  On Sunday morning he went to services at a local congregation.  He met some of the local Christians while there and the place was quite full of visitors.  That evening he returned for worship and one of the locals recognized and greeted him saying, “You must be a preacher or elder” The preacher asked, “Why do you say that?”  “They are the only ones who come for the evening service” was the reply. 

   How sad that Christians justify not attending worship just because they are not near their hometown congregation.   Attending worship for faithful Christians should be something that is the highlight of each and every week.  Not only when at home but also when away.  The opportunity to worship God should be sought after and cherished.  We only have so many Sundays in our lifetime; please do not waste them by not attending and praising the God of heaven.  Our heavenly Father loves us and desires for us to reciprocate that love in complete obedience to His will.  Not attending worship when you are able is willfully disobeying the Creator, the one who sent His Son to die for us in order that we might have the hope of Heaven.   

   Getting away from our normal routine is good to do, saying that worship is included in that is not.  Plan accordingly no matter where your destination happens to be.  Perhaps, you will make a friendship with a fellow Christian that will surprise you.  Obeying Christ shows that you are His friend.  There is no greater friend than Jesus Christ.  

Sitting by Sea Shore

This week as I've been sitting by the sea shore, behold God's glorious creation I've been reminded of Psalm 104

24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.

The ocean truly is great and wide, and many thing have the use of it. In fact the ocean (and that lies therein) is one of God's greatest works. After reflecting upon the sea, notice the psalmists words,

33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

As I sit upon the glorious coast that God created I will remember that , "This is the day that the Lords has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!"

The End

​The title may seem a little odd and it is. The idea for any article is to inform or to make one think a little. Hopefully, this one will do both.

When the end of something comes then it is understood that it is completed. Time, then, to move on to something different or a new challenge. Perhaps it will be something complementing the former challenge or a brand new one that pushes oneself to be even better than before.

Consider the following passage:

Romans 10:4

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.


Christ is the “end” of the law. This is an interesting choice of words here by the inspired Apostle Paul. When we think of Jesus, the word “end” may not be the first word that would be used to describe Him. Yet, in this context, it is exactly the precise word that was chosen and used to perfection. (For all of God’s word is perfect) Let us back up and read the previous verses with this one.

Romans 10:1-4

Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.


Paul was pleading with his Jewish brothers to accept the righteousness based on faith and not on the keeping of the Mosaical Law. He wanted them to believe in the Christ who put an end to that law. The word “end” can be used as a termination point or the idea of reaching a specified destination. These two thoughts are complementary to one another. Jesus said He came not to abolish but to fulfill the law. (Matthew 5:17) And the fulfillment meant that it was replaced by a new and better covenant. (Hebrews 9:15; 12:24)

Therefore, Jesus is the “end of the law” and all should come to believe that He is the living Son of God. Not seeking righteousness by any other means but only through Him. Jesus has promised to prepare a place for those who are faithful and return to reward those who obey the gospel and to punish those who do not. (John 14:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) Are you prepared for that? Have you ended your life of sin wanting to only live for God in Christ? The time to end old ways is ever decreasing. Please put on Christ in baptism and end a life of living for self and begin a life in the Lord Jesus Christ serving others. Do so before your life’s end.

--Dan Curry

Campaigning is Strafford, MO

This weekend several members from Arnold have made the trip to Strafford, MO to knock doors and help the congregation evangelize for their Gospel Meeting. We have spent the morning in the streets of the town, inviting folks to services and sharing the Gospel with the lost. We are looking forward to some great opportunities for fellowship this afternoon! If you're in the area please stop in a visit with these great Christians!!!

I want to be pleasing to . . .

Dan Curry

How would you complete the title sentence?  It would probably depend on when the statement was being made.  For example if one was at work then it might be that one’s boss’s name would be the completion, or perhaps a co-worker.  If one was at home then probably the spouse or, if a child was the one stating the sentence, one’s parents.  Many people may come to mind that would be appropriate to complete the sentence.

However, one could and should be completing and meaning the sentence by inserting “the Lord”.  When we are pleasing to God and His Son then we will be pleasing to everyone else in our lives.  God has long had the principle that by living righteously in His sight then all of one’s life would be complete and have great meaning.

Consider these passages from God’s Word

Deuteronomy 6:1-5

"Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

 "O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!  "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:24-25

"So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. “It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us.

Ephesians 6:1-3

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

Psalm 119:142

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

(all emphasis added- dc)

All of these scriptures point to pleasing God and desiring to live a righteous life in His sight.  When we are living our lives in this way then everyone benefits.  Live for God and strive to please Him in all things.

Planting in the Good Soil

This year the weather has been great for planting. The weather has been warm and the growing season has started. While planting the garden with the kids the other day I began thinking about the words of Christ. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Mat13:8.

We have many evangelism opportunities here at Arnold this year. This month we will conduct a campaign to Strafford,MO. Later we will knock doors for our gospel meeting and continue for our Arnold evangelism program. We also have campaigns to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Eaglevile, MO; and Dyersberg, Please pray for these events. That we might reach the lost and plant in the good soil and that the Lord may be glorified by our actions.

Lads Rundown

Over the weekend we tried to keep all our readers up to date as to the goings on at the Lads Convention. Here is a rundown of numbers and events.

15 Adult participants

16 Student participants

Arnold participated in 10 of the 37 events offered in the Lads to Leaders and Leaderettes program. Arnold had six participate in the Twenty-six non-competitive events and four of the eleven competitive events. While Arnold only participated in six of the non-competitive events; we are utilizing many of the materials used to earn an award (i.e. Headed to the Office, GARD, GIFTS, PERLS). The event participation breaks down as follows; the numbers represent the number of participants from Arnold. Click here to view the rule book in PDF

Non-Competitive Events

Good Samaritan – 4

Centurion of Scripture – 5

Parade of Winners – 3

Year Round Speech –3

Year Round Song -4

Know the Books – 3

Competitive Events

Bible Bowl – 20

Scrapbook – 2

Speech – 13

Song – 13

The Lads and Leaderettes from Arnold did a super job this past year and it showed at the Friday and Saturday night awards. While the Lads program is a yearlong tool used at Arnold; the Annual convention is a nice pat on the back of encouragement for all the hard work done over the past year. Thank you to all the students, parents, elders, deacons and the Christians at the Arnold church of Christ for supporting such an essential tool in the Kingdom.

Lads 2012 Saturday Morning

Just downed a hardy Lads breakfast of Hotel Room Coffee and Chips Ahoy Cookies. Headed off with the rest of the adults to a crack of dawn judges meeting. Let the games begin.

Live From Lads to Leaders Convention 2012 Indianapolis

The first day of Convention is coming to a close. We are sitting in the awards ceremony now and I could not be prouder of the Arnold Lads and Leaderettes. The Friday night awards are for events that primarily take place over the course of the year and are non-competitive. These events focus on honing leadership skills, gaining biblical knowledge and service. Our youth participated in Good Samaritan, Centurion of Scripture, Parade of Winners, Year Round Speech and Song, and Know the Books. Each of the events that Arnold participated in are some of the most challenging and time consuming that the Lads program offers.

Good Samaritan: The participants earns points by doing good works.

Centurion of Scripture: The participant can earn an award by memorizing one hundred scriptures in groups of ten, fifty or all one hundred at a time.

Parade of Winners: Reading through either the New or Old Testament in a year.

Year Round Speech: A minimum of six speeches are to be given no less then two times in a year for a minimum of eighteen times.

Year Round Song: A minimum of six songs lead at least three times for a minimum of eighteen times over a year.

Know the Books: A three level award raining from knowing all the books of the bible to being able to provide the theme of each book.

Much more to come tomorrow. Our kids are participating in Speech, Song Leading, and Bible Bowl.

What Are You Doing With Your Day?

by: Dan Curry

How many times do you feel like just staying in bed and relaxing or sleeping just a “few more minutes”? If you are honest probably more than you would like to admit to yourself or anyone else. This is a feeling that all of us have at one time or another. It is interesting that usually this is when it is a day when there is something that is a “have to do” thing. You know like work or school or some appointment that must be kept. Now if it is a day off and there is a “fun” thing scheduled there is no problem in jumping out of bed and getting ready and starting the day. Our perspective is completely and totally different. Seemingly mundane things however can also be changed to “fun” things if we have the proper perspective toward them.

Many times when it comes to our Christian responsibilities we develop this same attitude of “Do I have to?” Of course, this certainly should not be the case at all. We need to remember that a willingness to submit to God’s will also means that we must willingly be ready to DO His will. Not just when it fits into our schedule but every day.

Many passages come to mind but let us look at two of them. In the first one Jesus is about to heal a blind man in John chapter 9, notice verse 4:

John 9:4

"We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.

Some translations put it as “I must work” but the original language indicates “We” as more accurate. This denotes that not only was Jesus indicating that He needed to be doing the will of the Father as an opportunity arose but that His disciples must be doing the same thing. Neglecting that opportunity was not an option in His mind and neither should it be in the mind and hearts of His followers.

Does this mean that we cannot work or attend school? Certainly not, but what it does mean is found in Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Also we must remember the words found in James 4:17

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Neglecting one’s duty as a Christian is sin. Every Christian is to be an example to others around them. So whatever you are doing, whether at work, school or even during leisure time, a Christ-like attitude should be demonstrated. This is a process and although one should never expect perfection one should be striving for growth and improvement constantly. When you are “seeking first the kingdom” then it will be easier for you to shine your Christian light.

Make a commitment to yourself to not be neglectful. Do not avoid or put off studying God’s word. Surrounding yourself with fellow Christians as much as possible, both in attending worship as well as other functions and in your leisure time will only help. The more you have and develop close relationships with like minded people the easier it will be to have the right mindset.

Finally do not be neglectful in sharing your faith. Be ready to “make a defense” as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15. God loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Do not be guilty of procrastination in assuring your place in the Lamb’s book of life.

Jesus said that “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day. So what are you doing with your Day?

Shame: Suppress or Address

by: Dan Curry

When you were young and you did things that you knew would get you into trouble with your parents, what did you do? Try to hide it? Come right out and admit it? Most children hide it and hope they do not get caught. Or they think Mom and Dad will not find out. Maybe you even think that you got away with some things. You know, that one or two things they never found out about. But you know you did it and some part of you still feels the shame of going against their rules. At least to some degree, we felt bad that we had disobeyed them. Perhaps the fear of the punishment that would be had caused us to repress the feeling of shame, but it is there anyway.

Sin causes us to feel that same pang of guilt and shame, knowing that we have sinned against the loving all powerful all knowing God. This feeling should lead us to seek the forgiveness that He is able to give. Yet many times that feeling is suppressed. There is that feeling of “I can do what I want”. The allurement of the sin is greater than the desire to please God. James describes it like this in chapter one and verses 14 and 15:

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

When we give in to the lust or desires of the flesh it is displeasing to God. We may feel that pang of shame and then we have a decision to make. Do I suppress it or address it? This is a constant battle wanting to be pleasing to God and submit to His will, but giving in to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life that John writes about. (1 John 2:15-16) Paul explains this battle very well in Romans 7:15ff. We, too, have this battle raging in us.

But as Paul stated in verses 24 and 25, we can thank God that we can have forgiveness through Jesus Christ. When we address the issue of sin, then we can have forgiveness. God allows this wonderful blessing as Christians. After being baptized one has an avenue of pardon through recognizing the shame of sin and instead of suppressing the feeling, He gives us the ability to address it. Look again in 1 John 1:6-7

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

And again in chapter 2:1

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

Our righteous Savior knows our weaknesses and wants us to be forgiven and to walk in the Light. Knowing this, Christians can be assured that if our heart is right then we have a way of being forgiven those times and of those things that bring us shame. We will never keep things from nor should we think that anything is hidden from God. We know when we sin. Let us admit it and address it. Suppressing it only leads to more sin and separation from the God who loves us and sent His Son for us. Address never suppress.