____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ November 30, 2003 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) HIV and AIDS (Tom Edwards) 2) Homeward Bound (Gary Ogden) 3) Teens and Trust (David Johnson) ____________________________________________________ -1- HIV and AIDS by Tom Edwards A recent Associated Press article by Jane Wardell points out that there have been more infections and deaths in 2003 of HIV and AIDS than ever before. More than 3 million people died of it this year; and about 5 million more acquired HIV, making the total number of people who are now living with the virus to be between 34 million and 46 million, worldwide. Wardell shows that whereas this was once viewed as a male homosexual problem, it is now more typified by the young, African woman. For while Australia and New Zealand gained 1,000 newly infected with HIV this year; Western Europe, 40,000; North America, 54,000; North Africa and the Middle East, 67,000; the Caribbean, 80,000; South America, 180,000; East Asia (and Pacific), 270,000; Eastern Europe and Central Asia, 280,000; and South, South East Asia, 1.1 million; Sub-Saharan Africa, however, the leader in this epidemic, gained 3.4 million new cases for 2003, which gives that small part of the world a total of 26.6 million people who are now living with HIV. That area alone, therefore, has 58% to 78% of all the people in the world who are infected with this virus. Even as we knew before, but now much more so, another stereotype that we know is not true is the thinking that all who are infected with HIV or AIDS have incurred it due to their immorality or contaminated needles in illegal drug use. For how often has the faithful spouse been infected by his or her adulterous mate; or the drug-free partner been infected by his or her drug-using spouse; or the innocent babies contracting the virus through their mothers, who, in turn, might have also unknowingly contracted it through their husbands? But for those who would live a promiscuous lifestyle, engaging in immorality without any serious regard of the consequences, if the thought of contracting HIV or AIDS doesn't serve as a deterrent to you, how about 1 Corinthians 6:9,10? It states: "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators...nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals...shall inherit the kingdom of God." When people were talking of "safe sex" several years ago, I thought instead of this above passage. Immorality can never be made "safe." You can lose your soul for all eternity over it. This is not to say, however, that one who has transgressed God's law cannot be forgiven. For he can, if he will meet God's terms of pardon. As Paul went on to say to those Corinthians (to whom he mentioned other specific sins, as well, that would keep a person out of heaven), "And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God" (v. 11). Yes, they once were guilty of these very sins -- but not any more! They had repented, given their lives to Jesus Christ, and had been cleansed by His blood. The people of Corinth, in general, were some of the most immoral people in the world at that time. But through Jesus Christ, there was hope for them -- and there is hope for all. If one will simply turn from sin and turn to the Lord. May a cure be found -- and for which Christians should pray -- that HIV and AIDS can be eliminated from our world. Our hearts go out to those who have been innocently infected; and even to those who incurred this by their own wrongdoing, we pray not only for their healing, but also that it will bring them to humble repentance and the reception of God's mercy and grace that their souls will be saved in the great judgment day. For even more important than the healing of our bodies is the healing of our sin-sick souls that will perish eternally without Christ. Let us, therefore, not let that happen. For God has certainly gone to the extreme to make a way of salvation possible for every transgressor -- regardless of what kind of sin a person has committed or how many. So don't let His sacrifice become a vain thing in your life (cf. Heb. 10:26,27). Rather, let the power of it cleanse you of your every sin and make you a new creature in Christ as you fully yield yourself to the Lord by your faith and obedience to His word. For there is hope in Jesus -- and exceedingly much more than this world has to offer. And remember, too, that not even death can separate the faithful Christian from the love of God. (See Romans 8:31-39.) For it will eventually lead to the bliss of heaven itself, and that forevermore! Every person on this planet who has reached an age of accountability has messed up his or her life in one way or another, due to transgression (cf. Rom. 3:10, 23); but Jesus Christ can solve our problem of sin, if we will simply come to Him, meeting His conditions for our salvation. Whoever you are, why not humbly come to the Lord today (if you have not yet done so)? He will not turn you away. The Bible shows how we are to give ourselves to Christ. It is by our faith that comes through God's word (Rom. 10:17; Rom. 1:16), our repentance (Luke 13:5), our confession of faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38), our being baptized in water (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 6:3,4; 1 Pet. 3:21). And then, as a child of God, by our striving to remain in a harmonious relationship with the Lord by our faith and obedience (1 Jn. 1:7; Jn. 15:1-6; Rev. 2:10). HIV and AIDS are serious problems in our world today, but the problem of SIN is even greater -- for it can keep you separated from God for all eternity, whereas nothing else can. We must, therefore, each focus on the spiritual above the carnal, on the eternal above the temporary, on the Lord's will above our own will, and to be truly concerned with fully giving ourselves over to the Lord and living for Him daily that heaven will be our home in the great by-and-by, where our bodies will be as perfect as our relationships will be in that blissful abode that shall never cease. May the good Lord help each one of us to strive for that; and may He also meet whatever our particular needs are -- whether physical or especially spiritual. ____________________________________________________ -2- Homeward Bound by Gary Ogden "For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek the city which is to come. Through him let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Hebrews 13:14-16). Is it true that we have no abiding cities on this earth? Does history bear this out? Sodom and Gomorrah certainly were not abiding cities. Jerusalem exists today but it has been destroyed and rebuilt time and again. Babylon, one of the greatest and most magnificent cities of ancient times, is nothing but a rubbish heap. San Francisco was once completely demolished by an earthquake and Rome isn't really an "eternal city." Yes, God is right again; we have here no abiding city. We had better set our sights on another home, a heavenly city. Abraham, the father of the faithful, has led the way. "By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath foundations, whose builder and make is God" (Heb. 11:9-10). Abraham knew this world was not home, but that he was a pilgrim passing through. Until we recognize this truth, we will be longing for the wrong things. A characteristic of those who are seeking that heavenly city is the offering of sacrifices of praise to God continually (Heb. 13:15). Part and parcel of our existence upon earth is to worship. "True worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such doth the Father seek to be his worshipers" (John 4:23). Such worship is offered through Jesus Christ for "no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." God doesn't ask us to sacrifice animals as He demanded of the ancients, but "the fruit of lips which make confession to His name." In our sojourn we are to confess to others our belief in God and His Son. "Because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). Don't think of confession as a one-time act, but a continual sacrifice of praise. Seekers of that heavenly city would offer the fruit of their lips by singing the praises of God, Christ and Home. We are called to "make melody in our heart unto the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). How could someone who is Homeward Bound refuse to sing? "Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God!" Would not Homeward Bound people be a praying people? Prayer is depicted in the Bible as "incense" (Rev. 5:8). "Pray without ceasing" is not simply an easy verse to memorize, but it is a way of life for those looking above. How in this world are we going to make it to heaven without a constant prayer on our lips for help, guidance, strength, forgiveness? Teaching the word of God would certainly qualify as a sacrifice of praise. Not everyone has the ability to teach in a formal way, but each can find a way to influence others with truth. When a parent teaches his/her child about God and His ways, that's a sacrifice of praise. Not only are we to offer the "fruit of our lips" but those who are "looking for a city" have their mind set on "doing good and communicating" (Heb. 13:16). Doing good takes in a large territory and involves the active doing of all of God's will. To neglect to do good is sin (James 4:17). Our whole life should be spent in doing good and not evil. Evil is a sacrifice to the devil and too many are bowing down to that idol! "To communicate" is a specific kind of "good." It means to share our material means with those who are in need. "Charge them that are rich in this present world, that...they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed" (I Timothy 6:17-19). How easy it is to become self-centered as we rack up and stack up possessions. We can lose our perspective. We can lay up treasures in a place where we have no abiding city. It makes no sense. We forget to share, to sacrifice. Such failure, according to Jesus, bars our entrance into that eternal city (Matthew 25:41-46). Are you in love with this world, or is your true "affection on things above, where Christ is"? We don't need to get too comfortable down here. There's a better place awaiting, a heavenly city, prepared by God. He prepared it for people like Abraham, and like you and me. Abraham set his sights pretty high. Heaven's about as high as you can get! Do you remember where Home is? Are you praising? Are you sacrificing? Are you communicating? Are you Homeward Bound? -- Via Gardendale church of Christ bulletin ____________________________________________________ -3- Teens and Trust by David Johnson One of the most important things that you can have from your parents is their trust. When your parents trust you, you will find it is much easier to get permission to do all those things you want to do. But when they don't trust you -- you can just about forget it! You should do everything humanly possible to protect that trust. How? Let me give a couple of suggestions. First, be willing to answer their questions about who, where, and what concerning your activities. I know you think they are being nosey, but that's a parent's job. When you act like you don't want to answer or you resent their questions, they begin thinking you must be involved in something that is wrong. Their trust begins to waver. Secondly, be honest. If you tell them you are going to a ball game -- be there. If you say you got back from a school activity at 10:00 p.m. -- be sure it's true. If you say you're attending a special church service -- be there. When parents catch you in just ONE lie, it makes them very reluctant to trust you next time. Parents, unless your child has given you reason to believe otherwise, trust in them must be automatic. Teens, if you have your parents' trust, protect it at all costs. Your happiness may depend on it. -- Via Gospel Truth, February 11, 1996 ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________