____________________________________________________ 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 13, 2005 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts? (Irvin Himmel) 2) Following a Submissive Savior (Steve Klein) 3) Is Silence Golden? (Roy Harris) 4) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts? by Irvin Himmel King David was seated between the two gates when the watchman on the wall announced the approach of a messenger. The king anxiously inquired of the messenger, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" Not telling of Absalom's condition, that messenger was asked to stand aside. Another runner was arriving from the battlefield, and David's first question to him was about the welfare of the young man: "Is the young man Absalom safe?" (2 Sam. 18:24-32). Fathers and mothers need to be concerned about the safety and welfare of their sons and daughters. Young people had better become concerned about themselves. No young person is safe unless he makes his heart secure. David's son had a rebellious heart. He had tried to take the kingdom away from his father. When David was anxiously asking about the young man's safety, Absalom was already dead. In the bitterness of grief David poured out his soul when he heard the tragic news: "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!" Some parents wait until it is too late to take an active interest in the spiritual and moral security of their children. Some young people, like David's son, develop a rebellious attitude. I hereby appeal to the young people who may read these lines -- I appeal to your good sense -- to think about how you may secure your hearts. Remember Your Creator Another son of David, a wise preacher, wrote these words: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1). A young person who remembers the Creator will do more than call to mind that there is God. That remembrance will be in the form of recognition that God as the Designer and Ruler of our being has absolute claims on us. To "remember" one's Creator is to surrender to His will. And there is no time when this can be done to better advantage than "in the days of thy youth." No person's heart is secure if he forgets God. To trust in the Lord is like having a strong shelter in time of storm. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Prov. 18:10). Young people can secure their hearts by remembering to serve God. Be Humble Pride and arrogance are disgusting. Never is haughtiness of spirit more repulsive than when displayed in youth. The young person who is really smart will not allow himself to be a smart aleck. Conceit closes doors of opportunity. A know-it-all is a real goof. Many sticky situations await the one who is stuck on himself. "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility" (Prov. 18:12). Young people, can you say with David, "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty" (Psa. 131:1)? Live By God's Word Solomon said, "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not" (Prov. 1:10). "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil" (Prov. 3:7). "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6). "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men" (Prov. 4:14). "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). Only when young people love God and are willing to fill their hearts with His word are they secure. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psa. 119:11). Think about the words of the well-known hymn in this connection. "How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin? Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean. "'Tis like the sun, a heav'nly light, That guides us all the day; And, thro' the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way. "Thy word is everlasting truth; How pure is every page! That holy book shall guide our youth, And well support our age." Keep the Heart Pure Paul admonished young Timothy, "Flee also youthful lusts" (2 Tim. 2:22). Under the heading of "youthful lusts" would come such things as unholy ambitions, love of power, desire for worldly honor, intemperance, stubbornness, sensuality, rashness, and vanity. Timothy's heart and life were to be such that older people would respect him. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers..." (1 Tim. 4:12). A pure heart is exemplified in pure speech and righteous conduct. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8). My young friend, a pure heart is a secure heart. Is your heart a pure heart? -- Via Truth Magazine XXII: 3, pp. 57-58, January 19, 1978 ____________________________________________________ -2- Following a Submissive Savior by Steve Klein The words submission, submit and subject found in our English Bibles are usually translated from a Greek word (hupotasso) which was "primarily a military term" and meant "to rank under" (Vine's Expository Dictionary). "Rank" refers to one's relative standing or position in a chain of command. Jesus indicated that the greatest faith He had ever found in a human being was the faith of a Roman soldier who understood the nature of military rank (Matthew 8:5-10). The soldier understood that those ranked under him had a duty to go, come and do as he instructed them. This is what submission is all about! The soldier's faith was great because he understood this principle and recognized how it applied to the rank and authority of the Lord Jesus. The apostle Peter has much to say about submission in his first epistle. He instructs Christians to "submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake" (1 Peter 2:13). "Servants be submissive to your masters..." (1 Peter 2:18). "Likewise, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands..." (1 Peter 3:1). "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5). The REASON given for being submissive [specifically for servants] is found in 1 Peter 2:21 which says, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." Followers of Christ are submissive because He was submissive! Christians submit to the laws of the land, servants submit to masters, wives submit to husbands, and young people submit to their elders because they are following the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus only said what His Father wanted Him to say (cf. John 7:16). He only did what His Father wanted Him to do. He did not seek to do His own will, but the will of the Father Who sent Him (John 5:30). Even in the face of a horrible death he prayed, "Not my will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42). He relinquished control of His life to the One ranked above Him. He submitted. We are not followers of Christ until and unless we give up control of our lives to those God has ranked above us, especially Christ Himself. He must be placed on the throne of our hearts, as the songs says... "My Jesus, as Thou Wilt! O may Thy will be mine; Into Thy hand of love I would my all resign. Through sorrow and through joy, conduct me as Thine own, And help me still to say, 'My Lord, Thy will be done.'" God help us to live the words of this Hymn each and every day. -- Via the Bulletin of the New Georgia Church of Christ, June 12, 2005 ____________________________________________________ -3- Is Silence Golden? by Roy Harris "Silence is golden." Yes that's the way It is when one has naught to say. But when a word can help the weak, It is more golden, then, to speak. When there's a story to be told Then silence is not quite like gold. When truth requires spokesman clear Then silence is not golden here. When someone wanders from the fold, Our silence is not good as gold. When we, in speaking, do God's will, More golden, then, not to be still. Incessant chatter is not good; But the art of speaking when we should, Words not too timid or too bold, Is precious, too, yea, more than gold. -- Via The Exhorter, December 1, 1996 ____________________________________________________ -4- News & Notes Here are some people for Christians to be praying for: * The family and friends of Arthur Miller Shuff (Luther's brother). He was 95 years old and went by the name A.M. Having lived most of his life in Chalmette (near New Orleans), he and many of his relatives had to relocate, due to Hurricane Katrina. (Though not confirmed, one source said this involved 83 Shuffs.) He passed away in Arkansas, where he had found refuge. He had 8 children (all of whom are still living); and had been 1 of 10 siblings, of whom 4 remain: Luther being the only brother, and three sisters. * Jim Nations was diagnosed with lung cancer several months ago and has been undergoing chemotherapy. His wife Nancy had a hip replacement a couple months ago, and will have another one in December. ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________