------------
The
Gospel Observer --------------------
July 7, 2019 --------------------
"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,
NASB). --------------------
Contents:
1) "Try a Little Tenderness" (Larry Ray Hafley)
2) The Governor Called (Frank Himmel)
3) News & Notes --------------------
-1-
"Try a Little Tenderness"
Larry Ray Hafley
A radio station in Chicago used to play soft, gentle music. Their
motto was the title of this theme. It is good advice. "Gentleness"
is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). "And be ye kind one to
another, tenderhearted" (Eph. 4:32). "Comfort the feebleminded
(faint), support the weak, be patient toward all men" (1 Thess.
5:14). "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness (gentle tenderness), humbleness of mind,
meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one
another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ
forgave you, so also do ye" (Col. 3:12,13). We are to walk the way
of life "with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:2,3).
The yoke of Christ is "easy," or kind (Matt. 11:30). Paul spoke of
"the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1), and we are to
walk "even as he walked" (1 Jn. 2:6). Hence, let us "try a little
tenderness."
In The Home
Have you listened - really listened - to yourself as you talk to
your mate and your children? It is easy to develop a snapping turtle
response. Ever been around a frisky, feisty little dog that just
wants to bark when you are around? Pressures, problems, "every day
stress and strain," can lead us to sharp, biting replies to our
loved ones. It can become a habit. Everywhere, but especially in the
home, "try a little tenderness." If a soft answer turneth away wrath
(Prov. 15:1), what does a harsh answer do?
The wonderful woman in Proverbs 31 possesses many valuable virtues,
but none is greater than the fact that "in her tongue is the law of
kindness" (v. 26). Gentle kindness fills her heart, adorns her
countenance and flows from her tongue. It is the material with which
man would create an angel if he could.
One's tongue can become a razor, a sword, a club (Psa. 52:2; 57:4;
Prov. 12:19). It can cut and hew and dismember a loved one. Some
children and marriage companions have never been physically beaten,
but they have suffered daily the harsh brutality of a demeaning,
belittling tongue. The victims of a malicious mouth would gladly
trade their broken hearts for black eyes and broken bones. At least
broken bones will heal.
Family members are bonded in bliss by blessed words of affection,
praise and thanks. Husbands and wives should speak words of
appreciation and approval to one another.
Children need criticism and condemnation at times, but they also
need sweet and loving words of commendation and encouraging
exhortation. All of you, mother, father, children, listen to
yourselves speak to one another. Is your conversation filled with
negative, derogatory, cutting, complaining, whining words? Is your
voice sharp, caustic, full of sarcasm and irritation? If so, you
have our prayers, and your family has our sympathy.
Among Brethren
"Pleasant words," the Bible says, "are sweet to the soul and healing
to the bones" (Prov. 16:24, NASB). "The sweetness of the lips
increaseth learning" (Prov. 16:21). In other words, one will listen
to you more readily.
Would you gloat at a funeral? Certainly, you would not, but do we
gloat and glory over a fallen brother? Do we appear to be glad when
one is overtaken in a fault, or do we seek to "restore such an one
in the spirit of meekness" (Gal. 6:1)? "Rejoice not when thine enemy
falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth" (Prov.
24:17). You may feign sorrow over the fall of another, but the Lord
God knows your heart (Heb. 4:13).
There is a time and place for sharp rebukes and verbal slaps in the
face (Tit. 1:9-13; Gal. 2:11-14; 2 Cor. 13:10). It is not possible
to wink at sin, smile at error and grin all the time (Mk. 3:5).
Occasionally, whips must be fashioned and used, and seats and
moneychanger's tables must be overturned and their occupants cast
out. It is not pleasant. Some object to it, except when they turn
their oral guns on those who will do it. Then, they castigate the
castigators and verbally thrash those who have the faith to do what
must be done; namely, reprove, rebuke and exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine. But enough on that.
The other side is that there is a large amount of time and a great
deal of space for one to "try a little tenderness." "And the Lord's
bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to
teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who
are in opposition" (2 Tim. 2:24,25, NASB). "By long forbearing is a
prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone" (Prov.
25:15). One's kindness builds his influence, his ability to reach
others (Prov. 19:22). With patient goodness, one can alter the
adamant will of a prince. Soft, tender words will break a bone,
i.e., they will melt the heart of stone. Sweet, kind words will open
an arrogant mind so that it will be amenable to reflection and
instruction.
Yes, deal with men and sin firmly, even sharply, when the situation
warrants, but let us have grace and use it that our words may be
seasoned with salt in order to answer every man properly and
appropriately in the fear of God (Jude 22,23).
How many erring, wavering, wandering, fearful, sinful souls are
driven to despair and banished to ruin because no one could find a
word of brotherly kindness with which to plead? Truly, "death and
life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21). Is my tongue an
executioner's sword, poised to behead any who become weary and
faint, fail and fall? If so, may God help me to see it and remove my
cursing and replace it with blessing. Or is my tongue a salve to
wounds, bruises and putrefying sores, an ointment for the broken
spirit, a balm for the wounded heart, a cleansing, soothing agent
for the dirty hands of the defeated victims of sin? If so, may
God bless me to use wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming
the time, restoring the fallen.
In this critical hour of pain and suffering, in this era of
heartache caused by sin, it is time to show a little kindness, to
exercise a little patience and to "try a little tenderness."
— Via Guardian of Truth XXXII: 24, pp. 748-749, December 15,
1988 --------------------
-2-
The Governor Called
Frank Himmel
I received a phone call from the Governor a few weeks ago. Well,
sort of. It was the Governor’s voice, but it was actually a
recording. You see, it was election eve and he wanted my vote. I
suspect many others got the same call.
The Governor had never called me before. He never asked my counsel
on any issue he faced. He never expressed concern about how I felt
about any matter. He never thanked me for being a law-abiding,
tax-paying citizen of the State.
Even in this call the conversation was one-sided. I had no
opportunity to respond. I was not allowed to make any suggestions.
The Governor called only when he wanted something, and he gave me no
indication of interest in a personal relationship beyond that.
Of course, I understand the situation. I do not expect more from a
head of state. It just got me to thinking about another means of
communication: prayer.
How often does God hear from me? Is it only when I need something?
Am I disposed to do all the talking instead of listening to His
word? How interested am I in His perspective? Am I thankful? Might I
leave the impression that, despite the contact, I have little
interest in a personal relationship with Him? Think about it.
-- Via The Beacon, June 30, 2019 --------------------
-3-
News & Notes
It was almost three years ago when the Baton Rouge area suffered
great flooding -- especially in Livingston Parish, its bordering
neighbor, where an estimated 75% of the homes were a "total loss."
Statewide, 146,000 homes and thousands of businesses were damaged by
that storm.
It is now tropical storm Barry that probably has many people, who
will be in its path, thinking with great concern of what it will
bring, and hoping and praying it will not be a repeat of
2016.
As of 3 p.m. today, more than a 100,000 homes in Louisiana were
without power.
R.J. Evans, who preaches for the Southside church of Christ in
Gonzales, about 25 miles south of Baton Rogue, posted the following
today:
Due to the storm, Barry, the elders have decided to cancel worship
services tomorrow [July 14]. We are in the high risk flood
zone with the possibility of 11" to 21" of rain. The river and bayou
levels will possibly reach record highs. If so, there is the
potential of this becoming similar to "The Great Flood of 2016." We
pray that the storm does not become as bad as some of these
predictions. We pray for everyone's safety, and that there will be a
minimal amount of property loss. Let us pray for one another. May
God bless us during this difficult time. Love, R.J.
During that “Great Flood of 2016,” there were 14
families from the Southside congregation whose homes were
flooded.Let us
pray that that won’t happen again — and pray for all who are
in the path of the storm.
*****
We express our condolences to the family and friends of Mildred
Ann Hagen of Bloomfield, Kentucky, who passed away July 4 at
the age of 91. She had long been a member of the Willisburg
church of Christ.
Let us also continue to keep the following in our prayers: Ronnie
& Melotine Davis, Shirley Davis, A.J. and Pat Joyner, Jim
Lively, Bud Montero,
Jan & Danielle Bartlett, Rick Cuthbertson, Deborah Medlock,
Mary Vandevander, Nancy Pinckard, Mary Martin, Waylon Murray,
Michelle Rittenhouse, John Stoval, Amris Bedford, Danny Hutcheson,
Rex & Frankie Hadley, and Roger Montgomery
The
Steps That
Lead to
Eternal
Salvation
1)
Hearthe
gospel, for
that is how
faith comes
(Rom. 10:17;
John
20:30-31).
2) Believein
the deity of
Christ (John
8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repentof
sins (Luke
13:5; Acts
17:30).
4) Confess
faithin
Christ (Rom.
10:9-10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptizedin
water for the
remission of
sins (Mark
16:16; Acts
2:38; 22:16;
Rom. 6:3-4;
Gal. 3:26-27;
1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in
the faith,living
for the Lord;
for, if not,
salvation can
be lost (Heb.
10:36-39; Rev.
2:10; 2 Pet.
2:20-22). --------------------
Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501