____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ July 12, 1992 ____________________________________________________ "It's Hard When You're Just Passing Through" On our little trip just completed, we had some trouble with the van--we didn't have any heat. In trying to locate the source of our trouble, I had a hard time finding someone willing to look at my problem because, ``I was just passing through.'' When I did find a man kind enough to work on the heater (or something going to it) I found out that one or two parts needed to be replaced. At the parts store the lady would not take my check (I really didn't expect her to), because I was from out of town and, you guessed it, ``just passing through!'' As I stood there watching the man put my van back together and wondering why I hadn't thought of checking the heater before I left home, a couple of thoughts came to mind. 1. In reality we are all just ``passing through.'' Regardless of who you are or where you live, you are a stranger to most people. The only real friends that you can count on that really know you and love you are God and Christ. The only REAL home that matters is in Heaven. Life is but a short journey. Are you preparing every day of your life to go HOME? (Psalms 90:1-10) 2. The second lesson was so clear that I almost missed it! Before I could feel too sorry for myself, I began to think of those with no heat in their houses or no houses to heat, or little or no food to eat. It wasn't long before I was ashamed of myself for thinking I had problems. I learned again to count my blessings instead of my very small problems. I am glad in a way that my heater broke because it offered me a chance to think about life and its blessings. I hope that you will learn these lessons and have your life made a little better because of such thinking. If so, every shiver was worth it! -- From The Reminder ___________________________________________ Are God's Blessings For Sale? by Lloyd Barker Search the Bible through and one never finds God's miracles or blessings ``For Sale.'' Why are people so gullible today? The religious racketeers place a price tag on help from God. Reasonable people are utterly sickened by the radio and TV programs asking for money FIRST and then God will send healing or a blessing. During the Dark Ages, the Roman Catholic Church charged for the right to sin -- called an indulgence. They have been ridiculed for such. Today many preachers charge one to get out of sin or affliction. Is God so stingy that He must be paid to bless? Certainly not. People who want money first before helping an individual are not working for God. They are working for themselves and their system. Religion is becoming more and more a laughing stock to the world. How will we ever convert the lost with such begging in the name of God? Look at Acts 8:5-24. Simon was converted and soon offered money to the apostles to be able to lay hands on others and impart the Holy Spirit (vs. 18-19). He was rebuked for even thinking such. Today preachers sell the promised blessings of God. They give false promises because miraculous gifts have ceased. Read 1 Cor. 13:8-10. But in the first century, the apostles never let money and miracles mix. Who should we believe now? ___________________________________________ Things To Guard Against by John Berlin For those who served in the Middle East conflict ``Guard Duty'' was nothing unusual. There are some things we need to ``Guard'' against when talking to others. ``Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles'' (Prov. 21:23). Guard against... 1. Words of Guile -- ``Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile'' (Prov. 34:13). To speak guile is to utter words of deceit. It is said of Jesus that he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth (1 Peter 2:22). We are taught in God's word to lay aside ``all guile'' and ``all evil speakings'' (1 Peter 2:1). 2. Rash Utterances -- First thoughts are not always the best thoughts. ``Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon the earth; therefore let thy words be few'' (Ecc. 5:2). The fellow who speaks rashly may have a lot of indigestion caused by his having to eat his own words! 3. Spouting of Slander -- ``Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off'' (Psa. 101:5). ``He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool'' (Proverbs 10:18). Paul warned against backbitings and whisperings (2 Cor. 12:20). Slander slaughters! Carnal weapons have slain thousands, but tongues have slain ten thousands. 4. Filthy Conversation -- ``Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers'' (Eph. 4:29). Some punctuate their speech with profanity and pollute it with vulgarity. With the mouth they spew forth so much filth and garbage that they are odious to others. The flavor of their speech is about like the odor of a garbage dump on a hot summer day. 5. Untimely Words -- Blessed is the man who knows when to speak his mind and when to mind his speech! A ``word fitly spoken'' is not an untimely word (Psa. 25:11). 6. Harsh Criticism -- Some never show any charity when they begin criticizing others. One should be careful of what he says, ``for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter'' (Ecc. 10:20). How often have harsh and unjust criticisms returned like a boomerang. One's tongue may be so sharp that he cuts his own throat with it! No one can place a sentinel over one's mouth and tongue but the person himself. This means ``Guard Duty'' every day. Speech control is important. ___________________________________________ "but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). "And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men...." (Eph. 3:4,5). ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________