____________________________________________________ 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 8, 1992 ____________________________________________________ Three Score Years by Harry L. Lewis On September eleventh I reached a milestone in my life. That was my birthday, and I reached the big Six O! There has been a few people in the past who, I felt at the time, would have stopped the process of aging in my case if there had not been the possibility of being caught and tried for murder. I am thankful there were few of them, and they did not act upon the impulse. Is there a chance that after having reached this ripe old age of sixty that I can say some things about this life which a younger man would or could not? It is possible that I have just gotten older and not wiser, but I like to think something has been learned along the way. Wilma and I have three children and eight grandchildren and I would like to leave them something which would help them in dealing with the problems they will face from day to day in this life. Naturally I am worried about those I love. I would like to pass along a key which would insure them having the ``good life'' (John 10:10). I would like to show all the young people I know where the rocks are so they will not make shipwreck of their lives. Now I know many young people will say for me to bug off, but I did find some of the rocks along the way. Wouldn't you like to know where they are? Friends, the most important thing in life is getting the priorities straight. As Jesus said, there are some things which come first (Matthew 6:33). Do you want food to eat, shelter from the elements, clothes to wear, and some of the other good things which make physical life more pleasant? Most, if not all, of us do want these things in life. Jesus told us how to have these things, and there are literally hundreds of examples in your Bible of God giving these very things to people who followed Him. I am not sure just how far to go with this, but I do know there is a promise from God in this verse about everyday needs. Are you willing to do what Jesus says must be done in order to have the needs of life as well as the peace of mind (Philippians 4:7) which others do not understand? I am not teaching a get-rich gospel--gospel of ``feel good,'' nor anything connected with that way of thinking. I do, however, want you to understand what Jesus is promising you here; and I want you to take advantage of it. Look around you and enjoy living! The most important lesson to learn is to be satisfied with things the way they are, and strive to make them better. The apostle Paul learned this great lesson and I am just sure it stood him in good stead (Philippians 4:11-13). He was able to sing while in the inner prison in stocks (Acts 16:25). While facing shipwreck he was able to eat a meal in a very calm way (Acts 27:35). In Acts 26:26-28 we find Paul before King Agrippa. Does he plead for mercy and freedom? Does he plead and weep because of the unfair treatment he was receiving? Did he plead his innocence? No! He did not! He did, however, try to get all who heard him to realize that he was at peace in a sense which they did not even know about. Christians today may have this same outlook on life. Early Christians worked (Ephesians 4:28). They prayed (1 Thes. 5:17). Gave (1 Cor. 16:1ff). Assembled (Acts 20:7). As they did these things in service to God, He supplied all their needs. ___________________________________________ FLESH AND SPIRIT by Larry Ray Hafley Those who believe in the impossibility of apostasy argue that sins of the flesh, the outer man, do not affect the condition of the soul, the inner man. Hence, the inner, spiritual man, the soul, cannot be lost because of the deeds or sins performed by the flesh. A number of passages knock this idea in the creek (Matt. 15:18,19; 2 Cor. 7:1 Col. 3:5,6; Eph. 5:3-6; Rom. 8:12,13; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7,8). However, two are especially simple, useful and easy to be understood. ``Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul'' (1 Pet. 2:11). Sins of the flesh do affect the soul. They ``war against the soul.'' Further, in 2 Corinthians 5:10, the Spirit saith, ``For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that which he hath done, whether it be good or bad.'' Could language be plainer? How, then, can Calvinists argue that sins of the flesh do not jeopardize the destiny of the soul? ___________________________________________ JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS A lady invited friends to a mushroom and steak dinner. When the mushrooms were opened a slight scum was on top. Since the guests were expected soon, the lady suggested, ``Give the dog a little and if he eats it, it is probably all right.'' The dog liked it, and begged for more. So the dinner was completed and served. After the main course, the maid whispered to her employer, ``Ma'am, the dog is dead.'' There was only one thing to do. Some time later the guests were reclining after the use of the stomach pump. The lady asked the maid, ``Where is the dog now?'' ``Out on the front steps, ma'am, where he fell when the car hit him.'' Moral: Don't jump to false conclusions. -- Selected ___________________________________________ TOMORROW by Hollis Creel What a familiar word! What a dangerous word. "I will do this or that tomorrow.'' The tragedy of it all is that tomorrow never comes. If we don't do the things we should today, then today's things will never be done. Millions of opportunities to teach the lost will be missed because we say ``tomorrow.'' Many a child will never receive the attention he desperately needs, because we are prone to say ``tomorrow.'' Solomon said, ``Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth'' (Prov. 27:1). So uncertain is tomorrow that we dare not to trust our souls to it. If your soul is not right with the Lord, now is the time to do something about it. The apostle Paul said, ``I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation I have succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation'' (2 Cor. 6:2). Tomorrow may find me unable to do the things I should do today. I may not be alive tomorrow. James says, ``Come now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into the city and remain there a year and trade and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is a vapor, that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away. For ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this, or that'' (James 4:13-15). ___________________________________________ LET'S BE HONEST by Lawrence Kelly The fundamental question of true religion is honesty. One of the most important activities for the Christian to engage in is introspection. Before you do one more thing, carefully consider and answer the following questions: *** Are my religious convictions derived from the word of God? *** If what I presently believe is shown to be false, will I admit my error and receive the truth? *** Is my present condition one I am content to die in? If we fail the fundamental test of honesty, nothing else matters. ___________________________________________ A dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live fish to swim upstream (selected). ___________________________________________ "But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:30-34). ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________