Bandera church of Christ

09/06/2026

09/05/2026

Are We Scared?
Terry Phillips
I use the saying, as many others do, “Don’t be scared.” But are we? Many times, I believe we are scared to spread the gospel. We make excuses for why we can’t share it with our fellow man or woman. We sometimes sing the song “I’m Not Ashamed to Own My Lord,” but are we? FDR once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” “Fear not” or “don’t be afraid” appears 365 times in the Bible. So why do we need to be scared or afraid? Romans 8:31 says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We have no reason to be afraid to share the gospel. After all, they can’t take away your birthday for trying. It is set in stone once you are born. All they can do is reject you, but by doing so, they reject God. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 says, “He, therefore, who rejects this does not reject man but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” Luke 10:16 says, “He who hears you hears Me; he who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” We don’t need to stop trying when someone refuses to listen. Instead, we need to try even harder and not take it personally when they reject us. In Acts 26, Paul stood before King Agrippa, defending himself and sharing the gospel. King Agrippa told Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). Even a great preacher like Paul, who converted many people, was rejected by some. Jesus was rejected by His own people (John 1:11), and we know how that story goes; yet He was triumphant. Not everyone we encounter will be receptive to the gospel, but we can’t quit; we must press on. In an active shooter drill I attended, the instructor demonstrated how to evacuate a room. He said go to a person, and if they aren’t responding to you, then you move to the next person. As harsh as that sounds, it is true. You can’t focus all your time on one person and let everyone else perish. You have to move along to the next person who will respond. We must keep sharing, moving to the next person and praying that they will respond to the gospel. We should also pray for those who reject it, that someday they will open their eyes and hearts and receive the blessings of the gospel. We can’t be scared. 2 Timothy 1:8 says, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” We need to keep sharing the Good News, brothers and sisters.

09/01/2026

Our congregation collected stuffed animals and donated them to Bandera city Marshall's office, Bandera county EMS and Bandera county Sheriff's office. These stuffed animals will be used when These departments answer calls involving little children as a comfort in tough times. Thanks to everyone who donated these for this effort.

08/30/2026

Home
By Terry Phillips
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.” John 14:1–3. I’ve traveled all over the country. Johnny Cash and others sang an old song titled “I’ve Been Everywhere,” and it is spot on because I’ve been there. Each part of the country has its own beauty. Yes, even the deserts hold a beauty all their own. I believe that there is no better place to live than right here in the Texas Hill Country. The mountains are beautiful but not extremely high; the rivers are peaceful most of the time, and they are clear. It’s a great place to live and raise a family. However, there’s a much better home where I’m going—one that holds all to me. A place described in Revelation 21 as more precious than any rare jewels or stones we, as humans, can imagine—one that has no night. Matthew 6:19–21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we focus on stuff and junk and not on our spiritual lives, then our focus is on the treasures of earth. A couple of songs I love to sing are “This World Is Not My Home” and “When All God’s Singers Get Home.” The first song says, “I’m just a-passing through.” I’m only here for a short time, as James says our life is like a v***r. What a thought it is to be able to sing with all the saints in heaven; it gives me chills to think how beautiful that is going to be when we get home. As beautiful as our world is, it doesn’t hold a candle to our home that is waiting if we follow His commandments. Where is your treasure stored? My mom said that for many years, especially after my dad and sister passed away, and then my brother did also, that she was ready to GO HOME! Are you ready to go home? Think about it and make the plans now because tomorrow may be too late.

08/23/2026

This looks like a big mess. But its actually 39 stuffed animals to be donated to the local law enforcement and EMS for handling out to comfort little children on calls they answer. A huge thank you to all who donated to this.

08/22/2026

What’s Your Excuse?
Terry Phillips
This article may be direct in tone, but its purpose is to encourage honest reflection. Excuses are common to all of us, yet they often prevent us from doing what we know is right. The question we must each consider is this: what excuse are we allowing to stand in the way? There is, of course, a difference between excuses and legitimate reasons. At times, people truly do have serious reasons for being unable to do certain things. Moses himself raised concerns about returning to Egypt and leading the Israelites out of bo***ge (Exodus 3–4). Nevertheless, he obeyed God’s command and, through that obedience, accomplished great things. Recently, I watched a video of a preacher who has lived with severe cerebral palsy since birth. He noted, with good humor, that he could not even pronounce “Jesus” clearly, yet he was still standing before others and preaching the Gospel. His example is a powerful reminder of Philippians 4:13. His example caused me to reflect on the excuses I sometimes make for not serving or for not speaking to others about Jesus. It also reminded me to focus less on our own ability and more on making ourselves available. Matthew 28:19 instructs us to “go and teach.” While we may not all have the gifts of men such as Martin Smith, Charles Wilson, Mark Wilson, or other dedicated preachers, we each can communicate in some way. That ability is essential in sharing the Good News. In today’s world, there are many ways to communicate, and we should make faithful use of them. In Matthew 25:14, we find the parable of the talents. One servant was given five talents, another was given two, and another was given one. The servants with five and two talents used what they had been given and increased it, while the servant with one talent hid his. Each of us has been entrusted with some form of ability or opportunity. When the Master returns, what answer will we give? Even though many of us have work and other responsibilities, we can still make time when we are committed to serving. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). One of those commandments is to go and teach all nations (Matthew 28). There are many practical ways to do this: Bible correspondence courses, helping with young people’s classes, distributing Bible materials, making phone calls, sending cards, mailing the bulletin to someone who does not receive it, or giving a Bible and the plan of salvation to someone with whom we have contact. Isaiah 6:8 says, “Here I am; send me.” We should adopt that willing spirit, move beyond passive attendance, and seek meaningful service opportunities rather than being satisfied with attendance alone. We need to stop explaining why we cannot serve and begin prayerfully considering where we can help next. Let us cultivate a willing heart, make ourselves available, and serve without excuse.

08/21/2026

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