Church of Christ in Caribou

12/23/2024

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
— Romans 12:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
While misery may love company, grief can lead many of us to withdraw and hide. So, let's remember those who have lost loved ones, especially this time of year. Let them know how you value and miss their loved ones, too. As you talk about their loved ones, please mention them by name. Don't feel like you need to explain the why behind their death or give advice to the grieving — remember, Job's counselors were a blessing until they started talking, trying to defend God and explain why Job was suffering. Love serves, encourages, and waits; so, serve, encourage, and wait. Do it with both the grieving and the rejoicing people in your fellowship. Make this a season of true joy and comfort. Affirm their grief while sharing their laughs and rejoicing with them in their good surprises. They need to know it is ok to have moments of joy in their sadness. Also, dear friend in Jesus, make sure you are around people full of joy and rejoice with them, too! It's hard to serve if you don't rejoice.

My Prayer...
Holy God and comforting Father, please give us eyes to see and hearts to offer loving care to those around us who are grieving. During this special time of year, please use us to bless those in sorrow and help us as we join those who are rejoicing. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our source of comfort and joy. Amen.

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07/21/2022

SIX LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES TO LEARN FROM AN EAGLE. 🦅 per World Bible School page

1. Eagles fly Alone and at High Altitudes - They don't fly with sparrows, ravens, and other small birds.

MEANING - Stay away from narrow-minded people, those that bring you down. Eagle flies with Eagles. Keep good company.

2. Eagles have an Accurate Vision - They have the ability to focus on something as far as 5km away. No matter the obstacles, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it.

MEANING - Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacles and you will succeed.

3. Eagles do not Eat Dead things - They Feed only on Fresh Prey.

MEANING - Do not rely on your past success, keep looking for new frontiers to conquer. Leave your past where it belongs, in the past.

4. Eagles Love the Storm - When clouds gather, the eagle gets excited, the eagle uses the storm's wind to lift itself higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, the eagle uses the raging storm to lift itself above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime, all the other birds hide in the branches and leaves of the tree.

MEANING - Face your challenges head on knowing that these will make you emerge stronger and better than you were. We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers are not afraid to rise to greater heights. Achievers are not afraid of challenges, rather they relish them and use them profitably.

5. Eagles Prepare for Training - They remove the feathers and soft grass in the nest so that the young ones get uncomfortable in preparation for flying and eventually flies/ when it becomes unbearable to stay in the nest.

MEANING - Leave your Comfort Zone, there is No Growth there.

6. When the Eagle Grows Old - His feathers becomes weak and cannot take him as fast and as high as it should. This makes him weak and could make him die. So he retires to a place far away in the mountains. While there, he plucks out the weak feather.

06/29/2022

DEAR PREACHER

"The lawyer is working,
The lecturer is working,
The journalist is working,
The Doctor is Working
The Pharmacist is Working
The Pilot is Working
But many think the PREACHER is playing and needs a real JOB.

You think everyone else in every other profession is really busy, but when it's a preacher, you say 'go and look for a job'.
Well done!

We applaud professions that don't offer real value to people but think less of those who do.

Footballers earn far more than doctors,
Comedians earn far more than teachers,
Most preachers earn very little or nothing.
And you think that's fine?

How has Messi helped your life or given you a new hope for living?

How has Basketmouth saved your marriage or helped deliver you from addiction?

But preachers are involved daily, bearing the brunts of helping people live a better life and yet when we see them own few things we behave as though they don't deserve anything.

In case you don't know, being a preacher is one of the most demanding and sacrificial work I know on earth.

I am a preacher. I have been a Preacher for the past 12 years now.

Who else is supposed to answer such a question? Its always the preacher. Yet in the midst of that, we bring courage and restore hope.

But when it comes to a preacher having money, people will frown and wag their tongue against it. And yet the economy is not different for preachers o!

Everyone else cries but when a preacher does, he has no faith.

Everyone can bring their problems to preacher but no one asks if preacher has eaten, he should tell it to God.

Everyone else can be forgiven when they make a mistake, but preachers' mistakes are unforgivable. ('And he calls himself a preacher' is always the line)

Everyone can be rich but not preachers, else the society will begin to talk.

You will read headlines, "members are poor but preacher is rich" but you won't ever hear of or read when "members are rich and their preacher is poor".

You think it doesn't happen?

I have seen a church where many members have big cars but they all drive home without anyone offering to drop preacher and his family home first, not to talk of buying him a car.

Do you know that majority of preachers are actually struggling financially, taking multiple jobs and even menial ones to survive?

But they won't tell you, especially the ones who probably deserve it more.

See let me tell you, if you see a preacher doing different jobs while in ministry, let your heart be moved favourably toward them and treat them honourably especially your preacher.

They're sacrificing a lot.

Instead of you quoting scriptures to teach that preachers should work (as if pastoring is not hard work), it should be your desire to be able to care for them to the point where they won't have to do other jobs to survive.

Don't join the bandwagons of those who dislike preachers and do all they can to defame them

God Bless Every Preacher in the Lord's vineyard.

06/29/2022

POST by Dave Hart

Getting Ready to Become A Christian

Topic(s): Christian Life

This is the story of a little girl about nine years old. We will call her Marcy. Her parents had taken her to Bible school and worship services since she was born. Marcy loved to hear stories about God and Jesus, and more than anything she wanted to obey Jesus.

She had seen many people baptized. Now, she was wondering when she could be baptized.

One night her father was reading the Bible to her and she asked him when she could be baptized. Her father explained that in God’s family there are little people and big people. Little people are those who are not old enough to know about sin, and are “safe” in God’s love.

The big people are the ones who are old enough to know and understand about right and wrong and have been baptized for forgiveness of sin. For now, this answered Marcy’s question.

But the next day, Marcy began wondering if there was anything little people could do to show their love to Jesus. So she went right to her mother to ask about it. “Of course, Marcy, there are many things you can do.”

“Let me remind you of the things you are doing.”

1. When you go to Bible class every Sunday and Wednesday night, you show Jesus that you would rather be there learning about Him than anywhere in the world. And your friends can see that you put Jesus first in your life.

2. When we give your allowance to you, you always put some back to give to God on Sunday. God knows you love Him when you give your money.

3. Remember when you first invited Timmy to go to Bible class? He knew you loved Jesus and that you were concerned about him loving Jesus, too. That is why he started going with you every Sunday.

4. You always show respect and obedience to the policeman. When we obey the laws of the land, we are obeying Jesus.

5. And, when little Janet was sick you took her flowers. Jesus knew you loved Him because you are concerned about others.

6. And, when Mrs. Brown needed someone to run an errand, why do you think she asked you? She knew you are kind and helpful like Jesus wants you to be.

7. Your school teacher tells us that you are quick to obey her, that you are kind, and always say “please” and “thank you”. She knows that you are getting ready to be a Christian.

8. Marcy, when you play with your friends, you always take turns. This is the reason you have so many friends. They know you share the way Jesus taught us to. So, they enjoy playing with you.

Now, little Marcy was so pleased and happy. She was sure she could do many things to show Jesus she loved Him and desired to always obey Him. Until she was old enough to be baptized, she would just keep on getting ready.

To become a Christian, we need to study and read the Bible (2 Tim.
2:15),

believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Heb. 11:6),

repent of our sins (Acts 2:38),

confess our faith in Jesus (Rm. 10:9,
10),

be baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38).

Jesus used little children as examples of what people must be like to go to Heaven.

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 18:3).

06/29/2022

One of the big lies Christians believe right now is that it’s better to be right than to be loving. It’s not. You can have all the knowledge in the world. You can stand on the right side of every issue. But if you don’t love and respect your neighbor, you have nothing. Nothing. God cares how we treat people, not where we land on moral issues.

06/29/2022

Truth is not based on emotion or circumstances or experience or love. Truth is truth because it has been so since before the beginning of time, because it reflects the personality and image of our Creator. Truth doesn't change. Truth may be hard to accept, but Truth will set you free.

06/27/2022

Years ago we were kinder. Everybody looked out for one another. We need to go back to that. It takes us all. We gotta do better at looking out for each other instead of breaking each other down. I'm going to make a bet, that out of my family and friends, less than 4 will take the time to put this on their wall.
💚Who Are My four💚

06/26/2022

Keeping the Backbone in the church of Christ
Backbone defined: the spine; firmness; moral courage. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity” (1 Cor. 16:13-14). “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Eph. 6:10). Boy in college spoke of one who lacked backbone, as like a “jellyfish”! 2 Tim.2:1.
1. Is it the case that many preachers, elders, leaders, members, and congregations today lack backbone?
2. It takes “backbone” and courage to oppose the wrong and stand for the right—Jude 3; Phil. 1:17; Rom. 1:16.
I. “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber” (Isaiah 56:10).
A. Isaiah the prophet is here describing those who had been appointed to look out for the people of God to warn them and instruct them for their own spiritual welfare and safety. Like a careless watchman, they didn’t warn the people of impending danger, but they had failed to do this. There were many prophets who were not true to their duty!
B. They were “blind” and could not or did not see the spiritual danger coming—Mat. 23:16; 13:13-16; Isa. 6:9-10).
C. There were ignorant of their own choosing. They lacked the knowledge of God’s word—Hos. 4:6; Mat. 22:29. Like many today who neglect the study of God’s word and the hearing of it—Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15.
D. They were like “dumb dogs” who cannot bark! What good is a watch dog who cannot bark. The were silent when it came to sounding the alarm and warning of danger! We need to be warned of wolves, Acts 20:29-31; Mt.7:15ff.
E. They were lazy, slothful, indolent, & irresponsible. They loved “to slumber”, like many today, who need to wake up (1 Cor. 15:34; Eph. 5:14). Be: “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Rom. 12:11).
F. God is with the lowly and contrite. We need to awaken this spirit in the church today, so that we might arise and obey God and please Him: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isa. 57:15; cf. Jas. 4:6-10; 1 Pet. 5:5-6; Mat. 23:11-12).

II. Symptoms of Lacking Courage and Backbone.
A. “Winking” at sin; Failing to Rebuke, Expose, Condemn: Sin generally; False Doctrine, Immorality, Worldliness-1 Jn.2:15; Error on Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage (Mat. 19:4-6); the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:17); the organization of the church (Heb. 13:17; 8:5; 2 Tim. 1:13); Immodesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10); other works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).
B. Lacking the backbone to rebuke, to show people their sins—1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Eph. 5:11. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1). “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezek. 3:17). Paul was not afraid to do this (Acts 20:28-32)!
C. Not wanting to hear warning or negative preaching. Isaiah faced this problem in his day: “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” (Isa. 30:9-10).
D. They don’t want preaching on “hell,” yet, Jesus warned about this many times (Mt. 10:28; 25:41; Mk. 9:43-48).
E. “Efforts are being made to change our style of preaching, remodel the gospel, and modernize the church” (brother Leroy Brownlow). Ideas such as: “We need less negative preaching and more positive preaching.” “We need more motivational sermons and less doctrinal sermons, etc.” “We need less Scripture and more stories and illustrations.”
F. The use of faulty modern versions, such as the NIV; Denigration of the older accurate versions, such as the KJV.
We must have Bibles where “the words…which the Holy Ghost teacheth” are translated accurately into our vernacular (cf. 1 Cor.2:13). After all: “the sword of the Spirit” is the “word of God” (Eph. 6:17).
G. Being ashamed of Christ’s Name, His word, and the church of Christ (Luke 9:26; Rom. 1:16; Eph.5:23-25).
H. They want philosophy (Col. 2:8). Yet, Paul declared that we need the preaching of the cross not worldly wisdom (1 Cor. 1:18-25). “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Cor. 3:19). They say: “We do not need so much book, chapter, and verse preaching”!
I. Withdrawing from the disorderly is seldom if ever practiced among many brethren (2 Thes. 3:6, 14, 15; 1 Cor.5:1-13) nor the marking of false teachers and heretics—Rom.16:17-18; 2 Tim. 3:5; 1 Tim.6:3-5; Tit. 3:10-11.
J. Many oppose calling the name of false religious groups or individuals, although Jesus did (Mt.16:6; 23:2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29; Rev. 2:6, 15). Paul did (1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:17, 18; 3:8; 4:10, 14-15; Tit. 1:12).

III. What Will Be The Consequences of Taking the Backbone out of the church of Christ?
A. The ear-ticklers, people-pleasers, compromisers, and false teachers will have a platform—"1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:1-4).
B. Evil leaven will infect and take over the whole lump, destroying souls (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9).
C. The spirit of compromise, liberalism, doing what the people like rather than what God says will pervade the church! Rather than obeying God over men (Acts 5:29), the church will obey man over God. They will not be obedient to the soul-saving word of God anymore (John 14:15; James 1:21-22; Prov. 14:12; 16:25).
D. Those congregations who drift away from the Lord and His word will eventually have their candlestick removed and will no longer be the Lord’s church (Rev. 2:4-5). They no longer be distinguishable from denominations—Mat. 15:9, 13, 14. Precious souls will be lost and the Cause of Christ will cease in many places, as many depart from the faith—"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” (1 Tim. 4:1).
E. Those who have cried for so long: “We are tired of hearing about sound doctrine, warning against denominations, being different from the world, standing in the old paths, and condemning sin,” will have their way. Although the Scriptures declare plainly that we must: abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9); speak sound doctrine & follow it (1 Tim.1:10; Tit. 2:1); & follow the plan and pattern of God’s word: “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).
Conclusion: Let us keep the backbone in the church of Christ and preach as the oracles of God’s word and do only that which Christ authorizes (1 Pet. 4:11; Mat. 28:18-20; Col. 3:15-17). To be saved: Hear the word of God, Believe the word of God, Repent, Confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Be Baptized (Acts 18:8; 2:38; 8:32-39). Be Faithful: Tit. 2:11-12; Rev. 2:10; Mat. 7:21. To be Restored: Repent, Confess sin, and Pray—Acts 8:22; Jas. 5:16; 1 John 1:9.
Danny Douglas

06/25/2022

WILL THE CHURCH BE TRUE TO THE TRUTH?

Will the church take the responsibility to preach and teach the truth that it abrogated in the past to the government? God is without question providing the church the opportunity to repent and teach the truth. This is a rare moment in history. Preach the whole counsel of God.

06/25/2022

"As long as man is allowed to play host he will honor God with his attention, but always He must remain a guest and never seek to be Lord." - A. W. Tozer, on the pride of humanity

06/25/2022

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them."

Psalms 139:13‭-‬16

06/23/2022

🐦STORY TIME FOR KIDS🐦

Fable: DON'T ARGUE WITH DONKEYS

The donkey said to the tiger:
- "The grass is blue".

The tiger replied:
- "No, the grass is green."

The discussion heated up, and the two decided to submit him to arbitration, and for this they went before the lion, the King of the Jungle.

Already before reaching the forest clearing, where the lion was sitting on his throne, the donkey began to shout:
- "His Highness, is it true that the grass is blue?".

The lion replied:
- "True, the grass is blue."

The donkey hurried and continued:
- "The tiger disagrees with me and contradicts and annoys me, please punish him."

The king then declared:
- "The tiger will be punished with 5 years of silence."

The donkey jumped cheerfully and went on his way, content and repeating:
- "The Grass Is Blue"...

The tiger accepted his punishment, but before he asked the lion:
- "Your Majesty, why have you punished me?, after all, the grass is green."

The lion replied:
- "In fact, the grass is green."

The tiger asked:
- "So why are you punishing me?".

The lion replied:
- "That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is not possible for a brave and intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with a donkey, and on top of that come and bother me with that question."

The worst waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who does not care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions. Never waste time on arguments that don't make sense... There are people who, no matter how much evidence and evidence we present to them, are not in the capacity to understand, and others are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and all they want is to be right even if they are not.

When ignorance screams, intelligence is silent. Your peace and quiet are worth more.

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