God's Love Is Amazing

10/24/2024

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

These verses, known as the Great Commission, are often misunderstood. Many focus on the word “Go!” and think it means we must embark on distant missionary journeys. But a more accurate interpretation might be, "as you are going"—in other words, wherever life takes you. You don’t have to travel to foreign lands to fulfill this command.

The heart of the Great Commission is about making disciples. How do we do that? By teaching, baptizing, and continuing to teach. A person cannot truly be a disciple of Jesus without learning His ways. And baptism is essential, symbolizing the forgiveness of sins and a new life in Christ.

So, are you teaching today? Are you helping others grow in faith? Are you leading someone to baptism?

10/23/2024

The Brevity and Inexhaustible Of God's Word

Our God is truly amazing. In just one brief chapter of Genesis, He tells the entire creation story. He then expands on the details in Chapter 2. In the English Bible, Genesis 1 contains about 803 words, yet in that short space, God describes the incredible work He accomplished in six days. It would take volumes upon volumes for humans to fully describe what God did during creation.

The New Testament is an extraordinary piece of literature. God chose to inspire men who spoke Koine Greek, a language with around 60,000 to 80,000 words. Remarkably, the writers of the New Testament used only about 5,400 unique words to convey the greatest message ever heard.

God’s Word is clear, concise, and direct, expressed in a way that even the simplest person can understand. There’s no reason anyone should feel they cannot grasp the Bible's powerful message. Even a slow reader, moving at about 150 words per minute, can read the entire New Testament in roughly 920 minutes, or 15 to 16 hours. An average reader can finish it in about 10 hours. If you dedicate just 35 minutes a day, you can complete the New Testament in 2 to 3 weeks.

What’s truly remarkable about the Bible is that it always feels new. Each time you read it, something fresh will capture your attention, speaking to your mind in a fresh way. You can never exhaust the depths and riches contained in the wonderful words of life. We should cultivate a habit of reading and studying God’s Word diligently.

As Psalm 119:105 reminds us: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." It secures our path, especially for the young (Psalm 119:9), and gives us wisdom so that we may not sin against God (Psalm 119:11).

Oh that we would read and meditate on this great work of our God.

Joseph Chase

10/16/2024

Isaiah 53 describes our Lord and Savior in vivid language. It will make you weep, knowing that Jesus came from heaven to be terribly treated for us.

Isaiah 53:2–6 (ESV)
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The verse names our Lord "Man of Sorrows" or some translations say "Man of Pain." There are 3 particular times that the Bible records the tears of Jesus, each identifying a beneficial asset for us.

The first was at the grave of His friend Lazarus (Jn 11:32-44). Jesus grief and empathy for His friends Martha and Mary reminds us that Jesus grieves with us. He knows what we are feeling in every grief stricken day we suffer. Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows (vs 4; Mt 26:37, 38).

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15–16 ESV).

The second record of the tears shed by Jesus is at Gethsemane (He 5:5-9, Mt 26:36-35; Lk 22:41-46). Our Lord was both God and man. His human self was touched with our grief. The frailty of human flesh causes us to grieve over death and even fret thinking of our own deaths. These tears of Jesus identify Him with us. He felt what we feel when faced with death, but His was a deeper grief, for He carried the weight of the whole world on His shoulders:
"upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed" (Is 53:4,5).

The last record of Jesus weeping is found in Luke 19:41-44, when His heart is wounded over the condition of the souls in Jerusalem. Jesus is crushed, knowing that people reject God to their own demise in eternity. He is heartbroken of the loss of even one soul. I wonder if we feel that kind of remorse over the lost in our family, neighborhood, country and world?

Jesus is our example of shedding tears in sympathy, in anguish over impending death, and over the lost people He died to save, and they would not heed. But we can turn Jesus' tears to rejoicing in to joy by turning our lives over to Him in repentance and obedience (Lk 15:7)

The haunting words of P.P. Bliss states the profound truth: "Man of sorrows what a name for the Son of God, who came ruined sinners to reclaim: Hallelujah, what a Savior!""

10/16/2024

Looking forward to Sunday. We will study Phoebe from Cenchreae. Please start inviting your friends and family to join us at North Loop Church of Christ at 9:30 Bible study and 10:30 Worship.

10/14/2024

10/10/2024

Oh That We Would Return to God and His Way!

It seems that the devil is making an impact on many people in this world. Wickedness is rampant throughout society. It seems there aren't enough hours in the day for some to commit all the evil they desire. Some people meticulously plan various forms of evil and even invent new ways to sin.

It is time for us to wake up, repent of our wickedness, and return to the principles of righteousness spelled out in Scripture.

Micah 2:1 (ESV)
"Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand."

Psalm 7:14–16 (ESV)
"Behold, the wicked man conceives evil, is pregnant with mischief, and gives birth to lies. 15 He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. 16 His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends."

Isaiah 32:7 (ESV)
"As for the scoundrel—his devices are evil; he plans wicked schemes to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right."

Even nationally, we are guilty of abandoning God and His holy precepts. The terrible laws that allow the taking of innocent lives of babies are a blight on us as a people. Sin is rampant in allowing same-sex marriage. We have even come to the point where it is legal in some places to surgically remove the breasts and outward sexual organs of children. Who would have dreamed that these things would happen openly and without shame?

There are other things that are grievous sins that we accept as normal and sinless. We have cheapened the family so much by granting easy, no-fault divorces, leaving children without both parents in the home. The very first institution that God ordained is the home. It was to have a male father and a female mother. The bonding of husband and wife is to last until death. It seems we are so hardened to this sin that we don't give a second thought to destroying what God has bound together.

Yes, we have truly abandoned the truth of God for the lies of the devil. Right has become wrong, and wrong has become right. Lying in every arena of life is so commonplace that we seem to naturally expect politicians to be liars.

Drinking and drugs are such common things that they are excused, and laws are made to allow the use of alcohol and, in some places ma*****na. It is even called recreational use.

There is a way to turn these things around. We need to move forward by going back to the Bible for instructions on how to live. The Lord can make the vilest sinner clean. His precepts will make our nation, community, home, and self wholesome and righteous once more.

10/10/2024

Keep Holding On!

Psalm 30:5 (ESV)
"For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

There is a blessed thought that Jesus gave to us. He promised His peace to us. He promised victory! Never forget, "Nothing can separate us from the Love of God that is found in Christ" (Ro 8:38-39)

I reminded of these words penned in a song by J.R. Baxter.

I hold to the hand of my Savior and friend,
He shields me from evil till dangers all end,
He'll take me to heaven, where voices now blend;
I hold to the hand of my Lord.

I hold to His hand when the storm clouds arise,
He speaks, and the shadows roll back from the skies,
'Tis wonderful glory for our human eyes;
I hold to the hand of my Lord.

I hold to the hand that is steadfast and sure,
No other foundation is ever secure,
I look for the home that will ever endure;
I hold to the hand of my Lord. [

Daily I hold to the scarred hand of my dear Lord, Savior and King,
Till I am safe in that glad home, angels of God praises now sing;
He leads me so gently where still waters flow
And tells me of heaven where I long to go.

Keep on holding on. Heaven is on the other side.

10/10/2024

You Are Not Alone

We have seen much suffering and loss over the past few weeks. It is truly heartbreaking to see those grieving over the loss of loved ones and their possessions. It also brings gratitude and joy to see the outpouring of so many fellow citizens from near and far away. I pray that some of these passages will bring a bit of comfort and fortitude to all who are hurting.

Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (ESV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

These verses remind us that we are not alone in our suffering, and there is hope and comfort to be found in God and His Word.

Let us also recall the Psalmist's words in Psalm 147:3 (ESV)
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

If there was ever a great example of leaning hard on the Lord during times of trials and heartache, it was the beloved apostle Paul. He penned these rich words...

Romans 8:38–39 (ESV)
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Though you may feel abandoned and forlorn, try to keep these wonderful words from God's holy Bible. Know that God is still a loving father and wants to have you in His family.

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

In Christian Love
Joseph Chase

10/05/2024

There Is A Balm In Gilead

The Bible contains some of the most beautiful and poetic lines ever composed. God used Jeremiah to pen these lovely words:

Jeremiah 8:20–22 (ESV)
20 “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” 21 For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?

These words are sad, but they are stunningly stated are these words. God has always loved mankind. He has always given them a guide or law to follow so they could avoid the calamity of His judgment. Our Lord is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2Pe 3:9). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (Jn 3:16). There are no truer words than these: God loves us and has done everything to win us back from a world of sin.

We are stubborn and irresponsible when we ignore the grace and mercy that God shows to us through His Word. Jeremiah says in 8:20 that God had exhausted all means to save his people, but they ignored Him, bringing God's justice against their sin. We ought to learn from Israel's mistakes. Today is the day of salvation. Now is the time to seek the Lord while He may be found!

To answer Jeremiah's question, "Is there no balm in Gilead?" Yes, and it has appeared unto all, bringing salvation for all people (Ti 2:11). Right now, that healing balm (Jesus) is available to each of us.

Why, then, has the health of all people been restored? Because not all have listened to or responded to God's merciful call through His Son.

If you are not saved, then why not? All things have been provided, except for your obedience to the call.

10/04/2024

One of the saddest thoughts in the Bible is that God reaches the end of His mercy and forbearance. It is seen in the prophecies of the prophet Amos. In the visions that Amos saw, we see the intention of God to destroy Judah by locust and fire. The prophet intervened on their behalf, and God relented. However, when God turns His edicts against Israel, there was no relenting. It was a sure thing that the king of Judah, the High Priest with his family, and all the nation would soon suffer the wrath of God's judgment. Jeroboam would die, Amaziah's wife would become a pr******te, and his children would waste away in a foreign land.

The terrifying words of Amos 4:12 came to fruition...
Amos 4:12 (ESV)
“Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

God's judgment befell them, and there was no more place for repentance on their part.

There is a needful lesson for each of us today in the words of the country prophet, Amos. God will judge all unrepentant people. Due to their stubbornness and hypocritical living and worship. Hear the true words of the psalmist.

Psalm 98:9 (ESV)
"... He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity."

More scary words have not been spoken than those of Hosea: "I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs; I will tear open their breast, and there I will devour them like a lion, as a wild beast would rip them open." Even the Lord Himself warned, "Unless you repent, you shall likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

Isn't it the greatest tragedy for mankind to be given the opportunity to turn to God, and they ignore it? Jeremiah put it in these words: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (Jer 8:20). The day of Judgment is coming, it will be sudden, and we must be ready to meet the Lord by repenting of our sins and surrendering our lives to Jesus in baptism to be raised to walk in newness of life!

Are you ready?

09/30/2024

Desolation in a Weary Land.

The Bible uses a word that isn't really used much in our world. That sad word is desolation. It refers to a state of emptiness, devastation, or ruin. It is often marked by abandonment, barrenness, and profound loneliness.

Israel found desolation during their captivity. Listen to the mournful words of Psalm 137

"By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres.
3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!
7 Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!”
8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!
9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!"

The younger prodigal son reached the point where his heart was desolate. He was broken, weary and hungry. It turned his heart toward home (Luke 15:11-32).

Elijah felt desolate because of no fault of his own. There are many today who are just like Elijah. Some weep like David when he was fleeing the homicidal Saul. So we learn that desolation comes many times from our own wandering from God. Other times, we become desolate because the devil launches his fiery darts at us.

I am reminded of the repentance of David when he cried out to the Lord, "Restore unto me the joy of your salvation" (Psalm 51:12). I am also reminded that for those who are abandoned in the world, the Lord is a God of great comfort.

Psalm 63:1–3 (ESV)
"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you."

07/05/2024

James Rowe penned this beautiful poem
Earthly pleasures vainly call me;
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me
I would be like Jesus

That in heaven He may meet me,
I would be like Jesus;
That His words “Well done” may greet me,
I would be like Jesus.

Be like Jesus - this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long,
I would be like Jesus.

There is no greater determination than to live like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul called for us to die to the flesh (Ro 8:13; Ga 5:19-21). Since we have put to death the deeds of the body, we should seek those things that are above where Christ is (Co 3:1).

Thomas O. Chisholm captures the idea in his song "A New Creature."

Buried with Christ, my blessed Redeemer,
Dead to the old life of folly and sin;
Satan may call, the world may entreat me,
There is no voice that answers within.

Dead to the world, to voices that call me,
Living anew, obedient but free;
Dead to the joys that once did enthrall me--
Yet 'tis not I, Christ liveth within.

Today, let's determine to leave the beggarly, temporary pleasures of this world. Let us make our goal to live like Jesus our Lord.