Miami AZ Church of Christ

09/06/2020

AT HOME WITH GOD
John 14 is a wonderful chapter where Jesus exposes His heavenly connection and the Father. In verses 22-24, Jesus answers Judas and says something exceptional for Christians to know and hold dear -- Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.”
A person who obeys Jesus will know God and have the Lord live with him or her. A person who does not obey is equivalent to being one who does not love the Lord. All my life I have been around religious people who scoff at the truth of scripture and argue against nearly everything Jesus commands His followers to do.
We see this addressed another time in Matthew 7:21 -- “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven”.
Verses 22-23 directs -- Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Jesus therefore tells us there will be many who claim to have been religious during their lifetime but He will still say “Depart, I never knew you”.
There are many who want very much to be religious, but they simply do not like the instruction of the Lord and find ways not only to teach differently but to ridicule those who do.
Do you love Jesus? If you do, you don’t have to say it, it will show.
Tony Stafford

09/06/2020

BE SOMEONE’S MOSES
Last week Richard talked about how Moses was blessed to go up on the mountain to talk personally with God. When he returned his face was illuminated and he had to wear a veil or a mask because it frightened the people.
We remember Moses spent the first 40 years of his life as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Then he fled to the countryside and met a man, married his daughter and spent the next 40 years tending sheep. But God called him at 80 years old to go back to Egypt to tell Pharaoh “Thus saith the Lord, let my people go!”
If you remember, when the Israelites left Egypt they went almost directly to the border of the Promised Land, but they lacked faith to do as God said and sent in 12 spies to report on the land. Ten came back telling of great walled cities and even giants in the land, but two said God promised to give the property to them and they should go now. These two were Joshua and Caleb.
After the death of Moses, God spoke to Joshua and directed him to lead the people into the land. God gave Moses as an example of His faithfulness and providence. In Joshua 1:5 we read -- No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua had been Moses’ servant. He was intimately aware of his dealings with the Lord and how God had blessed his life and actions. This life example was convincing to Joshua that God would bless everything he did as long as he kept the law that Moses brought to the people.
Moses was an example. We should live our lives in such a way that our life could be used to exemplify the graciousness and blessing of serving the Lord. Be someone’s Moses!
Tony Stafford

07/18/2020

An Upright Heart
Many passages of scripture deal with the heart of a person’s emotions. We say we love someone with all our hearts or we give our hearts to a person. Then when things go wrong we say our heart is broken.Notice Psalm 119:7 -- I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.
When will the writer praise God with uprightness of heart? It will be when he learns of His righteous judgments. First, we have to learn the truth. But many are offended when we point out the truth. Jesus perceived the judgment of those standing close by when He told a sick man his sins were forgiven. They decided He was a blasphemer and were ever ready to condemn Him. But Jesus’ understanding of negative thoughts brings Him to respond in Matthew 9:4 -- But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Paul, understanding from the Holy Spirit that he would be taken to Rome and die there had set his resolve to follow the Lord no matter what. But those around him who were also getting prompts from the Spirit were begging him to stay where he was and not take the risk. He begs in Acts 21:13 -- Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart?For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
So then, to be a follower of Jesus we first
need to hear of God’s righteous judgments. We need to develop faith that will bring us to resolve to follow the Lord no matter the circumstance. We need to conclude that the Bible is right and everybody who contradicts it is wrong. Then we may praise God with uprightness of heart and joyful understanding. People will be angry but they are arguing with God, not with you. Individually, we have to decide I am going to follow Jesus!
Tony Stafford

07/03/2020

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Christians have a special responsibility concerning allegiance. This Fourth of July holiday reminds us to honor those who have fought and toiled and died in order that wemay enjoy this republic form of government. It is not a democracy. That was tried many times in the past. The founding fathers formed a republic government with a democratic vote. It has become known as the most desirable political structure in the world.
But there is more for the Christian. The Kingdom of Jesus came to be on Pentecost in Acts chapter two. Since then,Christians have citizenship in the kingdom of which Jesus is King! Philippians 3:20-21 reads -- For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait forthe Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body,according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Christians are under heavenly law, which is given in the New Testament. Jesus said in John 14:15 -- If you love Me, keep My commandments. We have a King who commands us as servants in His great Kingdom and the rewards are heavenly!
This means there are things a secular government may allow that a Christian still should not. People have approached me in my 46-year preaching career to goad me to work for one political campaign or another. I do vote, but my focus is on the church, which is the Kingdom of Christ, which is the government for followers of Christ.
I tend to say “What a blessing” when I think about such things. What a blessing that I and many of you were allowed to have citizenship in heaven where Christ now rules.
tony stafford

06/25/2020

MISSING OTHERS
They say you don’t miss your water until your well runs dry. Gathering with others has been away of life for most of us and we tend to take it for granted. We meet at restaurants, parks, movie theaters, ballgames, school events, and other places. Church is something many of us attend three times a week, but not now. I find that I miss my church family so much in this time of separation and fear of the virus.I miss the hugs and handshakes and verbal greetings and fellowship meals, and last but not least (actually first) worshiping together. The Lord’s Supper I a shared event as we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. Prayer and song are congregational events that are missing in our lives at this time. Now we have started meeting once a week: 10:00 AM FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOTKNOW AND WANT TO ATTEND. But still, we practice distancing and we don’t touch orshake hands or hug, even though we are in the same room. God directs us to worship on the first day of the week. Acts 20:7 reads -- Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Gathered to break bread means they came together to worship and have the Lord’s Supper together. Paul preached to them (I have missed preaching so much!) In this way they worshiped.The contribution is another way we participate together in worship. It is not something we do because the church has bills to pay. God can turn the rocks outside into money. We give so that we can be morelike our Father who has given us so much. I can’t wait for the time when we can takeoff the masks, hug and shake hands with each other, have a fellowship meal (Church folk are especially good cooks for some reason [or preachers just love a free meal]). Whatever the case: to my church family. I love you and miss you very much.
Tony Stafford

06/15/2020

So good to see about 18 or 19 this morning for worship!
I love you all!

06/14/2020

MIAMI CHURCH OF CHRIST will meet for worship at 10:00 AM, Sunday, June 14.
Safety measures will be maintained. Please comply.

05/31/2020

I have been very sick the last few days. Sorry I haven't posted. Starting radiation along with chemo this week. Not sure I can do it. Can't lie flat for radiation and have stomach contents come up in my throat at the same time. Will talk with them about it.

04/09/2020

We are sorry that we are unable to gather but pray the crisis will be over soon.
I have begun chemo for cancer treatment and ask your prayers.
The church in Miami is praying for our community and world. God bless, Tony Stafford.

03/26/2020

Cancer has not spread and is considered curable. Speech, swallowing and eating may never be the same but it looks like I may live. Thank you all for your prayers.
Tony Stafford

03/21/2020

Members:
The Mid Valley Church of Christ is also ceasing to hold services until April 5. They will broadcast a worship the next two Sundays at 10:00 MST if you want to participate.
https://www.facebook.com/midvalleychurchofchrist/

Sunday morning at 9:30 for Bible class, followed at 10:30 worship services.

03/21/2020

We will not have services for two weeks. Watch for future details.