Tucumcari Church of Christ

09/30/2025

04/08/2022

Logo

Jump Start # 3063

1 Corinthians 9:18 “What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel.”

Our verse today describes Paul’s special relationship with the Corinthians. By his own choice he had decided to preach to them voluntarily. He was not being paid a wage by the Corinthians, although he understood, and even explained within this setting, that he had the right to be paid. He would say, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing. God is not concerned about oxen, is He?” And, a few sentences later, “If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” Also, “...the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”

These principles show that a preacher can be paid by a church. There is no shame in that. The preacher shouldn’t have to feel like a beggar. Taking care of your preacher is an honor and a privilege for a church. Most preachers are paid a good salary. They should be. They work long, long hours preaching and teaching. However, we often forget that with so many of these preachers, their paycheck doesn’t not include health insurance, social security or any type of retirement. As long as the preacher is preaching, he does ok. Far, far too many preachers get advanced in age and have nothing. We could point our fingers at the preacher for poor money management, or we could look at the church and wonder why they did not consider the future for the one who has worked so hard for them. If all you received as a paycheck and nothing else, how would most of you fare?

Right before our verse, the apostle declared, “For I do this voluntarily…” Paul was not being paid by the Corinthians. He could rightly say, “I offer the gospel without charge.”

But what if the opposite were true? What if Paul charged for the Gospel? When we go out to eat, the bill always comes at the end. When we go to a ballgame or a concert, there is a price of the ticket that we must pay before we can get in.

· If the church sold tickets, few would come. Many already have a funny feeling about TV rich preachers who jet around in private planes and that would only solidify what they suspected, the church is in it for the money. And, not just any money, but, your money.

· If the church sold tickets, many would think that they didn’t get a good deal for what they had to pay. The Gospel was taken freely into all the world. It was to be preached in every land to every person. Not every person could afford the price, if the church charged people to hear a sermon.

· If the church sold tickets there would be a subtle shift from the integrity of the message, to mass marketing and promotional campaigns to draw more people and sell more tickets. Money talks.

The church isn’t in the business of selling the gospel. We travel down unpaved roads when we start thinking this way. The church isn’t a business and it doesn’t conduct itself like a business and it doesn’t look like a business. It’s the body of Jesus Christ. It’s a spiritual organization designed to prepare people for Heaven.

I especially like the expression, “I may offer the gospel without charge.” I knew an attorney, he has since passed away, who milked his clients for everything. A two sentence email to the attorney would generate a bill for over $100. A five minute phone call, and a bill from his office would come in the mail. He charged for everything and anything. He must have thought he was worth it. I didn’t. I found someone else to talk to.

We must keep the Spirit of Jesus before us, who when asked, went. He was never troubled, bothered nor upset to be interrupted, to be asked questions and never did He ask for payment. There are some costs connected to putting these Jump Starts out. But as long as I am alive, the audience, you readers will never be charged. NEVER. There is a cost connected to printing and mailing out our Jump Start books. There are now twenty-six books. But these costs will never be passed on to you readers. NEVER. I want to offer the Gospel for free.

These days, some are charging for special lectureships, get-a-ways, podcasts and other things. I’m sure there are costs involved that they need to recover the money that they have invested to conduct these things. But in charging, some cannot afford and therefore cannot receive the information that is being made available. By charging, some are left wondering, where is the money going? By charging, is the Gospel free anymore?

The important thing is to get the message of Jesus Christ out to as many people as possible. I offer the gospel without charge...

Sure is something to think about.

Roger


Charlestownroadcoc.org
Facebook ‌ Twitter ‌ Pinterest ‌
Charlestown Road Church of Christ
4601 Charlestown Road
New Albany, IN 47150
Unsubscribe [email protected]
Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent by [email protected]
powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.
Try email marketing for free today!

New Albany, Indiana

03/27/2022

Logo

Jump Start # 3054

2 Corinthians 12:7 “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself.”

Paul has been on the top of the mountain. God allowed him to see the third heaven or Paradise as some translations express it. Paul saw what very few others have ever seen. We have dreamed about it. We sing hymns about Heaven. We hold the hope of Heaven very dear to our hearts. While there, and he wasn’t sure if it was a vision, or if he really went there, he heard things. We can only imagine. We’d sure wish to know what he heard. Paul states that he cannot repeat what he heard. It was unlawful for him to tell what he heard. John’s vision of Revelation, takes a peek behind the door in Heaven. He saw the throne room and God upon the throne.

But from the mountain top, Paul descends into the depths of a deep valley. He was given a thorn in the flesh. He understood that this thorn was to keep him humble. It was intended to keep him from exalting himself. Writers for centuries have tried to put their finger on what this “thorn in the flesh” was. Some have suggested poor eye sight. Others have named just about every ailment known to mankind. Some do not think it was physical, but something emotional or mental. Lots of ideas. Tons of guesses.

Paul understood three things about the thorn in the flesh. He knew it was given to him on purpose. Second, he knew that it was connected with the devil. He called this thorn a “messenger of Satan.” Third, he understood that it was to torment him. There was a designed purpose for this thorn. The suffering was to keep Paul from exalting. It was to keep his head from swelling, his feet on the ground and his attitude humble.

Notice what Paul did with this:

First, he wasn’t angry with God about it. He didn’t stop his preaching because of this. He didn’t quit. We do well to remember this. Trials and troubles have a way of making some give up on God. If every day is not sunny and going the way they want it to go, they back away from God. Fair weather Christians is a good description of such a faith and attitude. I’ll be at the church house as long as things are going well. Toss a thorn my way and I’m likely to toss in the towel on God. Not Paul.

Second, he prayed for God to remove it. Whatever his thorn was, it must have been very unpleasant. Paul did as we know we ought to, pray to God. Paul prayed several times about this. God can do all things.

Third, he accepted the fact that he had to live with the thorn. God was not going to remove the thorn. Did Paul have this thorn the rest of his life? How difficult was it to live with this thorn? We have many questions but very few answers. Paul understood that the grace of God was enough. God’s grace is what would get him through. The thorn was staying. And, with that thorn Paul was going to continue to serve the Lord.

Fourth, Paul understood that when he is weak, God can make him strong. His strength wasn’t in his work out routine, eating right, getting plenty of sleep, but in what the Lord could do for him. His strength came from his faith. The stronger the faith, the more he could endure what Satan threw at him.

From the mountain to the valley. Seeing Heaven to living with a messenger of Satan. Exalted to humbled.

Now there are all sorts of thoughts that spin off of these passages:

First, if God was concerned about Paul being too proud or exalted because he saw Heaven, why did He show it to him at all? There are questions we do not know the answers to. Some have reasoned that when Paul was taken outside a village and stoned, that he actually died. His spirit went to God. But God brought him back. Could be, but mountains of speculation there.

Second, it seems that God was using Satan to bring about a positive place for Paul. Satan would love for Paul to be exalted. He would love for Paul to brag, strut, and tell others about how special he was because of what God showed him. Satan wouldn’t want Paul to remain humble. This messenger of Satan was guided by God to accomplish what the Lord wanted. We remember that God allowed Satan to attack Job. Satan was the instrument, but God was aware of it and allowed it. God using Satan is hard for us to grasp.

Third, it seems that this thorn did just what God wanted. We do not read about Paul describing what he saw. He do not hear Paul thinking that he was more special than others because of what God showed him. The thorn worked. It kept Paul from exalting.

We must wonder if God would and does the same today? Has God allowed some curve balls in your life to keep you close to Him? Rather than smooth sails, maybe you’ve traveled through some treacherous waters. But as you have traveled through those rough waves, you have remained close and strong in the Lord. Maybe that’s just what God wanted to happen to you.

Mountains and valleys—and in both of those moments, we see God. God’s hand is there.

Roger


Charlestownroadcoc.org
Facebook ‌ Twitter ‌ Pinterest ‌
Charlestown Road Church of Christ
4601 Charlestown Road
New Albany, IN 47150
Unsubscribe [email protected]
Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent by [email protected]
powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.
Try email marketing for free today!

New Albany, Indiana

03/25/2022

Logo

Jump Start # 3053

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

The other day I was looking for something on my shelves and ran across a book that someone had given me some time ago. It was a compilation of sermons by six physical brothers. The book is called, “Sermons we like to preach,” by the Andrew brothers. They were all siblings and all six of them preached. There is about ten sermon outlines by each of these Andrew boys. What caught my eye to this book was the title, “Sermons we like to preach.”

More than once, when I have been asked to preach at another place, I have been told, “Just bring your favorite sermon.” Sermons we like to preach—let’s put some thought to that.

First, often the sermons I like, few others do. I find something in the Scriptures and become passionate about preaching it and it just seems to hang in the air. Other times, often because of a packed schedule, I put something rather simple together and people will leave saying, “It’s the best you’ve ever done.” In my mind, it’s not even close to the best. Preachers have sermons they like. I wonder if Paul had some that he liked? I wonder if the sermon on the mount was the Lord’s favorite sermon?

Second, the value of a sermon should not be measured by how many people rave about it, but rather how much good it accomplishes. Did that sermon make people think? Did it lead them to change? Did it bring them closer to the Lord? When Peter preached that Pentecost sermon in Acts 2, the people were pierced in the heart. That doesn’t sound like a good feeling. When Stephen preached Acts 7, the people were cut to the quick. The success of sermons is not in smiles, laughter or entertaining a crowd. That’s not the function of a sermon. Sermons are to put us before the Cross. The sinfulness of our ways is not something that we are proud about. Being lost and alienated from God is not a good place to be. The warnings of Scriptures may make us upset, even mad. But the mercy and grace of our God ought to melt away any pride that we have and open our eyes to how much we need Jesus.

The nature of “out of season,” means simply that, “it’s not in.” Where I live, a person cannot get a fresh, locally grown garden tomato in January. Won’t happen. They are out of season. And, out of season sermons may not be our favorites. They may be controversial, hard to listen to, and calls upon us to change. But, it is those sermons that can do the most good for us. We can’t preach always about Heaven. If we did, some would never know that there is a Hell. We can’t always preach about the love of God. If we did, some would never know about the wrath of God. Preaching just what we want or like can make our theology lopsided and unbalanced. The opposite of these things is just as true. If we always preach about the wrath of God, some may get the impression that God doesn’t like us.

In season and out of season. There will be sermons I like and sermons I don’t like. There will be sermons that knock the shine off my shoes and sermons that will warm my heart. Gotta have both of them. We need both kinds. We need to preach about the Authority of Scriptures, as well as raising kids, and cultural differences, and character studies, and worship, and Jesus, and church and on and on.

Third, as one preaches to an audience, some will be helped and some won’t. It’s not uncommon for two people hearing the same sermon to have totally opposite reactions. One may think it’s the best he has ever heard. The other, hearing the same sermon, may think, “I’ve heard better.” Why does that happen? It’s because of where the audience is on their journey with the Lord. Some enter Sunday morning, feeling good, confident and strong. Others enter, with a world of worry and stress. They both hear the same sermon. One benefits greatly. The other not so much.

Fourth, our mind and heart has so much to do with how we hear a sermon. If we are not paying attention, if we are filled with troubles, then the words pass right over us. But if we come, Bible in hand, with the intention of seeing, learning and growing, that most times is exactly what takes place. The work of the preacher can be lost because the audience isn’t ready or prepared to hear a sermon. The chit-chat of the world fills our time before worship begins and as soon as the last amen is uttered, we immediately return to the chit-chatting of the world again. What about those words we just heard in the sermon? What about the challenge to change and become? How quickly we may drive those thoughts out of us and forget things before we reach our cars in the parking lot. Taking notes, writing things in your Bible—wonderful ways to keep the sermon alive. Talking about the sermon over lunch is yet another powerful way to pull as much out as you can.

“Sermons we like to preach.” I have a few of mine that I like. Most were only preached one time. What I’d rather preach is what you need to hear.

Roger


Charlestownroadcoc.org
Facebook ‌ Twitter ‌ Pinterest ‌
Charlestown Road Church of Christ | 4601 Charlestown Road, New Albany, IN 47150
Unsubscribe [email protected]
Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent by [email protected] powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.
Try email marketing for free today!

New Albany, Indiana

03/15/2022

Logo

Jump Start # 3045

Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, and wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”

Last week we had one of our grandchildren with us. “B” is seven, or in her words, “seven and a half, almost eight.” She spent four nights with us. That’s the longest we have had one of the grandkids by themselves. And, she was a delight and a doll. On one of our trips into town, she said, “PJ (that’s me), it’s been a long time since you had a seven and a half year-old in your backseat, isn’t it?” And, she’s right. All my kids are in their 30’s now. It’s been a long time since I had a seven year old in my backseat. On our trip to meet her mother to return her, we spent a long time playing verbal games in the car. I’d say a book of the Bible and she had to say the next one. We played guessing games. We went through some of her multiplication tables, especially the 7’s.

And, here are a few lessons I learned:

First, grandparenting is fun. Sometimes as a parent, you are in the middle of constant messes, battles, instructions and there never seems to be an end. But my little car ride with B reminded me of the things I once did with her mother, my daughter. Lots of questions. Lots of little quizzes. Lots of exploring things with our imaginations. As your kids age, much of those sweet innocent things are no longer used. One forgets what it is like to have a seven, or more accurately, a seven and a half year-old in the backseat.

Second, there is a lot of teasing about grandparents spoiling their grandkids. I understand. I’m all for that. I have a case where I keep some of my cufflinks. Often I don’t arrange them as they should be. That’s the job B does when she visits. I pay her to do that. I pay her way too much, but I like doing that. I believe one reason grandparents spoil is that they can. Money is tight when the kids were small. Something was always breaking and needing replaced. Someone was always going to the doctor. Glasses. Braces. Clothes. The budget was very thin during those days.

But another reason I believe we spoil is that as a parent there is such an unknown. Parenting isn’t for cowards. But as grandparents, we’ve gotten through to the other side. Car wrecks. Surgeries. Lost cell phones. Toilets overflowing. Death of pets. Air conditioning going out. Dating. Sports. Victories. Losses. Breaking up. Pimples. First jobs. Baptisms. Funerals. Happy days. Sad days. Grandparents have the scars, the badges and the stories. What is such a big deal to the young parents, isn’t to the grandparents. We are less stressed than the parents who are in the weeds of raising those little ones.

Third, those sweet tinder hearts are soft and so easily influenced. Grandparents need to set the right example. Those little ones will long remember what we did, what we said, even after we are on the other side of life. Now, a mistake grandparents make is to undermine what the parents are doing. Unless it is something that is wrong, support and go along with what the parents are doing. They are the parents, not you. One of the greatest things grandparents can do is to keep that spiritual light burning bright. I still remember going to church services with my grandparents. It was a small country church, with large windows. I remember looking out the windows and seeing cows grazing next door. The crowd was small. The singing wasn’t so great. But what fond, fond memories I still have. Just the other day, I drove by that country church building. I just wanted to see it again.

Grandkids will out smart us grandparents when it comes to using cell phones, tablets, and remotes. They know those things. And, trying to figure out a car seat nearly requires an engineering degree. And, one of the wonderful connections you have with your grandchildren is the family legacy and history. Share that. Let them know that. And, where possible, teach them about the spiritual legacy within your family. Generations of believers. First time believers. The importance of worshipping God. The value of the Bible. The good of serving others. Without realizing it, you are adding life lessons that can mold them into powerful servants of the Lord.

Our verse today is wrapped around the idea of grandparents and grandchildren. A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren. That may be referring financially, but there is a much richer inheritance and that is love shared, time enjoyed together and lives intersected. Years from now, if the Lord allows, and many of us are on the other side, what will our grandchildren remember about us? Will they even care? Or, have our lives so touched each other that we leave amazing footprints for them to follow. A spiritual inheritance is the greatest blessing you can give to your family.

After B left, I had to take a nap. I had forgotten how intense life with a seven and a half year-old can be. No wonder parents look ragged when they walk into a church building. They carry enough bags that you’d think they were backpacking for a month. But what a blessing it is to see them there.

Thanks, little B for some fun days!

Roger


Charlestownroadcoc.org
Facebook ‌ Twitter ‌ Pinterest ‌
Charlestown Road Church of Christ
4601 Charlestown Road
New Albany, IN 47150
Unsubscribe [email protected]
Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent by [email protected]
powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.
Try email marketing for free today!

New Albany, Indiana

03/12/2022

Logo

Jump Start # 3038

Genesis 1:27 “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.”

As I write this, dark clouds fill the skies. Thunder is heard rumbling in the distance. A storm is coming. And, how symbolic this is for our times. “Troublesome times are here,” begins one of our hymns. We don’t need someone to tell us this. All around we see this. Civil unrest. Citizens not happy with the government. Crime escalating. Culture reshaping the thinking of young people.

Recently, one of our Jump Start readers wrote me asking for help with what to do. This person works in the medical field. A female patient came in with her mom. The front desk coordinator instructed the medical staff not to use the words, “she” or “her.” They were to use, “they” or “their.” The patient had declared non-gender. This person was dealing with anxiety and depression issues. The patient was seeing both counselors and psychiatrists. The medical company this questioner works for just added “inclusion” as one of the company core values. “As a Christian,” she asks, “how am I to deal with non-gender people?” I would add, how are to love the world when the world puts us in such difficult situations?

I see the storm clouds rolling in. What times we live in. Young. Confused. Depressed. What troublesome times we live in. I will be honest in that I do not know if I have the right answers. Some days, I’m not sure if I even have any answers.

First, medically, I would tell this person that you may identify with non-gender preference, but your physical body is either male or female. Therefore, as a person in the medical staff, I must treat you as you are biologically. Women’s health and men’s health are not the same. There are hospitals designated as “Women’s Hospital” just because of the unique and special issues that are within a woman’s body. You may want me to call you “They” or “Their,” but I will have to treat you as a man or a woman for which you are.

In some ways, the medical area may be one of the easier ways to deal with this. I know school teachers who must refer to a child as “They” or “Their,” and recognize that they are “non-gender.” The corporate world has embraced this ideology with open arms. It’s hard to navigate through these things as a Christian.

Second, “they” and “their” are plural words and not good English when talking about an individual. In a world that wants “inclusion,” why are words being used that are “exclusive?” If there is a “they,” then there must be an “us.” Us and them. That’s the language of division, separation and isolation. Rather than calling someone, “they,” how about “Us?” Are we not both of the human race? Are we not both sharing this planet? Within this gender crisis discussion are layers of different thoughts and issues. Some will say that biologically, there was a mistake. I am a woman trapped in a man’s body. Some will lean upon the psychological ideology of “If I feel a certain way, then it is that way.” Feelings become the basis of justification. Then there is the philosophical demand that states “I have a right to choose whatever gender I want.” Different issues. Different strands of thought. Different concerns. And, all of them difficult for a Christian to navigate through.

As a Christian, we need to treat all people with fairness. Jesus showed us this. The Pharisees complained “what kind of woman” was washing Jesus’ feet. They fussed at tax collectors and sinners surrounding Jesus. The Pharisees would have built a monastery for only their kind. Not Jesus. In Samaria, talking to a woman who had gone through five marriages and was living with someone. In the home of Zacchaeus, a tax collector. In the temple, with Pharisees. Name calling, those under the breath derogatory comments, rolling the eyes must not be found among us. It’s hard to say we love the world, when we act like we don’t. The golden rule, treat others like you would like to be treated, doesn’t fit only in the church house. It fits in the work place, the school house, the neighborhood and at family reunions. Treat everyone as Jesus would.

If someone wanted me to call him “they,” I think the first thing I would say is “why?” Their response would likely be, “I’m not male or a female. I’m neither.” I believe I would then ask, “Can I call you by your name? You do have a name, don’t you?” Now, this will bother some of us. Call a biological male a female name may sound like you are condoning or approving of this behavior and lifestyle.

Several years ago I conducted a funeral with a Catholic priest. Part of the family was Catholic and part were N.T. Christians. The priest was “Father” Dave. He said, “You call be ‘Father Dave.’” I was uncomfortable with that. I asked, “Can I call you ‘Dave?’ I don’t think he was real pleased with me, but I did what I had to. And, so must you.

The manager of the bank I go to always says, “Do I call you Pastor, or Reverend?” I tell her, ‘Just call me Roger.’ And, I think honesty here is the key. If you tell someone that I understand you want to be identified in a different way, I’m just having trouble with some of this. I don’t want to offend you, but what can we agree upon?

As a Christian, we have the right to tell someone the truth, in love and gentleness. When someone declares that I am a woman trapped in a male body, my response would be, “You know God doesn’t make mistakes. Have you thought about that?” Paul told the Corinthians, “For even if there are so-called gods whether in Heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him…” (1 Cor 8:5-6a). Was Paul giving approval, condoning or acknowledging the pagan gods of his world? There are many gods, he said.

Now, according to the company policy, you might say, I will help you the best I can. I will be honest, fair and right with you. I will work hard for you and give it my all. I do that because I am a Christian, and, God loves you. I want you to know that.

There is a very thin tight rope that disciples are forced to walk upon today in the corporate world. We have seen with public broadcasters, saying the wrong thing can get one fired on the spot. The world is trying with all its might to dim our light. Prayers and faith are a necessity in these times. The opponents of faith are quick to point a finger at us and declare that we are guilty of judging because we will not go as far as they want us to go.

Let us pray for our brethren who are faced with these difficult issues and choices. Let us be patient and encouraging. There’s no place for, “Well, I’d tell them that they all going to Hell.” We aren’t in the Hell business. The Gospel is good news and life and hope are in Jesus.

God has defined and solved the gender issue. There is no confusion. The confusion lies with us and not with God.

Roger


Charlestownroadcoc.org
Facebook ‌ Twitter ‌ Pinterest ‌
Charlestown Road Church of Christ
4601 Charlestown Road
New Albany, IN 47150
Unsubscribe [email protected]
Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent by [email protected]
powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.
Try email marketing for free today!

New Albany, Indiana

03/11/2022

Logo

Jump Start # 3043

Revelation 2:24 “But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I Place no other burden on you.”

The deep things of Satan—other translations phrase this as, “The secrets of Satan.” This is one of those expressions that can peak a lot of excitement, ideas, theories and speculations in a Bible class. What are “the deep things of Satan?” We want to know. I’m not exactly sure. But one thing I know, the faithful at Thyatira did not know. They did not know the deep things of Satan.

Now some thoughts for us:

First, some people know everything that is wrong but very little that is right. Paul told the Ephesians that there were certain things that were done in secret that are not worth mentioning. In fact, the apostle said that it was “disgraceful” even to mention them. We can spend a lot of time studying the wrongs of other religions without ever knowing what’s right with ours. Some know how to complain, but they don’t know how to encourage. Some know how to knock down, but they don’t know how to build up. Some know how to destroy a marriage, but they don’t know how to make a marriage flourish. Some can split a church, but they don’t know how to make the church grow. Some spend so much time chasing the rabbits of error, that they don’t recognize truth. The faithful at Thyatira did not know the deep things of Satan.

Second, one doesn’t have to be an intellectual to be right. This is not an excuse for being ignorant or not studying. But let us not be intimidated because someone is employed at a university or has multiple degrees, has authored a book, has appeared on TV, or the lecture circuit. Those things does not mean a person is right. We need to be able to talk logically. Our faith is not blind nor without evidence. There seems to be an intellectual snobbiness among too many today. If you do not carry the right degrees behind your name, what you say is discredited and ignored. The apostles were known as “uneducated and untrained,” yet they spoke with confidence. Our confidence is not in ourselves or our degrees or what others have said. Our boldness comes from knowing the Lord. God said—good enough for me. The first preachers were common fishermen. And, through them, the kingdom grew and grew.

Third, the mind has the potential to excel to the heavens or drop to the depths of hell. With our minds, we can fill them with good thoughts, noble causes, and great ideas. The Lord can be honored. Our fellow man can be helped. But with that same mind, one can become as base as an animal. He can be cruel, wicked, godless and harmful to fellow man. All around us are great books, great people, and great things to do. Likewise, around us are terrible books, wicked people and harmful things to do. What do we fill our days pursuing? What do we feed our soul and mind? Are we getting better or worse, year after year? Negative. Pessimistic. Selfish. Worldly. Potty mouth. Hateful. Violent. Where does that come from? It comes from a mind, heart and soul that has eaten the poison of the world. It comes from the choices one has made. It comes from the people that one has invited into his life. The movies. The books. The music. These can lift our spirits or they can drag us deeper into the clutches of Satan.

This is why at very early ages, what a child is fed into his mind can determine the choices he will have later in life. Goodness. Godliness. Grace. Love. Thankfulness. Serving. Build upon those things and build a character that pursues the Lord.

The deep things of Satan...just leave them alone. They belong in a locked box that will never be opened again. Don’t waste time studying what’s wrong. Spend your time with what is right. I don’t have to know how crooked a stick is. All I need to do is lay a straight stick beside it. That’s enough.

Jesus said, “you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

Roger


Charlestownroadcoc.org
Facebook ‌ Twitter ‌ Pinterest ‌
Charlestown Road Church of Christ
4601 Charlestown Road
New Albany, IN 47150
Unsubscribe [email protected]
Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent by [email protected]
powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.
Try email marketing for free today!

New Albany, Indiana