Tid-Bits From the Past

                         Among the strange questions, every preacher has to deal with is one that he almost wishes people wouldn’t ask.  Not that it is a difficult question to answer, not that he is reluctant to answer it, but it always puts the questioner in the position of one trying to avoid what he knows he should be doing.  That question is, “It is necessary for a Christian to attend all the services of the church?”

                         Naturally, the one answering the question must begin by telling the puzzled churchman that there undoubtedly reasons why some cannot attend every service such as illness or illness in the family, etc.  By this time the questioner is hopeful that there will be many “reasons.”  But when he assured that God expects His people to be present at every possible gathering of the saints, he feels that he has been “let down” by the preacher or elder from whom he sought counsel.

                         The fact of the matter is, a Christian would not WANT an excuse for staying away from the house of worship if by going he could “build himself up in most holy faith” ( Jude 20).  A Christian would be grateful for the privilege of being with the children of God in order that together they could “grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus” (2 Pet. 3:18).  It is in such meetings that the children of God “teacher and admonish one another” (Col. 3:16).  It seems never to have occurred to some that the mid-week service and other services of the church are designed by the elders of the congregation for the purpose of “feeding the flock” that has been placed under their jurisdiction.  It seems that everyone should recognize the reasons for such meetings and not look upon them as “something to do” or “someplace to go.”  The purpose of every gathering of the saints is an opportunity to glorify God, magnify His blessed name, learn of His dear Son, submit ourselves to the laws of our King and show ourselves anxious to learn more and more of the things that pertain to life and godliness.

                         One would have to be extremely busy who could not lay aside his chores and his business for a couple of hours on Wednesday night and Lord’s Day evening.  Finding an excuse for not attending more than one service of the church has taxed many an indifferent soul, but finding a reason for not being there has proved impossible.  Looking for excuses to stay home is like looking for something that will stunt the growth of a child.  None would want to be guilty of interfering with the normal development of a child – even those who see no real benefit in spiritual growth.  Of course, the Lord expects us to attend all the services of the church if we can – and “so much the more” as we see the trend of the times!

(Taken from Laings Bulletin November 24, 1968 By Tom W. Butterfield)

           A lady from the city was visiting members of her family who owned a farm.  As she talked to the farmer, she noticed a pig in the backyard with a wooden leg.  “What happened to that pig?” the woman asked.

           “Oh, that’s Betsy,” the farmer said.  “She’s a fine pig!  One night while we were all asleep, the house caught on fire, and Betsy started snorting and grunting, and woke us all up.  We were able to call the fire department and save the house!”

“Wow, that’s amazing!” the woman exclaimed.

“Not only that, but one day my daughter fell into the pond, and Betsy came grunting and snorting, and led me to the pond, and I was able to pull her out.  Betsy saved my daughter’s life!”  the farmer said.

“The lady was impressed, but still curious.  “But that still doesn’t explain why the pig has a wooden leg.”

“Well,” the farmer said, “when you have a pig like that, you don’t eat it all at once!”

Sometimes we feel like old Betsy: we try hard in our Christian duties, but the world doesn’t appreciate us.  Paul warned Timothy that “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12)

But that’s not an excuse to quit! In fact, Paul continued by telling Timothy that even though evil men would grow worse and worse (2 Tim. 3:13), he had to continue in the things he had learned and been assured of (2 Tim. 3:14).

When people abuse or take advantage of you, remember for whom you really work (Col. 3:23)!

Taken from Bulletin Digest August 2014

Written by: Matt Clifton

The story of Kevin Kelley (head football coach at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas) is so compelling. Over the last 11 seasons, Kelley has led his High School team to win 85% of its games, and they just won their fourth State Championship last Saturday. But what is so compelling is the unique strategy that has made him so  successful–he never punts. After much statistical research into college football, he concluded that “going for it” on fourth down (and always doing onside kicks, too) gave his team a much better chance of winning.

There are some fascinating spiritual applications that can be made from this, but consider just one. When you punt on fourth down, you are admitting you “can’t make it.” When you punt, you are giving control to the opponent and an opportunity to score. Guess what? The devil loves for you to punt. When you punt (spiritually), it is admitting that you “can’t make it” and it gives him control. So, here’s your strategy for contending with the devil–NEVER PUNT! Always “go for it”! With God as your Coach and Jesus as your Quarterback, you’ll win every time!

By David Sproule taken from https://www.pblcoc.org/thought-for-the-day/never-punt/

George Washington Carver was a brilliant man. He is best known for his profound scientific research in the field of agriculture. It amazes me to think of all the products that he invented and that most of them were derived from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other "garden-like" produce.

Carver was also multi-talented in art, music, and drama, but he gave them all up to pursue research in agriculture. While a student at Iowa State University, over 100 years ago, he explained to James Wilson, an administrator, why he was giving up his cherished work as an artist, "It would not do his people as much good as a thorough knowledge of the sciences of agriculture, which he might impart to them."

It wasn't long until Carver landed a teaching position at Tuskegee College in Alabama. He wrote these words to Booker T. Washington, president of the college at that time, "It has always been the one ideal of my life to be of the greatest good to the greatest number of my people possible and to this end and to this end I have been preparing myself for these many years; feeling as I do that this line of education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom to our people."

There is simply no way to measure all of the good that Carver accomplished for the esteem of black people. His life was exemplified by self-sacrifice, a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1) for the benefit of "his people."

This simple epitaph is found on his tombstone: He could have added some fame to fortune, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world.

Let's now change a few words and pretend that this is our own epitaph. May each one of us fill in the blank and make a personal, spiritual application. "I, ______, could have added fame to fortune, but caring for neither, I found happiness and honor in being helpful to the Lord's Church." (Author Unknown)