The one thing most people want in this world is joy.  But, sadly, many will go through life and never experience it.  Some have made a habit of ruining joy by always looking on the dark side of life.  Others have  confused joy with fun, and so always seem to come up short.  They think that if they are not having fun they cannot be joyful.  Somehow they miss the fact that Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice” from the dark, dampness of a Roman prison.  (Phil. 4:4).  Surely he wasn’t having much fun, but it didn’t stop his joy in the Lord.  Genuine joy comes from understanding four things. When we develop these in our lives, joy naturally follows.

1. REALIZE YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD With God on our side, what else do we need?  (Romans 8:31)

2. KNOW YOU ARE FORGIVEN Why carry guilt around like a large boulder weighing us down?  Learn that God has forgiven and that will     restore the joy of salvation.  (Psalm 53:12)

3. TRUST GOD’S CARE The world knows no joy because it is overwhelmed by fear.  Some are fearing the effects of “global warming” while others fear a coming ice age.  But the Christian knows God is in charge, and he’s on our side.

4. LIVE BY GOD’S STANDARDS The Prodigal Son ruined his joy when he left his father’s home, and insisted on living by his own rules.  He chose wrong activities and paid the price.  Living by God’s rules does not eliminate joy, it creates it.  The word “joy” or “rejoice” is used over 600 times in the Bible, about once every two chapters.  Our joy and happiness is important to God, and he tells us how to achieve it.  “Rejoice always.”  (I Thess. 5:16) 

Phil Grear

What you share online reveals a lot about your thinking. Whether it is angry, passive-aggressive, political, religious, personal, or news-oriented, you’re probably sharing it because you’re thinking about it. Here are 8 questions we all need to ask before we share or post something online.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:8,

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

If these are the things we should be thinking about, then before hitting the “share” button, we should probably ask ourselves:

1. Is it true? 

When we share information that isn’t true, we hurt our credibility. Check it out before you post it. Just because you want it to be true, does not make it true.

2. Is it honorable?

This word can also be translated as “noble” or “dignified.” Anything that has the potential to embarrass you – or embarrass the church – ought not to be posted.

3. Is it just?

This word might also be translated, “righteous” or “right.” Can you post this “by faith” (Romans 14:23), knowing that this is a righteous thing to post? If you’re not sure, don’t post it.

4. Is it pure?

Some of the photos and websites Christians share are absolutely appalling! If it isn’t “G” rated, you probably shouldn’t post it.

5. Is it lovely?

There is far too much “ugliness” going on in the world. Christians certainly don’t need to let their minds dwell on all the ugliness and negativity, much less perpetuate it by sharing words and pictures that are rude and ugly.

6. Is it commendable (admirable)?

Think about the people you’ve admired in your life. Is this something they would share online? More importantly, based on Scripture, can you honestly say the Lord would “commend” you for posting it?

7. Is it excellent?

We live in a busy and distracting world. Many things that pop into our minds or flash across our screens are not helpful, beneficial, or excellent. Don’t waste your time and your energy on these things.

8. Is it praise-worthy?

Is this something you should really be thinking about right now? Is this something for which the Lord would praise you? Would He would say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” as you share this with your friends and followers?

There is certainly a lot of stuff online that is not worthy of your time and energy. Only let your mind dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praise-worthy. If you do, it will be reflected in what you share online. - borrowed

While spiritual gifts have ceased and are no longer needed or possessed by Christians today (1 Corinthians 13:8-12), that which is still needed greatly and abiding deeply within all faithful Christians are faith, hope and love (13:13). Have you ever considered how these impact a Christian’s life today, including our attendance at Bible class and worship services?

How does your FAITH impact your church attendance? How strong is your faith? How deep is your faith? In whom have you placed your faith? Is your faith in the Almighty God? Is your faith in the resurrected Lord?

Christians are reminded, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe…” (Hebrews 11:6). What could you do on Sundays and Wednesdays to make your faith stronger? To make your faith deeper? To show the Almighty God and resurrected Lord your faith is truly in them? How is your faith expressed by your attendance?

How does your HOPE impact your church attendance? How firm is your hope? How alive is your hope? In whom is your hope founded? Is your hope steadfastly anchored in God and the heavenly abode? Is the resurrected Christ in you, the hope of your glory?

Christians are encouraged, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…firm to the end” (Hebrews 10:23; 3:6). What could you do on Sundays and Wednesdays to revive your hope? To strengthen the hold of your hope? To ground your hope more firmly and more deeply in your Savior’s love? How is your hope expressed by your attendance?

How does your LOVE impact your church attendance? How fervent is your love for the Lord? How committed is your love? Does your love for the Lord engulf your entire being/life?

Christians are commanded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). What could you do on Sundays and Wednesdays to make your love more fervent? More committed? How is your love expressed by your attendance?

Church attendance is not about you...it’s not about the church...it’s not about who else is there. Church attendance is, like every other Christian endeavor and Christian responsibility, about one’s faith, hope and love in God!

~David Sproule

 DANA’S DIRECTION 
 
 One cannot read the book of Acts without being impressed with the rapid growth of the church after her establishment.  We see the church growing spiritually and  numerically.  Both are important!  God wants His church to grow.  The purpose of this   article is to not to promote a particular method, but to suggest a couple of areas on which we must focus if we want to see the church grow.  Let me suggest first that we must develop a mind to grow. I am afraid that Satan has convinced us that people aren’t interested and there is little or nothing that we can do to change that.  If the church is going to grow we must truly believe that it can.  We must believe that God is still able to do amazing things through His church.  Do we still believe Rom. 1:16?  Do we still believe Matt. 11:28-30?  Do we believe that Jesus is the answer to the problems of life?  Do we really believe that people are lost without the gospel?  We need to develop the passion that Christ, the Apostles and the early church had for the lost.  Secondly, we must have the proper message:  It was a message that included the whole counsel of God.  (Acts 20:27)  The message of the early church was Christ centered, convicted men of sin, called them to repentance and then provided the solution for sin.  Furthermore, it challenged false religions.  It challenged people to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ.  It was an uncompromising message.  It did not reach out and embrace every religious vies and lifestyle.  There was an exclusiveness about the message that made it appear “narrow minded” to many who heard it (Acts 4:12).  It was a message of good news centering on Christ and especially the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. People need the good news.  They need to know that Jesus loves us, left the glories of heaven, died a horrible death on the cross and conquered death that we might have the good life now and eternal life in the end.  Finally; It was a proclaimed message.  Early Christians went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4) They had the “good news” and they wanted the world to hear it!  They felt compelled to proclaim it (Acts 4:19-20; 8:4).  We live in difficult times and reaching people with the gospel is not easy, but if we will develop the mind to grow taking the message of Christ to all who will listen, the church can still grow!  May God help to not allow Satan to discourage us and convince us not to grow, but to practice these biblical principles and allow God to work through us and His Word. 
       -Steve Snyder (edited for space)

DANA’S DIRECTION

The baptism commanded by Jesus was to be administered by man in water for remission of sins. In Acts eight after the evangelist, Philip had preached unto the Ethiopian eunuch about Jesus, the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:37). Paul informs us that the sinner is baptized into Christ Jesus and his death (Romans 6:3). It was in his death that Jesus shed His blood, thus when the sinner is baptized into the death of Christ he contacts the blood which washes away sin (Hebrews 9:22; Revelations 1:5). In passages where baptism and salvation are used in the same context baptism always precedes salvation. 1. Mark 16:16 “. . . and is baptized shall be saved.” 2. Acts 2:38 “. . . baptized unto remission of sins.” 3. Acts 22:16 “. . . be baptized washing away thy sins.” 4. I Peter 3:21 “. . . baptism doth also now save us.” 5. Romans 6:4 “. . .buried therefore with him through baptism into death: . . . so we might walk in newness of life.” Water is the element in which the penitent believer is baptized, but baptism is the act which brings the sinner into contact with the cleansing blood of a resurrected Savior. The baptism Jesus commands is: 1. In water . . .Acts 8:38. 2. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit . . .Matthew 28:19. 3. Into Christ. . . Galatians 3:26-27. 4. Into the death of Christ. . . Romans 6:4. 5. For remission of sins. . . Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21. 6. Those baptized receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. . . Acts 2:38b. If you have not been baptized according to the teachings of God’s word, it is our prayer that you will be obedient to God’s instructions which will enable you to be cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Copied and edited for space