What The Bible Says

“What The Bible Says - Vol. 5 / No. 4”

Sunday, July 17, 2022

What The Bible Says

Vol. V - No. 4 / July 17, 2022

GIVE THANKS

These days, we hear much about our country's economic woes. And we do not have to look far to find that society is beset with plenty of other problems. Of course, each individual has his own personal difficulties as well. To make sure that we feel sufficiently miserable, we are often given to counting our many troubles. If this is our attitude, there is a lesson which we are in need of from God's word.

From Ephesians 5:20, we learn that we are to give "thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." However, I fear that, too often, we take our blessings for granted. We may even feel that we have earned them, that they are ours solely because of our own doing. But let us realize whatever gift we have “…is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17). Although we may labor to get something, it is still from God in that He makes it possible to obtain It. As Paul and Barnabas told the people of Lystra, “…He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14: 17). Paul said of the church in Corinth, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" (I Corinthians 3:6).

Not only does God provide us with material blessings, but our very existence is dependent upon Him. Paul declared to the Athenians, "... in Him we live, and move, and have our being... " (Acts 17: 28). Rather than feeling that God has cheated us if we do not receive something that we want, we should be thankful for what we have. "Come now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15).

Also, we ought to be thankful for the spiritual blessings which God offers. From Ephesians 1:3, we learn God blesses with all spiritual blessings in Christ. We do not earn these blessings either. Paul explains, “...for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

However, there is a significant difference between the way in which God bestows material blessings and the way in which He bestows spiritual blessings. We may receive material blessings whether we want them or not without meeting any conditions for them. As Christ said, “…He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and unjust.” (Matthew 5:45), But spiritual blessings are not poured out on us whether we want them or not. They must be accepted. After preaching to the Jews of Antioch In Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas told them that they were putting the word of God from them and judging themselves unworthy of everlasting life (Acts 13:46). This shows that we can reject the spiritual blessings that are in the Christ. On the other hand, Jesus said, "If a man loves Me, he will keep My word: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:23). We should be thankful that He has given us the terms which must be followed to receive His spiritual blessings: we must believe on Him (John 8:24), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5), confess our faith (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized (Mark 16:16).

As Paul wrote, we ought to be "rooted and builded up" in Christ, "established" in the faith, "abounding in thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:7). But how can we be thankful for the spiritual blessings if we have not accepted them? The spiritual things are much more important than the material things In which we prize so highly. That which is material shall pass away with time, but that which is spiritual will never fail (Matthew 6:19,20; II Corinthians 4:19,18; Matthew 16:26). We ought to be thankful for our material blessings because they truly are blessings. We ought to be thankful for our lives. And we ought to obey our God that we might receive the spiritual blessings, and be thankful!
—Todd Wiggs

THE FIVES SENSES

There is more to man than that which is visible. We are all familiar with the five physical senses of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell but let's consider some inward senses which are necessary.

We need to have a sense of LOYALTY or devoted allegiance. Jesus is deserving of our loyalty because of His interest in our salvation by His death on the cross. “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14). We prove our loyalty to Christ by always obeying His will (John 14:15).

We need a sense of RESPONSIBILITY. Responsibility is our response to opportunity according to our ability. Jesus' parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 is a good example of responsibility. Our children are not given responsibilities by parents that will help them in their future life. We aII must learn that we and we alone are responsible for our actions. We cannot blame others for what we have done.

We need a sense of BELONGING, a spiritual belonging, in the Lord's church. The Lord adds those who are saved to the church (Acts 2:47). Thus if we have the proper sense of loyally to Christ and understand our responsibility to Him, we will likewise sense the need for filling our place and doing our part as a member of His church. (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:16).

SHAME is a much needed sense. Few today are ashamed as they ought lo be. Men who wear long hair and women who wear !heir hair short need to be ashamed. (1 Corinthians 11:14-15). Shame could prevent men and women from wearing immodest clothes except they do not have the sense of shame cultivated in them (1 Timothy 2:9,10). Adam and Eve still considered themselves naked even though they were partially clothed. Their sense of shame caused them to hide themselves. (Genesis 3:7-8). Shame is needed to recognize people of God from people of the world.

We also need a sense of URGENCY. Many postpone to the future instead of doing today. King Agrippa put off being a Christian (Acts 26:28) and so did Fellix (Acts 24:25). Yet, none of us have the promise of tomorrow for our life is as a vapor (James 4:14). Now is the time for us to sense the urgency to prepare for eternity.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

LET'S TALK...

Many of you have been receiving this bulletin for some time now. Do you have questions about what is taught on these pages? Are there things that have been written that you don’t understand? Are there things you do not agree with? If so, then let’s talk. We have nothing to lose and so much to gain. There is no more important subjects than our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. You may write, email, visit the services, go on-line, or we can arrange a time and place for meeting and talking that is convenient for you.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS is the bulletin of the church of Christ which meets at 4777 U.S. Highway 431. The mailing address, website address, and times of assemblies are on the front page. If you have a comment or question, favorable or unfavorable, we would love to hear from you. Only good can come from our discussions as long as we treat one another as friends and rely on the Bible as our only authority and standard.

SENTENCE SERMONS

What you worship determines what you become.
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When you meet temptation, turn to the right.
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Postponed obedience is disobedience.
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Better to be alone than to be in bad company.
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He that will not command his thoughts will soon lose the command of his actions.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org