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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you,
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
(Matt. 28:19,20).
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July 19, 2015
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Contents:
1) We Can Truly Change (Gary Henry)
2) A Good Attitude (Irvin Himmel)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
We Can Truly Change
by Gary Henry
"...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man
which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed
in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which
was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness"
(Ephesians 4:22-24).
FEW THINGS ARE MORE UNIVERSAL THAN THE HUMAN DESIRE TO CHANGE FOR
THE BETTER. The sheer size of the self-help section in any bookstore
is a fair indication of how desperate we are to conquer the problems
that beset us and to increase the quality of our lives. Virtually
every person would like, in some significant way, to improve the
"self?" that he or she presently is.
How ironic it is that, despite our deep desire for change and the
lavish attention that publishers pay to our personal improvement,
many people still hold to the deterministic idea that real change is
not possible for a human being. This viewpoint says we are so
conditioned by heredity and environment that we can't change in any
radical way. Whatever we "are," that is what we'll always be. And
our culture has no shortage of psychologically correct labels to
define what we are. Once labeled, a person cannot unlabel himself.
The most he can hope for is to keep from externally acting out what
the label says he'll always be on the inside.
Christianity, however, makes a deeper change possible. After listing
certain groups who practiced notorious sin, Paul said to the church
in Corinth, "And such were some of you" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
These were people who'd actually changed, and the change was not
just behavioral. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul wrote:
"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with
Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life" (Romans 6:3,4).
What Jesus Christ offers the groaning human soul is not superficial
pain relief but radical surgery. The drastic rehabilitation He
envisions is certainly not the work of one day. But just because we
require more than a quick fix, that doesn't mean we're forever
locked into our mistakes. "Beware of succumbing to failure as
inevitable" (Oswald Chambers).
"Change, indeed, is painful, yet ever needful; and if memory has its
force and worth, so also has hope" (Thomas Carlyle).
-- Via WordPoints (February 23, 2015)
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-2-
A Good Attitude
by Irvin Himmel
The posture of one's mind makes him what he is. Words and deeds are
mere reflections of the heart. It is highly important to develop a
good attitude. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov.
23:7). Here are some ways in which it is imperative that one show a
good attitude:
Toward the Word of God
God gave us the divine word to guide us. We are not capable of
directing our own steps (Jer. 10:23). God's revelation shows us the
way out of darkness into light, out of sin into righteousness, out
of gloom into hope, out of failure into success, out of misery into
joy, out of the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of Christ.
When Paul preached the gospel to the Thessalonians long ago, they
displayed a good attitude toward the truth. They received the word
of God, "not as the word of men, but as it is in the truth, the word
of God" (1 Thess. 2:13). God's word is to be reverenced and obeyed
because it is the word of God. To have the right attitude toward God
necessitates the right attitude toward His word. This is the
disposition to believe and yield to the authority of His will.
Toward Correcting Faults
No matter how terrible a mistake one may make, there is hope if he
shows a good attitude. David did not have that kind of attitude
immediately after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife
of Uriah. For a time, he attempted to conceal his guilt. He wanted
to shift the blame. It was not until Nathan the prophet pointed the
finger of accusation straight toward David, using the parable of the
little ewe lamb, that the proper attitude developed. David humbly
admitted his guilt, God put away his sin, and from that time on,
David was of a different disposition toward what he had done. If a
person has a good attitude toward correcting his faults, he does not
become angry with one who lovingly points out his sins, nor does he
resent attempts to help him overcome his weaknesses.
Toward Daily Work
Every person is free to choose his occupation. Whether one decides
to be a plumber, doctor, lawyer, salesman, farmer, teacher,
engineer, policeman, or something else, his mental outlook toward
his vocation has strong bearing on success versus failure. Some
people complain constantly of their work, the low pay, the horrible
conditions under which they labor day by day, and the general misery
that they experience. One wonders why they do not change jobs. Is
their work really all that bad, or is it a matter of attitude?
Other people have the kind of attitude that makes their daily work a
joy. They have been careful to choose the kind of vocation that
enables them to do what they really want to do. Their frame of mind
contributes to their being successful and feeling a sense of
accomplishment. This good attitude toward their chosen field of work
enables them to cope with unpleasant situations which may arise.
Toward Solving Problems
Perplexing and distressing developments have a way of surfacing in
all human relationships. Problems may arise in the church, in the
home, in our work, in school, in the neighborhood, in business
transactions, and in numerous other connections. It is a bit
unrealistic to expect life on this earth to be free of problems, and
it is equally visionary to expect our problems to automatically
vanish.
Like the poor, some problems are always with us. But the person who
has a good frame of mind toward the solving of his problems,
whatever they may be, is to be commended. In many cases, our
attitude toward a problem is half the solution. With a good attitude
we can approach the problem objectively, view it sensibly, and
handle it wisely. Even if the problem is never fully solved, a good
attitude will provide the means to forge ahead and not be unduly
upset or hindered.
Toward Trials
The times in which we live are trying to our souls. Evil forces are
pulling and tugging at us. On every hand there are temptations to
sin. Young people who want to do right have an especially difficult
task. So many of today's youth have imbibed the "do as you please"
philosophy. Drugs, illicit sex, insistence on one's rights to
gratify his lusts no matter how others may be injured, intoxication,
profanity, lying, stealing -- these and other evils are increasingly
prevalent among young people.
The Bible warns that all who do right will be subjected to fiery
trials. Old and young alike may expect pressures and temptations. We
must learn to have a good attitude in the face of whatever trials
come our way. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial . . ."
(Jas. 1:12, NASB). With the proper attitude toward trials the
Christian keeps his faith, prays for strength, rejoices that
tribulations empower him to develop patience, and draws comfort from
the promises of God.
What is your attitude toward the word of God, toward correcting your
faults, toward your daily work, toward solving problems, and toward
trials? May each one of us examine self and work to develop an
improved attitude in all these vital areas.
-- Via Truth Magazine XXII: 30, pp. 488-489, August 3, 1978
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-3-
News & News
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Tom
Holland who recently passed away. Let those of us who are
Christians be praying for all his loved ones.
And also for our prayer list...
It was discovered that a small tumor, about the size of a pea, has
developed, due to Judy Daugherty's severe fall to the
head. She will soon be undergoing some tests to determine how
to best treat it.
Bennie Medlock appears to have had a minor stroke recently;
and though he is now feeling better, he will be seeing a doctor this
week concerning it.
Michelle Rittenhouse has been been having some trouble with
fibromyalgia, which she began taking treatment for a few weeks ago
and was also diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Jewell Wilson, who is 97 and continues to have various health
problems, has now begun hospice care at the home of her daughter and
son-in-law.
The shut-ins: Mary Vandevander and Sue Wooten
Others to remember in prayer: Ronnie Crews, Sunny Nichols, Jean
Beach, Raylee Metts, Lexi Crawford, Steve Vesta, Dexter Roberts,
Betty Miles, Buddy Gornto, Dolly Downs Moody, Jesse Bailey,
Colleen Henson, Donell Wells, and Kelsey Williams
Let us also not forget our elderly and those of our number who
have chronic ailments.
The ladies Tuesday evening Bible class will be discontinued
for the next several weeks.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes
(Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24;
John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the
remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal.
3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21)
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation
can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM
(worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)