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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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February 5, 2017
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Contents:
1) The Christian is a Spiritual Optimist (W. Frank Walton)
2) News & Notes
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-1-
The Christian is a Spiritual Optimist
W. Frank Walton
Do you consider your basic outlook in life as an optimist or a
pessimist?
Optimism is defined as: “a disposition or tendency to look on the
more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most
favorable outcome” or “the belief that good ultimately predominates
over evil in the world” (Random House Unabridged Dictionary).
Pessimism is defined: “the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize
only bad or undesirable outcome, results, conditions, problems,
etc.” and also “the belief that the evil and pain in the world are
not compensated for by goodness and happiness” (ibid).
A pessimist will try to justify their pessimism by saying, “I’m just
a realist.” I counter this by an optimist is a “constructive
realist,” who doesn’t ignore problems but always sees good potential
or possibilities. A pessimist sees more limiting problems than
opportunities. I believe the Bible teaches that you cannot be a
strong believer in God and be a spiritual pessimist.
The 10 spies that discouraged the Israelites from entering Canaan
were spiritual pessimists! They saw obstacles (strong and giant
Canaanites with heavily fortified cities) instead of opportunities
of faith to trust God’s power to take the land (Num 13:28-33). They
said, “We are not able…they are too strong for us!” Their
pessimistic outlook caused them to negatively exaggerate reality and
see themselves as tiny, weak grasshoppers. Such negativity bred
pessimistic grumbling and a defeatist attitude among the people (Num
14:2-4). They wanted to “play it safe” and regress, instead of make
progress.
Yet, Caleb and Joshua were spiritual optimists! They lifted their
outlook to take Almighty God into account! “We shall surely overcome
it….If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this
land and give it to us….Do not fear the people of the land, for they
will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and
the LORD is with us” (Num 13:30; 14:8,9). Spiritual optimism thinks,
“The odds don’t count if God is on our side! God is greater than any
obstacle we face.”
Although we may have different personality types and innate
dispositions, our personality traits are molded and uplifted by
Biblical faith, hope and love.
1. Optimistic Faith in God. In 1 Samuel 17, young David had
optimistic faith in God. He confidently believed he could defeat
Goliath, the Philistines’ giant champion who dared one Israelite to
fight him. "Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and
this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has
taunted the armies of the living God" (1 Sam 17:36). Yet, King
Saul’s army was filled with spiritual pessimists in facing Goliath’s
challenge. They were “dismayed” and “afraid” to take him on (1 Sam
17:10-11,24). This pall of negativity had Saul telling David, “You
are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him” (1 Sam
17:33). Their pessimism thought Goliath was too big to hit, while
David’s optimistic faith believed he was too big to miss. Remember,
“can’t” never accomplished anything.
Yet, we’re thrilled to hear of David’s optimistic faith in the face
of a threatening giant: "This day the LORD will deliver you up into
my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you.
And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this
day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that
all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all
this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by
spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our
hands” (1 Sam 17:46-47). The faith of David, who “became mighty in
battle” (Heb 11:32,34), is enshrined in faith’s hall of fame to help
motivate us to grow in optimistic faith. David believed the odds
don’t count if God is on your side.
A spiritual optimist will believe and rely on the Scriptures that
encourage us to have unlimited confidence in the power and promises
of God. “With God, all things are possible” (Matt 19:26). The
believer can do great things through God: “All things are possible
to him who believes…I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me” (Mk 9:23; Phil 4:13). We serve the true and living
God who has infinite power: “Nothing shall be impossible with God”
(Lk 1:3). Although there are a multitude of many more such
scriptures that would choke the most stubborn pessimist, we can
raise our belief level by looking away from our limitations and
looking up to Almighty God in optimistic faith!
We all have menacing giants to face, like worldly temptation,
religious false doctrine, stubborn problems and discouraging
obstacles. Yet, optimistic faith in God confidently believes they
can be defeated! We believe God’s message of saving souls by
preaching the everlasting gospel can work today just as it did in
the first century. We believe if Jesus can change our lives for the
better, that He can do the same for others. We believe God’s plan of
reaching the world through autonomous churches of Christ can work.
God’s plan will work if we will work God’s plan.
2. Optimistic Love for Others. We learn the power of love
from our amazing, loving God (1 Jn 4:7-8). Love for others is
sacrificial goodwill, to always act in another’s best interest. A
spiritual optimist will believe that love is the most powerful force
in the world. It can change bitter relations into better ones.
“Love…believes all things, bears all things, hopes all things. Love
never fails” (1 Cor 13:7-8). Love for others will believe the best,
not the worst. Love will not grow cynical or bitter, but will endure
others’ faults to achieve, in love, a higher good for them.
When Jesus died on the cross, his costly sacrifice seemed to be
mostly unappreciated. Yet, His loving sacrifice has drawn sinful men
to God through the years, just as He predicted (Jn 12:32). His
example will motivate us to act with such optimistic love (1 Jn
3:16-18). Christ-like love can heal relationships. Love can
encourage others to do better. Love can turn conflict into a
constructive learning experience.
3. Optimistic Hope for the Future. People often commit
suicide because they feel, based on current circumstances, that life
isn’t worth living. In despair, they want to escape overwhelming
burdens and the discouraging futility of “hopeless” situations. The
optimistic Christian, despite the current outlook in the valley of
depression, will hang on to God’s vision of hope.
Hope is confident expectation in the future promises of God. Through
the gospel of Christ, we are assured that “it is impossible for God
to lie” (Heb 6:18). The hope of forgiveness through Christ’s
sacrifice tells us God has invested a fortune to bring us safely to
His eternal home. Hence, “we who have taken refuge would have strong
encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we
have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast” (Heb
6:19). Hope lifts our outlook past the storms of life with our
current problems. Whatever pain or perplexity we face, they will one
day pass away in the clear, unclouded day of eternity. Hope anchors
us to an eternal perspective. As C. S. Lewis observed, “All that is
not connected to eternity is eternally out of date.”
-- Via the Auburn Beacon, August 15, 2010, Volume 1, Issue 42
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"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a
living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”
(1 Peter 1:3).
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-2-
News & Notes
Let those of us who can pray include the following in our
prayers:
Our sympathies go out to the family and friends of Makenli
Christine Martin who passed away just one week prior to her
5th birthday. She is the daughter of Hunter and Vanessa
Martin, and what a remarkable little girl she had been! Her
obituary says that "She came into this world under strained
conditions, involving a very high-risk pregnancy. But, she did not
let that slow her down at all. Makenli walked early, talked early,
and began singing at the same time. She had perfect pitch and an
incredible memory. Makenli could quote nearly the entire Disney
movie Frozen at two years of age, songs and script. ...
Bible Class was one of her favorite times of the week. She loved
talking about God and had lots of questions about Him. Now, she has
all the answers. She contracted a rare strain of E. coli and fought
valiantly against it until God rescued her and took her to be with
him, surrounded by her loving family."
Malakai Martin (Makenli's brother), who is now sick, can also
use the prayers of the saints.
Penny Medlock was taken to the ER Friday, due to terrible
pain in her right inner ear. She had also been suffering with
an infection in the side of her face, sinuses, and throat and has
been put on a stronger dose of antibiotics, along with steroids and
pain medicine. She will be seeing an ear, nose, and throat
specialist Monday.
Shirley Davis was told by her doctor last Tuesday that he
wants her to wait two more months before having the knee surgery, to
be sure. Her knee keeps slipping out and in; and she is
concerned about falling, which could lead to even more serious
damage. Her diabetes also puts her at more risk. Later
this month, she will be having eye surgery, due to a cornea
problem.
Cheryl Crews, a former member where I preached in Baton
Rouge, is back in the hospital with pneumonia and was immediately
put on antibiotics. It was just last December when she was in
the hospital in critical condition, in which it was needful to keep
her sedated in an unconscious state, while having her on a breathing
ventilator and giving her dialysis.
Charles Crosby is still having some pain, following his
recent knee replacement, but making some improvement.
Tanya Terrones saw her doctor last Tuesday for the
sciatic pain she has been having. The treatment gave her some
relief, but has not eliminated all the pain.
Melotine Davis has not been well the last couple of weeks.
Andy Head is now back home. The cause for his
infectious disease has not yet been determined.
Let us also continue to remember the family and friends of those who
recently lost the following loved ones: Brian Keith Corbitt,
Campbell Jude “Camp” Tatum, KeAnuenue Hayashi, Gary White, Janice
Members, and Cheryl Thomas.
Randall Hickox has asked to be on our prayer list. He
had surgery a while back to remove his prostate that had 75%
cancer. Also, his wife Linda has been having pain in
her feet, due to some type of benign tumors, that limit her
walking.
Let us also continue to remember the following in prayer: Lexi
Crawford, Kay Byars, La Donna Andrews, Mary Vandevander, Kelli
Fleeman, Brianna Mackey, Jim Lively, James “Buddy” Gornto, Billy
Lowe, and Ray Richards
WordPress Version of this week's bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/the-gospel-observer-february-5-2017/
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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, living for the Lord; 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)
Tuesday: 7 p.m. (Ladies' Bible class)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
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website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
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