“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” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
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Contents:
1) Unite My Heart, O Lord (Psalm 86:11) (Mike Johnson)
2) “My Messenger” (Jarrod M. Jacobs)
3) “The Lord Opened Her Heart” (Bryan Gibson)
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Unite My Heart, O Lord
(Psalm 86:11)
Mike Johnson
Psalm 86 is a prayer by David while he was facing perilous times. Despite his circumstances, in the first part of verse 11, he prayed for God to teach him His way; and then, upon learning the Lord’s way, he would walk in His truth. Then he says (11c), “Unite my heart to fear Your name.”
Many people have divided loyalties, as their hearts may not be entirely into an endeavor. This type of heart is also found in trying to serve God. Since God alone is God (10c), the Psalmist did not want a divided heart where he might partially serve God but also serve other gods. If he did this, he could never walk in God’s truth (11b). He wanted a life wholly devoted to the Lord, having an undivided heart.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of having a united heart (one heart) without divided loyalties. For example, Deuteronomy 10:12 asks, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” This speaks of a total commitment, which requires us to “walk in all his ways,” and to “fear,” “love,” and “serve” Him.
Jesus also taught that we must have a united heart. In Matthew 6:24, He explained, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Note also Deut. 6:5; Josh. 24:14-15.) Our devotion to God cannot be half-hearted.
Consider some things that can cause us to have a divided heart:
1. Love for the World — The Bible tells us we are not to love the world. 1 John 2:15-16 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.” Yet, some try to have one foot in the world while serving God.
2. Wealth — Some are trying to serve God and wealth simultaneously. In the “Parable of the Sower,” those represented by the thorny soil received the Word and produced fruit, but they were drawn away by the “deceitfulness of riches” (Mt. 13:22). As we have noted, one cannot serve God and riches (6:24).
3. Hardships in Life — Some may face an abnormal number of troubles. Examples are dealing with the death and illnesses of loved ones, their health issues, monetary problems, and old age. Also, persecution may come to people because they stand firm in their convictions. Again, in the “Parable of the Sower,” the stony soil represents those who hear the Word but are discouraged when persecutions arise (Mt. 13:20-21).
Today, people need to be fully involved in serving God. Consider the following comments by Adam Clarke.
A divided heart is a great curse; scattered affections are a miserable plague. When the heart is not at unity with itself, the work of religion cannot go on. Indecision of mind and division of affections mar any work. The heart must be one, that the work may be one. If this be wanting, all is wrong. This is a prayer which becomes the mouth of every Christian (from Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database. Biblesoft.)
David prayed for an “undivided heart” (NIV). He wanted his life to be wholly devoted to the Lord. Does this describe your heart toward God?
— Via Seeking Things Above, October 2022
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“My Messenger”
Jarrod M. Jacobs
Malachi’s name means “My messenger,” or literally, “messenger of Yahweh.” This has caused some to wonder whether a man named Malachi actually existed or if this was someone who wrote God’s word but took a name that means “God’s messenger.” I believe Malachi was a real person, but regardless, I want us to consider the meaning behind the name and apply it to our lives (Rom. 15:4).
It’s crucial for us to focus on this, as this definition should be one that all Christians not only accept but also embrace. We are all called to be “God’s messengers.” This role should so permeate our lives that our daily work becomes a means of spreading God’s message. I recall a furniture store in Owensboro, KY, that had a sign which read, “Our work is to spread the gospel. We sell furniture to make money.” This is a powerful reminder for all Christians – our primary work is to spread the gospel!
A quick perusal of the New Testament shows that this needs to be our work and aim. Before Jesus left this earth, He wanted His apostles to go and preach the truth to “every creature” (Mk. 16:15). More specifically, they were to take this message to “Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This challenge was accepted; and within one generation, the word has spread to “all the world” (Col. 1:6).
As we know, battles do not remain fought and victories do not stay won, especially in the spiritual realm. Therefore, another generation had to be prepared to preach God’s message. This is why men like Timothy, Titus, and others were taught and trained to take the message far and wide in their time following the apostles’ deaths. Timothy was told, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Tim. 2:2). This statement underscores the divine purpose that God’s word must continue to spread through the generations. In other words, many people will need to serve as God’s messengers if the word will continue through the ages.
The question remains: Will we take up the mantle and do the work God wants us to do? Will we be the “messengers” that carry the word to a lost and dying world, preparing others to do the same? “The messenger” must become the embodiment of the message. It does little good to spread a message that we are not first willing to obey! Let us make sure we are “doers of the word and not hearers only” (Jas. 1:22). Let us make sure we are a “doer of the work” (Jas. 1:25), continuing in what God wants done, while we faithfully proclaim it.
In so doing, we will follow in the footsteps of Noah, Moses, David, the many Old Testament prophets, Jesus (Acts 1:1), the apostles, and the faithful preachers and teachers in the New Testament. When we determine to be God’s messenger, we will follow in righteous footsteps and encourage a new generation to do the same (Matt. 5:14-16).
Malachi means “My messenger.” What does God call you?
— Via The Ancient Landmark, March 2, 2025
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“The Lord Opened Her Heart”
Bryan Gibson
Concerning Lydia, Acts 16:14 says, “The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.” The text doesn’t specifically say how the Lord did that. But what cause do we KNOW was present, something with sufficient power to open her heart? The gospel of Jesus Christ, which is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16).
Remember, Paul had already been speaking to the group of women gathered by the river, and Lydia was listening (Acts 16:13). Need more confirmation? Read carefully the other accounts of conversion in the Book of Acts. “When they heard this [gospel], they were cut to the heart…” (Acts 2:37) — that’s how it worked with these people in Acts 2; that’s how it worked with Lydia; and that’s how it worked in every single conversion recorded in the Book of Acts. The Lord opens hearts with the gospel. Please let Him open yours.
— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, February 4, 2025
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Ephesians 6:17
“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (NASB).
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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
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; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…
6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; 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: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes
First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)