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... OWNERS STATEMENT ... Garreth L. Clair is the owner and editor of considermagazine.com. No part of considermagazine.com is a work of any church of Christ anywhere. I have a number of books, tracts, and used books that I am selling through considermagazine.com.
Considermagazine.com is an independant work that is financed and carried on by Garreth L. Clair.
My FAX & email address here at considermagazine.com is FAX: 6148507252
Garreth and Barbara Clair 2007
OWNER AND EDITOR’S BACKGROUND
The editor was born in Lothair [Hazard], Perry County, Kentucky at Hurst and Snyder Hospital on 10/14/1935. My father was working for Black Gold Mining Company, we lived in a company house on Black Gold Hill in Lothair. My grandfather, Henry W. Clair and my grandmother Lilly May Clair lived in Lothair at that time too.
My grandfather and my Dad [Mitchell Lee Clair] were both part of the church of Christ in Lothair, Kentucky. My Father Mitchell Lee Clair and my mother Ruth Madglene [Mooney] Clair were involved in the Lothair church as well as my grandparents and other members of the Clair family.
My grandfather, my father, and my uncle, Woodrow Clair were all involved in the preaching of the gospel at the Lothair congregation and in other places in the area. Others involved in the work at Lothair were Grover Branson, Luther Dalton, Red Gibbs, Bethel Shepherd, Paul Cornett, and others that I do not remember by name.
The church was a good size congregation to the best of my recollection.
The editor’s background consists of conversion in 1959 at a gospel meeting in Chicago, Illinois conducted by Norman Fultz. The editor began his life as a Christian with a group of faithful Christians that had recently began a store-front congregation at 5404 South Halstead Street in Chicago. The services of Bobby Witherington were acquired as the first preacher for the new congregation. As I recall brother Witherington was working as a structural steel worker while preaching. The church prospered and shortly after my baptism, I aspired to preach the gospel and was aided in doing so by Bobby Witherington, Billy James (deceased), Mitchell L. Clair, Sr. (deceased), James Hodges, Carlos Henry and other members of what was shortly to become the Englewood church of Christ.
Some of the people that have aided me through the years as advisors and dear friends have been, first of all my wife, Barbara Ann (Horton) Clair, we have been married since 1959. Also in the list of helpers were my father (Mitchell L. Clair, Sr. (deceased), Dad was a gospel preacher and gave me a great deal of encouragement and help as I began to preach the gospel. Others that have helped me stay the course were Woodrow Clair (i.e. Uncledeceased), Cecil Willis (deceased), Stanley Lovett (deceased), Ken Weeks (deceased), Joe Stano (Deceased-2009, Carl Bohn, Delbert Mills (deceased), James Smith of Jackson, MS, Billy Ray Ford, and Joe Stano (Deceased) To these I will be eternally grateful, without their timely encouragement and kind advise I probably would not have been able to develop my ability as a gospel preacher, and stay the course.
Churches and brethren who assisted us through the years were located in: Dumas (6th and Meredith), Texas Bedford, Ohio Columbus (Laurel Canyon), Ohio Meridian, Mississippi Other churches and individuals that have been helpful in our work for God have been Rochelle, IL - Glendale, AZ (55th and Myrtle - No longer meeting) Brawley, CA Jackson MS Marion, AR Jeff, KY Brown's Fork, KY - Greencastle, IN and other brethren in many other places, to numerous to mention.
This year I will become 75 years of age (October 14, 2010) I do intend to do the work of an evangelist as long as I am able. considermagazine.com will possibly be my last publishing effort, yet I will do my very best to make it informative and helpful to the Bible student wherever he/she may be on their travels on the ”Narrow Way“ leading to eternal glory after a lifetime of faithful service.
We are also mindful of the good brethren and close friends that we have with the Cemetery Road church of Christ. We are now in our 12th year with the church here in Hilliard and the work continues to be good and productive of good. Our health is good at this time and I pray that it will continue. We are still holding gospel meetings away from the congregation here, we average over the years to have conducted about 3 meetings each year. Indeed, God has been good to both Barbara and me, and our brethren have also been good to us with few exceptions.
NOTE - MARCH 10, 2010 THANK GOD FOR EACH NEW DAY
Most people do not stop and consider the days of their lives in a very serious fashion. Many people just live for today without giving consideration for the past and the future. In the past few years, it has finally dawned on me that my life is still viable here in this world because God has blessed me. God has blessed me to understand that life is not a succession of ups and downs with no real meaning. I remember about 1957 or 58 that it occurred to me that perhaps my father and grandfather knew more about living than I did. I understood that it is not in man that walks on earth to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). This awakening brought back to me that in my youth I had attended services of the church of Christ with dad and grandpa in Lothair, KY. This caused me to consider for several days and perhaps a few weeks that it was time that I got my life settled so that I could live with some dignity in society.
Since that time 50 + years have passed and I am still pursuing the promises of God and His Son; Jesus Christ HAVE YOU READ THESE SCRIPTURES RECENTLY? NOTE: Matt. 11:28-30 - 28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt. 16:24-26 - 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? KJV John 5:24-29 - 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 for as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. KJV As we [i.e. Barbara and me] contemplate the future; we will surely continue to do the work for God as much as we are able and capable of doing. There are days when we sit and discuss the past for joy and for strength to pursue tomorrow, While we are still here we will heed the Lord’s statement in cf. John 9:4, ”I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh , when no man can work.“ (KJV) Only God knows what will transpire tomorrow yet we are set for the defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ with our whole heart; as the apostle Paul so clearly put it in cf. Phil. 1:15-17 - 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. (KJV)
WILL WE LIVE OUR LIVES WITH PURPOSE? The days, weeks, months, and years that lay behind us are testimony to our faithfulness and dedication to God and the future will continue to determine in the mind of God whether or not we have successfully traveled the ”narrow path“ cf. Matt. 7:13-14 - 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. KJV
My dear friends and brethren as Moses said to his father-in-law many centuries ago cf. Num. 10:29 - 29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law , We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel. KJV CONTENTMENT Editorial: Garreth L Clair
I know of no quality that aids us in living for God that is greater than contentment. Contentment defined in 1 Tim 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." (NIV) Definition: 841 autarkeia (ow-tar'-ki-ah); from 842; self-satisfaction, i.e. (abstractly) contentedness, or (concretely) a competence: KJV-- contentment, sufficiency. (From Strong's Definition)..
A DIFFICULT ASSIGNMENT
Contentment is a quality that each person must work at in order to attain; contentment is not something acquired naturally but is acquired by the person that is willing to seek it. You see, one is never content with self so long as one resides in the grips of sin. Sin has a way of disenchanting one so that the pleasures gained through the actions of sin soon become apparent and discouraging. The person living (i.e., continuous action) in sin will never find true contentment because they will not be satisfied with the things, both material and spiritual offered by sin. God tells us in His Book (i.e., the Bible) that the "way of the transgressor (i.e., sinner) is hard " Prov. 22:12, "The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor." Prov. 13:15, "Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard." There are a number of problems that are generally associated with those that have no interest in a godly lifestyle (i.e., a lifestyle patterned after the teaching of the Bible), please observe the following list (the list is not complete):
1. Many people that are not Christians have no interest in moral or ethical concepts because they do not base their actions or plans upon any set of standards except the standards set by secular law (i.e., local, state, and federal). Because this is so, many people are restrained only by secular law -- if there is no restraint (i.e., secular law against a desired action) many of these people feel no obligation to act except as they deem correct by their own humanistic standard.
2. Many people that are not Christians may base their actions and conduct according to that which they have been taught. Children in America are, by law required to attend secular schools until they are 16 to 18. Today one is taught from kindergarten, that evolution is the answer to the origin of all things. You see, God and the Bible are not allowed in government funded institutions today.
3. People without a standard to live by other than one established by themselves are unable to be content, they are unable to direct their own steps and therefore are restless and unstable; they are discontented. God says that man without His guidance cannot make the right choices in life -- Prov 28:26,"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." -- Jer 10:23, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
4. Since man is unable to make helpful choices without God's direction; Those that have been conditioned for 12 to 16 years generally at the feet of those that teach there is no God, learning that man is an evolutionary being, and has no standard but himself and his peers will probably act and conduct himself in a way that indicates some or all of the following qualities:
A. I will get all that I can while I am young, when I grow old I will need things to maintain my life till I die. B. Since I have no responsibility to anyone else I must live till I die regardless of other people, I cannot allow them to hinder my enjoyment of life. C. Since I have only secular law to hinder my desires, I must find ways to circumvent those laws (i.e., authorities) so that I may have those things (cf., both abstract and real), that will gratify all my needs and desires. D. "Indeed, I will eat, drink, and make merry for tomorrow I die -- and that is the end!" (This ideology may be the cause of many major upheavals in current society) E. Human life under such conditions becomes valueless and meaningless to millions of people. F. The beer advertisement says, "get all the gusto you can, you only go around once." (This slogan indicates the philosophy get it all now there is nothing after death)
CONSIDER THIS:
One cannot teach a society from birth to the grave 1st that there is no God, 2nd the Bible is nothing but a good book, 3rd man is here by pure chance (i.e., he evolved from nothing), 4th the earth came into being due to natural causes billions of years ago, 5th when man dies he is annihilated, and expect mankind to always make good moral and good ethical choices that are instilled within him by a book (i.e., the Bible) that is prohibited within the walls of the institutions that teach points 1-5 above.
To expect a society to demonstrate contentment with itself after one looks at the real condition that permeates the thinking of current millions of people in America is absurd. Today, man is possessed with the good time philosophy, the me, me, philosophy (i.e., which is selfishness). Today many millions of people are more violent, less tolerant, less trusting, and more discontented than at any time in my memory (i.e. I am 75 years of age this year 2010). What an awful condition to admit, there is little contentment in most people today. All is not lost, though -- man may still find contentment even though society is determined to lead him away from it. (Reference; "GOD'S FAMILY VALUES" by glclair@aol.com)
ACQUIRING CONTENTMENT
Those that want to live in a state of contentment must first of all find God and commit their life completely to His care -- cf., Matt. 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. --Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. -- For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (KJV) God assures us that our cares and our conflicts in this age are but passing and that after this life is lived in faith our hope of heaven will be realized -- cf., Rom. 4:21, "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." Rom. 8:37-39. 37 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 3 9Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 2 Tim. 1:12, 12 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (KJV) Heb. 11:13-16, 13 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (KJV)
THE CHRISTIAN POSSESSES CONTENTMENT
Committed Christian knows that their soul is safe with the Lord, they know that this life is not all there is, they look with hope and expectation beyond this life. The Christian unlike the sinner lives as a pilgrim (i.e., sojourner) here having no fear of physical death because they know that in the resurrection they will be with the Godhead in the heavenly city -- cf., Matt. 10:28-31, 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (KJV) Titus 1:2, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" Heb. 6:18-19, 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (KJV) I know of many Christian that are committed to the Lord and are living that contentment that is discussed in 1. Tim 6:6-8, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. -- For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. -- And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
How about your life?
DON'T YOU WANT CONTENTMENT IN LIFE?
As you can observe while examining the thoughts contained in our study today, living a lifestyle in this world with the contentment that is in Christ is the best choice. May we encourage you to consider the choices that you have, you can continue to live a worldly lifestyle without God (i.e., continue to be alienated from God) or live the lifestyle of a Christian (i.e., live a contented life). At this point many people ask, "What must I do to have this contentment that you are writing about: what must I do to be a Christian?" You must first of all realize that God is real, that this world and all things therein were created by Him, that God has given authority to Christ (i.e., His Son) to provide a means for your salvation from sin (cf., Matthew 28:18-20).
Further, that Jesus Christ has provided a plan (i.e., referred to by many as "The Plan of Salvation") for man's forgiveness of sin, the plan includes:
God's grace, (i.e., unmerited favor bestowed upon man): Grace is supplied by God (i.e., through the actions of His Son, Jesus Christ) John 1:17, 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (KJV) Rom. 3:24, 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (KJV) Rom. 5:15, 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! (NIV) Definition of grace from the Greek Lexicon published by Strong (viz. CD-ROM). 5486 (Strong's Definition) charisma khar'-is-mah); from 5483; a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: KJV-- (free) gift.
CONSIDER THESE FACTS:
Now grace is extended to everyone in the world, yet everyone in the world will not be saved from his or her sin. God's favor demonstrated in His willingness to forgive man's sin was made even though man was not worthy. Note here John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (NKJ) It was God that made salvation from sin possible first of all by providing an offering capable of removing the offense (i.e., sin). Then Jesus Christ established conditions (cf., 1 Peter 3:21) for receiving the benefits of that grace, they are:
GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION
Hearing the gospel, Romans 10:17 Believing, Mark 16:16, 16 Repenting of sin, Acts 2:38 Confession, Romans 10:9, 10 Baptism, Acts 2:38
Whenever one complies with the Divine conditions of salvation from sin he will be saved from his sin and added to the Body of Christ (i.e., the church) by Jesus Christ, cf., Acts 2:38; 2:47.
"LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE"
THIS IS CONTENTMENT
Those that choose to serve God today will begin to experience the joy, peace, and contentment that is associated with fellowship with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all other faithful Christians immediately. The Holy Scriptures tells us this: Gal. 5:22-24, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, -- Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. -- And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (KJV) Col. 1:11, Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;" 1 Pet. 1:8, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" 1 Tim. 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain:" (ASV)
FRIENDS, SEEK THAT CONTENTMENT TODAY THAT IS IN CHRIST (i.e., in the Church of Christ). glclair@aol.com - December 30, 2009
INSURING SUCCESS IN LIFE
One of the longings of a person early in life; is a longing to succeed in life. This suggests that man knows early that there is a possible failure and a possible successful way of life. The person soon realizes that there are many possibilities in life (i.e. many directions to travel). A person may conclude that they would like to finish high school, college, and get a good job in a career that they have trained for. These are normal and expected thoughts and hopes for any person in life. Yet, there is an area of thought in the mind of many people today that lies dormant far too long as they seek success in education, marriage, career, and other areas to the total neglect of their spiritual life.
Indeed, every person wants to succeed in life and fulfill their secular goals and hopes. This is not evil or somehow foolish but possibly the dreams of almost everyone. The person that pursues their hopes in life without a consideration of spiritual things are short changing themselves and depriving themselves of a dimension of life that outlasts and is more fulfilling than acquiring all other goals. There is a Bible reference of a man that acquired great wealth in secular pursuits (i.e. farming), yet neglected his most precious possession (i.e. his eternal soul); please note the Biblical reference following --- Luke 12:15-20 - 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns , and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (KJV)
Friends and brethren; may we choose well our pursuits in life and make sure that we do not neglect or forget that God is watching us - 1 Peter 3:10-15 - 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (KJV) glclair@aol.com --- 8-5-09
Brethren; resist the Devil Maintain Holiness In the day to day journey of the faithful Christian there are many stumbling blocks that are encountered. The Christian in the world today is faced with great temptations, arguments, and circumstance beyond their control that are used by the Devil to hinder them on the Narrow Way cf. Matt. 7:13-14 - 13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way , that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way , that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. (ASV) The modern world with all of its glitter, glamour, and subtle offerings to man reveals to the Christian that the Devil is still active and is busy in the tempting business as he has been since the Garden of Eden cf. 2 Cor 11:3 - But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. (ASV) Indeed, the Devil is not asleep as can be seen in the electronic and printed media presentations to designed to subtly influence the innocent to deny God and destroy their minds and bodies through abusive of alcohol, illegal drugs, fornication and adultery as well as instigating one group of people against another with the design to destroy both and gain their soul for eternal damnation. Indeed, the Devil is still ”walking about like a roaring lion seeking those who he may devour“ (i.e. take down and destroy their mind and body causing them to become dull of hearing, blind to sin and degradation as well as others sins. The Devil is still using his old tricks and various methods to destroy, disrupt peace, inflict horror and terror upon mankind from all directions cf. 1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion , walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (KJV) THE CHRISTIAN’S ESCAPE PROCESS: The Christian man, woman; parent, child, even the strongest Christian must put forth great effort to avoid placing themselves in compromising circumstances in life where they will be tempted. Yet, we must realizing that God will not allow temptations to overtake us against our will cf. 1 Cor 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV) Whenever temptations beset the Christian they must keep in mind that Jesus Christ our Savior and mediator suffered temptations just like we do and as a result. He became the author of eternal salvation to all those that obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9) cf. Heb. 2:18 - For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. (KJV) Heb. 4:15-16 - 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV) We must never forget that all temptation comes from the Devil and from those (i.e. people) that the Devil uses cf. James 1:13-16 - 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempted he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. (KJV) BE STRONG BRETHREN RESIST THE DEVIL: James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV) 1 Peter 5:7-9 - 7 casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (KJV) Monday, August 03, 2009
CAUSE FOR ALARM {Article 1} The current trends among this new generation; (ages 10-35) are rejection of all authority from any source. Indeed, there are a few exceptions to this trend but the vast majority of this age group accepts no restraints from any source including parents, school and government authorities, and friends that cross them. This situation has been brought about in America by very poor parenting and liberal activists’ that have screamed children’s rights, Hollywood that has taught children the lifestyle they accept today, and various positions of authority at school, and in elected and appointed officials in government. WHAT IS THE ANSWER? That is a good question but a question that our society must find an answer for. Unless a solution is found our way of life on this plant since the great flood may soon be over --- NOTE FOLLOWING (Genesis 6:17-7:1 - 17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shall come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shall thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. 21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shall gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. 22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. --- Genesis 7 - 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (KJV)
TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR MAN’S CIVILIZED (I.e. the way of life approved and revealed by Almighty God via. the Bible) --- glclair@aol.com --- H.B. August 2009
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
Matt. 5:14-16 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. KJV
How often have you observed a person professing Christianity do things that a Christian should not do? How often have you heard professed Christian say things that were not appropriate for a Christian to say? Indeed, there are some people that profess to be a Christian who do not act or speak like a Christian is instructed to act and to speak. The standard of conduct and speech for the true Christian is revealed to us via the Bible (i.e. the written Word of God). It is not possible for man to be reconciled to God without undergoing a change. The change that takes place at God’s instruction for the sinner is God’s Plan of Salvation. Now, God’s Plan of Salvation consist of several things’
[1] The first action is to believe (i.e. possess faith) in God’s Son - John 8:24 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. KJV
[2] The second is to repent of sins Luke 13:3 - I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. KJV Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. KJV
[3] The third is to confess with the mouth Jesus as God’s Son Romans 10:9-10 - 9 That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. KJV Acts 8:37-38 - 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. KJV
[4[ The fourth is to be baptized Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. KJV 1 Peter 3:21 - The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: KJV
CONSIDER THIS: After being immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38 see above), the new convert will be added to the Body of Christ by the Lord Jesus Christ. After this action the new Christian is to abide in the truth and become part of a local congregation somewhere where they will worship regularly and according to God’s instructions.
The New Christian will do and talk the things that Christians are instructed to do via the Holy Scriptures; they will ”work out their own salvation“ cf. Phil. 2:12-15 - 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; KJV
CONCLUSION: Indeed, we should live and talk as God instructs us via the Holy Scripture to be blameless and acceptable to Him. December 9, 2009
Consider Magazine is an independent work by Garreth L. Clair Garreth has over 50 years experience as a preacher, and is currently the preacher for the church that meets at 4840 Cemetery Road, in Hilliard OH. http://www.cemeteryroadchurchofchrist.org/ Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved. (Please contact us for permission to reprint.) Please help us show up on search engines, by putting a link to http://www.considermagazine.com on your website!
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