The Gooch Lane church of Christ is a group of people in Madison, Alabama seeking to study the Bible and put God’s teachings into practice. We’d love to have you join us for Bible study and worship.
All in Faith
In 1 John 1 John describes his fellowship with God as one dependent upon his walking “in the light” of God’s truth. He had learned of Christ, first hand, and then wrote this truth for our benefit; so that we may have the same kind of fellowship he had, i.e., fellowship with God. There is no fellowship with God for those who walk in darkness — error and sin.
Abram was seventy-five years old when God spoke to him: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Seventy-five is certainly an odd age to be finally leaving home. Parents in our day and age get antsy when their children haven’t left by their twenties. Abram was called to leave his parents at seventy-five. The Hebrews author specifically mentions this incident as a demonstration of faith: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)
This coming September 11 will mark the 20th anniversary of the bombings of the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, and the heroic downing of United Airlines Flight 93 to prevent terrorists from using the plane as a weapon against the United States. Those of age likely remember exactly where they were upon learning of this harrowing event and have difficulty accepting that enough time has passed that an entire generation knows these things only as historical events. As commemorations take place and multitudes of words are spoken about these tragedies, it provides good opportunity to be reminded of the spiritual lessons that can still be gained two decades later.
If there is any proof that the plans we make for ourselves can be thwarted, it has been these last two years. Plans I had went awry, and I am certain yours did, too. Intended travel was canceled or postponed, some jobs were lost, loved ones were lost as well. Something as disruptive as the pandemic is proof that none of us are in control of the circumstances of our lives, and we are not in control of most things.
“Come on in, the door’s unlocked!” were the words I heard from my aged brother in Christ when I knocked on his door late one afternoon. I went in and found him stretched across an island counter in his kitchen, feet on the floor on one side, body draped across the counter. He said, “I can’t sit or lie down without awful pain, but I can get relief when I stretch across this counter.” “Brother Tom, I’m so sorry. That’s terrible,” I said. He replied, “No, no, I need to learn patience!” Somehow, my brother had decided that the pain he was experiencing would give him an opportunity to “learn patience.”
The Corinthian church faced many different challenges presently and in the future, as all churches do. Whether it be from conflicts and disagreements within the church, the ensnaring nature of sin, or the threat of persecution, the church is and will be threatened by a variety of attacks that threaten to upend its walk with God. In the face of such troubles, Paul exhorted the Corinthians to do these five things.
Following the captivity of Israel by Assyria in 722 BC, Judah remained intact for several years. Unfortunately, during those years, Judah did not view the plight of their northern neighbor as a lesson from which to learn. Instead of recognizing the connection of Israel’s sinfulness with Israel’s ultimate demise, Judah continued to forsake the Lord and follow their own desires.
We are immensely blessed, but blessings are not guaranteed. It’s a fearful thing to realize the stability of our time could end.
Simply put, God is in control! At times this may be difficult to see; however, His faithful know that how things appear on the surface does not bespeak spiritual reality. Eternally speaking, right will reign victorious because God is its Champion.
