Going straight to the Cross
 
Tuesday, 21. May 2002

Life Changes

by Phil Sanders

Time has a way of changing things. It is difficult to keep things the way they are. Children graduate from high school, graduate from college, and get married. A young married couple goes from having no children to having one child to having multiple children. A serious health challenge comes along, and things are never the same.

Joseph went down to Egypt as a slave and became a mighty leader, second only to Pharaoh. After Joseph died, “a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph” (Ex. 1:8). The Hebrews, who had known favor during Joseph’s lifetime, became the slaves of Egypt.

Life changes.

Fortunately, there are some things in the Christian life that never change. The Lordship of Jesus Christ never changes. He arose from the dead and is now sitting at the right hand of God. Nothing can change that.

The word of God cannot change. Though heaven and earth pass away, the words of Jesus cannot pass away (Matt. 24:35). Our flesh may wither, but the word that was preached to us will abide forever (1 Pet. 1:24-25).

The character of God never changes. The Hebrew writer reminds us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). Our God is one who does not lie (Tit. 1:2). Paul proclaimed that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:37-39).

Amidst all the joy of new homes, new children, and new lives, let us give thanks for a God who never changes. Amidst the heartache of loss and disease, let us hold fast to the God who will never be moved. Praise be to God!

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Whadda you think? (editorial)

by Randal Matheny

We'd like to hear your opinion about the changes in Forthright Magazine. Especially about our change from an e-mail magazine to an on-line publication.

If you haven't registered yet, you give minimal information. Think up a username and password, and type in your e-mail address. That's it. So click HERE and in 30 seconds flat it's done.

Then come back here or click on polls at right to tell us what you're thinking. Here's the poll:

What do you think about Forthright moving from an e-mail magazine to mainly a web-based (online) publication?

Results
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What It Means to Be Thankful

by A. A. Neale

I tried the dictionary and came away unsatisfied. It threw thankful and grateful back and forth between entries.

I consulted the Bible research tools, and they did better. But their definitions were dry and lifeless.

Then I found the perfect definition.

"Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan" (Luke 17:15-16, NASB).

Perhaps I may do this definition no violence by taking it in parts.

First, the lone leper saw that he had been healed. Being thankful means noticing that something good has happened. Something very good.

Second, he turned back. Sure, he was off to see the temple priest to be declared clean, but some things were more important than getting reintegrated back into society. Like appearing before one's Benefactor.

Third, he glorified God. With a loud voice. Now, I'm the silent type. But I'm trying to get loud. Gratitude amplifies the voice with joyful singing and heart-felt praise.

Fourth, he fell on his face before Jesus. The dusty feet of this traveling Teacher must have been the most glorious sight in the world to this man.

Fifth, he knew who he was, a Samaritan. He knew he didn't deserve his cure. Perhaps the other nine, Jews all, thought they had it coming as God's chosen people. This man understood that he had just been blessed for no earthly reason. And that took him to see a heavenly motive.

There you have it. The best definition of gratitude I could find.

Now to just live it.

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Forthright Magazine continues, more dynamic than ever! We have groups created for FMag on Facebook and the Churches of Christ Network. Announcement blog is up and going on Preachers Files. Email lists about FMag and FPress are available both on Yahoo and GoogleGroups. And, to top it all off, we're twittering for both on Twitter.com.
by randal @ 1/20/09, 11:55 AM

How to Make Sure That Your Judgment Is Flawless


by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 5:24--47 How to Make Sure That Your Judgment Is Flawless Yes, it is popular to say that we are not supposed to judge, but the truth is we all make judgments about many things daily. Otherwise, we would never succeed in life. The real question is what is our guide for judging. Why can we not simply follow the example of our Master and Lord? He said, 30 "I can of Myself ... more ...
by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:08 AM

Do You Ever Feel Like Just a Name?


by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Chronicles 1--3 Do You Ever Feel Like Just a Name? Think on the manner, in which the Book of First Chronicles begins, 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh (1 Chr. 1:1). In this way begins the longest genealogy in the Bible. The names continue to the end of the ninth chapter! Were these just names? Adam; who is he? You know there is more in the Bible than the mere mention of his name in ... more ...
by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:05 AM
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by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 5:1--23 Jesus healed a man. Praise God! However, Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. Uh oh. Some people were ready to kill Jesus for this perceived violation of the Sabbath Law. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath (Joh. 5:16). Jesus did a good thing. Yet, people criticized Him severely for it. And they were not people ... more ...
by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:03 AM

They Were His Servants


by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Second Kings 24 and 25 They Were His Servants As the writer of Second Kings explains whom the Lord sent against Judah, the writer said that this was 2 ...according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets (2 Kin. 24:2). Those great men we have honored for centuries were nothing more than servants of the Lord God. What does that make us? Do you do something ... more ...
by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:01 AM
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by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 4:30--54 The disciples went into a town to buy food while Jesus remained out of the town. There He engaged a woman in conversation. When the disciples returned, here is what happened, 31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know" (Joh. 4:31, 32). As you read the Gospel According to John, watch ... more ...
by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 4:59 AM

Having a Tender Heart


by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Second Kings 22 and 23 Having a Tender Heart When Josiah heard the word of God for the first time, he tore his clothes, knowing of the wrath that was upon Jerusalem for the idolatry of his forefathers. Therefore, he sent messengers to a prophetess to inquire of the Lord. He did have a message for Josiah. God said through the prophetess, 19 "...because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before ... more ...
by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 4:56 AM
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