Wednesday, 17. March 2004
Contagious Christianity mskelton, March 17, 2004 at 5:31:00 PM GMT
by Mitchell Skelton When my oldest daughter woke up this morning to get ready for school, she was complaining of a sore throat. It is not like her to want to miss school. She has perfect attendance so far this year. However, this morning she stated that she just did not feel like going. I was able to secure an appointment for her with the family physician first thing this morning and wouldn't you know, it's strep throat. The doctor explained that she would be contagious for at least another twenty-four hours, anyone who comes into contact with her is potentially exposed, bad news for the Skelton household. As we traveled back to our home I started to dwell upon the past twenty-four hours, did I share a drink with her? Have I been exposed to this highly contagious disease? What about your level of contagion as a Christian? Jesus said that as Christians we should live such lives that we literally "infect" those around us. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13–16). While I don't think Jesus had in mind contagious diseases when he was preaching the Sermon on the Mount, he definitely had in mind the principle. A little salt in a pot of beans makes for some very good eating. Jesus said that his followers were to be the salt of the earth. Our lives should be lived in such a way that we make a difference in the lives of those around us. If we are not having that effect then Jesus says we are "no longer good for anything." Jesus also uses light as an example of contagious Christianity. It doesn't take much of a flame to light up a dark room. Light chases away darkness. When Christians live their lives and spread their influence to the world around them, darkness (evil) is driven away! We don't put our Christianity on display to receive the praise of men, instead we do it so that God will be glorified. The good news for the Skelton family is that once the antibiotic kicks in then the contagious phase of strep throat is finished. The bad news for Satan is, there are no antibiotics that can "cure" a contagious Christian. Let us make the effort each and every day to "infect" someone with Christ! |
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Update on FMag 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 ...
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 ...
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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