by J. Randal Matheny

The author of Psalm 136 sounds like a broken record. (Now that's an outdated cliché!) For every imperative to give thanks for the Lord's goodness and for every mention of his action in creation or salvation history, he inserts this short declaration.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

Everything God has done or now does shows his motivation. God acts because he is love.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

We need that same refrain playing in our ears.

In a world where men kill themselves to destroy hundreds and thousands in the name of religion, we need to know that God sent his Only Son to die to save billions of souls.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

In a day when you define right and wrong to fit yourself, the God who calls people to his holiness and destroys the unjust calls us to rejoice.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

In an era of mass communications when one can never be sure the reporter is telling the truth or that the network isn't slanting the news, seeing God's indelible and undeniable footprints in history is an exercise in objectivity.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

In a dog-eat-dog, me-first work climate, where people are names to be networked and rungs to climb the corporate ladder, the giving, unselfish, gracious Lord "gives food to every creature."

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

In a make-me-happy maze of relationships, where importance is judged by how fulfilled one feels, the Almighty's calling by his name, not by our usefulness, brings us eternal value.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

In a society that sees lack of commitment as the norm, the God who "led his people through the desert" after 40 years of rebellion stands out.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

In a worldview that sees history as an unconnected series of dots or a meaningless jumble of events, the God who plans, executes, and consummates his purpose answers our whys and wherefores.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

No wonder, then, that Psalm 136 begins and ends with a call to "Give thanks to the God of heaven." For of all things, eternal love in action begets gratitude.

To borrow A. A. Neale's phrase, I'm thankful for that.

"For His lovingkindness is forever."

by Emmett Smith

The new millennium may see as many technological changes as the last, but it's doubtful. I can remember when my father, who was born in 1920, told me about seeing a jet airplane for the first time. A good number of adults today can probably remember seeing their first computer. Of course, this applies primarily to those who live in developed countries. The Internet has only been known to most of us for about a decade or so. Medical and biological advances have been mind-boggling as well.

Genetics and microbiology have confirmed the immense complexity of even the smallest organisms. As David said, we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). The evidence is plentiful to any that wish to examine it. It's hard to imagine how these and future advances in technology may yet change our lives, but we're certainly blessed to live in such an age. But along with the blessings of the most materially abundant lifestyle in recorded history there are many drawbacks.

An article in the London Telegraph dated June 16 discusses the impact of the Internet on peoples' lives. It seems that housewives are being increasingly drawn to online gambling. The anonymity of this medium is attractive, and thus many are encouraged to do things they wouldn't do in person. You will probably be able to relate. If you use the Internet regularly you will be exposed to temptations. Porn promotions, chat rooms, online gambling, online marketing of all sorts. The evil one has certainly kept up with the latest technology.

I'm often reminded these days of a phrase in Daniel 12:4, "... many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." We are in the last days, according to Hebrews 1:2, and we can't deny that knowledge has increased. I'm not trying to predict the Lord's return, but I am trying to remind us that He told us to "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is" (Mark 13:33).

It's easy to be distracted these days. Let's not allow that to happen to us.

by Greg A. Tidwell

Nehemiah, in the course of his work of restoration, noted that the men of Judah had married Philistine women and the offspring of this union spoke "the language of Ashdod." (Nehemiah 13:23ff) Over the years, this expression has become a proverb. To "speak the language of Ashdod" is to betray mixed influences.

Joined to the World

Just as the men of Judah mixed themselves with foreign women, the denominations around us have, in varying degrees, mixed the Christian message with the ways of the world.

An evidence of this mixture is the continuing shift away from the biblical view concerning the marriage and sexuality. Divorce, until recently greatly restricted by religious people, has become acceptable. Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Methodists all offer "dissolution services," celebrations of divorce which mirror the traditional marriage service. Likewise, the major Protestant denominations are in various stages of accepting homosexual unions as legitimate.

The Community Church Heresy

Churches of Christ are not immune to the same tendency. We, also, "speak the language of Ashdod" as the Community Church heresy leads into ever more accommodation with the world.

Consider the verbal shell game used to justify unscriptural practices. Female leadership and instrumental music, for example, are put forward in gatherings called "praise services" or "concerts" preparing the way for these innovations to enter the regular worship of the church.

Likewise the "language of Ashdod" is heard in the dissimulation put forward by Community Church leaders regarding the way of salvation. Baptism is described in glowing terms, perhaps even as "central," or "vital." And yet these same leaders will describe unbaptized persons as "Christians," pointing to good works as conclusive prove of the Holy Spirit's indwelling.

In contrast to accommodation, God calls His church to purity. Our speech and our actions must present the integrity of an uncompromised faith. We cannot be united with the world and remain faithful to Christ. We must not yield to the seducing tones of Ashdod.

by Phil Sanders

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

The gospel message is one of love, grace, hope, forgiveness, and life. It reveals the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on a cruel cross for our sins. It offers us our only hope for eternal life in heaven by means of the blood of Jesus in the washing away of our sins. For this reason, the gospel is good news! In fact, it is the best news we will ever hear.

There are two phrases in 1 Cor. 15:1-4, however, that present the challenge of the gospel.

First, the Corinthians received and took a "stand" in the gospel. Receiving the gospel means that you will be at odds with others, who do not believe it or will not receive it. Pagans took offense at the idea of one God; they thought the word of the cross was foolish (1 Cor. 1:18-21).

When Jesus and His disciples preached the gospel of the kingdom, their first word was "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17; Mark 6:12). The world has little desire for repentance and hates those who ask for it (John 3:19-20). They prefer their freedom and want no Lord.

Second, they were to "hold fast" to the gospel, if they would be saved by it. In Christ there is no retirement, no quitting point. Jesus asks us to endure to the end (Matt. 10:22). The challenge, however, is never as great as the promises! Stay faithful to the end.

by Barry Newton

With a bit of unconcealable pride, his rugged time-worn face lit up with a smile as his resonant voice announced, "I did not have anything when I started. Today, I have all this. I’m a self-made man!" While such a sentiment exudes a certain upbeat positiveness, it is nonetheless a prisoner of the unwarranted belief, "everything depends upon me."

To be sure, Scripture encourages a strong work ethic and pursuit of our work as though it is for the Lord himself. Colossians 3:23 But what Scripture does not support is the arrogant attitude which can falsely arise from perceiving ourselves as being responsible for all we've received. Deuteronomy 8:10-14

There are more pitfalls to the bootstrap mentality than just arrogance. When situations beyond our control impact our lives and limit our options, if we have embraced a bootstrap mentality, this can lead us toward depression and be a source of self-flagellation. "If only I were better, then I would have foreseen this and ...." Noble efforts do not always pay off. Ecclesiastes 9:11 God seeks to release us from both delusional ends of the bootstrap mentality spectrum.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, Paul's confession is quite revealing about how God wants us to live. Having faced tremendous burdens which led him to even despair of life, the apostle discovered that this was "so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead." That period of difficulty, as undesirable as it was, further galvanized Paul’s realization of his dependence upon God. As he thought about his future, he understood it as anchored upon God, not upon his own power and intelligence.

Evaluating Our Attitude by Our Prayers

While most people like to think of themselves in a positive light, sometimes an objective means for self-evaluation can be helpful. Our prayer life can be just such a tool.

• Do your prayers acknowledge your dependence upon God when situations are going well, or only when there is crisis?

• How often do you go to God in prayer, casting your cares upon Him knowing that He will sustain you? Ps. 55:22; 1 Peter 5:6-7

May each of us experience the freedom which comes from being released from the weight of thinking that "everything depends upon me." As a servant of God, work hard and do what you know to do as you continually depend upon His mighty hand to strengthen, sustain, and bless.