by Hardeman Nichols

When a congregation is established according to the divine pattern of the New Testament, it is composed of elements of perfection and imperfection. Since it is a divine institution, it deserves respect and appreciation. Everything that such a church is and does, as authorized by God, is divine. God’s part is perfect. He has designed a perfect plan of salvation and a perfect system of worship (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The Bible is its only guide, is "the perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25). The church has a perfect Savior who holds before us his perfect goal for our life, saying, "Follow Me" (Matthew 16:24).

But here is the paradox. Man is not perfect, nor does he perfectly follow the Lord. The human element in the church is as imperfect as its members. The church would have been an imperfect institution if it had been designed only for perfect people. It would have no members at all, "For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not" (Ecclesiastes 7:20, KJV).

Its perfection is retained by the way it deals with our imperfections. It does not overlook sin but believes the grace of God is perfect in dealing with it. And it must distinguish between the penitent and rebellious, between the humble weak and willful reprobate. God now "commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). The church believes that Christ promises pardon for all imperfect beings who, in godly sorrow for their sins, penitently seek mercy and forgiveness. His invitation is to imperfect men. When one repents and is baptized, Jesus forgives his sins and adds him to his church (Acts 2:38,47).

The church offers strength to help us in our weaknesses, courage when we are faint-hearted, comfort when we are sad, and "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8), along the way. Its call is to all men to come and be saved. Its God-ordained teachings and services restore lost humanity back to God. Thanks be unto God for his perfect church and its wondrous benefits to imperfect men.

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 3, page 54.

by Michael E. Brooks

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Conventional wisdom says, "Do not travel in South Asia during the Monsoon season." From Late May to mid-September this region receives the vast majority of its annual rainfall. It rains nearly every day, and flooding is prevalent. Travel is difficult at best, impossible if one's destination is a rural village accessible only via dirt roads, or if floodwaters cover (or wash out) the highways. Frequent rains keep one wet, humidity is high and uncomfortable and the general atmosphere is rather soggy and unpleasant.

Sometimes one just has to travel regardless of circumstance. Recent experience has revealed that the listed disadvantages are real, but their over-all effect is less severe than expected. Temperatures are actually lower during the height of the monsoon than just before it begins; daily rains have a cooling effect. Rain is frequent, but not constant and one can often do several hours of outside activity each day. Flood waters must be avoided, but they often can be, and in other cases, just waiting a few days for them to recede takes care of the problem. True, there are places one cannot get to, but plenty more that are available and are just as much in need of visiting.

The point is that circumstances do not determine life. Life goes on -– things must be done –- regardless of circumstance. If it is dry, cool, and pleasant, that is wonderful and we may be more comfortable and more efficient. But the weather is often otherwise. We can be at its mercy, or we can go ahead and do what needs to be done, as best we can.

This principle does not apply only to weather, of course. People may be cooperative and helpful, enabling us to work and relate well with them. That is excellent, and we appreciate those times and opportunities. But people are often not like that. Do we let that cause us to fail to minister to them as Christians? Do we allow their negative attitudes change our values and character? God forbid.

Paul points out the importance of one's inner convictions in this regard:

"I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean" (Romans 14:14).

He is talking about different kinds of food, some of which Christians were being forbidden to eat. Paul says there is no food which defiles. Christians are free to eat all kinds of foods. But if someone sees harm in a food and considers it unclean for himself, then that makes it unclean, but only for that one individual.

This principle is easily applied in a wider arena. Circumstances frequently do not determine our actions. Rather it is our perception of and reaction to those circumstances which cause us to act in certain ways. One writer told of a recession in a certain city. He spoke to two different realtors, asking them "How are things going?" The first responded, "Terrible. No one has any money. I am not selling any houses." The response of the second was different however. She said, "I am having the best period ever. People are not working, so there is plenty of time to look for houses. I have made many sales." They were in exactly the same situation, but reacted to it in opposite ways. One saw the recession as a negative factor and was discouraged. The other saw it positively, as an opportunity, and took advantage.

Most that happens to us in life is neither good or bad in itself. That is determined by our attitude and reaction. If we view things positively, doing what we can, good will come.

Maxie B. Boren

A close acquaintance once remarked to Samuel Coleridge, the noted Englishman of the early 19th century, about his infant son of whom he was so proud, "I don't intend to teach my son anything about God. I will let him grow up, and when he is old enough to judge for himself, he can choose whether to believe or not."

As the two men walked together, they paused at the site of Mr. Coleridge's garden. Samuel spoke, "I had thought about setting out some strawberry plants this spring, but you have given me an idea. I think I'll wait until about mid-summer and see whether the garden would prefer the strawberry plants or weeds." "But, Samuel," intervened the friend, "by then the weeds will have taken over; you can't afford to wait." Then thoughtfully, Mr. Coleridge looked his friend in the eye and replied, "Yes, you are right about that. And in like manner, so also will the weeds of doubt and unbelief take over the mind of your son in due time unless you start teaching him now that there is a God, and that Jesus is God's Son."

Why can't Christian parents seem to grasp that simple truth? . . . the time to set out the strawberry plants is before the weeds have taken over the garden area. And the time to train a child about God, about Jesus, and the way of righteousness is NOW! . . . while little minds are receptive and pliable. One of the greatest tragedies of our time is that the church, yea, Christian parents, are losing so many of our young people!

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 4., page 76.

by Mike Benson

Richard C. Haverson once wrote,

"You're going to meet an old man some day. He may be a seasoned, soft, gracious fellow, a gentleman that has grown old gracefully, surrounded by a host of friends. He may be a bitter, disillusioned, dried-up, cynical man, without a good word for anybody, soured, friendless and alone. The kind of old man you meet depends entirely on yourself. Because that old man will be you. He'll be the composite of everything you do, say, think, today, tomorrow. His heart will be turning out what you've been putting in."

The Bible says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Dear reader, unless you die today, you will be an older person tomorrow. When you meet that older person tomorrow, will you be proud to make his/her acquaintance? Think about it.

by Stan Mitchell

Often we hear that "prayer changes things." I have only one question. It deals not with what prayer changes, but whom.

Perhaps we are under the illusion that it is the role of prayer to change God's mind. The astounding thing is that there are indeed times when frail flesh can change the intention of eternal Deity! Moses averted God's anger against Israel (Exodus 32:11-14); Hezekiah bought extra time (Isaiah 38:1-8). These incidents remind us that "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16, NIV). Talk about friends in high places, the child of God can go to the most powerful figure in existence and be heard!

But the marvel of prayer lies not in our ability to change God, but in his ability to change us. When we pray, we admit that we need his help; we express humility and dependence with regard to the course of our lives; we throw ourselves on his mercy; we seek his wisdom, his strength, his love. When we pray, the universe is reoriented. Our universe!

Prayer isn't about changing God's mind; it's about changing ours! "God," someone has said, "never alters the robe of righteousness to fit a man; he changes the man to fit the robe." God seeks to mold us, change us, make us something wonderfully better. And the process begins when our posture changes from standing to kneeling.

"'O house of Israel, can I not do to you as this potter does?' declares the Lord. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel'" (Jeremiah 18:6).

Prayer won't change things until we allow it to change us.