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Whose Day Is It? himtall, June 18, 2004 at 2:09:00 PM BST
by Tim Hall The apostle John received a marvelous revelation from Jesus. In the scenes he was given, a portrait of the future was painted for him, scenes of victory for the Christian. John tells us, in Revelation 1:10, that he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" when the revealing began (NKJV). The Lord's Day? What did John mean by that phrase? Scholars are nearly unanimous in their answer to that question: They believe it pointed to the first day of the week, the day we call Sunday. By the second century A.D., the phrase was in common use when speaking of Sunday. How appropriate that Sunday be called "the Lord's Day"! It was on the first day of the week that Christ arose from the dead (Luke 24:1), and thus it is fitting that the day should belong to him. On this Lord's Day, Christians from the beginning have assembled to worship God and to partake of the communion that honors Christ's death (Acts 20:7). We gladly give this day to him Who gave us his all. In our society, however, there is less and less emphasis placed on Sunday as the Lord's Day. I recall in my early years that stores were almost universally closed on Sundays (remember the "blue laws"?). Now, Chick-Fil-A stands out as an exception by being one of the few national corporations not open for business on Sundays. And what about our own views of Sunday? Is it not the case that many regard Sunday as the last day of the weekend? Friday evening begins our time of leisure, and Sunday evening brings it to a close. For this reason, many don't attend worship assemblies when other plans arise. "It's my weekend!" they protest. "The Lord understands that I need to have time for myself." Is it truly the "Lord's Day"? Or have we made it his day only when it is convenient? This is not to say that we can't enjoy leisure activities on Sunday. But we do propose that the Lord should come first, even ahead of other pursuits that attempt to call us away from his service. Let us renew our pledge to serve the Lord 24-7-365 -- every hour of every day. Yes, we will continue to leave town now and then. But even when we are away, it is the Lord's Day. We will serve him wherever we may be. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). ... subscribe
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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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