"So," my friend began, "here's the latest warning about motorcycle accidents." And she proceeded to tell me yet another tale of a motorcycle rider who had been severely injured while riding. And here I was, thinking about that very story, as I motored down the highway on two wheels. The thought struck me that such warnings really do serve a useful purpose. I find I am much more alert and cognizant of potential dangers when these warnings are fresh in my mind.
The Apostle Paul warned repeatedly of dangers we might face in our Christian walk. And many were offended or turned off to his message by those warnings, so much so that at one point he asked the question, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16)
I thank the Lord for good friends who will warn me of danger. And I thank the Lord for good Christian brothers and sisters who love me enough, and have enough courage, to warn me of spiritual danger.
The next time somebody points out an area of your life that the Bible warns is dangerous, or sinful, or foolish, try to remember that they act as a true friend. They are not your enemy, and their warning is welcome.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Happenings - Week of June 22, 2008
It's a quiet week at RCC this week:
See the church calendar for all church activities.
- Monday, June 23 - Ladies Bible Study
- Wednesday, June 25 - Midweek prayer meeting.
See the church calendar for all church activities.
The Clock is Ticking!
Well, the renaming team met for the second time yesterday, and narrowed the list of possible new names down to the following three:
The final decision will be made in our annual business meeting where, barring any last minute submissions, the new name for Randolph Christian Church will become one of the above.
Please pray for the Lord's will as we continue this process! And please get those last minute suggestions for the new name in. Name suggestions are being accepted through June 30th.
- Friendship Bible Church
- Open Door Bible Church
- New Hope Bible Church
The final decision will be made in our annual business meeting where, barring any last minute submissions, the new name for Randolph Christian Church will become one of the above.
Please pray for the Lord's will as we continue this process! And please get those last minute suggestions for the new name in. Name suggestions are being accepted through June 30th.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Excuses!
(Here's another great devotional from Dr. David Jeremiah:)
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
An old Yiddish Proverb says, "If you don't want to do something, one excuse is as good as another." One school teacher received an apt example of that when a note arrived from the mother of an absent student. "Please excuse Jennifer for missing school," said the note. "We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday."
Another teacher was handed a note that read: "Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot."
When it comes to working for Christ, no excuse will do. Don't say: I don't have time, I don't have what it takes, I'm not the right person, That's not my gift, I'll do it later, I'm too shy, I don't know how, I think someone else would be better. I'm not good enough. I'm not old enough.
Jesus once told a parable about those who "with one accord began to make excuses" (Luke 14:18).
Instead, just prayerfully kneel before the Lord and say: Here am I! Send me.
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. (Benjamin Franklin)
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
An old Yiddish Proverb says, "If you don't want to do something, one excuse is as good as another." One school teacher received an apt example of that when a note arrived from the mother of an absent student. "Please excuse Jennifer for missing school," said the note. "We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday."
Another teacher was handed a note that read: "Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot."
When it comes to working for Christ, no excuse will do. Don't say: I don't have time, I don't have what it takes, I'm not the right person, That's not my gift, I'll do it later, I'm too shy, I don't know how, I think someone else would be better. I'm not good enough. I'm not old enough.
Jesus once told a parable about those who "with one accord began to make excuses" (Luke 14:18).
Instead, just prayerfully kneel before the Lord and say: Here am I! Send me.
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. (Benjamin Franklin)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
That We Might Comfort Others
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Why is this happening to me?
Have you ever found yourself in a difficult time, and found yourself uttering those words? If not, you probably will someday. Being a Christian does not shield us from problems, trials, or tests. On the contrary, it sometimes seems to increase their frequency!
But Paul reminds us in this verse that such problems are not without purpose. When we graduate from the school of tribulation, we are equipped to help others when they enter the same hallowed halls. When we look back on how God helped us through, we can comfort others who are still in the midst of the trial.
When you've come through the hard time (and you will), thank God for His care and deliverance, and then seek opportunities to comfort others who are going through it.
Why is this happening to me?
Have you ever found yourself in a difficult time, and found yourself uttering those words? If not, you probably will someday. Being a Christian does not shield us from problems, trials, or tests. On the contrary, it sometimes seems to increase their frequency!
But Paul reminds us in this verse that such problems are not without purpose. When we graduate from the school of tribulation, we are equipped to help others when they enter the same hallowed halls. When we look back on how God helped us through, we can comfort others who are still in the midst of the trial.
When you've come through the hard time (and you will), thank God for His care and deliverance, and then seek opportunities to comfort others who are going through it.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Happenings - Week of June 15, 2008
One of our membership went home to be with the Lord this past weekend, and his funeral is this evening. Therefore the "Bibles and Big Macs" meeting will be cancelled this evening. There are a couple of important things happening this week, though, which you'll want to take advantage of:
Wednesday, 6:30 PM - Prayer Meeting
Saturday, 7:00 PM - Campfire Fellowship (bring a dish to pass, something to sit on, and a mellow summertime mood... roast a hotdog over the fire... join us in singing a few campfire songs, and just enjoy the summer evening.)
Wednesday, 6:30 PM - Prayer Meeting
Saturday, 7:00 PM - Campfire Fellowship (bring a dish to pass, something to sit on, and a mellow summertime mood... roast a hotdog over the fire... join us in singing a few campfire songs, and just enjoy the summer evening.)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Father Knows Best
Dr. David Jeremiah shared this in his daily devotional:
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:14)
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:14)
From October 3, 1954 'til September 17, 1960, father knew best. On 203 television episodes of Father Knows Best, Jim Anderson was the go-to guy for his family. Whether an episode's crisis revolved around Jim's wife, Margaret, or the three children—"Princess," "Bud," and "Kitten"—Jim was the man with a plan, week after week. Viewers knew that, within the space of a half hour, the most faithful and consistent father in America would always come through.
Christians also have a Father who knows best. And He knows best because He knows us so well. It should be an amazing source of comfort to every believer that they are known and loved intimately by the God who created them. "Episode after episode" in our lives, God is there to provide solutions and support in the way that He knows is best. The solutions may not come in a half hour like they did in the original TV show, but they will come—even if the solution is "No" or "Wait." God's answers are not given primarily for our comfort but for our conformity to Christ (Romans 8:29).
If you have a question or a crisis, take it to the Father who knows you best. You can trust His response, whatever it is.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Not someday... NOW!
... who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. (2 Timothy 1:9 NIV)
Think of the security that brings! Think of the joy! Think of the peace! We need never fear, for we are saved now.
If you are a believer, rejoice in that truth today. If you have never come to know Christ as your Savior, and wonder what it's all about, you can have the same assurance. Let us share Christ with you!
The apostle uses the perfect tense and says, "who saved us." Believers in Christ Jesus are saved. They are not looked upon as people who are in a hopeful state and may ultimately be saved, but they are already saved. Salvation is not a blessing to be enjoyed upon our dying bed and to be sung of in a future state above, but a matter to be obtained, received, promised, and enjoyed now. (Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening)Are you enjoying the realization that you are saved now? For the Christian, we can enjoy it as a present possession, not as just something we hope for. When we confess Christ as Savior, we become His not someday, but NOW.
Think of the security that brings! Think of the joy! Think of the peace! We need never fear, for we are saved now.
If you are a believer, rejoice in that truth today. If you have never come to know Christ as your Savior, and wonder what it's all about, you can have the same assurance. Let us share Christ with you!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Happenings - Week of June 8, 2008
Well, the first round of the Pastor's Masters golf tournament is now history, and to nobody's surprise, the pastor is currently in last place!
Here are some of the opportunities we have to serve Christ this week at RCC:
Monday at 6:30 pm - Ladies Bible study.
Wednesday at 6:30 pm - Prayer Meeting.
Saturday at 9:30 am - Door to door visitation.
Remember to keep an eye on the church calendar, so you won't miss out!
Here are some of the opportunities we have to serve Christ this week at RCC:
Monday at 6:30 pm - Ladies Bible study.
Wednesday at 6:30 pm - Prayer Meeting.
Saturday at 9:30 am - Door to door visitation.
Remember to keep an eye on the church calendar, so you won't miss out!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Happenings - Week of June 1
Great things on the calendar this week - don't miss out!
Last Sunday, the renaming team met for the first time to discuss various names that have been suggested for the church. Please pray for this team throughout the week!
Wednesday - remember that prayer meeting is canceled this week. We should resume this service next week.
Saturday - you have an opportunity to help us as we feed the disadvantaged at the Haven of Rest in Akron. If you wish to serve in this capacity, please meet at the Haven of Rest at 10:00 AM.
Sunday - in addition to the normal worship service on the Lord's Day, we will also have our first installment of the Pastor's Masters golf tournament.
We hope you will take advantage of the opportunities for fellowship, worship, and service, that are available at RCC!
Last Sunday, the renaming team met for the first time to discuss various names that have been suggested for the church. Please pray for this team throughout the week!
Wednesday - remember that prayer meeting is canceled this week. We should resume this service next week.
Saturday - you have an opportunity to help us as we feed the disadvantaged at the Haven of Rest in Akron. If you wish to serve in this capacity, please meet at the Haven of Rest at 10:00 AM.
Sunday - in addition to the normal worship service on the Lord's Day, we will also have our first installment of the Pastor's Masters golf tournament.
We hope you will take advantage of the opportunities for fellowship, worship, and service, that are available at RCC!
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