What Does the Health Bill Mean for Christians? (Part #1)

Posted by on Mar 23, 2010 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

As Nancy Pelosi’s gavel pounded, an uprising of concerned Americans made their voices known throughout the world. Personally, I will admit I am not in favor of this bill, but this is not the place to discuss such matters. This bill is only one of the growing problems developing in our country, but maybe to be discussed another time.

Many Christians are becoming so worried about the actions of mortal men making governmental decisions. Those worries becoming a testing of their faith. People can become so concerned with the actions of the world, it will take the place of Christ and His church in their spiritual life. When Christians take a view of the health care reform bill, many wonder what will happen to them, their families and the church? Allow me to take a moment and share with you some thoughts over today and tomorrow regarding the health care reform bill and Christians.

Your comments are appreciated, but remember to have a Christ-like attitude when responding.

 

What Does the Health Bill Mean for Christians?

  • Faith! – The passage of the health bill means faith in the Almighty! Paul tells the Roman Christians that God is in control in Romans 13.1-4:
    • “Let every person ?be subject to the governing authorities. For ?there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good.”
    • As John Alan Turner wrote on Twitter the day after the health care reform passage: “@johnalanturner: Huh. Would you look at that. The sun came up anyway. #godisstillincontrol”

 

  • Do Not Worry! – As the health bill passage was announced, a streak of worry begin to happen across our land. Christians begin to fret over the decisions of mortal men instead of doing what they can for those that are spiritually lost. Worry creates a major problem because most of our worries are things we cannot control. When our worries become our focus, we lose our focus of Heaven. Jesus spoke of the worries over food, clothes and shelter in the great sermon ever spoke,
    • “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And  which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, ?and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6.25-34; ESV)

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  • Action! – While the world around us concerns itself with physical health, there is no greater time to share with them the need for greater spiritual health. I find it interesting that many will lose their “faith” in the physical government and they need to fill that space with the true faith in the Father. Share with others the power of faith in God. When people become upset at the physical world, what a great opportunity to share with them the hope of the spiritual world.

 

  • Smile! – Do you disagree with the bill? Smile! If you agree with the bill, you are probably already smiling. Our focus is not on this Earth but our minds should be focused on Heaven (Colossians 3.2). “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6.21)

 

  • Revive your Citizenship! – Take a moment and rediscover your true citizenship. If you are a child of the Father, then you are a citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3.20). You have a place in the land of the Creator of Heaven and Earth! As Jesus went to prepare a place for His apostles, I believe He went to prepare a place for Christians. So why fret this world, look forward to heaven and your room in the mansion of God.

 

The thoughts above are just some beginning thoughts. Stay tuned for Part #2 tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!

Just some Tuesday thoughts,

Chris

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Bible Stories You Know By Heart…almost

Posted by on Mar 18, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

If you have grown up going to Bible class and to an assembled worship, there are certain Bible class stories you know my heart. You have heard these Bible stories time and time again and could probably recite the scriptures if the preacher announced there would be a “pop-quiz.” There are other Bible stories which would caused you to being praying for immediate knowledge.

Below are some lessons I put together for a small group study and I wanted to pass them along to you. I titled them, “Bible Stories You Know By heart…almost” because I wanted to encounter some of the Bible stories that are familiar to most students and also encounter some others which students may have heard, but soon forgot. The material is designed to provide a scripture passage then follow-up discussion questions along with a memory verse.

I use the title “Bible Stories” because our small group was reaching out to those not attending services and the title “Bible Stories” was language in which they are familiar. I do believe a better title would be “Bible Accounts You Know By Heart…almost.” (I might be a bit picky between “stories” and “accounts”)

You can download the lessons below. I have included them in Adobe PDF format and Microsoft Publisher. The download instructions are below. As always, the material on the Preacher’s Pen website is available at no-cost. All I do ask is you let me know how you are using the material.

 

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Download Instructions:

  • To download the files, right click on the file name and go so “save as…” and save the file to your computer.
  • If you have a PDF reader (most do) you can click on the PDF files to open them.
  • If you have Microsoft Publisher, you should be able to click and directly open the file.

PDF Files of the Lessons:

Editable Microsoft Publisher Files:

 

Just some thoughts,

Chris

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Strengthening the Family – Free material

Posted by on Mar 16, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

An elderly man once told me, “If we could all save our families we would do well.” He understood the influences the world takes on families because it was taking a toll on his. One daughter was so drawn by the world she left all the teaching of her early years and proceeded to follow her own devises. His other child was in a constant battle between seeking the truth and blending into the world. He and his wife were torn themselves. It was hard for them to see their children battling the influences of the world in their spiritual lives.

His statement rings true today, “If we could save our families we would do well.”

Below are some newsletter style outlines for you to download and use. You will notice there are PDF files and Microsoft Office files. Feel free to download them all if you like. The Microsoft Office files may be edited and use for Bible classes, sermons, personal studies, etc.

I tried my best to mention and cite the resources I used in the material. If by chance I have overlooked a source, contact me and I will make the addition or change and republish the material.

As always, the material on the Preacher’s Pen website is free material. I encourage you to adapt it and use it in your work. All I ask is that if you use the material you send me a note letting me know you are using it and how it can be improved upon. You can contact me using the Contact Form above.

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Download Instructions:

  • To download the files, right click on the file name and go so “save as…” and save the file to your computer. If you have a PDF reader (most do) you can click on the PDF files to open them. If you have Microsoft Word, you should be able to click and directly open the file.

PDF Files of the Lessons:

Editable Microsoft Word Files:

Just some thoughts (and resources) for today,

Chris

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Your Family and Your Money

Posted by on Mar 16, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

While searching for some statistics for an article for later this afternoon, I ran across this graphic from Visual Economics. You can read the entire article by clicking here. Also you may also click on the picture to take you to the article.

The chart below may not apply to everyone, but ask yourself a daunting question, where does my money go? While we may have worked hard for everything in our lives, it is still provided by God. The Creator of the Universe has seen fit to provide for our needs and even our wants by blessing each one of use with finances which we do not deserve, but He expects us to use. A great question each Christian may struggle with is, “how are we being good stewards of the finances God has provided in our lives?”

The chart from Visual Economics below provides an interesting insight to how Americans are spending there money each year. Take note of several things and imagine the long run principles of the expenditures:

  • More money is spent on alcoholic beverages that books.
  • More money is spent on personal entertainment that cash contributions.

Take a moment and see how the chart below compares to your current budget? Since you are a reader of this blog, I imagine your expenditures will be different that this chart, but how are they different?

Consider how giving back to God should take priority in our budgets.

 

wheredidthemoneygo

 

Just some thoughts,

Chris

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Top Five Books I am Enjoying Reading

Posted by on Mar 15, 2010 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

Currently I am reading five excellent books which challenge my thinking and cause my mind to race with additional thoughts and ideas. I rarely read one book at a time. Instead I dive into five books at a time and read them at various times throughout the week. Below are the current five books I am reading and recommend.

I you are interested in ordering or checking the prices of the books, you can click the book’s picture to be taken to an order form or website with more information. The first two books (ESV Study Bible and The Samson Syndrome are the Preacher’s Pen affiliate links on Amazon.com)

Take a moment and see what you think.

 

Top Five Books I am Enjoying Reading

esv BibleThe ESV Study Bible 

A couple years ago I decided to buy one of the biggest and best study Bibles – an ESV Study Bible. This Bible has been a great asset to my studies. Not only is it the English Standard version, but the layout of the pages and the study notes are extremely helpful in my personal studies.

I will warn you, this Bible is large, very large. The size of the Bible will make it bulky to carry around, but having it as a resource is a benefit. From time to time, I use this as my preaching Bible. I figure I will get a workout holding it as well as a spiritual workout reading it.

 

 

samson The Samson Syndrome by Mark Atteberry

While searching for a resources to use in a Men’s Only Bible Study for our congregation, Trey Morgan suggested taking at look at this book. To say the least, I am glad I did! The men in our Men’s Only Bible Study are glad I did. This book takes a look at the life of Samson in a very different angle than most other resources. It has challenged our men’s group to reach a higher level.

The chapters are very straightforward in relating to the lives of men. While many consider being straightforward as a problem, Mr. Atteberry brings a challenge in each chapter to live your life better everyday and avoid the tribulations of Samson.

 

 

baptismIs Baptism Really Necessary? by Dan Chambers

This small $5.00 has meant a great deal to my family over the years. I am currently reading it again. When I first saw this book, I bought one copy and read it as soon as I got home in a matter of less than an hour. After I read it, Carrie read it and we passed it along to her grandmother, who was not a Christian at the time. She took time and read it and told us later that this small book challenged her thinking and answered many questions. As a result, a short time later she was baptized.

Mr. Chambers does an excellent job discussing the questions that many have relating to baptism. I recommend this resource for those seeking to study baptism or even those studying with others.

 

 

piano Where’s the Piano? by Dan Chambers

When many visit the churches of Christ, one of the first things they notice is the absence of musical instruments. While this seems odd to them in the midst of a religious world filled with bands, orchestras and the like, the churches of Christ continue to sing without musical accompaniment. This causes visitors to ask a variety of questions regarding the absences of praise bands, pianos and such.

Mr. Chambers does an excellent job again in tracing the topical of instrumental music in worship to God through history and answering the questions that many have today. Once again, this $5.00 books goes a long way.

 

 

disc-0410 Discovery Magazine by Apologetics Press

While this last “book” is not a book (it is a magazine) it is a great resource for every family to have. This is not a theological dissertation of Christian evidences, but instead Discovery Magazine is designed for young people to teach them Christian evidences and strengthen their beliefs based on science.

Every issue not only contains articles, it also includes a worksheet and activities in the back. Spend about $12 this year and strengthen your children’s knowledge of the Almighty.

 

 

These are just five books I am currently enjoying reading. Each of these effects my thinking on a variety of levels and causes my to grow in my knowledge and hopefully in my abilities to encourage others.

As mentioned before the book list, you may click the pictures of the books to order them. The first two (ESV Study Bible and the Samson Syndrome) takes you to the Preacher’s Pen affiliate link through Amazon.com. The last three are not Preacher’s Pen affiliate links, but they take to to the websites and order forms.

Thanks for stopping by.

Just some thoughts today,

Chris

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