Christian Living | The Preacher's Pen

Maybe We Could All Smile More

On February 23, 2020, Chitetsu Watanabe did in Nigate, Japan as the oldest man on Earth. Mr. Watanabe was ten days short of being 113 years old. He was born on March 5, 1907.

After the Guinness World Records recognized him as the World’s Oldest Living Man, Mr. Watanabe become known for his response to the question regarding the secret to longevity. His answer was, “…not to get angry and keep a smile on your face.” 1

The Bible speaks to removing anger and not focusing on anger. Consider these passages,

“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” (Psalms 37:8)

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)

For Christians, anger can be a fire which consumes our thoughts and our soul. Focusing on anger causes individuals to lose their focus on God and His ability to take care of His people. (Romans 8)

When you get angry, where do your thoughts go? God wants to hear from His people. He wants us to share our thoughts with Him. He cares for us and wants us to go to Him. (1 Peter 5.7)

When you get angry, do you remember that God is in control?

Take time to consider why you get angry and remember that God is in control. Since God is always in control, we can smile. We know he cares for us. Remember Psalm 55.22.

Just some thoughts,

1 – SmithsonianMag.com, 2/26/20

2020 Hit Everyone

On November 22, 1986, Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion of all time. His fame ultimately deteriorated to infamy, which makes one of his most famous quotes so poignant because it’s autobiographical. He said, and it’s often been repeated with variance, “Everybody has a plan until they get hit.” The year 2020 began with a lot of plans until we got hit. ⁽¹⁾

2020 has been a tough year for many. Each one has felt the effects of this traumatic time. However, as we enter August, what does it mean for Christians?

The words of Jesus from Matthew 6.34 come to mind every week, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

While each of us know these words, in times like the current, these words might be hard to comprehend. It is important that we remember Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13.8). He has sat down at the right hand (Hebrews 12.2) has not left us to fend for our own, but made a way for us to access the Father (1 Timothy 2.5).

God wants to hear from you, and we need to communicate with Him (Luke 18.1). Even when we do not know what to say (maybe in a time like this) His spirit intercedes for us with groanings too strong for words (Romans 8.26).

While we may have had a plan for 2020, our plans probably changed. Remember, just because our plans may have changed, our citizenship in Heaven should have not changed (Philippians 3.20).

Let each of us talk to our Father and approach Him knowing that His Son has made a way for us. May we be blessed.

Just a thought,

A Man of Decisions

I sit here, late at night.

My desk is the kitchen table. The only sounds are the ticking of the two clocks on opposite sides of the room.

My family sleeps soundly in their beds. They have been a sleep a few hours now.

Outside, it is quiet too. I can hear the occasional passing car only between the ticks of the clocks.

Tonight, I wonder.

I wonder about the future. The future of a nation, our friendship, our families, the economy and the church.

Foremost, I said “wonder” not “worry.” There is a difference.

Wonder is where your minds travels to heights and places unknown. It takes glimpse beyond the present condition and finds itself in the world of imagination.

I wonder.

Have you ever wondered?

Tonight, I wonder about one thing, the future. Tomorrow, it will be something else.

Let me tell you why…

Several years ago, a man made a choice. He had the world at his feet, but he still made a choice. He could have done nothing, but he made a sound choice.

His choice would lead him through a world of pain, turmoil, travels, a major life change, and much loss.

It does not sound like a choice many of us would make, but he made it. The story is he made it pretty quickly.

Why did he make the choice that would change the direction of his life so quickly?

Why didn’t he just do nothing and enjoy his life of luxury?

The reason…

…He knew where he came from.

While he might have been enjoying the greatness of an exceptional physical life, he needed more. He knew more.

He had been taught from a young age where his family had lived. He knew of their heritage, their trials, their good times and their bad times. He knew their legacy.

He knew where he wanted to go and who he wanted to be near. He knew the right choice and he made it.

In taking the actions of his decision, he had to leave where he was living, leave his belongings and find a new home in a distant land.

I would imagine he did not understand where he would go, but he had to go. He had to escape. He must.

Years later, this man would reflect on his heritage. He would hear of his legacy. He would understand. It was his turn to bring it all to the right way again.

It was he that would change the course of his people’s history… with a little help.

His name was Moses.

Tough choices make for healthy people.

Godly choices make for Godly people.

Why Stress Baptism? (Part #2)

Last week, we looked at the importance of baptism in Romans 6.1-5. As Romans 6 describes baptism as the action that creates a new life. It is important to remember that Romans is written by the apostle Paul. (Romans 1.1)

Paul was a changed man from the road to Damascus forward. His life before the Damascus Road was steeped in Judaism and the goal of crushing Christianity. His life after the Damascus Road was about the spread of Christianity and its superiority to Judaism.

When Paul spoke of the gospel of Christ, Paul spoke of baptism. In his encounter with the Jewish crowd, Paul recounted his travel on the road to Damascus to the people seeking to kill him. (Acts 21.31) As Paul told them of his conversion account to Christianity, he spoke of the Damascus Road and his discussion with Ananias which lead Paul to baptism. Notice what Ananias told Paul,

And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ (Acts 22.14-16)

Notice Ananias words. Remember this was the man that Jesus said, “Rise and go into Damascus, and there you till be told, all that is appointed for you to do.” (Acts 22.10; see also Acts 9.6)

When Jesus told Paul to go into Damascus, Ananias told Paul what to do and it included baptism. (See Acts 22.16)

Don’t you think that was important?

Just some thoughts,

Why Stress Baptism? (Part #1)

For years, the churches of Christ have been known for emphasis on the topic of baptism. Baptism has been a constant discussion among theologicals for hundreds, it not a couple thousand years.

As various religious groups have found themselves divided over baptism, it is key to look at what the Bible says regarding baptism. One overlooked passage is Romans 6.1-14. For instance, look at a few of the questions and let Romans 6 answer them:

Is baptism really important?

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6.3)
When one is baptized they are baptized into Christ – that is really important.

What does baptism do?

“We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6.4)
Baptism connects one with the death of Jesus and the raising to walk in a new life – that is really important.

Is baptism necessary?

“For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. (Romans 6:5)
To be united with Christ, you must be baptized – that is really important.

Just some thoughts,

Who or What are You Voting for this Year?

In 2018, James Clear’s book called, “Atomic Habits” was released and became best seller. The book was listed as one of Fast Company’s best-selling business books of 2018.

On page 38, James Clear makes the statement, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” To expound on the point, Dr. Raymond McHenry says, “You may not want to be financially strapped, but overspending demonstrates you’re actually voting for escalating debt. That second helping of dessert probably doesn’t seem significant, but it’s really a vote for weight gain.”

In the same light, when we read or study from God’s word, we are working toward a greater relationship with the Almighty. When we fellowship with the saints, we are working to build a greater relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ. Your attendance at services shows that you are desiring a greater relationship with God and your spiritual family.

If James Clear’s words are true, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become”, then what type of person receives your vote?

Do your actions show that you are voting to become a greater person? (Consider Philippians 4.8)
Do your actions show that you are voting for a greater relationship with your spiritual family? (Consider Hebrews 10.24-25)
Do your actions show that you are voting for a changed life and a better hope? (Consider 1 Peter 2.9-10)

If your actions were votes, what or who are you voting for this year?

Just some thoughts,

« Older Entries

Next Entries »