IS LIFE WORTH LIVING?

Posted on July 8, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

IS LIFE WORTH LIVING?

INTRODUCTION
A. Is life worth living?
1. This question has been asked by millions through the years, and it is sad that many
have answered “no!”
a. In fact, we are told that more than 1,000 persons (world-wide) commit suicide
each day, with more than 25,000 Americans killing themselves annually.
b. Others slip into severe depression – isolating themselves from life
c. Millions turn to drugs and alcohol because they think life is not worth living
2. Why? Is it because life is not worth living? NO!
a. It is because many have reached the point where they FEEL that life is not
worth living.
b. Therefore, it is important to get our inner self thinking correctly.
B. Solomon was right when he said … Proverbs 23:7
1. Thousands give up on life because they never learned to develop the inner self
2. In this message, it is hoped that all will discover the true worth of life.
DISCUSSION
A. LIFE IS WORTH LIVING IF WE HELP OTHERS
1. We are truly happy when we are involved in helping others.
a. Too often we live only for ourselves.
b. Then, when bad health or disappointments come into our life – we become
unhappy
c. If life is only for our self, then life will let us down
2. In the early history of the human race, Cain asked: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
(Gen. 4:9)
a. The answer is still “yes” !!!
b. We need to bear one another’s burden, and we need to be concerned about one
another
c. Galatians 6:2-10
3. Jesus taught the importance of helping others in the Parable of the Good Samaritan
… Luke 10:30-37
4. Emily Dickinson wrote:
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin,
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
5. James said … James 1:27
6. Romans 14:7
7. To make life worth living we need to help someone each day of our lives –
when we are helping others, we are helping ourselves.
B. LIFE IS WORTH LIVING IF WE LIVE TO BE NEEDED
1. A newspaper article appeared a few years ago reporting of a young boy who killed
all his family, When the boy was asked why, his only answer was: “I felt left out.”
a. One of the basic needs of human beings is to belong, to feel needed, and
when this is lost, life becomes a vacuum.
b. We must all work to keep this from happening to us
c. When one feels useless, it is not always the fault of those around us.
d. Each of us has the responsibility to find where we are needed and where we
can help in this life
e. This is where Christianity in its purity is a great asset!
2. Christianity is a way of life, not just a set of rituals performed occasionally!
a. Christianity is a Christ centered life.
b. Romans 14:8
c. Philippians 1:21
3. Many of us feel left out because we have rejected thousands of opportunities
to do good
a. Someone once wrote, “Hell begins on the day when God grants us a clear vision
of all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts which we have wasted, of all
that we might have done which we did not do…”
b. When opportunity knocks, we had better answer because it may never
return again.
4. The rich man of Luke 16:19-31 longed for lost opportunities.
a. When he found that there was no hope for himself, he wanted to warn his
brothers, but it was too late.
b. He had neglected his opportunities to be needed of others, he even neglected the
opportunity to help the beggar Lazarus, and now everything was lost to him
forever.
5. On one of Paul’s missionary journeys, he came across a woman named Dorcus
… Acts 9:36b
a. This woman died, and still her reputation for good followed her … Acts 9:39
b. What a joy it must have for Peter to bring her back to life – she was a woman that
was needed
6. Too many of want success to be handed to us without any effort on our part, but
this can never be!
a. We become needed when we meet each challenge, large or small, with long,
hard hours of work.
b. Longfellow must have had this in mind when he wrote:
The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night
7. We can all be needed if we will only find our place
a. We must believe in God and ourselves – then find our place in life
b. God provides food for the birds, but He does not throw it in the nest.
C. LIFE IS WORTH LIVING IF WE ARE THANKFUL
1. The only way that we can honor God, allow Him to remove our fears, and to direct
our lives, is to be thankful
a. When we get on the Lord’s side and live with gratitude in our hearts, we
reduce life to a size that we can handle
b. One man or woman with God represents the majority
c. Those that leave God out of their lives and make an effort to tackle life along the
way will have disappointment and fear.
d. Someone once said, “He that loses money loses little, he that loses health loses
much, but he that loses courage loses all.”
2. We have so much to be thankful for here in America.
a. Whatever our status in life, we are rich if we live in America
b. Our hearts should ache when we think of the thousands in this nation who are not
thankful – who have opportunities for happiness, but close their eyes and reject
them
3. However, our gratitude should not begin and end with physical blessings –
for our greatest blessings are spiritual ones!
a. Ephesians 1:3
b. Thus, we should … Ephesians 5:20
c. How easy it is to receive the blessings of Christ daily, and never thank God
sincerely for them
4. It has been said that the greatest possession for which to be thankful is a
thankful heart
D. LIFE IS WORTH LIVING IF WE ARE A NEW TESTAMENT
CHRISTIAN
1. All the success and happiness we find on earth will be total failure if we are not
right with God
2. Happiness in religion does not come from some watered-down type of religion
3. Be assured that God does have a way – he has a divine plan for man to follow, and
He is not pleased with anything less!

Yes, life is worth living if we will put forth the effort

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

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FOR ALL TO SEE

Posted on June 27, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

The life of J.C. Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards, is a true rags-to-riches story. Born to poor parents, J.C. was quickly put to work, mostly in sales, to help keep himself and his family afloat. Along with his brothers, he began selling postcards in Norfolk, Nebraska. But the postcard business wasn’t thriving there. So, with little else than a couple of shoe boxes of postcards, he moved to Missouri to start afresh. Full of innovative ideas, he moved on from postcards to greeting cards. When the store from which he operated burned down in 1915, he and his brothers invested in an engraving business and began printing their own cards.

But it wasn’t just the quality of the cards that burgeoned the business. It was Hall’s groundbreaking idea to move the cards from behind the counters, where clerks would pick an “appropriate” card for the customer, out into display cases where customers could see them, handle them, and admire them.

By the time he died in 1982, Hall had turned two shoe boxes of postcards into a multi-billion dollar company.

Says the Hallmark corporate website, “J.C. Hall took greeting cards out of drawers in retail stores, and into displays that let shoppers see all their choices, dramatically changing the way cards were merchandised.”

God did the same thing when He sent Jesus Christ into the world. That’s when the Word of Life was moved from behind the counters of prophecy, out of the drawers of prediction and placed in the display case of the first century for all the world to see, handle and admire. Today we have this wonderful display of our Lord in the New Testament.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us” (1 John 1:1-2). “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

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“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”

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CUPS AND COFFEE

Posted on June 26, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups – porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups… And then you began eyeing each other’s cups. Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us.”

God brews the coffee, not the cups… Enjoy your coffee! The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

Jesus said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome


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“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”

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OUR NEED FOR ONE ANOTHER

Posted on June 25, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

Very few people are expert in anything all by themselves. They need a supporting community. Do you know a good musician who was not trained, nurtured and sustained by the music community? Show me an athlete who achieves excellence all alone, apart from the athletic community. Very few wise men become so without the accumulated wisdom of the centuries as expressed in colleges and universities and libraries. Medical people are more like ensembles and symphonies than soloists. What business tycoon does it all on his own without dedicated experts in finance, engineering, personnel, and marketing? Excellence requires participation in, and support of, a community of like-minded people.

The same is true in the church. Very few achieve Christian maturity all by themselves. Seldom is the Bible studied diligently without the aid of scholars and teachers. Rarely are people led to generosity by their own impulses. Hardly is one able to lift themselves out of depression alone. Most fall short of their spiritual goals without a little help alone the way.

This is why the Bible often discusses the need for the community of faithful obedient followers of Christ to aid us in our spiritual endeavors. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?” (Eccl. 4:9-11, ESV). “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1, ESV). “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another” (1 Cor. 12:18-25, ESV). “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25, ESV).

A failure to tap in to the help and encouragement received through faithful attendance of the worship services and Bible study is sure to aid in our failure to receive the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We need one another!

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome


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“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”

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Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians (Eph. 1:15-23)

Posted on June 24, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS
(Ephesians 1:15-23)

I. Introduction
A. Ephesians 1:15-23
B. The various prayers in the Bible are both informative and inspirational, and therefore, are profitable for us to read and study along with the rest of the Scriptures.
1. This is very true concerning this prayer of Paul
2. Indeed, some of the deepest, richest, and most powerful statements from the pen of Paul were in the form of a prayer.
3. The one before us now is that kind of profound passage – full of joyous spiritual truths
C. It is interesting to notice that verses 15-23 comprise ONE complex sentence containing 169 words.
D. Paul’s Prayer can be outlined in this manner:
1. The occasion for the prayer (v. 15)
2. The substance of the prayer (vs. 16-19a)
3. The expansion of the prayer (vs. 19b-23)
II. Discussion
A. THE OCCASION OF THE PRAYER (V. 15)
1. “For this cause” of “wherefore” (KJV)
a. This is a reference to the preceding verses
b. Paul prays for his readers because they heard and obeyed the gospel and were sealed with the Holy Spirit
2. Paul tells them that he was not the only one that had heard of their spirituality – but others as well.
a. Paul was very thankful for their devotion to the Lord and His will
b. Paul was not only thankful for their faithfulness, but was thankful for their love shown to all the saints.
1) Consider these words of Jesus … Matthew 25:40
2) Our Love for the Lord must also be shown in our love for the brethren.
3) John 13:35
4) 1 John 3:18 … true love is seen in action
c. Notice they loved “all the saints”
1) This word “all” does not permit any distinction
2) We are to love the rich as the poor, the wise as the unwise, white as well other races – all includes all!
B. THE SUBSTANCE OF THE PRAYER (vs. 16-19a)
1. The substance of the prayer is two-fold:
a. Thanksgiving for them (16)
b. Wish for them (vs. 17-19a)
2. Thanksgiving for them (v. 16)
a. Paul said he “ceased not to give thanks” for them
1) This tells us a little about Paul’s prayer life
2) He was constantly concerned about the welfare of fellow Christians – this was seen in his prayer life
3) We are familiar with 1 Thessalonians 5:17
4) Does this mean that we are to pray 24 hours a day?
5) It means that we are to be involved in frequent and regular pray, and this is to be done in behalf of fellow Christians
b. All the great men and women of the Bible were great in prayer
c. A remarkable feature of Paul’s life was the frequency of his thanksgiving, indicating a joyous state of mind, and always striving to perpetuate the same
3. Wish for them (vs. 17-19a)
a. Paul wished for them to receive “a spirit of wisdom” (v. 17)
1) This has reference to a spiritual attitude and character of wisdom
2) It is not surprising that Paul would pray for such … for notice James 1:5
3) We gain such characteristics when we are dependant of Christ and obedient to His will; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
b. Paul wished for them to receive “revelation in the knowledge” God (v. 17)
1) This is not mere knowledge (gnosis), but has reference to full and complete knowledge (epignosis)
2) This is a deeper insight of understanding the affairs of God
3) This greater height of understanding and spirituality comes only when we follow the prescribed course – prayer, study, obedience
c. The reason that Paul wants them to have this wisdom and knowledge is that they might have “the eyes of your heart enlightened” (v. 18)
1) The heart is the seat of our emotion, intellect, and will
2) What ever is in one’s heart is that which rules his conduct
3) “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Pro. 23:7)
d. Paul now proceeds to tell them the things he wishes their eyes of understanding to behold:
1) “The hope of his calling” (v. 18) … i.e. the hope which God’s calling inspires
a) The “called of God” are those who have obeyed
b) This hope is not just a wishing for, but is an earnest expectation of what is to come, a hope that leads to greater heights of spirituality.
2) “The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (v. 18)
a) We cannot fully understand and appreciate the inheritance that is given Christians until our minds are enlightened.
b) In other words, the more you study – the more you can’t wait to get to heaven
c) All belongs to God and He will let us partake of this
blessed inheritance if we heed His call.
3) “The exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe” (v. 19)
a) Paul here has reference to the glorious state of believers, the exceeding greatness of God’s power which passes all difficulties
b) We as obedient believers have access to the throne of the all-knowing, all-powerful and eternal God.
4) One cannot fully appreciate and value all of this unless his eye of understanding is enlightened.
C. THE EXPANSION OF THE PRAYER (VS. 19-23)
1. God’s Power (v. 19b-21)
a. Paul now finishes his prayer by setting forth the infinite power of God shown in the resurrection of Christ.
b. Paul wants Christians to understand the “exceeding greatness of his power” (v. 19)
c. God’s power is made know in Christ, this power is made known by the fact that He:
1) “Raised him from the dead” (v. 20)
2) “Set him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (v. 20)
d. Jesus being seated on the right hand of God, what is said in verse 21 then naturally follows
1) There are different shades of meaning in all these words, but the central meaning is clear.
2) Jesus has ALL authority!
2. Christ’s Dominion (vs. 22-23)
a. “Put all things in subjection under his feet”
1) Jesus has all power and authority
2) Matthew 28:18
b. “Gave him to be head over all things to the church”
1) Christ is the head of the church not man
2) Ephesians 5:23
3) Acts 4:11-12
c. “Which is his body”
1) The church is the body … Colossians 1:18
2) It is Christ’s body because it belongs to Him, and He is the head of it
3) Just as the physical body takes orders from its head, so the same is true in the spiritual body
d. In closing Paul tells us in verse 23 that in Christ is manifested all things
e. Jesus is filled with all the fullness of the Godhead and bestows the fullness of his blessings on his body
III. Conclusion
A. As we ponder Paul’s prayer, let us notice that it calls for clear thinking in wisdom, knowledge and understanding about the content and meaning of our faith and future glory.
B. If affirms that Christ is the head of the church and has all authority.

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HYPOCRISY

Posted on June 12, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

I heard of a real estate agent who sold a house. At the time of the sale there was no wiring in the house and no light fixtures. The buyer had the real estate agent write into the contract the stipulation that there would be a drop light in every room. After the contract was thus written and signed, the seller of the house took a piece of wire, placed a receptacle and bulb at the end of each wire and nailed it to the center of the ceiling in every room. But the house was never wired. You see, the man kept the letter of the agreement. He fulfilled exactly what the contract called for. But he was a dastardly cheat in the process.

How many times in your life and mine to we speak the truth and sell the truth, all in one and the same day? Friends, “Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Pro. 23:23).

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome


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“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”

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THE PARABLE OF THE NAIL

Posted on June 11, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

A new place of worship had just been completed. People came from far and wide to see it. They admired the beauty of its windows, the fresh new walls, the carpet on the floor, and its new pews.

On the roof a little two-penny nail held a shingle. This little nail heard the people praising everything else, but none mentioned the shingle nail or even seemed to be conscious of its existence.

The little nail became very angry and said, “If I am that insignificant, nobody will miss me when I quit.” So the little nail pulled out, raced down the steep roof and fell to the soft ground below.

That night, a big rain came and the shingle nail was buried in the mud. The difference between being buried in the mud and holding down a shingle is this: before, the nail was obscure – but useful. Now, he is obscure – but useless. Furthermore, before he was protected in a dry place under dry shingles. Now he will soon be eaten up with rust. The worse is yet to come.

The shingle that the nail held down was now loose, and without cooperation from the nail, it blew away leaving a hole in the roof. The same big rain that buried the nail leaked through the vacant spot where the shingle had been, running into the auditorium. The water ran down the walls leaving them marred. It leaked upon the carpet and the beautiful rug was stained.

All of this because one little nail, in a fit of jealousy, refused to do a little job he was capable of doing.

Sadly, so it is with many in the Lord’s church today. But, Paul said, “Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary” (1 Cor. 12:22). We are all vital to the body of Christ. Never underestimate your importance to the church.

Think About It!

Have An Great Day!

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome


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“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”

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THE POPE HAS IT WRONG

Posted on June 10, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

This evening on the Harris and Moore Expedition Through the Bible we will be discussing a recent statement by the Pope: “…all people are redeemed by Christ, whether they’re Catholic or even nonbelievers” – he goes on to say that even atheist will go to heaven if they do good works.

Tune in this evening at 7:00pm CST at http://www.harrisandmoore.org or http://www.knowthetruthradio.org as we discuss this important issue. Also airing on KATX 97.7 FM, KNNK 100.5 FM, and KQMK 1680AM.

You have heard what men have said, now listen to what the Bible says.

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TOTAL COMMITTMENT

Posted on June 10, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

TOTAL COMMITMENT

INTRODUCTION
A. Illustration
In the 1976 Summer Olympics, Shun Fujimoto competed in the team gymnastics competition for Japan. In a quest for the gold medal, Fujimoto suffered a broken right knee in the floor exercise. But this injury did not stop him, for during the next week he competed in his strongest event, the rings. His routine was excellent, but he astounded everyone by squarely dismounting with a triple somersault twist on a broken right knee. When asked concerning his feat, he said, “Yes, the pain shot through me like a knife. It brought tears to my eyes. But now I have the gold metal and the pain is gone.”
1. Here we have one who was truly committed to his sport and his country.
2. So committed was this man that he would let nothing stop him short of his goal.
3. We need this same type of commitment today in the Lord’s church!
4. Paul tells us that we need to be “fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11).
B. Illustration
A hen and a pig came upon a church building and read the advertised sermon on the billboard out front, which read, “What can we do to help the poor?” Immediately the hen suggested they feed them bacon and eggs. The pig thought for a moment and said, “There is one thing wrong with feeding bacon and eggs to the poor. For you it only requires a contribution, but for me it requires total commitment!”
1. Many today are not willing to be totally committed to the Lord because it demands too much of them.
2. Oh, we need to remember Romans 8:18
3. Total commitment is worth every effort
C. What is commitment?
1. A definition: a pledge to fulfill, an obligation, to obligate ourselves to a cause.
2. Synonyms: responsibility, pledge, promise, vow, resolution, determination.
DISCUSSION
A. THE LORD WANTS TOTAL COMMITMENT
1. Matthew 19:16-22
a. This young man was not totally committed financially – he cared more for his money than he did the Lord
b. Totally committed means totally committed
2. Matthew 10:34-39
a. We are to be totally committed – to put God above ALL people or things
b. We are even to put God above our family
B. TO BE TOTALLY COMMITTED WE MUST REALIZE WE HAVE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT
1. Deuteronomy 24:16
a. Parents can’t blame it on the children
b. Children can’t blame it on the parents
2. Job 19:4
a. Job knew he couldn’t blame his sin on anyone else
b. He was responsible
3. Proverbs 9:12
4. Jeremiah 31:30
5. Ezekiel 18:20
C. EXCUSES SOME OFFER FOR NOT BEING TOTALLY COMMITTED
1. Personal incompetence
a. This is what Moses did
1) “Who am ? … what shall I say unto them? … I am not eloquent, ” (Exo. 3:11, 13, 4:10)
2) Do we use these excuses…
b. This is what Jeremiah did
1) Jeremiah 1:6-7
2) Are we using these old worn out excuses?
2. Lack of social position
a. Judges 6:15
b. Are we refusing to be committed to the Lord because we are poor or not of the social elite?
3. Too difficult
a. “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets” (Pro. 22:13)
b. Nothing of lasting value ever comes easy
4. Hardness of the master
a. Matthew 25:24-25
b. Think how hard the Master will be on us if we are not totally committed!
5. Don’t see the need
a. Matthew 25:44-45
b. Most of the time we don’t see the need because we are not looking
6. Pressure of business
a. Luke 14:18-20
b. Too many can’t commit to the Lord because they are too committed to making money
D. THINGS WE ARE TO BE COMMITTED TO
1. Committed to God
a. Matthew 22:37-38 … we are to love God with every ounce of our being
b. John 14:15
c. Matthew 6:33
2. Committed to Truth
a. Jeremiah 6:16-17
b. Jude 3
c. 1 John 4:1
d. Titus 2:1
3. Committed to Each Other
a. Matthew 7:12
1) Do we treat our brethren as we would want to be treated spiritually?
2) Do we treat our brethren as we would want to be treated physically?
b. Matthew 22:39
4. Committed to Our Family
a. Ephesians 5:22-23
b. Ephesians 5:25
c. Ephesians 6:4
5. Committed to Purity and Modesty
a. Philippians 4:8
b. James 1:27
c. Matthew 5:8
6. Committed to Souls
a. Matthew 9:36
b. Matthew 28:19-20
c. Proverbs 11:30
CONCLUSION
A. Are we totally committed to the Lord and His requirement for us, or are we just trying to get by?
B. God does not want our second best, He has never accepted anyone’s second best

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

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“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”

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CHASING A STORM

Posted on June 7, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

Tim Samaras, one of the stars of the Discovery Channel’s “Storm Chasers” TV program, was killed this week (6-1-13) while chasing an F3 tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma. Samaras’ 24 year old son and a 45 year old colleague were also killed by the storm.

Samaras didn’t chase these storms frivolously, for fun or sport. “Tim was a courageous and brilliant scientist who fearlessly pursued tornadoes and lightning in an effort to better understand these phenomena,” said National Geographic Executive Vice President Terry Garcia.

Garcia, fellow storm chasers, meteorologists, colleagues, friends, and family were all shocked to hear of Samaras’ demise. He was known in the business as “one of the safest people to go out there.”

“Tim was not a cowboy,” Mike Nelson, chief meteorologist for Denver’s ABC affiliate, said. “He was as cautious as possible about his approach to studying these dangerous storms.”

Samaras successfully chased some 125 storms over the course of his 20 year career. And yet, for all his caution, Samaras is now gone, having fallen victim to nature’s power.

Although Samaras had a reputation for being “one of the safest people to go out there,” how safe could anyone be while making a living chasing dangerous storms? To be as “cautious as possible,” shouldn’t he have been running the other way?

Some approach sin the way Mr. Samaras approached storms. They think of caution as getting as close as possible without getting hurt. The truth is, no matter how committed, spiritually savvy, or experienced we may be, we run the risk of succumbing to sin’s power when we allow ourselves to get too close. When it comes to sin, we must be ever vigilant to avoid being caught up into the vortex of its unholy influence.

The apostle Paul declared, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 The. 5:21-22). “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Rom. 12:9). “Save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler” (Pro. 6:5; ESV). “Flee fornication…” (1 Cor. 6:18). “Flee from idolatry…” (1 Cor. 10:14). “Flee youthful lusts…: (2 Tim. 2:22). “O man of God, flee these things…” (1 Tim. 6:11).

Think About It!

Have A Great Weekend!

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome


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http://www.syfirst.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”

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