Think About Such Things

This is a devotional piece that I wrote for the Christian Standard. It appeared in the July 21, 1996 edition.

Think About Such Things

What consumes your thoughts? Do you worry about deadlines? Are you anxious about finances? Does revenge find a home in your heart? Do immoral thoughts race through your mind? Such things shatter our peace and distance us from God.

Realizing the impact of our thoughts, the apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things" (Philippians 4:8, New International Version). Meditating upon those attributes draws us closer to God. Acquiring those ideals may transform our lives into the image of God's Son, since Jesus Christ personifies those attributes.

Christ is true, honest, genuine, and real. He is completely trustworthy. He perceives everything with keen accuracy, and He speaks with absolute integrity. If He says it, you can believe it.

The Lord is noble. His character commands respect. He has earned the loyalty of His people.

Christ is right in all ways. He lived under the law of Moses without committing one transgression. He kept the rules and fulfilled the law.

Jesus is pure. His heart has never been contaminated by evil. He has overcome every temptation.

The Lord is lovely. His self-sacrificing spirit turned an ugly crucifixion into a beautiful demonstration of God's love. As promised, all kinds of people have been drawn to Him since He was lifted up.

Christ is admirable. Even His critics and skeptics often admit an admiration for His teachings.

Jesus is excellent in His goodness. He is the genuine epitome of morality and virtue. His standards are unsurpassed.

Finally, Christ is praiseworthy or commendable. He rescues us from a destiny of Hell and prepares a home in Heaven for us. He deserves our praise!

Focusing our minds upon Jesus Christ and His attributes can settle troubled minds while bringing us into the presence of a gracious God. Let's think about such things.

Embracing Adoption

The Christian Standard's theme this week is Embracing Adoption, one of my favorite topics. Here are links to the articles:

Born of the Heart (www.christianstandard.com/andsoitgoes.asp?id=871)

Embracing the Ministry of Adoption (www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1269)

An Adoption Story (www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1270)

Finding Forever Families (www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1271)

Caring for America's Orphans (www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1272)

The Need to be Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ

"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'" (Acts 2:38).

The Christian Standard's latest edition focuses on Christian baptism. Here are two of the good articles:

At www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1161, Brian Jones answers the question, "What Happened When I Preached on Baptism?" In short, the church reached the "unchurched" population in the community.

At www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1175, the late Robert O. Fife wrote "Not the Only Christians," an excellent article about grace, baptism, and respecting other believers.

Serving Without Star Power

At www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1112, Jim Herbst has written an article about persevering in compassion despite the lack of attention and resources. It's obvious that the man has been involved in urban ministry. This article is well worth reading.

Men of God

"An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it" (Titus 1:6-9).

For some time, I have recognized that Paul's description of elders should be characteristic of Christian men in general. When I find well-written articles and books about the qualities of an elder, I can't wait to read them for whatever insight I can find in them.

For the last two weeks, the Christian Standard has published articles which are worth reading on this subject. The two-part series is one of the best I have read on the qualities of elders. The articles may be read at:

www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1098
and
www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1103.

The Contact Church is Featured in the Christian Standard Magazine

Jennifer Taylor has written an article about Christian Churches and Churches of Christ that are helping people in need around the United States at http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=917. The Park Plaza and Contact Churches of Christ are mentioned for their work here in Tulsa. Thanks for the nice article, Jennifer!

Inspirational Churches in Asia

The latest edition of the Christian Standard contains a couple of inspiring articles about Christian Churches in Cambodia and China that I would like to share.

At http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=907, you may read the article "CHURCHES WITHOUT STEEPLES: Near the Gates of Hell." In the story, you will read about a church being planted in a former Cambodian brothel. The Christians in that country are working with International Justice Mission to rescue and care for the child sex slaves of their nation. They are working and worshiping in one of the world's darkest environments.

At http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=908, you may read the article "CHURCHES WITHOUT STEEPLES: Planting a Workplace Church in China." In the story, you will read about a young American Christian woman who traveled to China in order to work in a factory so that she could share the message of Christ with the Chinese people. As a result, a church was established in the factory.

When I think about such people, I'm inspired to keep going. Also, I'm encouraged, because I know that such stories are just the tip of the iceberg; how many other good things are being done by followers of Jesus Christ around the world that I do not know about?

The Millennium

"Blessed and holy are those who have a part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6, NIV).

The Christian Standard has published two articles which explain two of the most common views of the millennium held among members of the Churches of Christ and Christian Churches. "Why I Take a Premillennial View" (http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=752) explains the classic premillennial perspective (as opposed to the dispensational premillennial perspective with its secret rapture theory). "Why I Am an Amillennialist" (http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=754) explains the amillennial perspective. Both authors did a good job in making his respective case, but I will need to research this topic more before reaching any final conclusions about it.

Revival

Two hundred years ago, Christian Churches and Churches of Christ in the United States formed as a result of a multi-denominational revival in Cane Ridge, Kentucky. Until the Civil War, we were the fastest growing group of churches in the country. Then, growth occurred slowly and eventually we stagnated.

Over the past twenty years, a revival among the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ has been taking place. In the recent edition of the Christian Standard magazine, Bob Russell reviews what has been happening among us (http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=735) and why it has been happening (http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=736). Bob Russell is a retired minister and pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Both of his articles are worth reading, but the second is the most useful. In it, he encourages us to be open to new methods while remaining faithful to the original message of the Bible. He encourages us to be bold and unashamed of the gospel while reaching out to people who need Christ.

Emerging/Emergent Churches

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NASB).

Gary Zustiak, a professor at Ozark Christian College, has written 3 very useful articles about Emerging, Emergent, and Missional churches in the latest Christian Standard magazine. While the Emerging and Missional church movements have some positive features, I believe that the Emergent church movement will undermine and destroy congregations that embrace it. The Emergent church movement does not respect the teachings of the Bible.

The articles may be read at:

http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=701
http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=702
http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=703

Toilets and Christianity

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he too will cry out and not be answered" (Proverbs 21:13, NIV).

The Christian Standard has several good articles about how Christians are responding to poverty, hunger, and HIV/AIDS in the current issue. The best of the articles is titled "Toilets and Christianity." It may be found at http://christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=672.

Trendy Churches

Jen Taylor has posted an article from Lark News on her blog that every church leader who likes to be on the cutting-edge of church fads needs to read. Click on http://www.christianstandard.com/2007/06/from-larknewscom.html.

Christian Economics

The Christian Standard has some powerful and thought-provoking articles this week about economics, poverty, and the (false) prosperity gospel. You may read them at:

www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=595

www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=596

www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=597

Think About Such Things

This is a devotional piece that I wrote for the Christian Standard. It appeared in the July 21, 1996 edition.

Think About Such Things

What consumes your thoughts? Do you worry about deadlines? Are you anxious about finances? Does revenge find a home in your heart? Do immoral thoughts race through your mind? Such things shatter our peace and distance us from God.

Realizing the impact of our thoughts, the apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things" (Philippians 4:8, New International Version). Meditating upon those attributes draws us closer to God. Acquiring those ideals may transform our lives into the image of God's Son, since Jesus Christ personifies those attributes.

Christ is true, honest, genuine, and real. He is completely trustworthy. He perceives everything with keen accuracy, and He speaks with absolute integrity. If He says it, you can believe it.

The Lord is noble. His character commands respect. He has earned the loyalty of His people.

Christ is right in all ways. He lived under the law of Moses without committing one transgression. He kept the rules and fulfilled the law.

Jesus is pure. His heart has never been contaminated by evil. He has overcome every temptation.

The Lord is lovely. His self-sacrificing spirit turned an ugly crucifixion into a beautiful demonstration of God's love. As promised, all kinds of people have been drawn to Him since He was lifted up.

Christ is admirable. Even His critics and skeptics often admit an admiration for His teachings.

Jesus is excellent in His goodness. He is the genuine epitome of morality and virtue. His standards are unsurpassed.

Finally, Christ is praiseworthy or commendable. He rescues us from a destiny of Hell and prepares a home in Heaven for us. He deserves our praise!

Focusing our minds upon Jesus Christ and His attributes can settle troubled minds while bringing us into the presence of a gracious God. Let's think about such things.