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Loving Life and
Seeing Good Days
In First Peter chapter three we are told how to love life and see good days. The spiritual condition of children of God makes it possible for them to have this kind of life. The days are good when we bridle our tongue and speak the truth. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26) This loving life and seeing good days is representative of the life we would expect to live in our eternal state.
Those that follow Christ are pursuing the course of happiness and security. If along this way you are called upon to suffer, then be a person that suffers for righteousness sake. To suffer for the cause of truth or a good conscience will always produce a positive result. "Christians have no reason to be afraid of the threats or rage of any of their enemies."
In I Peter 3:10-15 we read of this life and good days. Let us observe:
Do not repay evil, repeat evil or respect evil: Peter said, "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit." (I Peter 3:10) Be careful with your tongue. Do not try to repay evil words with evil words. Do not repeat evil. "Refrain your tongue from evil." Do not respect evil by allowing yourself to participate in it.
Refrain "your lips from speaking deceit." Those who would see good days must control their tongues. A tongue that is a controlled tongue is the key to a long and fruitful life. Good days will follow as we learn to bridle our tongue and to speak the truth in love.
Treat sin like a deadly disease: We will avoid many troubles when we, as Christians, despise and loathe evil. We avoid sin not just because it is wrong, but because we hate it! Christians should treat sin as they would a deadly disease. Those that would love life and see good days must, "...turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." (I Peter 3:11)
The avoiding of evil and doing of good is the way to contentment and happiness both here and hereafter. David wrote, "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalms 34:14)
Take hold of Jesus with both hands: Christians must let go of the world and take hold of Jesus with both hands. This is what it means to be righteous. Peter said, "the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (I Peter 3:12) Christians have been called to a righteous life. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." (I Peter 2:21)
Jesus did no evil. He did not repeat evil. He did not repay evil. He knew people would not get by with wrong because, "the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him..." (II Chronicles 16:9) God looks upon Christians with good will. He allows them to approach Him with their petitions.
Confronting foes with committed faith: The best and surest way to find happiness is to confront your foes with a committed faith. Peter said, "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?" (I Peter 3:13) "In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." (Psalm 56:4) Much happiness is found when Christians: (1) Cherish friends, (2) Confront foes, and (3) Communicate faith.
Our foes must be confronted with a patient and humble spirit. In order to find happiness Christians must be full of faith. A half-hearted faith will never be a fearless faith. True happiness is found only when one has a bulldog grip on what is good and right. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20)
Faith is demonstrated by a willingness to suffer: To suffer for righteousness' sake is an honor and true happiness for Christians. Peter said, "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." (I Peter 3:14) A willingness to suffer for the cause of Christ demonstrates the beauty of Jesus Himself.
Suffering is not the natural outcome of righteousness. However, if
suffering comes to the faithful child of God it means honor instead of
disgrace, gain rather than loss. "Blessed are they which are persecuted
for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew
5:10) Christians have no reason to fear any enemy because; "the face of
the Lord is against those who do evil."
Faith is defended by those that are ready to give an answer:
Christians are challenged, changed and admonished to, "sanctify the Lord
God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks
you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (I
Peter 3:15) Those that sanctify Christ or set Him aside as Lord must be ready
to answer for their faith. The answer must be reasonable. There must be a reason
for the hope within you. The answer must also be respectful. It is to be given
with meekness and fear.
Could you give an answer for your faith? Could you explain in
simple, scriptural terms how to be saved? I challenge, charge, admonish and
encourage you to learn God's plan of salvation by memory. Could you explain in
simple, scriptural terms why we partake of the Lord's Supper every Sunday and
only on Sunday? Could you explain in simple, scriptural terms why we have
singing but no mechanical instruments? Could you explain in simple, scriptural
terms why we do not call the preacher "Reverend?" Could you explain
in simple, scriptural terms why there are no miracles today? Could you explain
in simple, scriptural terms the history of the New Testament church? Could you
explain in simple, scriptural terms how the church should be organized? We are
to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts and be ready always to give a defense of
our inner hope with meekness and fear. We must be knowledgeable enough about
our faith to discuss it openly in a skillful way. The defense of our faith must
always be with meekness and fear.
Are you a Christian? To become a Christian
you must, hear the gospel of Christ (John
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: Baptist East: Barbara Walker. In Need Of Prayers: Linda
Bender, V.P. Black, Dawn Bradley, Emily Cain, Meryln Carter, Matthew Conway,
Juanita Cubley, Ann Daughtry, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Montine Hardin, Lizzy Harper (granddaughter of Peggy Harper), Jean Harrell
(surgery), Evan Hartsell, Billy Heartsill, Daie Johnson, Frank Johnson, Darrell
Jones, Mary Lawrence, Romona Newton, Steve Osborne, Marie Owens, Margaret
Pierce, Mary Powell, Philip Sampley (son of Curtis Sampley), Roger Strange,
Winston Temple, Corrine Till, Leroy Waller and Judson Webb. Crowne
Health Care: Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright.
2.
Please Pray For: (a) Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders is serving in the
3. Sympathy
Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to the family of Sister
Ethel Gafford, especially to Jewel Cauthen.
4. 2007
Church Budget: Our Elders have challenged us with a weekly budget of
$6,426.98 for 2007. If we all give as God has blessed us that will be no
problem. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and
he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (II Cor. 9:6)
5. Birthdays:
Celebrating birthdays this week are: January 17th Jesse Mae
Powell and Vivian Taylor, and January 18th Adrianna
Bagents.
6. Wedding
Invitation: Elizabeth Marie Croley and Jeremy David Day together with
their families invite you to share in the joy at the celebration of their
marriage on Saturday, the twenty-seventh of January two thousand and seven at
two o’clock in the afternoon Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,
Greenville, Alabama.
7. Ladies
Bible Class: The Wednesday morning Ladies Bible Class will resume on
January 17th at 10:00 a.m. All ladies are invited to participate.
8. Lingerie
Shower: There will be a lingerie shower for Beth Croley at the home of
Margaret Phillips on January 20th at 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please see
Margaret Phillips for more information.
9. Sign-Up
List: The 2007 sign-up lists for greeters, secure building, and van
drivers are on the bulletin board. Please sign up to help.
10. Visitation
Program: Our visitation program meets on Tuesday nights at 6:00. Both
men and women are invited to participate. Please be a part of this good work.
11. Thank
You: Dear Walnut Street Family, Thank you for the plant that you sent
to our daddy and also for all the calls, cards, visits, and especially for the
prayers. Please continue to remember him as he is having a difficult time at
present. The family of Wilmer Howell
12. Put
These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) March 5th-8th,
2007 – Faulkner University – Annual Bible Lectures – Theme: Our God, He is
Alive (b) April 27th-28th
– Marriage Seminar – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speakers Glenn &
Cindy Colley (c) September 24th-26th,
2007 – Regions University – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites,
Montgomery.
13. Guyana Trips: (a) Jerry Barr, Bobby Terrell and Charles Box will go to Guyana January 30th-February 13th. (b) Walter Johnson will be in Guyana February 12th-24th. Pray for these trips.
My Home’s In
Alabama & Austin
Since Daddy’s family is from Austin, TX and Mama’s is from Lineville, AL, it has always been hard one way or the other to visit relatives. It’s always been sad that we couldn’t help but be far from one family. It was the summer of 1991 when Daddy, Mama, my brothers and sister, and I left Austin to move to Cordova, AL where my dad had been asked to preach for the Cordova church of Christ. It was a happy time, but I’ll never forget the moments as we crossed the state line and entered Alabama. My favorite song, My Home’s in Alabama, was playing and I remember my mama crying because she was happy to be coming “home,” but also because she could see the hint of a tear in Daddy’s eyes. He was glad to see her so happy, but couldn’t help but recognize that the miles between him and his home was growing more numerous by the minute.
That event placed within me some lasting concepts. I learned that love, like the love my parents share, is special. Love causes people to make decisions and sacrifices that benefit loved ones. I learned that “home” is something we should cherish and appreciate, and is always something to which we should long to return. I am so blessed that from an earthly standpoint, my home is both in Alabama and Austin, with my beloved families.
Then I think about Jesus Christ who knows exactly how my family and I feel about home. He left his home in heaven where he was both in the form of and equal with God (Phil 2:5-8). He was afraid of the pain and despised the shame of the cross, yet he endured it for those He loves…us (Matt 26:39; Heb 12:2). Now, as Christ once again resides with the Father, He longs for us to come home to be with Him forever. I can’t imagine being separated from my loved ones for eternity. Don’t make Christ endure that pain by failing to obey the gospel and walk in God’s light (Rom 6:3-4; I John 1:7-9). Paul so rightly wrote that while we are “at home” in our earthly bodies, we are away from our home with the Lord; but wherever we are, we should make it our aim to please Him (I Cor 5:1-10).
- - - - Darrell Powell
Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
Walnut Street Church of Christ
P.O. Box 551
Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551
(334-382-3001)