Just A Blowing Wind?

   Wind is air in natural motion as it moves horizontally at any velocity along the earth's surface. Wind often comes as a gentle breeze. At other times the wind may come as a gale, storm, hurricane or tornado. Most of us well remember when Hurricane Opal passed over our little part of the world on October 4, 1995, leaving much devastation behind. Who could ever forget the terrible Hurricane Ivan that blasted our area on September 15-16, 2004? Ivan caused more than 20 billion dollars damage and is the 5th most costly hurricane of all time. At its peak, in the Gulf of Mexico, Ivan was the size of Texas. It was also responsible for spawning 119 tornadoes. Speaking of tornadoes, the heartbreak of the tornadoes that ripped through Alabama on April 27, 2011 is still fresh on our minds. There was total devastation and there were 346 people killed as a result of this horrible outbreak of tornadoes. We are blessed in that not all wind is destructive. We have all felt the "gentle breeze" blowing. The word "wind" is found in 117 verses in our King James Version of the Bible. The plural "winds" is found in an additional 24 verses in our King James Version of the Bible. The Bible speaks about the four winds of the heaven. These winds come from the north, south, east and west. "Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the

LORD." (Zechariah 2:6) In Ecclesiastes 1:6 we read, "The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits." (Ecclesiastes 1:6) Just a blowing wind? No! The wind is a part of God's plan for man.

   Just a blowing wind? No! This wind is a reminder that bad things happen to good people? Job was a good man. We read of Job, "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." (Job 1:1) Likely Job suffered like few others have ever had to endure. His worst suffering had to do with the wind. "Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee." (Job 1:18-19) Let us learn that suffering is part of the Christian experience as we journey from earth to heaven. These things that we suffer in this life help prepare us for glory. God uses things that happen in our life, including those things that bring misery and suffering, to prepare us for future glory. The wind may blow in this life but God is still there to heal and to help. We learn through our hard times that our suffering can never separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:35-37) When the storms blow against you God still loves you. He loves you as much in the storm as He does in the gentle breeze. Just a blowing wind? No! This is a reminder that bad things happen to good, godly people?

   Just a blowing wind? No! This wind teaches us the lesson of obedience. At the conclusion of the Sermon on The Mount Jesus said, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:24-29) If we do not put into practice the teachings of Jesus Christ our spiritual house will fall in this life and come to utter ruin in the world to come. Notice the things that Jesus said were needed to be a wise man, "every one therefore that heareth these words of mine and doeth them." To be wise before God we must hear His word and do it. Obedience has always been a distinguishing mark of a faithful child of God. Are you a wise builder or a foolish builder? Just a blowing wind? No! This wind teaches us the lesson of obedience. 

   Just a blowing wind? No! This wind was an opportunity for a miracle to be performed that proved Jesus to be the Son of God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The fact that He fulfilled what was written in the prophets concerning the Savior is a great proof that He is the Christ. His death, burial and resurrection are the greatest evidence that He is the Messiah. His miracles also prove that He is the Son of God. Some of Jesus' marvelous miracles have to do with "wind." In Mark 4:35-37 we read, "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full." Observe, It was evening (Mark 4:35); It was Jesus who said, "Let us pass over unto the other side” (Mark 4:35); There were other little boats involved (Mark 4:36); Jesus was in the back of the boat sleeping on a pillow (Mark 4:38); the disciples were frighten and thought they were about to die. (Mark 4:38) Jesus, "Arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39) The disciples "Feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:41) The message of the passage is straightforward; the authority that Jesus has is demonstrated by His mighty miracles. This miracle and other miracles should help us to build our faith and our confidence in the Christ. Just a blowing wind? No! This wind was an opportunity for a miracle to be performed that proved Jesus to be the Son of God.

   There was a sound like a rushing mighty wind on Pentecost Day when the church was established. (Acts 2:2) There was even a wind with a name, Euroclydon. (Acts 27:14) God is Almighty; let us serve Him. "For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name." (Amos 4:13) To become a Christian hear the word (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27) Come to Jesus today if you are lost in your sins! All heaven is interested in your salvation from sin. God is love and He wants you to be strong in the Lord! "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Ephesians 4:14)

                                    - - - - Charles Box

                                        News & Notes

1. Prayer List: Baptist Hospital East: Juanita Turner. In Need Of Prayer: Randall Alexander, Dee Barker, Jerry Barr, Teresa Boutwell, Alma Box, Brenda Burkett, Carly Cauthen, Mellisa Coggins, Bonnie Croley, Sandra Cumbie, Marie Curlee, Marie Finch, Ron Fisher, Bryan Harville, Linda Harville, Billy Heartsill, Davis Hester, Sarah Jean Hoffman, David Jones, Leona Jones,  Felice Kendrick, Patrica Kennemore, Digger Kimbro, Alice Little, Larry Lucas, Christie McCullough family, Annie McKee, Taylor Merry, Charlotte Miller, Jeff Miller, Billy Joe Nelson, Doug Norris (grandson of Jessie Mae Powell), Barbara Parker, Tina Pouncey,  Henry Powell (son of Jessie Mae Powell), Jack Queener, Joan Radcliff, John Reynolds, Olivia Reynolds, Lillie K. Rice, Jimmy Riley, Billy Rodger, Katie Sanders, Mary Sasser, Nathan Simmons, Eleanor Stabler, Sarah Stidham, Mary Lou Terrell, Frank Thomas, Kayla Thomas, Leisha Till, Charlotte Todd, Leroy Waller, Jim Watts and John Watts (brother-in-law of Neomia Collins). Crowne Health Care: Helen Autrey, Dorothy Buck, Jewel Cauthen, Gladys Childs, Betty Findley, Kathy Johnson, Sarah Knight, Glenn Phillips, and Annie Ruth Tetter. 

2. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to Darrell Powell and his family in the death of his grandfather, Bert Powell.

3. Congratulation: Congratulation to Neomia Collins in the birth of a great-granddaughter, Kylie Beth Collins. She was born January 18^th. She is the daughter of Benny and Kim Collins.

4. Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible Class: All ladies are invited to attend the Ladies Bible Class, Wednesday morning at 10:00. The class is studying the book of I Samuel.

5. Attention Van Drivers: If you drive our church vans or think you might drive the vans please give Deborah a copy of your driver’s license. This is for our insurance. It is important that this be taken care of NOW!

6. Birthdays: Celebrating a birthday this week are: January 23^rd Michelle Flowers, January 26^th Sue Bagents, January 27^th Blake Bagents and Sarah Jean Hoffman, and January 28^th Phillip Pierce.

7.  Ride for Jessie Mae Powell: We are looking for someone with a car or very low van that would be willing to pick up Jessie Mae Powell for church services. It you can help please contact Charles Box.

8. Men Who Preach: The Walnut Street Church of Christ is blessed to have several good men who are willing to preach. Tony Bozeman, Ricky Bagents, Jason Holladay, Darrell Powell and Mitch Bozeman all do a great job preaching. We are also blessed to have Hunter Winters teaching and helping us with our Jail Ministry.

9. Youth Activities: (a) Crowne Health Care – Every Saturday morning at 10 am, we have a class at the Nursing Home, and (b) Teen Devotional – After evening service on Sunday, January 22^nd, there will be a devotional/fellowship for the teens. If you would be willing to host this, or any other youth event, sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board next to the resource room.

10. Area Events: (a) January 28^th – Today’s Youth – Grady Church of Christ – Speaker Reed Brown – Theme: Create in Me a Clean Heart – Time: 9:30 am until 1:00 pm, (b) February 3^rd – Singing with the Saints – Panama Street Church of Christ – Time 7:00 pm, (c)  February 3^rd – 4^th – A Marriage Workshop for Couples of All Ages – Eastern Meadows Church of Christ – Time: Friday 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., (d) February 4^th – 31^st Annual Ladies Day – North Lowndes Church of Christ -  Speaker: Sue Crabtree – Theme: Journey Through The Old Testament – Time: Registration begins at 9:30 am, (e) February 5^th – 10^th – The 76^th Annual Bible Lectureship – Freed-Hardeman University, and (f) March 5^th – 8^th – 68^th Annual Bible Lectureship – Faulkner University

                                                     The Aim Of Our Charge

   As the epistle of I Timothy begins, Paul reveals his charge to young Timothy, saying that he is expected to instruct the people not to teach any different doctrine than what he and the other apostles had already taught. In our ministries, we may wonder how we should go about fulfilling this same charge, and how we can do it with the attitude Christ wants us to have.  Paul shed light on some of these challenges as he continued his admonitions to Timothy. Paul wrote, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (I Timothy 1:5) Here we see that love must be at the forefront of our efforts to obey God.  Not just any old love, but love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 

   A pure heart is one that is deliberately aimed toward Jesus Christ, for He is the one true source of purity. He is the one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) We won’t find perfect purity within ourselves because we all sin. (I John 1:8, 10) But only when we look to Jesus, who makes us pure by cleansing our sins with His own blood, can we hope to find within us the love that we need to show others.

   A good conscience is another one of those hard-to-find, yet necessary things. A person whose conscience is not often bothered is either in denial about their own actions, or they are able to trust in the forgiveness of a gracious God. The power to live with a “good conscience” springs forth from the resurrection of Christ.  When we as individuals obey the gospel (Romans 6:3-4), we are appealing to God “for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 3:21)

   Sincere faith, faith that is not hypocritical or full of needless doubt, is both a command and a great gift to the children of God. Real faith is belief in action. (James 2:24) Just like love, faith must be seen in order to be genuine. Just like Timothy, we need these three qualities if we expect to win souls for Christ. If we anticipate success in our labor for God, we too will love with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.                   

 - - - - Darrell Powell

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551