*Author’s note: Apologies for this being sent out on Friday. I have no answers as to how that happened and was as surprised as you. But if you did not read it on Friday, here is your Monday opportunity. Happy day!

John 1:41 – “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is the Christ)”

Have you ever discovered something so exciting you couldn’t wait to share? I stumbled upon a massive fifteen-dollar dress sale at Macy’s and the first thing I did was call my friends, (while guarding the rack of course). The news was just too exciting to keep to myself.

In scripture, Andrew discovered something so great, the first thing he wanted to do was share the news.

“We have found the Messiah, the Christ,” Andrew announced to his brother.

It is noteworthy that Andrew proclaimed he had found the Christ. He did not say he found Jesus. Consider for a moment the boldness of Andrew’s unwavering statement. A safer option would have been for Andrew to wait and observe this man named Jesus and validate His claim as the Christ. But Andrew was so confident of his discovery, he ran to share the news.

I came to appreciate the vast distinction in the words, Jesus and Christ when I spent time in Saudi Arabia. The nation’s constitution being the Qur’an meant bringing a Bible, any religious materials, or religious icons into the country was strictly forbidden. In Saudi Arabia, uttering the word, Christ was considered blasphemy, but interestingly, speaking the name of Jesus was allowed because to the Saudi people, Jesus was considered a virtuous prophet, nothing more.

The distinction between Jesus and Christ, is the distinction between a name and a title. Many years ago, I recall my father addressing my mother as the “Queen of our house.” Her name was Maxine, but her title was “Queen.” Likewise, His name was Jesus. His title was Christ.

Jesus was the name used among the people with whom He walked through life. Tragically, for us to acknowledge Jesus, but not Christ, is to miss the best part of the story: a story of incredible love, incredible sacrifice, and an incredible ending.

Jesus, the Christ chose to leave heaven and live a sinless life here on earth. He chose death on the cross. And He unequivocally rose from death, proving to be much more than a prophet. He was the Christ, the anointed, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. This beautiful story of Christ is the very foundation of our faith. Sisters, this news is far better than any fifteen-dollar dress sale!  So, what are we waiting for? It is time to share the Good News!

Blessings in Christ,

Below are some scriptures of Jesus being recognized as the Christ or Messiah.
Luke 2:25-33
Matthew 16:13-20
Luke 4:40-41

Rita Cochrane

When we tell the story of Elijah going to heaven in a whirlwind, we often make two mistakes. The first is that we say Elijah went to heaven in a chariot of fire. Every picture I have ever seen shows him in a chariot with fire all around him. Verse 11 of Second Kings 2 says the chariot of fire and horses of fire separated Elijah and Elisha, and Elijah went up by “a whirlwind into heaven.”.

The second mistake is that most lessons do not cover the beautiful story of love and commitment between two great prophets, Elijah and Elisha. What a shame that we have missed a chance to understand true love and respect between two servants of God.

The story actually begins in First Kings 19. Elijah had become afraid and discouraged after being threatened by Jezebel. He ran away, but God found him and sent him to the mountain for a time of reflection. There he found God in a still small voice, and God laid out his next mission. He was to go to the wilderness of Damascus and anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. Then he was to anoint Jehu to be king over Israel. When those things were completed, he was to anoint Elisha to be his successor. Elijah did as God commanded, and that was the beginning of the relationship between the two prophets of God.

When it came time for Elijah to be taken, he and his companion left Gilgal and traveled to Bethel. Elijah did not want Elisha to travel with him, but Elisha refused to leave him. From Bethel, God sent Elijah to Jericho. Once again Elijah told Elisha to stay, but Elisha refused. At Jericho God sent Elijah to the Jordan. Elisha refused to stay in Jericho but went with him to Jordan.

Though the rest of the story is the exciting part of Elijah’s departure, these few verses are the heart of the relationship between these two men. There was obviously boundless love and respect between them. They were different men. Elijah was a rough man, living in the wilderness. Elisha was from the city and a milder tempered man. Those differences did not change their relationship.

Elisha would not leave his mentor. He wanted to spend every moment of Elijah’s final hours with him. When the young prophets in each city asked Elisha if he knew Elijah was going to be taken, Elisha told them to be quiet. He did not want to talk about the departure; he just wanted to cherish the time they had left.

The New Testament portrays similar relationships. When Paul began his first letter to the young preacher, Timothy, he said, “To Timothy, my own son in the faith.” Paul taught him things he needed to know as a young preacher. He mentored him while he was young. Paul later took him on his third missionary journey, and they remained close until the end of Paul’s life. Paul’s last letter was to his beloved Timothy.

Paul was also a mentor to a second young preacher, Titus. This young man was with Paul while he was in prison (Second Timothy 4:11). Again, he taught him things he needed to preach, and his letter to Titus is filled with instructions.

God wants us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. The apostle John writes in First John 3 the importance of loving one another. He compares the love of Christ with the love we should have for our brother. He says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” In Romans 12:9 through the end of the chapter, Paul talks about the marks of a true Christian. He is speaking to the church at Rome, so to Christians; he tells them, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” In other words, love your brothers and sisters in Christ.

This is exactly what Elijah and Elisha felt for each other, brotherly love. That is why Elisha traveled to the Jordan with Elijah. That is why Elisha tore his clothing when Elijah was taken. That is why when Elijah went away in that whirlwind, Elisha cried, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.”

Last Wednesday evening, I saw two of our men embracing at the end of our worship service. They have been devoted friends for many years, and fellow Christians. On Sunday, I saw the majority of our congregation line up to give hugs to a lady who had responded to the invitation to request prayers for strength as she struggles with serious family health issues. Last Saturday a group of teens went to the home of a member to clean up his yard because he is unable to do it himself. For several weeks we have been preparing daily meals for two of our members. Both are alone and unable to cook for themselves. All of those are examples of “love the brethren.”

So, when we think of the story of Elijah and Elisha, let’s not just think of the miracle; but think about the devotion between two godly men who loved God and wanted to do His will. May we look for opportunities in which to show the brotherly affection Paul speaks of and that which is exhibited throughout God’s Word.

Sandra Oliver

I just spent a week at Big Reedy Christian camp and, as you might imagine, experienced many things that could’ve inspired this week’s reason to love the church. There was lots of beautiful singing, kids bonding, Bible learning, hands helping, and good, clean fun. But a statement made in the kitchen has stuck with me the most. On the last morning, Dana Simpson was making her famous homemade cinnamon rolls (for the entire camp!) and I was helping her roll out the dough. When it came time to spread brown sugar and cinnamon over the dough, I asked, “About how much do you use?” She replied, “Just measure with your heart.”

When it comes to our Christian walk, following our hearts can be a dangerous thing, as the heart can be “deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9). Living by what seems right to us can “lead to death” (Prov. 14:12). But Dana’s answer made me smile, and not just because she gave me permission to sprinkle brown sugar with wild abandon! All week long I’d watched her live out that very concept. Campers and adults alike came to her with their questions. They wanted her advice or suggestions, and it didn’t matter if it was kitchen stuff, or camp stuff, or life stuff.

I learned a lot from Dana myself as I watched her interact with everyone all week long. I believe that people are drawn to her for more than just her experience and knowledge. They know she really cares. How does she know when a counselor needs a pick-me-up by way of an extra biscuit? How does she know how much of an attaboy to give a camper who’s still causing problems but whose growth is evident? How does she know when a more stern reply is in order? She measures with her heart. And she can do that because her heart is engaged. She pays attention. She sees a need and meets it, but in a way that seems just for that person specifically.

Obviously the secret to Dana’s famous cinnamon rolls is the fact that she measures with her heart. And anyone who knows her knows she uses the same principle with people.

The church is filled with people like Dana who live and love wholeheartedly! Who do you know who doles out whatever is needed with their heart?

“Love one another deeply, from the heart.”

(1 Peter 1:22)

Hebrews 6:32-34 -“Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles and routed alien armies.”

I chuckled at the news coverage of a bear that somehow managed to break into a house whose owner lay fast asleep. Unknown to this massive beast, a tiny but dedicated lapdog was on patrol. The irate k-9 was not about to turn over management of his home, no matter how outmanned he seemed. As his doggy adrenaline kicked in, the little guard dog barked, snapped, and lunged frantically at the bear. Despite the difference in their muscle mass, it was the bear who tucked his tail and ran, disappearing into the woods. All the while, the owner slept soundly.

The royal mess in the man’s house the next morning led him to his security camera footage. He was speechless watching the courage of the tiny guard dog who took his job very seriously. The dog could have run for the safety of his owner’s bed thinking, “I am too small, and the bear is too big!” However, the little dog remained faithful to his owner and without hesitation protected what was precious to him.

I do not recall the name of the dog, but I shall refer to him as Daniel because his courage reminds me of brave Daniel in scripture. When a kingly decree forbade Daniel to worship or face certain death in the lions’ den, Daniel could have run for safety. He could have thought, “I am too small, and the king is too big!” But brave Daniel stood his ground and protected what was precious to him. Like the little dog, Daniel, face to face with lions, did not back down. Because of his devotion to God, brave Daniel defeated the king’s decree.

There will be days we will come under attack from enemies too big to fight. We must choose to either fly the coop or pursue in battle. When our faith diminishes, we can abandon the church and run for the hills. When our family structures fracture, defending our precious fort may seem too overwhelming and we can retreat. When our job expectations place us in opposition to our moral values, we can surrender our convictions. But, friend, we have another option. We can recall Daniel and the little guard dog and discover the courage to defend at all costs what is precious to us.

Father God, may we feel Your power living within us. May we stand our ground against Your enemies.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

There is always hope for tomorrow

that we will make it through each day.

If we trust faithfully in the Lord above

and try to walk the straight and narrow way.

The Lord will bless us in every way

as we strive to help each other,

to tend a helping hand whenever we can

to make life better for one another.

We can bring joy and happiness

with every kind word and deed we say and do.

It will fill us wish a warm feeling inside

knowing the world is a better place for me and you.

Gal 5:13 – For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only (use) not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.

Debora Robbins

We are living in a world of change. Some of the changes are good, and some are bad. Change often represents the unrest of the current generation. Change also may come about because “the way we have always done things” seems old fashioned. Change for the sake of change may not always be the best, and it may also be sinful.

I have noticed changes in weddings and funerals. These used to be solemn occasions, filled with tradition. Now they are often less than respectful to either the participants or the audience, and in the case of funerals, the deceased. Customs certainly change, but respect for God and His word should never be sacrificed.

The word “change” means to make something different; to alter or modify; to replace something with something else; to substitute one thing for another. It can mean making or becoming different, substituting one thing for another, or alternating or modifying something.

When I think of the sinful nature of change, one story in Scripture stands out above all others. It occurred at the end of Solomon’s reign. Solomon had sinned by taking strange wives and, not only encouraging their idol worship, but also participating in it. God was displeased with him and decided to make a servant, Jeroboam, the new king over ten of the tribes. God left the tribe of Judah for Solomon’s son, Rehoboam.

Rehoboam was crowned king, and he set up his kingdom in Jerusalem. Jeroboam was crowned king over ten tribes, and he set up his kingdom in Shechem. Rehoboam prepared to fight Jeroboam and his ten tribes, but God spoke to His prophet, Shemaiah, and told him to stop the battle. Rehoboam listened to Shemaiah, and the people returned to their homes.

Jeroboam began to think about Israel going to Jerusalem to worship, and he was afraid that if the people went to Jerusalem to worship that they would be tempted to follow Rehoboam (disregarding everything God had promised them), and he would no longer be king, probably losing his life. He decided to change things. He set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel. This would provide the people a place of worship but not to the God of heaven. Their worship would be to idols. He also changed the time of the feasts when they were commanded to go to Jerusalem and worship.

To say that God was not happy with him is an understatement. He changed the place of worship, the method of worship, the time of worship, and he relinquished the respect and honor due God.

When you follow the kings through their reigns, you find that the idol worship continued and more changes were made. They appointed priests from tribes other than the tribe of Levi, which was named as the tribe from which the priests were selected. They worshipped an assortment of other gods and even sacrificed their children to gods. Eventually, the sacred things of the temple were placed in the temples of idols. Nothing was sacred anymore.

Unfortunately, many Christians are the same today. They discover that they don’t like the way things are done in worship, and they decide to change them. They have those same thoughts that things are old fashioned, and they want to bring everything up-to-date. That means “change.”

We need to understand what is tradition and what is by command or example from the New Testament. The order of most church services is traditional. The number of songs and prayers, the time of services, sitting or standing for songs, Bible readings, etc. are all tradition. The elements of our worship are not. Singing, giving, the taking of the Lord’s Supper, praying, preaching are all set in the book of Acts. Change is not an option!

I recently saw a sign in front of a church building that said, “Don’t put a question mark where God put a period”. Paul told Timothy, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (Second Timothy 1:13). We have a pattern of sound words, the Bible. There we will find what we must do to worship God.

At the end of Revelation, there is a stern warning about the prophecy that had been given to John. “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).

Similar warnings can be found in the Old Testament. “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2). A similar verse is found in Deuteronomy 12:28, “Be careful to obey all these words that I commend you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God”. After this verse is a warning against idolatry. If you study First and Second Kings, you see the result of the Jews not heeding this warning.

If God would not tolerate a change of His Word then, He is not going to tolerate a change of it today.

Sandra Oliver