Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the law?”

It is no secret a virus has taken captive our world, morphing our lives into an existence we hardly recognize. Friends and family are kept distant. Freedoms we took for granted are halted. Masks hide our smiles and muffle our words. Our age-old hand-washing instructions are rewritten. Seldom-used words, like quarantine and pandemic, now dominate the media as social distancing and Zoom meetings consume our daily routines.

Through it all, we redefined our priorities and discovered our real heroes: Essential Workers. These doctors, nurses, social workers, caregivers, teachers, and grocery store clerks, to name a few, are the ones we cannot live without; indispensable to our wellness and survival. Previously underrated, their importance has been revealed.

Society deems elements of utmost importance as essential. However, we humans struggle to recognize such. Gratefully, Jesus was the master of understanding essential, so in Matthew 22 when the crowd inquired as to the most important commandment, Jesus responded with truth.

In my imagination, I see Jesus taking a moment of dramatic silence before revealing the answer to the question, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the law?” When He spoke, His response was so very basic: love God and love others. That’s it. If you boiled down all the commandments into the single most essential, it is LOVE.

Jesus left us an example of a life filled with love. He faithfully loved those who had by no means merited His love. These were often sinners not found in the synagogues, so Jesus knew the importance of departing the building to love those who needed Him most. Jesus loved Zacchaeus as this “wee little man” sat in a sycamore tree. Jesus loved the woman caught in adultery as she was dragged before the temple and held by her captors. And Jesus loved Judas, His betrayer, as they celebrated one last Passover around a table of shared food.

How could Jesus love to this degree? Because Jesus’ ultimate love was for His Heavenly Father. You see, when asked by that crowd to reveal the greatest commandment, Jesus’ response was love God with every part of your being, and secondly, love others as much as you love yourself.

Our hearts should reflect the heart of Jesus. We are called to love those, like Zacchaeus, who are outside the comforting walls of our church buildings. We are called to love those sinners, like the woman caught in adultery, when it takes us outside our comfort zone. We are called to love those, like Judas, who back-stab us. If our love places them above ourselves, others will be able to witness a piece of the heart of Jesus this side of eternity.

Father God, may our hearts reflect a sincere love for you and for others.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that we are living in a slightly stressful world these days. This may or may not be a good thing, but I hardly ever watch the news. In fact, if it weren’t for some of our friends at church, I would not have known about the last two tornados that were in the area recently or the snow storms that we have experienced over the past couple of months. But now that I know I can count on them for the weather, I really see no need to start! Next, I’ll slowly delete my social media accounts (where the news still seems to be loud and clear) and then happily retreat into my own little hermit world where the sad, scary, and anxiety-provoking headlines can’t find me. Now, I realize this isn’t really the answer, but sometimes it sounds like a good idea. Did you know that, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, over 50 million Americans report dealing with anxiety? I don’t know how accurate that number is, but I do know that 50 million is a really big number.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines anxiety as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” If I had to describe that in my own non-dictionary words, I would simply say “a lack of peace.” For many, peace can seem so elusive sometimes. Now, I understand that some people suffer from clinical anxiety due to chemical imbalances and things outside of their control. This is not an attempt to cause guilt or shame to those people. However, some of us create these feelings of unease in our own lives when we simply don’t have to.

In Philippians 4, we read about the God of peace:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

The Cliff Notes of this text:

1. We are given the following command: ”Do not be anxious about anything.”

God doesn’t just leave us hanging, but is offering us help. Christians have the incredible blessing of belonging to a God at whose feet we can lay our greatest (and smallest) problems. And not as a burden to Him, but by His own command because that’s how much He loves us.

2. If you have known the peace of God, then you know that it truly does surpass all understanding. The verse says, that if we will let our requests be made known to Him, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What a priceless blessing!

3. We are given practical instructions on how to avoid unnecessary anxiety. Here are the things we should think about:

Anything:

1. True
2. Honorable
3. Just
4. Pure
5. Lovely
6. Commendable
7. Excellent
8. Worthy of praise

Eight things we are given in this verse to fill our minds with. We should elevate our thoughts to a higher, holier mindset by constantly focusing on these types of things. The “Elevated Eight,” we shall call them. If we watch movies and shows filled with bad language, violence, and obscenities, or listen to music and podcasts centered around worldly topics, we can’t expect to have thoughts based on the “Elevated Eight.”

4. At the end of this verse, Paul and Timothy give us one last piece of advice: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” We must take action and put these things into practice. They have given us great examples in their own lives and we would be wise to learn from them. If we just twiddle our thumbs and cross our fingers, while hoping to find peace, we will be greatly disappointed. We are not told that the God of peace will be with us by sitting idly by. However, we are promised that if we practice these things, then He will. And we may not be perfect at it at first, but as we’ve surely learned throughout life so far, practice makes perfect!

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

By Janelle Pollard

On September 11, 1777, Captain Patrick Ferguson faced a decision that would forever change the course of history. He noticed an American officer in the distance riding on horseback into view. Unbeknownst to this officer, he was mere seconds away from potentially being taken out by the best shot in the British army. However, Captain Ferguson was plagued with guilt at the thought of killing someone without their knowing of the presence of an enemy. He felt that ambushing someone in this way was simply wrong. So before shooting, he yelled at the American officer. At least then, there would be a fair chance. Once the American heard the yell, he rode off, and the British marksman lost his chance. The next day, Captain Ferguson learned that the officer whose life he ultimately spared was none other than General George Washington. Had Captain Ferguson ambushed Washington a day earlier, we can only guess how the American Revolution might have ended.

One decision may seem insignificant at the time, but we never really know how many people it may affect years, or even decades, down the road.

Marshall Keeble, a gospel preacher born in 1878, made the decision to become a Christian, and that decision went on to impact the lives of thousands. Keeble was reported to have baptized over 20,000 people throughout his ministry. There is no telling how many more souls were saved because of those 20,000+. One of those was a young man named “Randall.” This young man would go on to spread the gospel to some of his co-workers. One of those co-workers was Michael Shank, who would go on to write a book, Muscle and a Shovel, about his conversion, which would lead thousands more to obey the gospel. Without Marshall Keeble making the decision to become a Christian, who knows how many people may have never decided to become a Christian. While it is ultimately up to each person to seek out, find, and obey the gospel, it is also true that we as Christians are commanded to “…go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) How many lives will be impacted if we decide to obey this command? And worse, how many lives will be affected if we don’t?

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19-20

By Janelle Pollard

BALANCE– an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady; a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions

As I consider the various areas of my life as a Christian woman, I know I need to keep growing in all aspects (Eph. 4:15).  I need to nurture my relationship with God.  I need to take care of myself physically.  I need to work at being a better wife and mother.  I need to look for ways to reach the lost, help the needy, and encourage others.

Sometimes it’s a real challenge for me to feel “upright and steady” and to keep everything “in the correct proportions.”  I’ll do great at exercising and eating right but find myself neglecting personal Bible study.  I’ll put more concerted effort into my marriage, and then realize it’s been way too long since I’ve had someone in my home or invited someone to worship.   It’s like I forget certain areas while I’m focusing on other ones.

It could be that’s just how my mind works.  I have to write things down to remind myself to do them.  When it comes to finding balance in my Christian walk, I finally came up with the kind of list that actually works for me.  It’s all on one sheet, it’s easy, and it reminds me to “grow in all aspects.”

I’ve hesitated to share this list because I don’t want to give the impression that Christianity is a checklist of good deeds, and as long as I can check everything off my list, I can feel good about myself.  Truly, that’s not what this is about.  Christianity is putting God’s will first and allowing it to affect every area of my life.  But we are commanded to be soul-winners (Mark 16:15), to be benevolent (Matt. 25:34-46), to show hospitality (Rom. 12:13), and to encourage others (Heb. 10:24,25).  It just helps me personally to have a visual reminder of those areas so I can think about ways to live them out each day.

About the list:

• The first half focuses on daily communication with the Father (Bible study and prayer).
• The next section focuses on physical health.  I put tally marks down for each glass of water I drink and list the type of exercise I did.  At first I tried to include a space for a food journal, but a.) it took too long to record everything I ate (ha!), and b.) I find that if I’m exercising and drinking plenty of water each day, I end up eating better anyway.
• Then there’s a place to list the three most prioritized things that need accomplished that day.
• The final section is really what makes this list work for me.  It simply lists benevolence, hospitality, soul-winning, and encouragement.  It reminds me to do something that falls under one of those categories, and then I’ll write down next to it what I did (like sending a card, making a call or visit, having a family over, putting tracts in the car for distribution opportunities, etc.).  Because one of those areas comes more naturally to me than the others, this section also allows me to see when I’ve been neglecting the ones that push me out of my comfort zone.

To make it a little more fun and feminine, I printed the list off on a variety of pretty papers.  I can choose whichever print strikes my fancy each day.

Kathy Pollard

They will proclaim the power of your awesome acts. I will declare your great deeds. They will talk about the fame of your great kindness, and sing about your justice. The Lord is merciful and compassionate; he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love. Psalm 145.6-8

God was known for his famous deeds that he performed in Egypt to bring the Israelites out of slavery. The nations had heard of the care that he had taken with them throughout their wanderings.

When the spies were sent to Jericho to spy out the land, they took refuge in the house of Rahab. She told them how the people of the land were cringing with fear. Her people had heard how the Lord had dried up the water of the Red Sea. Then they heard that the Israelites annihilated Sihon and Og, two kings of the Amorites. She acknowledged that their God was Lord in heaven above and on earth below, Joshua 2.8-11.

God is just as powerful today and his deeds are just as great! He is still Lord in heaven above and on earth below! May we proclaim the power of his awesome acts!

Vicki Matheny

The life of Jesus – background information between the old and new testaments

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THE DEFINITION OF MATURITY

I have a habit of clipping things from magazines and newspapers. This is one reason I have several file boxes of recipes. It’s not just recipes that I clip. I also clip sayings, articles, poems, etc. I always think that I’ll find a use for them one day.

Last Sunday morning I was taking something out of my Bible, and this little clipping fell out. It says:

“The Definition of Maturity

The ability to stick with a job until it’s finished.

The ability to do a job without being supervised.

The ability to carry money without spending it.

And the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.”

I have no idea where I found this, but it got my attention once again. It made me think what that would mean in terms of spiritual maturity. I think we can find some references in Scripture that make this a definition for spiritual maturity.

Being able and willing to stick with a job until it is finished is an admirable quality. It is essential in the business world, but it is also essential in the Christian’s life. Jesus had a purpose, and He worked at that purpose until His job was done. He told His disciples, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (John 4:34 ESV). The King James Version says “to finish his work.” Later, in John 17, Jesus says, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” Even Jesus was under obligation to complete His work. Paul also felt an obligation for the work he was chosen to do. He said, “…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (Second Timothy 4:7-8).

We also need to take responsibility for the work we are to do and do it without having to be told what to do. When Jesus gave His final instructions to the eleven men who had followed Him faithfully for three years, He sent them out to a specific work. His instructions included go, make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to obey His commandments. It was up to them how to get the job done. Our commandants are the same. We need to be able to go, teach, baptize, and teach the commandments of Jesus.

Carrying money without spending it is a challenge. When my son was a little boy, he would immediately take any money he earned or received as a gift to the bank. He was afraid he would spend it. Judas must have had a problem with money. He complained when Mary anointed the feet of Jesus, but it was not out of concern for the poor as he said but because he was a thief (John 13:6). I think the writer of this definition of maturity had in mind the person that cannot hold onto his money, but spiritually speaking, the thief fits this as well.

The last of the definitions is very difficult. I know from experience. It is instinctive in us to want to return evil for evil; but when God is in full control of our hearts, we can forgive and move on. When we forgive, we lose that desire to get even. Forgiveness gives us freedom and prevents us from losing our soul.

When Jesus was teaching the disciples to pray, He said, “…and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:12-15).

Notice that in the definition it says, “without wanting to get even.” That requires a true change of heart. The art of forgiveness is not even thinking about getting even with someone who has wronged us.

What a blessing it would be if we could adopt these four attitudes of maturity into our lives, both physically and spiritually. We will be more like Christ if we do.

Sandra Oliver

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love. Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts. Wash away my wrongdoing. Cleanse me of my sin. Psalm 51.1-2

We cannot cleanse ourselves once we have fallen into sin. Sin is what separates us from God, Isaiah 59.1-2. Where sin is, God is not. Sin is like a wall that we can neither go through nor around. Our cleansing must come from elsewhere.

Because of his love and mercy, God has provided a way for that cleansing to take place. He provided the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world giving his son Jesus, John 3.16. His death makes my life possible.

God cleanses us in the watery grave of baptism where we die to ourselves, Romans 6.6-7. When we are raised from that watery grave, we are pure once again to stand before God, not because of anything that we have done, but because of what God has already done. He washes away our wrongdoings, our rebellious acts, and all of our sin. He cleanses us!

Have you been cleansed?

Vicki Matheny

As long as I can remember, I have wanted to learn to play the piano. I began lessons when I was 8 or 9 years old, but my piano teacher was very stern and my desire to learn piano was trumped by my desire to avoid my teacher. For my birthday this year, my husband, Dale, got me a new keyboard. I couldn’t have been more excited, as my dreams to play the piano were finally within reach! However, I was sorely disappointed when I realized mastering this new instrument wouldn’t be as easy as it looked on YouTube. I’ve watched and listened to many people play piano over the years with wonder. They make it look so easy and sound so beautiful. So of course, when I sat down for the very first time and couldn’t play Mozart within a few hours, I was disappointed, to say the least.

In reality, I knew that it would be hard. It would take a lot of patience, determination, and consistency. I had to decide, and still do, that it would be worth the effort. I have gotten frustrated when my hands won’t follow what my brain tells them to. I have wanted to give up. But I have decided to keep trying (partly because I want to be good at piano one day and partly because I want Dale to know how thankful I am for this gift). Some days when I practice, it seems that at the current rate, it will take approximately three hundred years until I will be successful at this new hobby. But some days, I learn something new and can see that the time I have put in is paying off. It’s such a rewarding feeling and keeps me excited to continue on. My goal is to learn and be good at playing the piano. The only way to get to this goal is to never give up.

In many ways, this is similar to our walk as Christians. We all have the goal of spending eternity in heaven with our Creator & taking as many people with us as we can. Some days, we may feel like we’ll never get it right. But if we keep putting one foot in front of the other in the direction of heaven, we will find that no matter how hard some days may seem, we will be rewarded greatly and every hard day will be more than worth it. The only way to reach our goals, whether earthly, or more importantly, eternally, is to NEVER give up!

At the end of our days on this earth, may these verses be able to define our own lives:

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

By Janelle Pollard

How blessed is every one of the Lord’s loyal followers, each one who keeps his commands. You will eat what you worked so hard to grow. You will be blessed and secure. Psalm 128.1-2

Following God provides happiness and security. Some people search their whole lives for these attributes and never find them. However, they look for them in the wrong things: wealth, health, knowledge. The Psalmist gives us the key to obtaining these attributes in our lives.