NO DUST ON MY BIBLE
A young Mom encouraged her daughter to complete a Bible lesson assigned to her by a teacher at Sunday school. And so, Mom said, “Hon, get my Bible and we will read together and figure out the lesson. “
But her daughter replied, “Let’s use Papa’s Bible instead.”
“Well, his Bible is the same as mine, so let’s use mine,” Mom replied.
“No, Mom, I would much rather use Papa’s Bible.” Mom, frustrated, wanted to know why.
“Because,” said her daughter, “Papa’s Bible has to be much more interesting because he uses it a whole lot more than you use yours, Mom.”
Children have a way of cutting to the heart of an issue, helping us to see things in a new light that may benefit us in a positive way. One Bible in hand is worth more than two on the bookshelf. Isn’t that right! Do we truly realize the value of God’s Word (Heb. 4:12)? The Bible has the words of life breathed out to us by God (2 Tim. 3:15-17).
Jesus said, “….the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jn. 6:63). He gives to us “words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68). In His Word we are guided, aided and provided with the way of salvation. In them we come to know God and His will for our lives (Jn. 17:3). In His Word, God provides a spiritual feast that will nourish, sustain and lift us up.
God’s Word must be the guiding light that moves us forward by the renewing of our minds. This results in transforming us into Christ’s image. To be blessed, heed the words of James:
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25).
Here are two passages to consider for having a proper attitude toward the Word of God: (Ezra 7:10; Jer. 31:33).
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.”
“…..I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My People.”
Let God’s Word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.
How much time have you spent in God’s Word during this crisis?
A young Mom encouraged her daughter to complete a Bible lesson assigned to her by a teacher at Sunday school. And so, Mom said, “Hon, get my Bible and we will read together and figure out the lesson. “
But her daughter replied, “Let’s use Papa’s Bible instead.”
“Well, his Bible is the same as mine, so let’s use mine,” Mom replied.
“No, Mom, I would much rather use Papa’s Bible.” Mom, frustrated, wanted to know why.
“Because,” said her daughter, “Papa’s Bible has to be much more interesting because he uses it a whole lot more than you use yours, Mom.”
Children have a way of cutting to the heart of an issue, helping us to see things in a new light that may benefit us in a positive way. One Bible in hand is worth more than two on the bookshelf. Isn’t that right! Do we truly realize the value of God’s Word (Heb. 4:12)? The Bible has the words of life breathed out to us by God (2 Tim. 3:15-17).
Jesus said, “….the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jn. 6:63). He gives to us “words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68). In His Word we are guided, aided and provided with the way of salvation. In them we come to know God and His will for our lives (Jn. 17:3). In His Word, God provides a spiritual feast that will nourish, sustain and lift us up.
God’s Word must be the guiding light that moves us forward by the renewing of our minds. This results in transforming us into Christ’s image. To be blessed, heed the words of James:
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25).
- When making a decision at work, are the principles from God’s Word guiding you?
- In making relationship decisions, are God’s truths leading you?
- When someone hurts you, or is unkind to you, do you return good for evil based upon God’s demands as revealed in His Word?
- Is your every step guided by the Word of God?
- Does the Word impact your heart so as to direct your speech?
- Is the Word of God stored up in your heart?
- Is your life undergoing transformation because of your mind being renewed by God’s Word (Rom. 12:2)?
Here are two passages to consider for having a proper attitude toward the Word of God: (Ezra 7:10; Jer. 31:33).
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.”
“…..I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My People.”
Let God’s Word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.
How much time have you spent in God’s Word during this crisis?
April 13, 2020 Ted's Inspiration Post
“My Soul Melts from Heaviness”
Psalm 119: 28
Facing these difficult days of unprecedented separation, it may become true that our hearts grow troubled and even afraid. Imagine how Jesus must have felt in the hours preceding His dreaded appointment with the cross – the instrument by which He would bear the penalty for human sin. However, in spite of His personal ordeal, His thoughts were focused upon the welfare of others – especially His disciples who did not even understand or appreciate what Jesus was about to undergo. Listen to some of the most sublime words ever spoken as the Lord sought to comfort those distressed souls. “…let not your heart be troubled…” (John 14: 1).
What had removed the disciples’ peace?
First, the Lord had made it known that He would be delivered up to the leaders of the Jewish community and be ultimately put to death. This was hard to accept. Surely the Messiah would not die like this. Remember how Peter had rebuked the Lord for even suggesting such a thing (Matthew 16: 21-23). This was troubling to the disciples.
Second, during the Passover meal that evening, Jesus had spoken of one of his own betraying Him (John 13: 21-22). That must have been disheartening.
Finally, Jesus would state that Peter would deny Him (John 13: 36-38). Certainly, all these events would be enough to shake these men to their very core. The Lord understood and loved them and knew the answer to soothe their heartache. The words of Jesus are the answer today for our troubled minds.
“believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14: 1)
This means that we are to “keep on believing”. Faith is what carries us through trying times. This must be a genuine faith – the kind that saves (1 John 5: 4-5). This faith that saves involves: exposure to the will of God so that we may learn essential, sacred truths (Rom. 19: 17; John 6: 44-47); a disposition of soul that will trust the Savior and commit to His care (John 8: 30ff; 12: 42, 43); submitting to the will of the Lord (John 3: 36, A.S.V.). Jesus is the “…author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5: 9).
The faith that will carry us through these hard times is that which embraces Christ by being convicted of Who He is, the Son of God; a willingness to trust Him; and, obedience to His will.
Some things we cannot change. However, we will survive and flourish by immersing ourselves in a deep and sustained biblical faith. May God grant us the strength to understand and pursue His solution for troubled hearts. “Believe in God, believe also in Me.”
And so, when “My soul melts with heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.” (Psalm 119: 28)
Psalm 119: 28
Facing these difficult days of unprecedented separation, it may become true that our hearts grow troubled and even afraid. Imagine how Jesus must have felt in the hours preceding His dreaded appointment with the cross – the instrument by which He would bear the penalty for human sin. However, in spite of His personal ordeal, His thoughts were focused upon the welfare of others – especially His disciples who did not even understand or appreciate what Jesus was about to undergo. Listen to some of the most sublime words ever spoken as the Lord sought to comfort those distressed souls. “…let not your heart be troubled…” (John 14: 1).
What had removed the disciples’ peace?
First, the Lord had made it known that He would be delivered up to the leaders of the Jewish community and be ultimately put to death. This was hard to accept. Surely the Messiah would not die like this. Remember how Peter had rebuked the Lord for even suggesting such a thing (Matthew 16: 21-23). This was troubling to the disciples.
Second, during the Passover meal that evening, Jesus had spoken of one of his own betraying Him (John 13: 21-22). That must have been disheartening.
Finally, Jesus would state that Peter would deny Him (John 13: 36-38). Certainly, all these events would be enough to shake these men to their very core. The Lord understood and loved them and knew the answer to soothe their heartache. The words of Jesus are the answer today for our troubled minds.
“believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14: 1)
This means that we are to “keep on believing”. Faith is what carries us through trying times. This must be a genuine faith – the kind that saves (1 John 5: 4-5). This faith that saves involves: exposure to the will of God so that we may learn essential, sacred truths (Rom. 19: 17; John 6: 44-47); a disposition of soul that will trust the Savior and commit to His care (John 8: 30ff; 12: 42, 43); submitting to the will of the Lord (John 3: 36, A.S.V.). Jesus is the “…author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5: 9).
The faith that will carry us through these hard times is that which embraces Christ by being convicted of Who He is, the Son of God; a willingness to trust Him; and, obedience to His will.
Some things we cannot change. However, we will survive and flourish by immersing ourselves in a deep and sustained biblical faith. May God grant us the strength to understand and pursue His solution for troubled hearts. “Believe in God, believe also in Me.”
And so, when “My soul melts with heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.” (Psalm 119: 28)
April 7, 2020
My Eyes Have Been Opened
In chapter one of Jonah, he received the word of the Lord telling him, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” Nineveh was about to be overthrown (Jonah 3:4), yet, God would relent if they repented. The people did repent and they were spared (Jonah 3:10).
When Jonah received this commandment the first time, he ignored God and the Bible tells us “he arose to flee.” He ran from his commission. As we know, due to his disobedience, he was cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish in which he spent three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). After some prayer time, Jonah was vomited up onto dry land.
In chapter three of Jonah we read that the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time with the same commission, “Go to Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.” This time, with a new perspective, Jonah “arose and went to Nineveh.” The people there believed God, repented from doing evil and were spared.
God has spoken to us today in His word, “Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Have we, like Jonah, ignored our commission and been in a spiritual sleep? Could it be that in this time of crisis, God is trying to help us see more clearly the importance of our mission? Souls are lost and dying and need to hear the gospel message. We need to feel the urgency of speaking God’s words of salvation.
Let us come through and out of the “belly“ of this crisis with a new perspective on the need to reach out with God’s Gospel to souls that are lost and dying.
“SALVATION IS OF THE LORD” (Jonah 2:9).
In chapter one of Jonah, he received the word of the Lord telling him, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” Nineveh was about to be overthrown (Jonah 3:4), yet, God would relent if they repented. The people did repent and they were spared (Jonah 3:10).
When Jonah received this commandment the first time, he ignored God and the Bible tells us “he arose to flee.” He ran from his commission. As we know, due to his disobedience, he was cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish in which he spent three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). After some prayer time, Jonah was vomited up onto dry land.
In chapter three of Jonah we read that the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time with the same commission, “Go to Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.” This time, with a new perspective, Jonah “arose and went to Nineveh.” The people there believed God, repented from doing evil and were spared.
God has spoken to us today in His word, “Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Have we, like Jonah, ignored our commission and been in a spiritual sleep? Could it be that in this time of crisis, God is trying to help us see more clearly the importance of our mission? Souls are lost and dying and need to hear the gospel message. We need to feel the urgency of speaking God’s words of salvation.
Let us come through and out of the “belly“ of this crisis with a new perspective on the need to reach out with God’s Gospel to souls that are lost and dying.
“SALVATION IS OF THE LORD” (Jonah 2:9).
April 4, 2020
SEVEN WORDS FOR THE TREMBLING HEART
Isaiah 41: 10 “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
This passage contains seven expressions of comfort and promise from the Lord for those who face circumstances that could shake their lives. These are words for trembling hearts.
- Fear not – Fear comes from facing the unfamiliar and the new. In Christ, Who has overcome the world, we have complete confidence that all things will work together for good. He tells us to “…be of good courage” (John 16: 33).
- Be not dismayed – This is a state of bewilderment. Why is this happening? What do we do? Where do we go? Jesus invites you to come to Him to find rest for your soul (Mt. 11: 28-30).
- I am with you – This is one of the great truths of Scripture. Jesus promises that He will be with us to the end of the age (Mt. 28: 20). In (Ezekiel 48: 35), the name of God is Jehovah Shamma, which means “Jehovah is present.” He is our “very present help in trouble” Psa. 46: 1
- I am your God – Simply put, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” In Joshua chapter one and verse 9, we read
- I will strengthen you – As emotions swirl in a whirlwind of feelings, we have the Lord’s promise that He will see us through to the end (Hebrews 13: 5).
- I will help you – Without Him we can do nothing; with Him all things are possible (Phil. 4: 13; Mt. 19: 26). God is there to provide the strength to overcome and conquer. Let us learn to “…be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6: 10).
- I will hold you up – When we are weak, He is strong. When we feel that we cannot go on, God says, “I will lift you up” (James 4: 10).
“For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psa. 18: 29).
Ted Spencer
Walk in Love
Does the love of Christ truly impact your life? And to what degree?
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1,2).
“Walk in love”! This is what a child of God does. We order our lives in His love, live in His love, and allow His love to determine our thinking and actions. To walk in love is to walk with Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us. His love impacts us to do the same for others.
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if one died for all, then all died” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
To walk in love keeps God in the center of our thinking and actions. You make decisions based upon what is loving, not what you feel. Jesus did not revile while being reviled and we follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:23). While Jesus suffered, He uttered no threats…” (1 Peter 2:23) and we imitate His love in this regard.
Love is a motivating force that moves the heart and soul. Love is what drives us to assemble in worship instead of sleeping in. Love is our power and strength to do the right thing when no one else will. It is the force to prevent us from responding with hate or hateful words in a godless situation. Love provides the character to move forward in faith when no one encourages you.
To know God’s love is a wonderful thing, but to walk in love is to bring His power into your life to affect your thinking, words, and actions.
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).
May God’s love impact our lives so that in this period of time, others will see in us the fullness of God.
Ted
Does the love of Christ truly impact your life? And to what degree?
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1,2).
“Walk in love”! This is what a child of God does. We order our lives in His love, live in His love, and allow His love to determine our thinking and actions. To walk in love is to walk with Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us. His love impacts us to do the same for others.
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if one died for all, then all died” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
To walk in love keeps God in the center of our thinking and actions. You make decisions based upon what is loving, not what you feel. Jesus did not revile while being reviled and we follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:23). While Jesus suffered, He uttered no threats…” (1 Peter 2:23) and we imitate His love in this regard.
Love is a motivating force that moves the heart and soul. Love is what drives us to assemble in worship instead of sleeping in. Love is our power and strength to do the right thing when no one else will. It is the force to prevent us from responding with hate or hateful words in a godless situation. Love provides the character to move forward in faith when no one encourages you.
To know God’s love is a wonderful thing, but to walk in love is to bring His power into your life to affect your thinking, words, and actions.
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).
May God’s love impact our lives so that in this period of time, others will see in us the fullness of God.
Ted
March 26, 2020
Consider what the apostle Paul told the Christians at Corinth about the resurrection of Christ. In a passage where he was writing of the reality of the resurrection of the dead at the end of time, he also mentioned Christ’s resurrection, saying, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty” (1 Cor. 15: 14). Three verses later Paul continued, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins” (15: 17). In other words, without Jesus’ resurrection, no one would have any hope of going to heaven. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith (cf Rom. 1: 4).
The early church multiplied quickly growing by “leaps and bounds.” One central message lay at the heart of their decision to obey the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15 1-4). Had Jesus never been raised from the grave, the Gospel never could have been preached. The Gospel is not about a “lifeless Lord, but a risen Redeemer.”
Jesus’ resurrection gives meaning to a Christian’s faith and life.
Your brother in Christ – Ted Spencer
The early church multiplied quickly growing by “leaps and bounds.” One central message lay at the heart of their decision to obey the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15 1-4). Had Jesus never been raised from the grave, the Gospel never could have been preached. The Gospel is not about a “lifeless Lord, but a risen Redeemer.”
Jesus’ resurrection gives meaning to a Christian’s faith and life.
- Every Sunday when Christians partake of the Lord’s Supper, we remember His death “until He comes (1 Cor. 11: 26). If Jesus were not risen, we would have no hope of His coming again, and Paul’s statement here regarding the Lord’s Supper would be meaningless.
- Every time Christians pray to the Father “in Jesus name”, we are relying on a risen Savior – Jesus—to mediate on our behalf (1 Tim. 2: 5; 1 John 2: 1). But, if Jesus were not risen, our prayers would not be heard, and our petitions, as Christians, to have our sins forgiven, would not be granted.
- The reason that preaching and baptizing penitent believers (Matt 28: 19-20; Mark 16: 15-16) are of any importance at all is because Jesus is not dead, but alive forevermore. When a person is baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2: 38), he/she is raised from a world of sin, “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father” (Romans 6: 4).
Your brother in Christ – Ted Spencer
March 23, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We face an unprecedented time in history that affects each one of us deeply. And yet, we have the promise of Jesus that even though in this life we will have tribulations, “…we can be of good cheer (courage) because He has overcome the world” (John 16: 33). Now is the time that we must, more than ever, be “…rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing in prayer” (Romans 12: 12).
Let’s remember that we are Christ’s church who are joined in fellowship with God and one another. Our unity now is important as we continue to remain faithful to Almighty God and stand together as one in Christ. Today is the time for praying without ceasing (1 Thess. 5: 17).
“If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence, and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save." (2 Chronicles 20: 9) God cares for us and, therefore, we can cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5: 7). Let God’s peace guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4: 7).
Jesus calmed an angry storm with but a word, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). Let God calm your soul in this present storm “…God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46: 1).
Let’s remain close while at the same time help in fighting this virus by supporting our nation’s policies. We can, if available, use technology to remain in touch and utilize sites designed for this purpose. There are sites like PTP 365, Gospel Broadcasting Network, our own website, texting, e-mails, Facebook, face time, etc. Let us also worship on Sunday with the means available (Branson church of Christ, Kansas Expressway church, go to YouTube and type in Polishing the Pulpit, etc.). Also, call one another so your voice can be heard.
As the world changes, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13: 8). His love will never fail us. Our home awaits us in heaven.
Sherry and I love you, miss you and pray for you daily.
From your brother in Christ,
Ted
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We face an unprecedented time in history that affects each one of us deeply. And yet, we have the promise of Jesus that even though in this life we will have tribulations, “…we can be of good cheer (courage) because He has overcome the world” (John 16: 33). Now is the time that we must, more than ever, be “…rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing in prayer” (Romans 12: 12).
Let’s remember that we are Christ’s church who are joined in fellowship with God and one another. Our unity now is important as we continue to remain faithful to Almighty God and stand together as one in Christ. Today is the time for praying without ceasing (1 Thess. 5: 17).
“If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence, and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save." (2 Chronicles 20: 9) God cares for us and, therefore, we can cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5: 7). Let God’s peace guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4: 7).
Jesus calmed an angry storm with but a word, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). Let God calm your soul in this present storm “…God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46: 1).
Let’s remain close while at the same time help in fighting this virus by supporting our nation’s policies. We can, if available, use technology to remain in touch and utilize sites designed for this purpose. There are sites like PTP 365, Gospel Broadcasting Network, our own website, texting, e-mails, Facebook, face time, etc. Let us also worship on Sunday with the means available (Branson church of Christ, Kansas Expressway church, go to YouTube and type in Polishing the Pulpit, etc.). Also, call one another so your voice can be heard.
As the world changes, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13: 8). His love will never fail us. Our home awaits us in heaven.
Sherry and I love you, miss you and pray for you daily.
From your brother in Christ,
Ted