From Jim McGuiggan... Leaving the church?

Leaving the church?

"The world is not a lodging-house at Brighton , which we are to leave because it is miserable. It is the fortress of our family, with the flag flying on the turret, and the more miserable it is the less we should leave it. The point is not that this world is too sad to love or too glad not to love; the point is that when you do love a thing, its gladness is a reason for loving it, and its sadness a reason for loving it more. All optimistic thoughts about England and all pessimistic thoughts about her are alike reasons for the English patriot. Similarly, optimism and pessimism are alike arguments for the cosmic patriot". G.K. Chesterton said that!

But that's just the problem, isn't it? We hear all the time of people leaving this assembly or that because someone said something they didn't like or that the deacon in charge embezzled some money or a leader had an affair with someone in the congregation or that the church is supporting a work that this person or that doesn't approve of. When these people leave they often get our approval. We “understand” them, don't you see! Why would they stay when such bad things have occurred? Good people that they are, they must move on to some other church (presumably until they discover something bad has happened there). Our sadness, gladness, anger or pleasure are all reasons to stay to help and nurture. The real truth behind such moving on without trying to help is sinister.

Doesn't it just gut you when you hear people say, “I just love this church” and then sulk off when someone disappoints them?

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Mark Copeland... God's Powerful Word (Hebrews 4:12-13)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                     God's Powerful Word (4:12-13)

INTRODUCTION

1. In He 4:11, we find a succinct summary of all that has been said
   in He 3:7-4:10...
   a. We need to be diligent to enter "the rest that remains", our 
      heavenly rest
   b. Or we may fall short of our rest, just as many Israelites fell 
      short of their Canaan rest...

   "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone
   fall according to the same example of disobedience." - He 4:11

2. To stress the need for diligence, we are reminded regarding the Word
   of God - He 4:12-13
   a. That Word which provided the example of the Israelites' 
      disobedience
   b. That Word which is now warning them not to emulate the 
      Israelites' example

3. In this passage, the Word of God is described in amazing terms...
   a. It is "living"
   b. It is "powerful"
   c. It is "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the 
      division of soul and spirit"
   d. It is "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"

4. At a time in which God's Word is so often neglected, even by some 
   Christians, it never hurts to contemplate the wonder of God's 
   Word...
   a. And so we take this opportunity to reflect upon what is said in 
      this passage
   b. With a desire to renew and increase our appreciation of the power
      of God's Word!

[We begin by noticing...]

I. THE WORD OF GOD IS "LIVING" AND "POWERFUL"

   A. GOD'S WORD IS NOT SOME "DEAD LETTER"...
      1. Not only in this passage, but elsewhere we read of the abiding
         nature of God's Word
         a. Notice Peter's description of it - 1Pe 1:23-25
            1) It "lives and abides forever"
            2) It "endures forever" - cf. Isa 40:8
         b. Jesus said "my words shall not pass away" - Mt 24:35
      2. The "life" of God's Word is due to the nature of God Himself!
         a. God is eternal, He is "the living God" - cf. He 3:12; Jer 10:10
         b. He cannot lie, so what He says will come to pass - He 6:18;
            Tit 1:2
         -- Thus His Word will never perish!
      3. As Jesus said, "...the words that I speak unto you, they are
         spirit, and they are life." - Jn 6:63

   B. THAT GOD'S WORD IS "ALIVE" IS SEEN IN ITS "POWER"...
      1. It has the power to accomplish its intended purpose - Isa 55:
         10-11
      2. The gospel in particular has the power to save - Ro 1:16-17;
         Jm 1:21
      3. Through God's word we can be born again - 1Pe 1:22-23; Jm 1:
         18
      4. It works effectively in those who believe - 1Th 2:13; cf. He 4:2
      5. It can build us up, and give us the inheritance that is ours 
         - Ac 20:32
      6. It can make the man of God complete for all good works - 2 Ti 3:16-17
      -- How could anything with such power be a "dead letter"?

[With such a "living" and "powerful" word at our disposal, we would be
foolish to neglect the blessings it offers, or the warnings it gives!

It's power is seen further as we note how...]

II. THE WORD OF GOD IS "SHARP" AND "A DISCERNER"

   A. SHARPER THAN AN "TWO-EDGED SWORD"...
      1. The Word of God is often likened to powerful objects
         a. Here it is described as a sword - cf. also Ep 6:17
         b. Elsewhere it is it described as fire, and a hammer - Jer 23:29
      2. To illustrate its sharpness as a "sword", the Word of God is
         said to pierce...
         a. "...even to the division of soul and spirit"
         b. "...and of the joints and marrow"
         -- i.e., the divine word is able to cut through everything 
            that is in man (Lightfoot)

   B. A DISCERNER OF "THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART"...
      1. With its sharpness, it is capable of sifting through and 
         revealing the heart of man
      2. It's effect on man reveals his true heart...
         a. In some cases, that one's heart is sincere and open to 
            change - e.g., Ac 2:36-37
         b. Other times, that one's heart has no desire to change 
            - e.g., Ac 5:33; 7:54
         -- One cannot hear or read the Word of God without being 
            affected!

[As stated earlier, the "life" of God's Word is due to the nature of 
God Himself.  In a similar way, the "power" of God's word is due to the
nature of God...]

III. THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD IS DUE TO HIS OMNISCIENCE

   A. GOD IS OMNISCIENT...
      1. The word "omniscient" means "all-knowing"
      2. David extolled the omniscience of God in Ps 139:1-12
      3. Solomon also wrote of God's omniscience - Pr 15:3
      -- That is why "there is no creature hidden from His sight, but
         all things are naked and open" to His eyes

   B. THEREFORE NO CAN HIDE FROM THE JUDGE...
      1. As David counseled his son Solomon - 1Ch 28:9
      2. It is before this Omniscient Judge that we must one day give
         an account
         a. There is a judgment day coming, in which God will judge the
            world through His Son, Jesus Christ! - cf. Ac 17:30-31; Ro 2:16; 2Co 5:10
         b. We read of that Judgment Day in the last book of Bible 
            - cf. Re 20:11-15
      3. The standard by which we will be judged are the words spoken
         through His Son
         a. As stated by Jesus in Jn 12:48
         b. Which should give special force to the warning found in 
            He 2:1-3
            1) If the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and
               every transgression was justly punished...
            2) ...then how shall we escape judgment if we neglect the 
               words spoken through God's Son?

CONCLUSION

1. Yes, the power of God's Word is derived from God Himself...
   a. God is omniscient, able to see into the hearts of men; therefore
      His Word is able to cut to the hearts of men and reveal their 
      true nature
   b. God is living, eternal, who will one day judge the world; 
      therefore His Word that abides forever will be the standard by 
      which we will be judged

2. In view of the power of God Himself and His powerful Word...
   a. How dare we neglect the warnings given in it, such as those found
      in He 4:1,11?
   b. How dare we neglect to even read about the warnings (as many do
      by not reading the Bible)?

3. And remember, how we react to the Word of reveals our true 
   character...
   a. Some are so "dull of heart", that they react with indifference
      and say "so what?"
   b. Some are "cut to the heart", angrily resist the Word, and blame
      the messenger - Ac 7:54
   c. Some are "cut to the heart", and cry out "what shall I do?" 
      - Ac 2:37

What kind of heart do you have?  If your heart cries out "what shall I
do?" in response to the gospel message of salvation in Christ, then I
encourage you to heed what Peter said:

   "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be
   baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
   and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Ac 2:38

If you have so responded to God's saving grace, then I encourage you to
heed the warnings found throughout the Scriptures, especially here in
the book of Hebrews, and in the words of our Lord Himself:

   "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
                                         - Rev 2:10

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Praise

Praise**, now there is a word we all want more of. In a world where it is almost "normal" (?) to raise oneself up by putting others down, at times genuine praise seems almost like a foreign concept. Then, there is eternity. At the center of forever- there is God. Divine, unique, loving, just, omniscient, omnipotent, pure and probably a thousand other things beyond my feeble comprehension. He has always been worthy of praise and will be so forever!!!  When I think about this graphic, I naturally think of the 148th Psalm (and the 148th song in our songbook), but this is picture is only about the first four verses!!! So, lets look at the remainder of it, just for fun....

Psalm 148

  1 Praise Yah!
Praise Yahweh from the heavens!
Praise him in the heights!  2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all his army!
  3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you shining stars!
  4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens,
You waters that are above the heavens.
  5 Let them praise Yahweh’s name,
For he commanded, and they were created.
  6 He has also established them forever and ever.
He has made a decree which will not pass away.
  7 Praise Yahweh from the earth,
you great sea creatures, and all depths!
  8 Lightning and hail, snow and clouds;
stormy wind, fulfilling his word;
  9 mountains and all hills;
fruit trees and all cedars;
  10 wild animals and all livestock;
small creatures and flying birds;
  11 kings of the earth and all peoples;
princes and all judges of the earth;
  12 both young men and maidens;
old men and children:
  13 let them praise Yahweh’s name,
for his name alone is exalted.
His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
  14 He has lifted up the horn of his people,
the praise of all his saints;
even of the children of Israel, a people near to him.
Praise Yah!

(The World English Bible)

Let all the created universe praise God!!! And the rest of the Psalm extends that which should praise God from the heavenlies to Earthly sources of praise.  From the heavens above, to the deepest depths of the oceans, from the humblest creature abiding there, to the pinnacle of his creation, formed in the Almighty's own image, all should praise God!!! This life can be wonderful (and often is), but without God- it is NOTHING!!! Today, forget about your troubles, problems, goals, etc.. (for a little while, at least) and spend some time thinking about God- and PRAISE HIM (Because HE deserves it)!!!!

PS- You probably noticed the**  at the beginning of the post; it points to some information about praise listed below.  Not many surprises, but I had not realized that there were so many words associated with the word praise (165 listed at the very bottom)

**The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)
Praise Praise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Praised; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Praising.] [OE. preisen, OF. preisier, prisier, F. priser,
   L. pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price, n., and
   cf. Appreciate, Praise, n., Prize, v.]
   1. To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to
      laud; -- applied to a person or his acts. "I praise well
      thy wit." --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

            Let her own works praise her in the gates. --Prov.
                                                  xxxi. 31.
      [1913 Webster]

            We praise not Hector, though his name, we know,
            Is great in arms; 't is hard to praise a foe.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on
      account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to;
      to display the excellence of; -- applied especially to the
      Divine Being.
      [1913 Webster]

            Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all
            his hosts!                            --Ps. cxlviii.
                                                  2.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To value; to appraise. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To commend; laud; eulogize; celebrate; glorify; magnify.

   Usage: To Praise, Applaud, Extol. To praise is to set
          at high price; to applaud is to greet with clapping;
          to extol is to bear aloft, to exalt. We may praise in
          the exercise of calm judgment; we usually applaud from
          impulse, and on account of some specific act; we extol
          under the influence of high admiration, and usually in
          strong, if not extravagant, language.
          [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)
Praise Praise, n. [OE. preis, OF. preis price, worth, value,
   estimation. See Praise, v., Price.]
   1. Commendation for worth; approval expressed; honor rendered
      because of excellence or worth; laudation; approbation.
      [1913 Webster]

            There are men who always confound the praise of
            goodness with the practice.           --Rambler.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Praise may be expressed by an individual, and thus
         differs from fame, renown, and celebrity, which are
         always the expression of the approbation of numbers, or
         public commendation.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. Especially, the joyful tribute of gratitude or homage
      rendered to the Divine Being; the act of glorifying or
      extolling the Creator; worship, particularly worship by
      song, distinction from prayer and other acts of worship;
      as, a service of praise.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. The object, ground, or reason of praise.
      [1913 Webster]

            He is thy praise, and he is thy God.  --Deut. x.??.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Encomium; honor; eulogy; panegyric; plaudit; applause;
        acclaim; eclat; commendation; laudation.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) (wn)
praise
    n 1: an expression of approval and commendation; "he always
         appreciated praise for his work" [syn: praise,
         congratulations, kudos, extolment]
    2: offering words of homage as an act of worship; "they sang a
       hymn of praise to God"
    v 1: express approval of; "The parents praised their children
         for their academic performance" [ant: criticise,
         criticize, knock, pick apart]


Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 (moby-thes)
165 Moby Thesaurus words for "praise":
   acclaim, acclamation, accolade, acknowledgment, adoration, adore,
   adulate, adulation, aggrandize, apotheosis, apotheosize, applaud,
   applause, approbation, approval, approve, belaud, benediction,
   bepraise, bepraisement, beslobber, beslubber, blandish,
   blandishment, blarney, bless, bless the Lord, blow up, boast of,
   brag about, bunkum, cajole, cajolement, cajolery, celebrate,
   citation, cite, cognizance, commend, commendation, compliment,
   compliments, conceit, congratulation, credit, crediting, crown,
   crown with laurel, cry up, decorate, deification, deify, devotion,
   dignify, distinguish, do honor, doxologize, eloge, emblazon,
   encomium, endorse, endorsement, enhance, ennoble, erect, eulogium,
   eulogize, eulogy, exalt, exaltation, excessive praise, extol,
   eyewash, fair words, fawn upon, fawning, flatter, flattery,
   glorification, glorify, glorify the Lord, glory, grace, grease,
   hail, hallow, heighten, hero worship, hero-worship, homage,
   hommage, honeyed phrases, honeyed words, honor, honorable mention,
   hosanna, hymn, hymn of praise, idolatry, idolize, idolizing,
   incense, intensify, kudos, laud, laudation, lionize, lionizing,
   magnification, magnify, make fair weather, make much of,
   meed of praise, mention, oil, oil the tongue, ovation, overpraise,
   paean, palaver, panegyric, panegyrize, pay homage to,
   pay regard to, pay tribute, pay tribute to, plaudits,
   porter aux nues, praise God, prayer of thanks, pretty lies,
   proclaim, psalm, psalmody, puff, puff up, recognition, recommend,
   render honor to, resound, revere, reverence, revile, salute,
   sing praises, slobber over, soap, soft soap, sublime,
   sweet nothings, sweet talk, sweet words, sycophancy,
   thank offering, thank-you, thanks, thanksgiving, tribute, trumpet,
   uprear, venerate, veneration, wheedle, wheedling, worship