At The Foot Of The Cross
By Marcia Krugh Leaser

Fearing the battle was over, and I’d already lost the war.
I was tired of trying and failing, I just couldn’t fight anymore.
So dragging my battle-scarred body I crawled to the foot of the cross...
and I sobbed, "Oh, please Father forgive me. But, I tried, I tried hard, and still lost."
Then the air grew silent around me I heard His voice just as clear as the dawn.
"Oh, my child, though you’re tired and weary, you can’t stop - you have to go on."
At the foot of the cross where I met Him At the foot of the cross where He died.
I felt love as I knelt in His presence... I felt hope as I looked in those eyes.
Then He gathered me lovingly to Him, as around us God’s light clearly shone.
And together we marched through my lifetime. To heal every wound I had known.
I found bits of my dreams long forgotten, and pieces of my life on the floor.
But, I watched as He tenderly blessed them. And my life was worth living once more.
I knew then why I had been losing I knew, also, why I had not grown.
At the foot of the cross came the answer. I’d been fighting the battle alone.
At the foot of the cross where I met Him, At the foot of the cross where He died.
Then I knew we could meet any challenge together... just my Lord and I

We don’t have to fight the battle alone. Jesus said he would be with us always, even to the end of the earth in Mat 28:20. 

We are promised the mighty strength of God to help us in our struggles.
Ephes. 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 
Col. 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 

God’s Spirit will help us put to death the deeds of the body (sinful acts). Romans 8:13-14 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 
 
As long as we are faithful to him He has promised to always be there for us.  Hebrews 13:5b "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

Are you trying to fight the battle alone? If you are then you need to take advantage of the help God will supply. - LP

ONE MORE SOUL IN HEAVEN AND ONE LESS SOUL IN HELL.
By Larry Pasley (January 2013)

When God loved us enough and we loved him back,
It meant one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (John 3:16)

When we love someone enough it can also mean,
One more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (John 15:12-13)

When we love someone enough to pray for them,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (I John 5:15-17)

When we love someone enough to weep over their lost condition,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (Luke 19:41)

When we love someone enough to take the time to teach them,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (James 5:19-20)

When we love someone enough to help them focus on the spiritual not the material,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (I Timothy 6:6-10)

When we love someone enough to warn them of their doom,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (Galatians 6:1)

When we love someone enough to not be willing for them to perish,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (2 Peter 3:9)

When we love someone enough to snatch them from the fire,
It can mean one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell. (Jude 22-23)

Are you content to leave that soul, you know, doomed to hell?
Or do you love them enough to want, one more soul in heaven and one less soul in hell? 
(Mark 16:15-16) - LP

FIVE THINGS THAT YOU CANNOT RECOVER 

(1) the Stone............after it's thrown,
(2) the Word................after it's said,
(3) the Occasion…..after it's missed,
(4) the Time...............after it's gone, 
(5) the Person.............after they die 

1. The stone after it’s thrown. Jesus said, Let him who is without sin cast the first stone (John 8:7). We have all probably wanted to recover a stone we have thrown in judgment against someone else after later realizing they were not guilty or we realized that we had done something just as bad ourselves. The chorus of a country song called, Be Careful Of Stones You Throw, says, “So unless you’ve made no mistakes in your life, be careful of stones that you throw.”

2. The word after it’s said. Paul said in Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Again we have all probably said things that we wish we could take back. Things that hurt someone close to us because it was said in anger instead of love.

3. The occasion after it is missed. In Galatians 6:10 We are told “therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” I hate to think of the times I have missed opportunities that I could never recover. There are lives that I could have influenced that I would never have the opportunity again.

4. The time after it is gone. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 9:10-11  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.  I returned and saw under the sun that-- The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.” There are choice times for things to be done and said, and if those times are missed, then the opportunity may never arise again.

5. The person after they die. Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” The reason we see such weeping at funerals is because of our realization that we have lost that person we love, forever in this life. We cannot get them back again.
May we all be especially careful about these five things and realize that they cannot be recovered after they are gone. - LP

Another Year
Another year is dawning, Dear Father, let it be, 
In working or in waiting, Another year with thee. 
Another year of progress, Another year of praise, 
Another year of proving, Thy presence all the days, 
Another year of mercies, Of faithfulness and grace, 
Another year of gladness, The glory of thy face. 
Another year of leaning Upon thy loving breast, 
Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest. 
Another year of service, Of witness for thy love, 
Another year of training, For holier work above. 
Another year is dawning, Dear Father, let it be, 
On earth, or else in heaven Another year for thee!
Frances Ridley Havergal


It is so easy some times to push the work of God aside for our own desires and pleasures. It’s not a deliberate thing, it just happens. 

We must honestly look at our lives and ask if we are guilty of doing this in our own lives. What are the things that keep me from doing those things which I know God wants? Are those things really what’s important in life? 

One good test is to ask yourself, “How is this going to sound on Judgment Day?” Will this be a good excuse for not doing what God said to do? We do have emergencies which keep us from doing God’s will. Our children get ill. Water pipes burst. Automobiles break down. Family problems happen. But in spite of these emergencies we should return to doing the will of God.

How important are these thing compared to eternity? 

Matthew 16:24-27 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. [25] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. [26] For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 

As we begin this new year may we commit ourselves to serving God more than we did last year. Putting God first in our lives should always be the priority in our lives. - LP

The Advantage To Growing Up In A Christian Home
Part 2

In our last issue we discussed the advantage of growing up in a Christian home and how we might question those who became Christians later in life getting the same reward in heaven as we do. In this issue we want to look at detail the advantage of long lives of service to God.
Those who have lived faithful lives throughout most of their adult years have some definite advantages over those who didn’t.
The one who has lived a life of sin has many regrets in their lives. The Apostle Paul asked the Romans, “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.” (Romans 6:21) Sin takes a toll on a person’s life in many ways. Sin has ruined people’s physical health that can never be regained. Sin has destroyed people’s mind and emotions that can never be restored. Sin has taken away the livelihood of many. But, perhaps the way sins affect us most drastically is in our relationships. Not only does sin destroy our relationship with God, (Isaiah 59:2) but it also destroys our relationships with those we love on this earth.
One of the saddest things I have faced in this life is to hear people grieve over the loss of their children to Satan. Their children grew up in their home before they became Christians and were not brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) When parents become Christians later in life, after their children have left home, they deeply regret the fact that their children are not Christians and the parents often find it very difficult to reach them for Christ.
Another thing I hear often is grief over a marriage relationship which has ended in divorce. Many people divorce because they were not Christians and did not build their relationship on biblical principles. Most of the time it is too late for them to mend those broken relationships after they have become a Christian.
Alcohol, adultery, fornication, anger, jealousy, greed and any other sin can bring many regrets and sorrows into the lives of those who are not living by God’s principles. Even though the sins can be forgiven, the scars and results of the sins can affect us and those we love all of our lives and even into eternity.
So, if you have been a Christian from an early age, be thankful that you have escaped the snares of the devil that produce so much pain and sorrow in the lives of others. Also, be thankful that those who have lived a life without God, can be forgiven and become His children and have that home in heaven also.
If you are not a Christian, don’t wait any longer. The longer you wait, the more sorrow, pain and heartache you may have because of you delay in obedience to God. - LP

The Advantage To Growing Up In A Christian Home
part 1

In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells the parable of the “Laborers in the Vineyard.” In the parable he tells of laborers who were hired early in the morning and others who were hired midday and still others who were hired late in the day. When it comes time to pay them, they are all paid the same amount. The owner paid those who worked the shortest time first and those who had worked the longest were paid last. They, of course, complained about not getting paid more since they had worked all day long and the others had worked only a short while. The owner told them that they should be satisfied that they received what they had agreed to work for the day. He had the right to pay the others what he wanted.

When we apply that to our Christianity, we conclude that those who are brought up in Christian homes and become Christians early in life and live their whole life as Christians get the same reward on judgment day as those do who became Christian late in life and labor a very short time in the kingdom. 
We, also, may conclude that it is not fair for those who lived their life as they wanted until late in life, receive the same reward as we who have lived whole lives of faithfulness to God

The older brother in the parable of the “Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:29-31 seemed to have the same problem. He complained that he had served his father all these many years and had never transgressed his commandment at any time; but his father had never thrown a party like that for him as he did with the younger brother. The father’s response is significant for those who have been a Christian since an early age and have served God all the rest of their lives. He said, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. The older son had been blessed much more that the younger who had suffered the results of his sin for all that time.

Paul dealt with a similar problem in Romans 2 & 3 where he talked about the gentiles and compared them to the Jews. He asked in Romans 3:1-2 “What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? [2] Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. “

If we ask that same question (What advantage?) about those who have been brought up in the church and those who became Christians late in life; the answer is the same, “Much in every way.”
Next week we will look at the advantage in detail. - LP

This article was written in during the 2011-2012 football season.
THE BEST PLAY WAS NOT EVEN ON THE FIELD!   
Neal Pollard   

Yesterday, professional football fans saw one of the most exciting, improbable victories in its history climaxed by the stunning first play from scrimmage in overtime when Tebow hit Thomas for a playoff, overtime record 80 yards in a playoff, overtime record 11 seconds.  Local play-by-play man Dave Logan's call, which will likely go down in Bronco lore, captures how monumental it was for the underdog Denver team.  If you watch ESPN, there will be several highlights of passes, runs, and defensive plays.  However, without a doubt, the best play of the day happened up in the stands, almost on the front row in the seats at the 15 yard line.  The game was tied, 23-23, and it was about 5:45 P.M.  The outcome was completely unknown and very much in doubt.  The last minute of regulation, alone, was a pins and needles affair.  It was right about then that a Christian husband and father, a deacon in this congregation, told his son, "It's time for us to go."  The son, a huge Tim Tebow and Broncos fan, was curious as to why.  His dad explained, "We've got something more important to do."
Wait a minute.  What is more important than seeing on the biggest sports moments in this town in years?  That father knew that the saints were assembling at 6:00 P.M., and he wanted his son to know that worshipping God was the highest priority.  Here is a father who is raising his son to enjoy and appreciate those normal "guy things" that will be a source of entertainment for this young man for decades to come.  But, he is also teaching him something infinitely more important!  Those earthly diversions and entertainments are subordinate to "kingdom matters" (Mat. 6:33).  This father was showing his son Who reigns on the throne of his heart.  I pray that this man's example will influence us all to remember what really matters most in the end.
Thanks, Dean!  What a great "play"! - LP

KNOWLEDGE
Adapted from, “A Word From Williams Road”, Williams Road church of Christ
(Passed on to me by Arnold Smith)
We have more information and knowledge available to us than ever before in the history of the world. And, I’m delighted about that. But, there is a danger, a deception. It is easy to mistake knowledge for wisdom, information for insight. It’s easy to become arrogant. 
When a new patient was settled comfortably on the couch, the psychiatrist began. "Since I don’t know what brings you here," the doctor said, “perhaps you should start at the very beginning."
"Of course," replied the patient, "In the beginning, I created the Heavens and the Earth..." 
The doctor –and we – can quickly see the problem. Can we see anything of ourselves in this illustration? Oh, we would never proclaim ourselves to be God. But might we simply forget at times that we are not, that there is one who knows better than we how to direct our lives? 
That happens when we think things like, “I know what the Bible says, but . . .” and then proceed to rationalize ignoring the wisdom of the Creator. Or, more subtly, when we think, “I can be Christian without the church” even though the Christ in Christian said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). He thought the church was important enough that he “gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Are we really smarter than he? 
Information is wonderful. A smart phone is handy. The internet is invaluable. Knowledge trumps ignorance. But, “Knowledge puffs up,” – swells the ego – while “love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).  For all of our advanced learning, are we living better lives, being better people? 
Perhaps this bit of information will help. Wise people will, “Clothe yourselves with . . . humility” (Colossians 3:12). Humility listens. It seeks good advice. It knows that God is God, and I am not. - LP

FINANCIAL PLANNING
      Dan was a single man living at home with his widowed father and working in the family business. When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed to find a wife with whom to share his fortune. One evening, at an investment meeting, he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. 
     "I may look like just an ordinary man," he said to her, "but soon, my father will die and I will inherit $200 million." Impressed, the woman asked for his business card and three days later, she became his stepmother. 
Women are so much better at financial planning than men.
      We would say the woman above was very shrewd in the way she handled the situation. Jesus talks about another situation of shrewdness about financial planning in Luke 16:1-13.
       He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 Then the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.' 5 So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' So he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 9 And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 
     Jesus makes a comparison of the unjust steward and Christians. He points out that worldly people are more shrewd in their dealing with earthly wealth than we as Christians are with the spiritual wealth that is available to us (eternal life).
     True riches are found in heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
    How are you at spiritual financial planning? Where is your heart? - LP

WHO ARE THEY TO ASK?

David Anguish

Not long ago, my bank called.  Some recent purchases had caught their attention.  Could I verify the transactions?  Were the charges legitimate?
Well, I immediately asked them just who they thought they were.  It was my money.  If I wanted to buy those things, who were they to hassle me about it?  I let them know in no uncertain terms that I did not appreciate their meddling and they were to never to bother me again!
What’s that you say?  I overreacted?  Was rude to people who were only doing their job?  Wasn’t being very smart?  You’re right.  I would have been all of those things and probably some other things as well – if I had really answered that way.
You see, I know they were doing their job.  Furthermore, I know that they were looking out for me.  In today’s world, they were right to be wary.
So, I confirmed the purchases.  And then I thanked them for calling.
Then I thought of how we sometimes respond when someone expresses concern over something we’ve done that is at odds with Christ’s image. Too often, we sound like my imaginary response. “It’s none of your business.”  “It’s my life, who are you to meddle?”  “I’ll thank you to never bother me again!”
Why do we do that?  Perhaps it’s pride.  Maybe it’s an attempt to justify or ease the guilt we feel in being called on something we know is wrong. Or, maybe it shows that we’ve bought into a view of life that’s more cultural than biblical.
The Bible does teach that God will let us “do our own thing”, though we should not forget that there are consequences for our choices (see Rom 1:24, 26, 28).  But, it also teaches that, once we sign on to the commitment of faith that puts us into Christ’s body (1 Cor 12:13), we have agreed that our lives are no longer just about us.  We are “members one of another” (Rom 12:5; Eph 4:25) who therefore are to have “the same care for one another” (1 Cor 12:25).  When faithful people see us wandering (James 5:19-20), they are supposed to try to “restore [us] in a spirit of gentleness” and “supply what is lacking in [our] faith” (Gal 6:1; 1 Thess 3:10).
Yes, we can reject their overtures and even treat them as enemies because they told us the truth (Gal 4:16).  But, in light of eternity, and how we would react over something as relatively trivial as a call to see if our purchases are legitimate, is that really smart?


I thought the above article was a good illustration of how we may react when someone expresses concern about our spiritual welfare and wanted to share it with you. - LP