Posts by Cody Westbrook (Page 11)
Symptoms of a Dying Church
How sad it is that so many congregations of the Lord’s people are dying. Sadder still, the fact that much of it could be prevented. Major health problems often advertise their presence through minor symptoms. Doctors recommend routine health screenings to look for signs of trouble. In many cases, if symptoms can be identified early then steps can be taken to prevent any major problems. The health of the church operates in the same fashion. By looking closely at symptoms,…
The Lie of Every Generation
Every generation proclaims itself to be superior to the previous in how it thinks and lives. The moral standards of the past are often looked down on by the present and lumped into the same category as outdated computer technology. Social responsibilities, family relationships, and worldviews always seem to be updated due to what a new generation deems to be right. It is an age-old practice which will continue until the Lord returns. But it is also a lie. What…
God Finishes what He Begins
If we are honest, we will all admit that we often fail to finish what we begin. We are prone to set goals and cast them aside at the halfway point. We begin projects and let them sit idle for weeks hoping to finish them at some point in the future. We often look back on these unfinished plans with regret. “If only I had set aside a little time each day, this would be finished by now,” we say…
Looking Forward to the New Year
The Holiday Season is now behind us and thus we look forward to a new year. No doubt your calendar is beginning to fill up with plans and projects for the next 12 months. And, of course, we all take time to contemplate goals and improvements to implement in the days ahead. These are good and necessary practices for maintaining a healthy lifestyle both physically and spiritually. While thinking about things like health and finances allow me to suggest 4…
Should we Clap our Hands?
No one knows for certain when applause became a fixture in society. The first documented case is thought to be within the works of the third century B.C. Roman playwright, Plautus, who ended his works with the term “plaudite,” an instruction for the audience to clap. In time applause made its way from the theater to the political realm to the athletic arena to practically every area of daily life. It has even become a fixture for many in religion.…
What is Your Legacy?
We use the word “legacy” to describe something left behind. It may be a house or sum of money, perhaps a lasting imprint on an organization or the lives of those closest to you. Regardless of kind or number, everyone leaves a legacy. The question is, “what will it be?” The apostle Paul wrote of the Thessalonian Christians’ legacy in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4. When Paul thought of them, he remembered three characteristics. Your work of faith. A biblical faith is…
Jesus, Our Savior: Part 2
Jesus was born to be our Savior. Before His birth an angel said to Joseph, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Jesus was “manifested to take away our sins” (1 John 3:5). He gave His life for us (Eph. 5:25); He suffered for us (1 Pet. 3:18); He redeemed us, bought us back, with His blood (Eph. 1:7); He bore our…
Jesus, Our Savior: Part 1
He was not born into the most prestigious family. He was not a particularly handsome man, nor was He very popular in His hometown. His closest friends were fishermen, and He spent much of His time with the sick and outcast of society. He was a sorrowful man who was rejected by His own people. He was loved by many but hated by most, and He was abused and brutally murdered by His enemies. Yet, He was the greatest man…
Everyone is a Critic
It is easy for one to be critical of another. We often assign motive or blame for words spoken or actions taken. We easily see the shortfalls of someone else and point out all their weaknesses. The trouble is that we almost always tend to minimize our own faults while exalting those of others. Jesus warned against this very action in Matthew 7:1-5. A vital point of understanding in this context is to recognize that Jesus did not condemn criticism…
How to Give Thanks
How does one express gratitude for an overwhelming gift? When the words “thank you” do not seem adequate, how can a person sincerely express their appreciation? Confronted with the same conundrum, the Psalmist put inspired pen to paper to answer this very question. Psalm 116 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for His abundant benevolence. The Psalm can be divided into two parts¬–what God had done for the writer (vss. 1-11) and the writer’s response (vss.…
Glorifying God with our Speech (Part 2)
If we are to glorify God in our speech then we must also be mindful of the power of our words to accomplish both good and evil. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Pro. 18:21). The classic text on the tongue’s power is James 3:1-12 where James personifies the tongue as a bit in a horses mouth, a ship’s rudder, and fire. Note verses 5-6: Even so…
Glorifying God with our Speech (Part 1)
One of the more disturbing societal trends of late is the degradation of acceptable speech. A person could scroll through any social media news feed and see a barrage of language which would have shocked and disgusted most in years past, but today is so common that many think nothing of it. However, though the world’s standard of acceptable speech may change, God’s standard does not. The psalmist best captured the essence of God’s expectation for our speech when he…