Christian Worker (Page 8)
The Message People Need – Kevin W. Rhodes
People choose churches for a lot of very peculiar reasons. Some judge a church by the friendliness of the people. Others judge a church by the size and beauty of the building. You would think more people would judge a church by the message that church represents and the message they hear when they go there. Of course, I guess in some cases they do. They go to hear a message that suits them, tells them they are all right,…
A New Song – John Haffner
Together with the many images presented in Revelation, we see songs of praise detailing the power of Jesus, the Lamb of God (Rev. 5:9; 14:3; 15:3-4). Such songs have always accompanied the salvation which God brings to His people (Ex. 15:1-21; Judges 5:1-31). The term “new song” is used multiple times in the Psalms, especially in relation to a time of deliverance (Ps. 33:3; 40:1-3; 96:1; 144:9-11; 149:1). Each fresh victory called for a song adapted to the occasion. Isaiah…
New Heavens and a New Earth – Allen Webster
At the invitation of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama, I led the invocation at a city council meeting. It was both enlightening and encouraging to see the wisdom and plans of the mayor and council members. They discussed such future decisions as where to build city fire and police departments and their training/correctional facilities, how to enforce community ordinances regarding noise and rental properties, city finance and senior citizen activities, and the promotion of city employees. They listened to citizen…
A New Creation – Troy Spradlin
When someone rises out of the precious waters of baptism, is there something different about them? Based solely upon appearance, no changes are discernible. Yet, from a spiritual perspective, everything about them has changed! We know this because the Bible reveals that a remarkable transformation has taken place. It describes the conversion with some rather peculiar verbiage. For example, when a penitent believer is immersed into water, they are said to have “died and been buried” (Rom. 6:1-4). It is…
New Every Morning
Thomas Chisolm was born in Franklin, Kentucky on July 29, 1866. At 16 he became a teacher and editor of a local newspaper. Poor health would force him to move and change jobs several times over the years. It also caused him to struggle financially. He was, however, a talented writer and wrote some 1,200 poems. In 1925 he wrote “Great is thy faithfulness.” There was no single event that prompted him to write it. He simply reflected upon the…
A New Covenant – Kevin Cauley
Jeremiah 31:31 is one of the most transformative prophecies of the Old Testament: God promised that the covenant with Moses would end. In its place, He would establish a New Covenant. Much of Jeremiah is very bad news: Judah is going into slavery to be punished for their sins! However, Jeremiah’s message is tempered with the good news that a remnant will return. Jeremiah chapter thirty-one prophesies the restoration of God’s people from their captivity. In verse two God says,…
My Favorite Bible Character: Joseph—Son of Jacob: Scout Betz
He was favored by his father and shunned by his siblings. He was thrown into a pit and then sold into slavery. While a slave he found favor in his masters house, enough favor so as to say “There is no one greater in this house than I…”(Gen. 39:9). Through false accusations he found himself in prison and yet again had “authority because the Lord was with him” (Gen. 39:23). His ability to interpret dreams to the baker and butler…
My Favorite Bible Character: Joseph: Garrett English
Those who are parents understand there are few people to whom we would entrust our own children in the case that we pass on. We would consider a number of qualifications and requirements so seriously in making a selection that it would likely be a truly difficult decision. This is what amazes me about Joseph, the father of Jesus. God allowed Joseph to be His earthly father, meaning he would see to the physical and emotional upbringing of His only…
My Favorite Bible Character: David: Ross Haffner
After King Saul’s reign was proven to be a disaster, by disobedience to God, he was told that it would not continue and that the, “Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). David was chosen because “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Four key moments from David’s life illustrate why he was a good…
My Favorite Bible Character: Amos: Pat McIntosh
An invitation to write regarding a favorite biblical character has its own set of challenges. Is one selected over another because of the doctrinal content for which he is known? Is there a particular doctrinal or historical issue that sets one above another? Is there a character trait that attracts your attention that others may not reflect? In many ways, therefore, this is a somewhat subjective endeavor. At the congregation where I serve as an associate minister, it is a…
My Favorite Bible Character: Abraham: He who Staggered not in Unbelief
The pages of scripture are full of men and women whose lives teach us so much. Some, like Ahab and Jezebel, revel powerfully sobering lessons of the reality and consequence of wickedness. But most illustrate vividly the blessing of serving God. Chief among the great examples of a holy life is Abraham—he who staggered not in unbelief. Abraham is an example of an obedient faith. It is said of him in Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the Lord, and…
My Favorite Bible Character: The Apostle Paul – Ronnie Scherffius
Who is your favorite person in the Bible? Why are they your favorite? Was he a man of faith or a man of action? Was her life a model of purity, or did she boldly assert herself at her own peril? Everyone has a favorite person or “character” in the Bible. David, the shepherd boy who slew the giant and would become King of Israel, is the hero of many young boys. For others, it may be Jonathan who repeatedly…