Christian Living

Church Hymnal #426
Words: Benjamin Schmolk (1672-1737) was born to a Lutheran pastor in Silesia, Germany, a region now contained in modern Poland. As a young man, he once filled in for his father and preached a sermon so impressive that a local benefactor paid for his university schooling at Leipzig. Upon graduating, Schmolk joined his father as assistant pastor.

The concept of obedience is very familiar to us. We were all supposed to have been taught this at a young age. But yet we need reminders and succeeding generations will keep arising that need these concepts taught and reinforced.

We live in a day when “honor” is a very unpopular word in the world around us. Ungodly people do not want to obey any authority over them, therefore; they choose to tear down the reputation of those in authority and do not give leaders the respect God would have them show.
Romans 13:1 says, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

In the world in which we live, we are being challenged to conform to its controlling principles. We are in this world, but we are not to be a part of it. What does this mean for the Christian? The Bible gives us clear direction in Romans 12:2. And be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, (center of understanding), that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

A disclaimer: this article is not attempting to prove or disprove theories. I have had enough experience with believing and doubting and arguing over these theories to last the rest of my life. Instead, this article is an effort to hold forth a different subject for our passionate research and debate.

Things happen. People make choices. Sometimes the choices are really, really, bad (or good). Events come together and accumulate. Current events turn into history. Someone has to tell the story.
What happens on the part of onlookers and talkers is what we want to think about in this article. Many times, what people do with what they see and hear - what we do and say with what we hear - may be as bad as the bad choice made in the first place. Or it may be a good choice- and be redemptive. This is a critical point.

“The blood was everywhere,” is a possible commentary on a bad accident or act of violence. A look back on earth’s history gives a similar conclusion. The blood is everywhere. The perfect, tranquil calm of creation soon gave way to blood, toil, sweat, and tears. What might this blood imply?

The practices of Halloween as we know them originated with the Celts who lived in what is now Great Britain, Ireland, and Northern France. Their new year began on November 1. The Celtic Festival of “Samhain” began the previous evening, October 31. This festival honored “Samhain,” the Celtic lord of death. This celebration marked the beginning of the season of cold, darkness, and decay. The Celts believed that “Samhain” allowed the souls of the dead to return to their earthly homes for the evening. During the festival, people wore costumes made of animal heads and skins.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36). We in America are constantly rubbing shoulders with men and women who are passionately seeing what they can gain at the cost of their own souls! What about you and I? Is the love of money capturing us too?
As Jesus was walking in the way one came running. He knelt down before Jesus and asked, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

Jesus in His High Priestly prayer in John 17:17 prayed this to His Father about us, Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy word is truth. Those of us who have been Christians for some time can begin to understand a little what this means. God sanctifies and justifies us initially at conversion in the name of the Lord Jesus (1Co 6:11). The Holy Spirit continues with progressive sanctification. I believe the chief agent He uses in doing this is His sword, the Word of God. Sanctification is an absolute essential to the true believer.