From the Elder's Pen Happy New Year! 12/31/00 Past/Future Articles

As we come to the beginning of another "new" year, this casual greeting will be heard from friend and foe alike.  It's meaning is to desire health, happiness, and prosperity for whom it is bestowed upon.

While doing some reading recently, I came upon an article that I would like to share with you:

I will:
    Like Enoch - walk in daily fellowship with my Heavenly Father.  Genesis 5:22
    Like Abraham - trust implicity in my God.  Genesis 15:6
    Like Job - be patient under all circumstances.  Job 1:21-22
    Like Joseph - turn my back on all seductive advances.  Genesis 39:7-9
    Like Moses - choose to suffer rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin.  Hebrews 11:23-26
    Like Caleb and Joshua - refuse to be discouraged because of numbers.  Genesis 14:1-9
    Like Gideon - advance, even though my friends are few.  Judges 7:19-24
    Like David - lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.  Psalms 121:1
    Like Jehsohaphat - prepare my heart to seek the Lord.  I Kings 22
    Like Daniel - commune with God at all times and all places.  Daniel 2:19-23
    Like Andrew - strive to lead others to Christ.  Mark 1:16-18
    Like Stephen - manifest a forgiving spirit toward all who seek my hurt.  Acts 7:60
    Like Paul - forget those things that are behind and press forward.  Philippians 3:13-14

                                                                                                    adapted from The Speakers Quote Book

                                                                                                    Bobby Craig, Elder
 

When we worship God we must be sure we do it as God gave us authority.  Many religions practice many things in their worship that God has not authorized.  When God instructed Noah to build an ark, He was ver specific.  He told Noah how long, how wide, how high, what kind of wood and told him to make A window and THE door.  Noah followed His instructions exactly.

God also instructs us to do His will.  He instructed us to assemble for worship, but He did not tell us where; in houses or a building built by the church.  The building is a more expedient means.  He also commanded that we make music in our worship to Him and He is very specific.  The music He specifies is, "SINGING" (Ephesians 5:29; Colossians 3:16).  This eliminates all other means of making music.

The Bible is our authority for how we worship and if we add anything "God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18).  Let us, therefore, always respect God's authority, and worship according to the pattern laid out in His word.

                                                                                                                                        Bud Butcher, Elder