By: Mike Riley

  In today’s digital world, it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with the abbreviated terminology that accompanies today’s fast-paced, youth-oriented electronic communication. For example, in the “Instant Messaging” (IM) world, the text-message language, “laughing out loud” becomes “lol.” The phrase, “By the way” becomes “btw.” And regrettably, some people are using “omg” for “Oh, my God!”

 This last phrase seems to be on the lips of many who receive startling news. But as Christians, we need to stop and think before we utter this or any other phrase that flippantly uses God’s name (cf. Exodus 20:7).

 When Jesus was teaching His disciples how to pray in Matthew Chapter 6, the first thing He told them to say was this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9). Clearly, God’s name itself is special.

It encompasses His holy nature (1 Peter 1:15-16; cf. Leviticus 11:44-45), His teachings (2 Timothy 3:15 -KJV; cf. John 5:39); His moral authority (John 17:1-3; cf. John 8:10-11; Mark 2:1-12;), and His moral character (1 Thessalonians 4:7; 2 Peter 3:11). To speak the name of God is to call on the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Hebrews 1:1-3; cf. Acts 17:24-25; Nehemiah 9:6).

Let’s be careful never to turn the hallowed name of Almighty God (Genesis 17:1  KJV) into another flippant phrase on our lips or in a digital text message.

“May all I am and do and say

Give glory to my Lord always;

And may no act of mine cause shame

Nor bring reproach upon His name. ” —Anonymous

By: Mike Riley

Our fellow Christians constitute one of the most cherished blessings we enjoy in the Lord. Our Lord’s promise of a hundredfold abundance of “brothers and sisters and mothers and children” to those who forsake the attachments of the world for His sake and the gospel’s (Mark 10:29-30 – ESV), is fulfilled in the brothers and sisters and parents and children we are to one another in Christ. We need to understand the immense value of that blessing by letting our brothers and sisters in Christ know of their value and importance in our lives. As we look at the writings of the inspired apostle Paul, we cannot help but notice his relationship with other Christians. Of Paul’s thirteen inspired letters, four are personal letters to fellow laborers in the faith (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon). Three of his nine epistles to churches conclude with lengthy lists of individual salutations and commendations, in which Paul expresses his appreciation for various saints by name (cf. Romans 16; 1 Corinthians 16; Colossians 4). Throughout his writings, we see Paul’s gratitude for those with whom he shared a common hope and experience.

He thanked Priscilla and Aquila for saving his life at the risk of their own (Romans 16:3-4). He frequently mentions the fact that brethren in Christ were in his prayers (Ephesians 1:15-16; Colossians 1:3,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13) and that he coveted the prayers of brethren on his behalf (Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:18-19; Colossians 4:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1).

Paul’s Lesson of Thankfulness for Fellow Christians

In all of the above Scriptures, Paul teaches us a great lesson regarding thankfulness for our brethren. While we are often quick to give thanks to God for the material blessings we enjoy, how often do we remember to be thankful for our brothers and sisters in Christ? We ought always to remember one another in our prayers to the Father, not merely in a general way, but specifically and individually by name. For example, read the closing chapter of Romans and reflect on the language Paul uses to mention other Christians who were precious to him. Epaenetus, Amplias, and Stachys were “my beloved” (Romans 16:5,8,9). Tryphena and Tryphosa “have labored in the Lord” (Romans 16:12); Mary had “labored much for us” (Romans 16:6); the beloved Persis “labored much in the Lord” (Romans 16:12). Andronicus and Junia were “of note among the apostles” (Romans 16:7). Apelles was “approved in Christ” (Romans 16:10). Paul acknowledged Urbanus as “our fellow worker in Christ” (Romans 16:9) and Rufus as “chosen in the Lord” (Romans 16:13). When was the last time we used any of these expressions to show our appreciation for a brother or sister in Christ?

Tangible Ways to Demonstrate Our Thankfulness

We can demonstrate our thankfulness in tangible ways: (1) by seizing every opportunity to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2); (2) to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15); (3) to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24); (4) to “teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16); (5) to do good to “the least of these my brethren” (Matthew 25:34-40).

Conclusion

Brethren, let us never neglect to express our thankfulness for one another. When we pray and give thanks to God for the bounty of His blessings, let us include our brethren as an integral part of those blessings.

By: Mike Riley

 In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul encourages us, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” In this upcoming New Year, we as Christians should be extremely thankful for the blessings that continually flow from God’s bountiful hand (Ephesians 1:3; James 1:17; cf. John 3:27).

The following are just some of the blessings this writer is thankful for: For the teenager who is washing the dishes and watching TV because that means that he or she is at home and not on the streets. For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean up after a church luncheon, because it means that I have been surrounded by Christian friends. For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat. For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine. For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home. For all the complaining I hear about the government it means that we have freedom of speech. For the parking spot, I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

 For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm. For the lady behind me in the church who sings off key, because it means that I can hear. For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear. For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I am employed and capable of working hard. For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive. For too many e-mails, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

And finally …. for the God of Heaven who cares not only for me but for all mankind (Acts 17:24-28; Philippians 4:19; 2 Peter 3:9). Lord, please abundantly bless each reader of this Bible article blog, and especially bless the people of Haiti in their time of need, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

By: Mike Riley

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

Few people, it seems, realize that self-denial has anything to do with their religious doctrine. It does, nevertheless. One of man’s most stubborn inclinations is to exercise “his own will” in religion (Colossians 2:23), as in everything else.

This must be denied when one is obedient to Christ (Matthew 16:24). Christian worship must be according to truth (John 4:24). Since God’s Word is truth (John 17:17), God’s Word must determine the “means of expression” as we worship Him.

 God wants our devotions, but he delights in them only when they are in obedience to His Will (1 Samuel 15:22). If any man will come to the Lord, let him “deny himself” (or his own will) and learn what the Bible teaches him to do to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 7:12,21,22,23; Matthew 16:24; Romans 12:1; Revelation 22:14).