By: Mike Riley

 The following is a story of nature demonstrating the fact that struggles are a necessary part of growth and development for the Christian in this life. God places these struggles (or trials) before us to prepare us for that perfect home in heaven with Him.

The Man and The Cocoon

By: Mike Riley

 We in the churches of Christ observe the Lord’s Supper on Sunday for that is the “example” given us by the early church under the direction of inspired men. “And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them …” (Acts 20:7). This is indeed a fitting day to remember the Lord for it is the day on which He arose from the dead (Mark 16:9) and was declared to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4).

We observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday for the same reason we observe it on Sunday in the first place, we have an approved apostolic example. “Which week?” one might ask. The week which has a “first day” is our reply. The Jews kept the Sabbath. how often did they keep it? Every week had a Sabbath, which of course, was every week. The early church was also to give on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Greek in this verse means “on the first day of every week” and is so rendered by the New American Standard Version. So, on the first day of every week, they communed and gave.

We take the Lord’s Supper only on the first day of the week because that is the only day we have authority from the Scriptures to take it. “And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). The consequence of adding to what the Lord has approved is outlined in the following verse: “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9)

By: Mike Riley

In Psalm 34:14, the Psalmist tells us regarding peace: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”

Unity in the church, the home, and the community are both “good and pleasant.” King David said, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Christians are to be seekers of peace and not promoters of ill will. We should strive to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment”
 (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Seek Good for Brethren

Love for God and one another will lead us to seek the best interest of the brethren. Peter said, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).

Hear And Obey God’s Truth

As children of God, we must hear and obey our heavenly Father. We must accept whatever He has taught in His Word. The same truth applies to all persons alike, to those within His spiritual family as well as to those outside. The Bible is the authority which is binding in heaven and on the earth and it will one day judge each one of us (Matthew 16:19; John 12:48
cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

 Conflicts Will Arise

We know that from time-to-time problems of conflict will arise to give us concern. Out of our love for the truth and souls of people, we should seek to deal with these problems fairly and sincerely. We always want to do what is right (Proverbs 15:9; Proverbs 21:21; Matthew 5:6; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). As we deal with these problems we should ask, “What are the facts in the case, and not hear-say?” If two parties are involved, have we learned the facts first-hand from them? Do both give reliable reports?

Conclusion

By inspiration, James gives us inspired instructions concerning conflicts. “Speak not evil one of another, brethren” (James 4:11). In earlier verses he describes the working of heavenly wisdom: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:17-18). When biblical wisdom and principles are applied to situations of conflict, peace and harmony should be the result.

By: Mike Riley

The greatest activity we can spend time doing is worshipping God. Worship is not repeating hasty, routine petitions or listening to mood-inducing music. Worship is the experience of being “lost in wonder, love, and praise,” as Charles Wesley wrote — Awe inspires adoration.

When my wife and I first saw the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, it left us speechless. We gazed at this magnificent spectacle and thought, “This is a glimpse of God’s majesty.” However, our awe by itself was not worship.

Our reaction is different when we come face to face with Jesus in the Scriptures. Awe changes into adoration as we behold Him in all His majestic beauty. Let us for a moment consider what grips our soul by His Majesty:

• His unsullied purity “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46).
• His unrivaled wisdom “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46).
• His unbounded pity — “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:36).  
• His overwhelming majesty — “He was transfigured before them” (Matthew 17:2).

As we see Jesus in the Gospels, our awe changes to adoration. Let us bow in worship and exclaim along with doubting Thomas — “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

Finish then thy new creation, Pure,
unspotted, may we be Let
us see our whole salvation Perfectly
secured by Thee.
Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven
we take our place, Till we cast our crowns
before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and
praise.

Charles Wesley