Looking At Ourselves: Using Scriptures as the Mirror - Part 1

By Tom Rose

As nearly as I can tell, most Christians as well as secular people today are goal-oriented. It fits the American style. The less popular option is to be process-oriented. Just getting there is not all that counts, because how you get there and what happens to you and to others along the way are at least equally important.

Consider the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Lk. 10:25-37. The priest and Levite on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho were goal-oriented. On their minds were things other than a mugging victim, perhaps important things. The Samaritan of the parable was process-oriented. He, too, was on his way to Jericho, but for him getting there was not only less than half the fun but three-quarters of the pain. He saw not only the road, but the ditches alongside. He didn’t pretend that he had not seen what he saw. He didn’t try to convince himself that his goal down the road was more important than a deed of mercy to be transacted then and there. In stopping and stooping, he was not taking time out of his life; he was living life. Goals are points in time; process is time itself.

In one of his books, William Barclay tells the story of a group of people who were talking about heroism. Everyone, they said, sooner or later must practice some kind of heroism. A brash young man in the group turned to an old woman who looked ordinary and serene; he did not know that life for her had been a series of tragedies. “And what kind of heroism do you practice?” he asked lightly. “I?” she replied. “I practice the heroism of going on.” Recall that Jesus told Peter and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you to become. ...fishers of men.” (Mk. 1:17), it was not an overnight transformation. Every step along dusty Galilean roads, every encounter with need, every response to happenings, would be a bit of “becoming.”

We generally demonstrate so little staying power. Most often what we do is to leapfrog, bypass the difficult or messy things in life in order to get on with it, when the process of everyday living is what life is mainly about. Even in our attempts to shortcut or anesthetize ourselves, we are “becoming.” When we shut our eyes, stop our ears, try to shield ourselves from feeling our own pain or that of others, we are “becoming.” By the road they traveled and their unique reaction to events along the way, the priest, the Levite–as well as the Samaritan–were in the process of becoming and thereby being shaped into their own respective personalities.

So where does individual responsibility begin? And end? When I look at the way Jesus ministered, He, like we, lived in a sea of need. In that hot land of Palestine, blindness was common, leprosy was a feared scourge, and sickness, hunger and sorrow abounded. Yet, Jesus did not heal all the sick, feed all the hungry, and raise all the dead. Surely Jesus knew He was only scratching the surface of need. How did He live with that knowledge? In searching for an answer, I find it instructive that in all the Gospel accounts, Jesus never turned away anyone who came within the scope of His awareness and ability to help.

Scope of awareness. It was this which placed an inescapable compulsion upon Him, and which places it upon us. When I see, when I hear, and when I know, then something happens to me that has not happened before. It is then that the problem, the concern becomes mine. When the knock comes to my door. When the empty hand reaches toward me. When the eyes look into my eyes. Then I must do something or surrender some piece of my Christian credibility.

Fortunately, awareness is an ability that can be cultivated. We hear what we need to hear, what we want to hear, in the same way that a mother immediately catches the first cry of her awakening baby. However, there are those who are afraid that they will hear something, who avert their eyes lest they see something. How lonely to walk the streets of life, afraid to look up, afraid of what might be seen in even a fleeting glance at another face. In truth, we avert not only our eyes, but also our hearts, lest some compulsion leap across the gap and forever bind us together. For, even from our own small experience, we know deep down that having seen, we cannot ever again unsee. Having heard, we will never again be able to unhear. And unless our conscience is dead, we will have to act.

Consider two scriptures: one paints a negative picture “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” Jas. 4:17. On the other hand, Jn. 3:16 reminds us of a singular, supremely positive event that changed everything, “For God so loved the world that He gave. . .” Let us continue to become and to give of ourselves, as unto the Lord, as that is the penalty, and the incomparable reward, for being a follower of His Son.

Every Day is Thanksgiving

By Mark McCrary

Gratitude often seems in short supply in a culture saturated with discontent. Our lives are filled with distractions, from consumerism to the 24-hour news cycle, all feeding a sense of dissatisfaction. 

Yet, Scripture calls us to rise above this discontent, urging a posture of thanksgiving as a transformative discipline. Philippians 4:6 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Gratitude is not just a suggestion but central to a life lived in trust and relationship with God.

Imagine living in a world where thankfulness is the norm, not the exception—a world where gratitude transforms every day into Thanksgiving.

 The Thankful Leper

Luke’s account of Jesus and the ten lepers (Lk. 17:11-19) offers profound insight into the nature of gratitude. These ten men, ostracized by society due to their disease, cried out to Jesus for mercy. Their condition was desperate, marked by physical suffering, isolation, and hopelessness. In response, Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests according to the law (Leviticus 14:2-32).

The lepers obeyed Jesus before experiencing healing. As they went, they were cleansed. Yet only one—a Samaritan, doubly an outcast as a leper and foreigner—returned to thank Jesus. Falling at His feet, he praised God in gratitude. Jesus marveled, noting that only this one— the least expected— had returned to give thanks. 

 Four Truths About Thankfulness

From this story, first notice that thankfulness is an expression of faith—these men turned to Christ for healing. Faith is trust in God. Gratitude reflects a heart that acknowledges and honors God for His goodness (1 Peter 1:7). Recognizing our blessings motivates us to walk faithfully. Conversely, a complaining spirit often reveals a lack of trust in God’s provision.

Thankfulness also reminds us of God’s goodness—the man healed appreciated what was done for him. Gratitude shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance, highlighting God’s provision (James 1:17).  By choosing to reflect on God’s blessings, we cultivate a heart that is attuned to His faithfulness.

Importantly, thankfulness provides perspective in trials. When healed, the leper clearly saw the difference in his life. Life’s challenges often tempt us to despair, but thankfulness offers a different lens. Even when life is hard, all people can hold to the fact God loves them (John 3:16), and his children can have joy in the fact that Jesus is with them in all struggles, working what is ultimately good for them (Romans 8:28-39).

Finally, thankfulness brings peace. Anxiety often stems from focusing on what we cannot control. Philippians 4:6-7 offers the antidote: be thankful. As we present our concerns to God with thanksgiving, His peace guards our hearts and minds, grounding us in His provision.

All these being true, how can we start living as if every day were Thanksgiving?

 Four Ways to Cultivate Thankfulness

Let’s start with this: take time to embrace your blessings. Many of us grew up with the song, “Count Your Blessings.” What a message for us all! Thankfulness requires intentional reflection on the good God has done, does and will do in our lives (James 1:17). How often do we overlook these gifts? Slow down and consider God’s kindness, as encouraged in passages like Psalm 103:2, which urges us to “forget not all His benefits.”

Then, let’s embrace joy. A thankful heart is a joyful heart, anchored not in outward circumstances but in eternal truths. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8 call us to focus on whatever is true, honorable, and praiseworthy. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 reminds us to fix our eyes on what is unseen, finding hope even in affliction. Yes, there are hardships, Paul reminds us, but something better is waiting for us! Hold on to that every day!

This brings us to a needed practice— embrace humility. One of the number one phrases I hear (and have muttered myself…) when trials hit is, “Why me?” Do we think so highly of ourselves that we think we are immune to problems? That all must be well in our lives? The greats in scripture always dealt with struggles, yet so often expressed thanks! So must we! Pride and self-centeredness are enemies of gratitude. Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us, we are called to emulate Christ’s humility, focusing on serving others rather than ourselves.

Let’s wrap this up with one more: Embrace service. Gratitude is magnified when we turn outward, serving others in love. Galatians 6:10 exhorts us to “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” When we meet the needs of others, we are reminded of God’s generosity toward us, shifting our focus from our problems to His purposes.

 Conclusion

The story of the ten lepers challenges us to consider whether we, like the Samaritan, will return to thank Jesus for His blessings. Let’s move thankfulness from momentary expression to daily practice.  As we do so, we will find peace, joy, and a deeper awareness of God’s blessings in every circumstance.

Men vs. Women

By Larry Coffey

Last week’s News & Notes mentioned there were about 70 ladies at the Ladies’ Bible Study Day on November 9.  That caused me to think about the Men’s Bible Study Day on November 2 for which I haven’t seen a count, but having been at that study would estimate there were about half that number present.  Why the large difference?

Then I thought about how the DH ladies have a weekly Bible class in the spring and the fall, but the men don’t have such classes. Do you think the women need more Bible study because they have a harder time learning than men do?  I doubt anyone would make that claim, especially the married men.

I recall when I first became a Christian at age 20, I was asked to go to a small church at the edge of Marion County, KY and preach one Sunday a month. Some of the Sundays I would be there when only women would be present.  Not only did I preach, if you could call it that, I taught the class, said all the prayers, led the singing and conducted the Lord’s Supper since the women couldn’t lead the public worship. (That is the only time I have ever led singing.  Can you imagine what those sisters thought about that?)

It reminds me of a story told by Robert Turner, one of the most effective gospel preachers of the 20th century, about a small church out west.  He said one of the sisters in that church had told him they only had women members, and they conducted the services.  However, occasionally an old mountain man would come to the services, but he would not take the lead.  So, being concerned for the proper Biblical order (1 Tim. 2:12; 1 Cor. 14:34-35), what should they do?  Robert told them to continue their services as they had been doing and ignore the old man.

I believe it is noteworthy that I have never heard of a church with only men.

As we teach about the need for Bible authority for what we practice, it is often mentioned there are many churches who ignore the pattern of men being the only ones to lead the public worship and have women preachers.  While they have no authority for so doing, it may be men are just not stepping forward to fulfil their responsibilities.  Some among our more liberal churches of Christ are now putting women in public leadership roles.  Even several of our more conservative churches who follow the scriptural pattern do not have men who will step up and serve as elders of the churches (1 Tim. 3:1).

In thinking about all of this, I wonder if there was a contest which could measure our “service to our Lord”, who would win, men or women?  To be fair, our paid preachers could not be considered, nor could public worship leaders because women are not permitted to participate in those services.  I don’t know who would win, but the evidence seems to be pointing toward the women.  Of course, there is no such contest.

What is certain is that men and women must serve our Lord faithfully.

The Power of One Talent

By Mark McCrary

In the recent Olympic Games, Stephen Nedoroscik became an instant world-wide sensation when he helped the US men’s gymnastics team win a bronze medal for his pommel horse routine. Nedoroscik’s only talent is the pommel horse– so much so, he’s known as ”Steve the pommel horse guy.”

It is unusual for one team member to do only one routine. As a young man, Nedoroscik loved gymnastics, but struggled with other routines– except the pommel horse.  So, he focused on it. And focused on it. And focused on it.  

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus told the parable of the talents.  You will remember, there was the five-talent man, the two-talent man and lastly, the one-talent man.  In the end, the one talent man was condemned, not because he had only one talent, but because he did not use his talent.  

Some Christians have five (or more) talents. They are so active and so good at so many things.  Others may only have two, or even one.  If you feel like you are a one talent Christian, that’s okay.  There’s nothing wrong with having one talent. In fact, there’s great power in just having one talent.  Jesus valued simple service, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). Just a cup of cold water is valuable.

You likely have more than one talent to be used in service to God, but if you really think you only have one, learn two lessons. First from the one talent man: don’t hide it. Second, from Steve Nedoroscik: do that one thing well. Do it over and over and over again for and to God’s glory.

A Salute to the Faithful

By Norman Pence

Much of the writing, preaching, and visiting that is done today is directed toward the weak and unfaithful. Too often, we do not take time to salute those who are faithful to Christ and His teaching.

There is no sufficient way to show appreciation to those members who have remained “steadfast and unmovable” (1 Cor. 15:58) throughout the years. But you are to be commended for your faithfulness and attendance, even when other activities are taking place that you would normally attend. Whenever work needs to be done, we have come to know that, regardless, you will make the necessary sacrifices to be there and help in any way you can. It is a joy to be around and worship with Christians who display that loving willingness that says, “I am willing to do any and everything I can to help.” Your active desire to grow spiritually has encouraged others to have the same desire. Your love for lost souls has provided ways for many to be taught the truth and become active citizens of the Kingdom of God. Your faithful life has helped weak Christians to wake up, confess faults, and once again become not only hearers of the word, but doers also. You are the ones that constantly encourage the faithful teachers and preachers to remain firm in the truth, and we thank God for people like you.

You are also appreciated because you demand no special attention or praise to keep you happy and faithful in your service and assemblies for Bible study and worship. It’s not necessary for you to have your name mentioned from the pulpit or even written in the bulletin in order for you to make visits, help with the sick and shut-ins, or to invite friends to worship. You count it a blessing to have the opportunity to serve the Lord. You are a shining example to all that see you. And we believe it can be said of you that you are sincerely “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Mt. 6:33).

May God continue to bless you who labor so faithfully. The church will continue to grow because of you. Please don’t give up and thank you for your enduring efforts for Him.