WATCH Your Words, Actions, Thoughts, Company and Heart

By Boyd Hurst

The Power of Words

Words hold immense power.  As James 3:8 warns, the tongue is difficult to control.  It can build up or tear down, bring life or destruction.  Similarly, Colossians 4:6 encourages us to let our speech be full of grace and seasoned with wisdom.  The words we choose reflect our hearts and can either edify others or lead them astray.

The Weight of Actions

2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us that we will all stand before Christ’s judgment seat to give an account of our actions.  Everything we do has consequences—whether good or bad.  Our actions should reflect our faith and values, as they are a testimony to those around us.

The Influence of Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 calls us to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.  Our thoughts shape our attitudes and behaviors, influencing how we respond to challenges and opportunities.  If we dwell on negativity, fear, or sin, our actions will reflect that.  But if we meditate on what is good, our hearts and lives will be aligned with God’s will.

The Company We Keep

The people we surround ourselves with have a significant impact on our character and choices.  1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, "Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good habits."  Also in the words of wise Solomon, "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil." Prov. 4:14.

The Heart as the Source

Proverbs 4:23 further emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."  Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:18-19 that our words, actions, and thoughts come from the heart.  If our hearts are pure, what flows out will also be pure.  But if our hearts are filled with sin, our lives will reflect that.  Keeping our hearts aligned with God’s truth is essential for living a righteous life.

A Call to Watchfulness

2 Timothy 4:5 urges us to "be watchful in all things."  This means being vigilant about our Words, Actions, Thoughts, Company and Heart.  As we strive to live righteously, we must also remember that others are watching us.  Our lives serve as an example, influencing those around us for good or bad.  May we be a light to others, reflecting God’s love and truth in everything we do.

Boldness: A Call to Live with Courage and Conviction

By David Norfleet

The Book of Acts is more than just an account of the early days of the church.  As the second volume of Luke’s writings, it captures the continuation of Jesus’ work through His disciples after His resurrection and ascension.  In Acts, we witness the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit and the spreading of the gospel despite intense opposition and persecution.  It reveals a striking pattern of boldness—boldness in message, boldness in action, and boldness in the face of danger.  This pattern serves as a model for believers today, calling us to boldly live out our faith with courage and conviction.

The Purpose of Acts: History, Guidance, and Triumph

At the heart of Acts lies a clear and significant purpose.  Luke’s goal was not just to tell a story, but to lay down a historical foundation for the church, demonstrating the origins of our faith and its miraculous spread across the Roman world.  As G. Campbell Morgan aptly put it, this book shows how God’s supply to humanity meets its deepest needs.

More importantly, Acts is a guide for the church.  It provides essential principles that guided the apostles through challenges, persecutions, and triumphs.  These same principles remain applicable to the church today, offering wisdom and direction on how to navigate the complexities of living out our faith in a hostile world.  Finally, Acts highlights the triumphant growth of Christianity, showcasing how the gospel not only survived under harsh opposition but thrived, making its way from Jerusalem to the far reaches of the Roman Empire.

Acts and Boldness: A Hallmark of the Early Church

Throughout Acts, one characteristic stands out: boldness.  The book begins and ends with the bold proclamation of the gospel.  Acts 2:29 and Acts 28:31 both describe the unwavering courage with which the apostles boldly preached the message of Christ.  The Greek word parrhesia, meaning “boldness,” is used consistently throughout the book, underscoring its central role in the early church's mission.

So, what is boldness?  It is the courage to take risks, to speak the truth even when it may lead to danger or opposition.  It combines integrity—honesty and moral uprightness—with courage—the strength to stand firm despite fear or adversity.  In Acts 4, we see a vivid portrayal of boldness in action as Peter and John boldly proclaim the message of Jesus, despite being threatened by the religious authorities.  This boldness was not born of arrogance or self-confidence, but from their deep conviction in the truth of the resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit.

What Made the Apostles Bold?

In Acts 4, we see a powerful example of this boldness.  After Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth, they were arrested and questioned by the Jewish authorities.  The response they gave was a testament to their boldness: they spoke openly about the resurrection of Jesus, declaring that it was through Jesus’ name that the man had been healed (Acts 4:8-12).

What made these apostles so bold?  It was their unshakable conviction in the message they carried—the message of Jesus' resurrection and the hope of salvation through Him.  They had witnessed firsthand the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and now they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry that message to the world.  Despite being untrained in the ways of the rabbinical schools, their boldness was evident to everyone, even the Jewish rulers, who could not deny the miraculous healing and the courage of these men.

Boldness in the Face of Opposition

The boldness of the apostles did not go unchallenged.  As we read through Acts, we see that opposition to the gospel grew increasingly intense.  The apostles were not only questioned and threatened, but they were also beaten and imprisoned.  Yet, their resolve did not waver.  When the authorities ordered them to stop speaking about Jesus, Peter and John responded, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

The early Christians faced real and immediate danger.  Today, while we may not face the same level of violent opposition, we still encounter challenges and resistance in different forms.  In many places around the world, Christians risk their lives simply by sharing the gospel.  Even in more open societies, there are cultural and social pressures that seek to silence the message of Christ.

We live in a world where speaking about Jesus can sometimes bring ridicule, rejection, or even legal consequences.  Yet, just as the apostles were bold in the face of opposition, we too must find the courage to stand firm in our faith.  In Matthew 10:16-23, Jesus prepares His followers for such opposition, reminding them that they will face persecution but assuring them of God’s presence and protection.

God Desires Boldness for His People

The boldness we see in Acts was not just a human effort.  It was the result of God’s power at work in the apostles.  After their release from prison, the believers in Jerusalem gathered to pray for boldness.  In Acts 4:29-31, they prayed, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”  God answered their prayer, filling them with the Holy Spirit and empowering them to speak with even greater courage.

Just as God empowered the apostles, He is still at work in His people today.  He desires boldness in His followers.  The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:19, asked the church to pray for him, that he might speak the gospel boldly.  Likewise, we are called to seek God’s strength to live with courage in the face of challenges.  As we trust in His power, we can boldly proclaim the gospel, just as the apostles did.

A Personal Call to Boldness

Boldness is not a trait reserved for the apostles or for those with a certain personality type.  It is a characteristic of all who follow Christ.  Proverbs 28:1 tells us, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”  As followers of God, we are called to be bold, standing firm in our faith and declaring the truth of the gospel.

However, this is not always easy.  There are moments when fear, doubt, or a desire to please others can cause us to shy away from speaking the truth.  Like many, I have faced moments of hesitation, moments when I was worried about what others would think or feared the consequences of standing firm in my beliefs.  But we are not called to live in fear.  Instead, we are called to trust in God, to remember that He is with us, and to speak boldly for His glory.

As we close, let us remember the words of Isaiah 50:7, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.”  With God’s help, we can face opposition, speak with boldness, and live out the truth of the gospel in every situation.

A Salute to a Young Christian Mother

By Larry R. Coffey

Francis Chan wrote a book entitled “Crazy Love” in 2013.  Here is a quote from that book.  "We are consumed by safety.  Obsessed with it, actually.  Now, I’m not saying it is wrong to pray for God’s protection, but I am questioning how we’ve made safety our highest priority.  We’ve elevated safety to the neglect of whatever God’s best is, whatever would bring God the most glory, or whatever would accomplish His purposes in our lives and in the world.”

This reminds me of the Covid pandemic.  Many brethren didn’t attend the worship services for weeks, even months, and some never came back to the church.  That despite the multiple efforts made to provide a safe environment.  That is a once in a 100-year event.  But what about something more common: like the weather.

I have now been a member of the church for 65 years and I have never seen anything keep members away from worship more than the weather.  Something as simple as rain on Sunday morning will keep some away.  Heaven forbid what happens if there is snow or even a forecast of snow.  I want to review two recent weather-related events.

On a recent Sunday morning, it stated snowing about 8:00 am.  Up to three inches was predicted.  Of course, that kept a lot of folks at home.  But, not a young Christian mother with an infant.  She drove by herself almost 50 miles one way to be at worship.  I didn’t actually see her, but it was pointed out to me by one of the men.

Then on Wednesday night of that same week, it was predicted up to one inch of snow on that night starting after 9:00 pm.  I don’t know about others, but from my house to the building, the roads were as clear as any July night.  It did start to snow around 10:00 pm.  I have no lists of people, but I would estimate over one-half of the congregation was absent.

What about our young Christian mother?  Again, I didn’t see her, but a different man other than the one I have mentioned pointed out she was present with her baby.

Another Chan quote: “People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else.”

I am told these blogs have low readership.  I am not writing this to put down our members since most are not likely to read it anyway.  I have learned after 65 years, it would be a waste of time.  My purpose is to salute this young mother.  It is obvious to me she is obsessed with Jesus.  Plus, I would not have known this information if two of our men had not been so highly impressed with her, they had to share this news.  And she doesn’t know this is being written.

I am saluting her faithfulness, her example, her commitment and love for our Lord.  She makes me want to be a better person and to never allow safety to come before my commitment to serve my God.  As we read in Heb 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching.”

Surviving a Godless World: Lessons from the Book of Jude

By David Norfleet

In many emergency services like the military, police, and fire departments, training and drills are a constant part of the routine.  Emergency personnel are often training for situations they hope will never occur.  Yet, the true value of this preparation is revealed when the inevitable emergency strikes.  These professionals are ready to spring into action, relying on the rigorous training they have undergone.  In a similar way, the Book of Jude functions as a survival guide for Christians, preparing them to face the threats of ungodliness and false teaching that were encroaching upon their communities in the 1st century.  Jude’s letter, although addressed to a particular group of believers, is timeless and relevant for Christians today as they contend with similar challenges.

The Shift in Jude’s Message

Jude initially intended to write about the “common salvation” shared among believers (Jude 1:3).  He wanted to focus on the hope and joy of salvation, a theme that undoubtedly would have encouraged and uplifted the saints.  However, as he surveyed the spiritual landscape of his time, Jude recognized that a more urgent message was needed.  False teachers had infiltrated the church, spreading dangerous and ungodly ideas (Jude 1:4).  Jude had to shift his focus to guide the believers through a turbulent period, reminding them of their identity in Christ and equipping them to stand firm in the faith.

Surviving in a Godless World

1. Remember Who You Are

Jude’s first piece of advice to the saints is to remember their identity.  He uses a powerful triad of descriptors: called, beloved, and kept (Jude 1:1).  These three words are not just theological labels, but reminders of who the believers are and why they can stand firm in the faith.  They are called by God to salvation, beloved by God with an eternal love, and kept by His power through all trials.  These descriptors should not just be understood as designations but as life-altering truths.  The knowledge that God loves you, that He has called you, and that He is keeping you provides the strength and security needed to endure any challenge.  Jude repeats this idea throughout the letter to emphasize how vital it is for believers to remember their divine identity in the midst of perilous times.

2. Contend for the Faith

Jude urges believers to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3).  The word “contend” here comes from the Greek epagonizesthai, which carries the sense of struggling or wrestling with intensity—almost like being in an agonizing contest.  This is not a casual defense of beliefs but an active, passionate fight for the truth.  The faith Jude speaks of is not a collection of human opinions but the one true gospel that was delivered once for all.  To contend for the faith means understanding its value and its vulnerability.  Jude warns that this faith will face threats, from false teachers to external persecution.  But the emphasis on “you” in verse 3 reminds believers that, while collective action is important, each individual plays a vital role in guarding and defending the faith.

3. Do Not Be Caught Unaware

Jude emphasizes the importance of vigilance, warning believers not to be caught unaware (Jude 1:17-18).  The dangers of ungodliness, false teaching, and persecution are real and must not be ignored.  Jude calls Christians to remember the warnings given in Scripture—such as in Matthew 7:15-23 and 1 Peter 4:12—and stay alert.  There is a danger of either being overly paranoid, seeing false teachers behind every corner, or becoming so complacent that one fails to recognize the threat when it appears.  False teachers are not a thing of the past.  They still exist today in various forms: heretics, charlatans, dividers, ticklers, and speculators.  They may come with appealing messages or promises but often seek to distort the truth for their own gain.  Jude’s exhortation to not be unaware is as relevant now as it was then.

4. Look to Self

While contending for the faith and standing guard against false teachers is important, it is also vital that believers look to their own spiritual growth.  Jude cautions that in times of struggle and defense, it’s easy to become so focused on external threats that one neglects their personal transformation.  He encourages Christians to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith” (Jude 1:20).  This means continuing to grow in the knowledge and likeness of Christ, even in the midst of trials.  Spiritual growth should never stop, regardless of circumstances.

5. Look to Others

Jude also emphasizes the importance of looking out for others, particularly fellow believers who may be vulnerable to deception.  In the face of false teaching and persecution, Christians should not only be concerned with their own spiritual survival but also with the well-being of their brothers and sisters in Christ.  Jude calls for a compassionate approach, urging believers to rescue those who are wavering (Jude 1:22-23).  Some may need sympathy, others need a more aggressive intervention, and still others need cautious help.  The key is to meet people where they are, always with a heart of love and care.

Conclusion

The Book of Jude provides a timely and necessary survival guide for navigating a world filled with ungodliness and deception.  His instructions for believers to remember their identity in Christ, contend for the faith, stay vigilant, and look after both their own spiritual growth and the well-being of others are as vital today as they were in the first century.  Christians are called to live faithfully in a world that increasingly opposes the truth of the gospel.  As Jude’s letter reminds us, we can endure in this godless world because we are called, beloved, and kept by the power of God.  The challenges may be great, but the victory has already been secured through Jesus Christ.

Repent, For the Kingdom of Heaven Is at Hand

By Paul Earnhart

After Jesus made the journey to Judea where he met Nicodemus and preached and baptized with great success, He returned to Galilee where He had grown up.  And Matthew 4:17 reports that “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”  This was precisely what John the Baptist had been preaching in the wilderness, Matthew 3:1-2.

This message of Jesus (and of John) gives us a clue as to the kind of kingdom that was to be established.  The Jews were expecting an earthly political kingdom.  At the time, they were under the domination of Rome.  They hoped that the Messiah would overthrow the Roman government and establish Jerusalem as the capital of the world.  If this had been the kind of kingdom to be established, Jesus and John would have said, “Arm yourselves, learn to use your weapons, get yourselves into condition, for the battle will soon begin to establish the kingdom of God among men.”  But this was not what Jesus said.

Rather, Jesus and John said REPENT.  The kingdom was to be a kingdom of righteousness.  It was to be made up of individuals who had left the service of Satan to yield themselves completely to the authority of God.  This required a change of heart, and that’s what repentance is.  This was the reason Jesus told Nicodemus that he would have to be born again to enter the kingdom, John 3:3-5.  He would have to be changed within and without.

Many people today express an interest in the kingdom of God.  Their attention, however, is riveted on the Near East and the political and military events that take place there.  That’s the wrong place for our concerns to be centered.  Our concern must be with our own hearts—getting them right with God through repentance.  We must be born again.  That is the condition of our acceptance into the kingdom.  That is where the kingdom must exist—within us!