The Least…March 10th

Sunday morning, March 10th at Waterview church of Christ, our lesson will be presented by Robert Taylor as he provides a update from our mission work in Nicaragua.

When we pour out our coins for the ‘Breakfast Program’ in Nicaragua, we are doing much more than filling a small basket. We are providing more than just a warm meal. We are opening doors for the word to be spread in yet another mission field. This morning we’ll spend some time considering the words of our Lord in Matthew 25. Perhaps you will find the following ‘order of worship’ a means by which you can focus your mind on the songs we’ll sing this coming Lord’s day.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”
I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, March 10, 2013

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“The Great Redeemer” – 250

It’s interesting to realize that this song is almost 100 years old. Written by Francis Foster in 1915, “The Great Redeemer” stirs the emotions as all four parts take an active lead in harmonizing the voice and praising our God. But ask yourself if you will honestly do what you say you will do in the chorus; “…I will never cease to raise a song of gladness in His praise.”

“I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” – 509

Another song with some beautiful harmony. This YouTube link is a good acappella arrangement that you can listen to and sing with… “Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story.”

“How Beautiful” – 365

A contemporary song (1991) that speaks so clearly to the Lord’s Supper. Notice the bridge; “And as He laid down His life, we offer this sacrifice, that we may live just as He died, willing to pay the price…” The feet that bring the good news and the hands that serve are beautiful, but how beautiful is the body of Christ!

“I Am Mine No More” – 683

Though the author and composer of this song are unknown, the message is very clear. Would that we do more than just say, “I am mine no more…”, but that our lives would reflect a change in our priority. When you say something is more important than something else, it’s only proven by your next step. If you are truly no longer concerned about self, have you changed anything specific?

“Savior, Thy Dying Love” – 667

Following the Lord’s Supper and during the passing of the collection plate we’ll sing this hymn from the 1860’s. It serves as a good reminder of the sacrifice (our Savior’s dying love). Notice the last line from the first three verses; “…some offering bring Thee now, something for Thee.”, “…some song to raise or prayer, something for Thee.” “…some wanderer sought and won, something for Thee.” But now read the last line of the fourth verse. “And when Thy face I see, my ransomed soul will be, through all eternity, something for Thee.” You give a few dollars when the collection plate comes around, but what will you give when Monday morning comes around?

“A Beautiful Life” – 570

Before our lesson, join in the spiritual song that boasts a strong tenor/bass echo. As we move into the chorus, the men take the lead, but with all the ‘musical’ excitement we must never miss the message. Can you say you are helping those who are in need? Are you letting your light shine along the way? When was the last time you were willing to lend a helping hand? A good reminder from this song…

“Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary” – 912

This old ‘invitation song’ is replete as the title is sung over and over again. Include the chorus after each verse and the phrase “Burdens are lifted at Calvary” is repeated nine times. So when we sing this song on Sunday we’ll hold the chorus to the end, following all three verses. Just don’t forget that Jesus IS very near.

“His Yoke is Easy” – 612

We’ll close our service with this 1893 spiritual song, admonishing the congregation with the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:29, 30. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” When you sing this closing song I hope you believe, “…His service is my sweetest delight, His blessings ever flow.”

1, February 9, 20131, February 18, 2013

Face Time…Feb 10th

Sunday, February 10th at Waterview church of Christ, our sermon title is “Face Time”.

In today’s terminology, when you hear the term ‘face time’, you most likely think about talking on the phone or computer and seeing the face of the one you’ve called. But Sunday morning at Waterview, as we listen to Robert’s sermon, the meaning will be a bit different. Join us as we consider “Face Time”. The following ‘order of worship’ will serve as our song service for Sunday morning, February 10th. As always, let me encourage you to think about the songs you sing in praise to God.

Remember I Corinthians…”I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”

Sunday morning, February 10, 2013

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“O Worship the King” and “All Things Praise Thee” – 144 & 43

As we sing this medley let’s consider the message. We sing to bring glory to God as we worship the King. Notice the last line in our first song in conjunction with the first line of the next song; “…pavilion in splendor and girded with praise.” “All things praise Thee, Lord most high…” Though we see the connection with the words (and the key), what does it mean ‘pavilion in splendor’; how can something be ‘girded with praise’? The fact is, our God is our shield and defender. He is the ancient of days and He is our pavilion in splendor (which mean’s He is ‘covered with splendor’) and He is girded (surrounded) with praise!

“We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes” – 634

An old spiritual song that admonishes the singer to keep working. Have you ever sighed for something? We sing, “O land of rest…for thee I sigh, when will the moment come when I shall lay my armor by and dwell in peace at home?” You know, I think I can understand what Elizabeth Mills must have been thinking we she wrote this song; our life is full of work (at least it should be) and after a long day’s work our thoughts go to resting…”when will the moment come?”

“Come, Share the Lord” – 364

A contemporary song by Bryan Leech encourages us to come together as we remember the Lord’s Supper. Perhaps we should keep in mind the third verse as we draw this song to a close and sing, “…now we anticipate the feast for which we wait. Come take the bread, come drink the wine (drink from the cup) come share the Lord.”

“Gentle Shepherd” – 845

“Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we need you to help us find our way…” As sheep we are often lost and in need of direction, protection and guidance from our Shepherd. The good news, our Shepherd not only guides us and leads us, He is also gentle. This beautiful hymn (because it is sung to HIM) reminds us that we are a blessed people…

“Face to Face” – no book

A song that speaks toward the end of life as we anticipate coming face to face with our God. As we pass the collection plate on Sunday morning we’ll sing this song. Let’s think about our life when we see Him “…by and by.” HINT: This is a good lead in for our lesson…

“I Am Resolved” – 948

This familiar hymn serves as our song before the lesson. Listen to what you say in the chorus, “I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free. Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.” How about singing it this way… “I will hurry to Him…” Are we eager to see Jesus, eager enough to hurry?

“Only a Step” – 940

As we sing this song of encouragement on Sunday, take a look at the message found in the second verse, “Casting your heavy burden down, come to the cross, the world may frown: Yet you shall wear a glorious crown, when He makes up His own.” How often do we hold on to the things that hinder us and keep us back? We could better our health, but poor eating habits hold us back. We could grow in our education, but laziness has a tendency to hold us back. We struggle with our spiritual walk, but our sins hold us back. Today’s a good day to cast your heavy burden down and come to the cross. It’s only a step…

“Faithful Love” – no book

Faithful Love came to earth to show the Father’s love. And I never be the same…do you know why? Because I have seen Faithful Love (Jesus) all around me. Can you see the majesty, the love of Jesus in this world? Have you read the Word of God? Jesus came to this earth, lived as a man, died on the cross and reconciles us to God. When we are looking for Faithful Love, we need to look no further than our Bibles…then we’ll see Him face to face!

1, February 1, 20131, February 26, 2013

Basic Training for Parents…Feb. 3rd

Sunday, February 3rd at Waterview church of Christ, our sermon title is:

“Basic Training…For Parents”. The following ‘order of worship’ is designed to provide you a glimpse of our song selection (either early or after the fact). We have a great responsibility to train up our children, and mom and dad need to be prepared for that task. As always, let me encourage you to think about the songs you sing in praise to God. Remember I Corinthians…”I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”

Sunday morning, February 3, 2013

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Let God Arise” and “Faith is the Victory” – 471 & 469

This medley, two spiritual songs, is intended to accomplish two basic objectives. First, we sing to motivate the Christian using the words of David in Psalm 68 (‘Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered’). But also to admonish the congregation to join in the spiritual battle against forces of darkness. Note verse 3 (missing from many of our hymnals)… “On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array. Let tents of ease be left behind and onward to the fray. Salvation’s helmet on each head with truth all girt about, the earth shall tremble neath our tread, and echo with our shout…”

“There is a Redeemer” – 287

How often do you say, “Thank You, Father, for giving us Your Son.”? The verses are sung in duet, sopranos and tenors, but the whole of the congregation should join in the chorus. We do have a Redeemer, and the cost for our salvation was high. Are you thankful?

“Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” – 383

We’ll sing this song before the Lord’s Supper, holding the 3rd verse to be sung between the Bread and the Fruit of the Vine. Notice that 3rd verse; “Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring it’s scene’s before me; help me walk from day to day with it’s (the cross) shadow over me…” We focus our hearts and minds as we remember our Savior’s sacrifice.

“How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts” – 432

One of my favorites, and a spiritual song that really talks toward our families. Parents, as we consider ‘training’ our children for a life with God we have to follow the teaching from God’s word. The best (only) option for imparting wisdom and cleaning our hearts and minds. (Verse 1; “…Thy word, the choicest rules impart…”; defined, the word of God is the best set of directions we can pass on to our heirs.)

“Trust and Obey” – 915

How do we find true happiness in this life? What could I do to obtain peace and joy in a world of pain and sorrow? Reading God’s word (and singing this old spiritual song) you’ll come to see that we need to trust and obey. But there’s so much more to that simple statement. How will you trust in God? How do I intend to obey Him? A Christian life is more than just trusting in God, you must be willing to Obey His word!

“Our God, He is Alive” – 23

God is alive and well! This spiritual song sings to the splendor of His creation and the majesty of His name. Notice the 3rd (often ignored) verse from this song… “Secured is life from mortal mind, God holds the germ within His hand…” What’s the germ? By definition germ can simply be “something that may serve as the basis of further growth or development”. Or it could simply be “something microscopic”. Either way, God is in control. Our God holds the growth of life. And though men try to find it and understand God, He alone knows.
“…for God alone does understand.”

Parents…we have a great responsibility to teach our children to know God’s word. To strive and fulfill His will for our individual lives, and to always trust and obey Him.

1, November 2, 20121, October 15, 2012

Using Your God-Given Talents…Part 3

As we conclude this three part series let’s discuss the use of our talents. Being involved is more than just doing a little here or there. It’s a life style of giving God my ALL. Jesus gave His life for me, should I give Him anything less than my life?

Christ tells the parable of the three men who were each given talents “according to his ability.” As we read Matthew 25 we see that two of the men labored in such a way as to double their talents, and in the end they were praised for their work. This serves as a clear example of what we should be doing with what God has entrusted to us. The third man, however, buried his head in the sand and did nothing with the talent his lord had given him. Consider the consequences for this action: “You wicked, lazy slave…Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness…” (Matthew 25:26, 30) Folks, we all have talents! God has blessed you with talents that He might not have blessed me with. Perhaps I have talents that you don’t have…how will we use what God has given us?

Recently, one of our senior members here at Waterview encouraged some of her friends to come together each week and take a hot meal to one of our elderly shut-ins. An elderly, aging senior is blessed by the compassion of her friends, and these friends in their golden years are still serving. It would be easy to sit back and say, “Somebody should do that,” but these senior sisters are serving the Lord’s church! Another member here serves the younger people with letters of encouragement, hugs of sincerity and has an attendance record that models faithfulness. Others within our Prime Timer’s Ministry meet monthly to encourage each other and reach out to those in declining health. Perhaps Mr. Spencer was right when he wrote, “There is much to do, there’s work on every hand. Hark! The cry for help comes ringing through the land; Jesus calls for reapers, I must active be. What wilt Thou (what do you want me to do), O Master? Here am I, send me.”

So what does your schedule look like today? What will you be doing when it comes to the kingdom? Christians young and old will be faced with new opportunities today. We must ask ourselves if we are willing to work and labor for our Lord only while it’s convenient, or if we’ll work till Jesus comes. Many of our older brothers and sisters are weary and have spent their lives working in the service of the King. THANK YOU for your example, but let me encourage you to keep on serving and remember your goal.

“O land of rest, for thee I sigh! When will the moment come, when I shall lay my armor by and dwell in peace at home? We’ll work till Jesus comes…and we’ll be gathered home.”

My life is much more than just getting up and going to work. The student studies hard to ‘make the grade’, but how much time do we give in preparing ourselves for the FINAL? Sitting back and expecting others to do the work God calls us to do is a dangerous option at best.
Would that each of us use our God-Given Talents…

1, October 26, 20121, October 15, 2012

Using Your God-Given Talents…Part 2

As we remember Isaiah’s vision before the throne of God, let’s continue our direction of ‘working in the kingdom’ and being involved in the church. Like Isaiah, we too can (should) answer, “Here am I, send me!”

There is an old hymn that was written and composed by M. W. Spencer. The words sound remarkably familiar to the words from Isaiah. The first verse makes a clear statement that, “There is much to do, there’s work on every hand…” As the song continues we see the call for each of us to be evangelistic, to reach out and carry the Bread of Life to “hungering souls.” But the chorus rings out the words from Isaiah as we sing, “Here am I, Lord, send me…ready at Thy bidding, Lord send me.” Christians, you know that we are called to be servants (I Timothy 4:6, “…you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus…”). We are called to work, to serve and give of our talents and time. But is there a statute of limitations? Can I call it quits after X number of years? Many will say, “I’ve done my share of the lifting, it’s time for someone else to carry the load.” And yes, we all need to be working, but nowhere in the scripture do we read of taking a sabbatical from our Christian walk. One of our more contemporary songs, “In Christ Alone,” ends with the line, “…till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.” We have an obligation; a job to do that never comes to an end. Young people, parents, grandparents…children of God: let’s be ready to work and work with our whole heart.

A story is told about working and who was doing the work. I’m sure you’ve read it before, but reading it again might be appropriate here: “There is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized Everybody wouldn’t do it. So Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.”
Anonymous (wouldn’t you know!)

It is a fact that in most organizations 20% of the members do most of the work and carry the load of the remaining 80%. Unfortunately our churches sometimes fall into this dilemma. Imagine what would happen if these figures were reversed and the majority of members came to find the excitement of who we are and Whom we are called to serve. From the young Christian to the senior saint, each of us has been called for “the work of service…” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

So how do I get involved in the work of the Lord’s church? I’m a babe in Christ; what is there for me to do? Or…I’m an older Christian; can’t I step back and let someone else take up the slack? It’s my belief that if you’ve stayed with me this far, you have the qualities it takes to be active in Lord’s church. Most likely you are part of the 20%, so please…don’t quit! My encouragement to you is simple: if you’ll answer these two questions you’ll know what and where to be involved. First, what do you enjoy doing? What do you find interesting and engaging? Then secondly, what are your talents? What are you (humbly) good at doing? When you answer these two basic questions you’ll begin to know where you might be of service in the church.

Next time we’ll look at Christ’s thought’s when it comes working or putting things off. There is work to be done and it will be done by someone…will it be you?

1, August 31, 20121, August 31, 2012

The Day After VBS…

Do you remember your days in Vacation Bible School?

In my youth, and for years, our congregation hosted a full week (Monday-Friday) of VBS beginning at 9:00 in the morning and wrapping up around noon. (Just after breakfast and before lunch…smart!) One of my favorite memories from VBS, a highlight, was the opening and closing service, when everyone came together to sing.

Perhaps you’ll remember, “Roll the Gospel Chariot”, “Deep and Wide”, or an all time favorite, “This Little Light of Mine”. Could you ever forget “Jesus Loves the Little Children”. Personally one of my favorites was “Booster, Booster” (more on that in a minute). What about this one; do you remember…

“Stand up and shout it if you love my Jesus!
Stand up and shout it if you love my Lord!
I want to know, Oh I want to know…Do you love my Lord?”

There’s more to the song and verses are included, but the general idea is for the singer, even the listener, to proclaim their love for Jesus Christ as Lord. This is certainly an exciting song and one that many song leaders encouraged us to STAND UP while we sang.

But you know we can’t stay in ‘VBS mode’ our entire lives. There’s a reason we call it Vacation Bible School; it’s held during the summer months while we’re on ‘vacation’. This wonderful time of our life will eventually come to an end, we’ll grow up and go to work. We love the ‘mountaintop’ experiences, but we have to come down off the mountain and get back to the grind. Jesus modeled that behavior to us over and over. Remember Luke 9:28 and 37, “…He took Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. … On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him.” In like manner, when our ‘vacation’ is over, we ‘grow up’ and go to work.

So we stand up and shout that we love Jesus, and yes, in our lives and in our hearts we should be telling the world (showing the world) that we love Jesus. But as we grow and mature into men, we need to do more than just stand up and shout it. Notice what Paul, through inspirations, tells the church in Corinth, “When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” I Corinthians 13:11

Perhaps William Merrill had the right idea when he encouraged the singer, the ‘men of God’, to rise up! In 1911 Mr. Merrill penned the words to a song that has been sung by godly men across the globe; a message that calls for men of God to do more than just stand up and shout. It’s a message to rise up and serve, to rise up and give your heart, soul and strength. It’s a message to rise up and serve the King of kings. We sing that men of God are to bring in the day of brotherhood and end what is wrong. As we sing this song we are reminded that the church Christ built is waiting for us to ‘come down off the mountain’ and go to work. As we sing we remember that we are called to follow Christ walking in His footsteps. Notice these verses…

Rise Up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of kings.

Rise Up, O men of God! His kingdom tarries long;
Bring in the day of brotherhood and end the night of wrong.

Rise Up, O men of God! The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequaled to her task. Rise up and make her great!

Lift up the cross of Christ! Tread where His feet have trod;
As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up, O men of God!

In the days of my youth, during the closing session of VBS, we would sing, “Booster, Booster be a Booster! Don’t be grouchy like a rooster (growing up on a farm, take it from me, roosters can be grouchy). Booster, Booster be a Booster and Boost our Bible School!” We left excited and ready for the next day.

Gentlemen, dads, husbands; VBS is over and today is that NEXT DAY. It’s time we do more than just stand up and shout it; let’s rise up and be…Men of God!

1, July 19, 20121, July 21, 2012

Doing Chores…Part One

Having grown up on a farm I can clearly remember when it was time to do the chores. Each day we had some very specific chores.

During the 1970’s in a rural, farming community it was not uncommon for us to have chores that dominated our day. The cow had to be milked and the pigs had to be fed every morning and every evening. The eggs had to be gathered each night. Weeding the garden and cleaning out the animal’s pens was not weird, nor was it punishment, it was our norm. There was no option of ‘skipping out’ on the responsibility to feed the animals and taking care of them. If a chore was shirked and we chose to do something else, the price to pay would be staggering. Our breakfast in the morning consisted of the eggs we gathered the night before. The 2 gallons of milk we collected daily would feed our family of six (four growing boys) daily. The vegetables we grew in the garden would be canned or preserved for the winter months. We did our chores because we knew there would be consequences if we didn’t obey. But we also did our chores because our parents cared for us, and we loved our parents. You see, our chores were important to our survival.

But before we go much further you need to know that with all the animals we had to care for, we never owned sheep. Chickens, cattle, hogs and even an occasional horse or two, but never sheep. And as I understand them, sheep are very precarious when it comes to raising them. Some even say they’re stupid animals. Again, having never raised sheep I’m not speaking from direct experience, but from what sheep farmers and those who raise sheep have told me. Those who tend sheep know that the responsibility to care for them is intensified. Sheep challenge your resolve when it comes to feeding them, watering them and shearing them. Much less keeping them alive.

But have you ever noticed that the Bible calls followers of Christ ‘sheep’? Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you out as SHEEP…” and Matthew 25:33, “and He will put the SHEEP on His right, and the goats on the left…” and Matthew 26:31, “I will strike down the Shepherd, and the SHEEP of the flock will be scattered…” And no doubt you’ll remember the 23rd Psalm as it refers to us as sheep and the Lord as our Shepherd. “The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

There is a connection between doing chores and the idea that we are sheep and Christ is our Shepherd! Perhaps you can see the connection between doing God’s work (doing our chores) and the need to take care of the sheep when you look deeper into God’s Word. From a Biblical point of view, the world is not in the safety of the fold. And God calls His people (the sheep) with the help of the Shepherd (Jesus) to bring a lost people home. (The cattle are out of the pen; there’s a fox in the hen house; there are chores to be done.) Take out your Bible and read I Peter 2:25; “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to your Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”

Next time we’ll see how to make sense of this comparison…being like a sheep, and tending the sheep. There are always chores to be done. We will look at a song (not a surprise) that addresses this responsibility and obligation to work in the fold. Stay tune as we continue to look at ‘doing chores’. Let’s work together.

1, June 29, 20121, June 29, 2012

Area-wide Singing…

Recently a friend of mine shared with me this newspaper article from McNairy County Independent Appeal newspaper in west Tennessee. The article announces a Sunday morning singing in Finger, Tennessee, just south of Henderson, Tennessee. The date of this article is August 15, 1913. Step back in time and read how a small, rural community viewed opportunities to fellowship and worship together…

“Notice: We will sing at Lain’s School House all day the third Sunday in August, 1913. Bring all your song books, and especially your old ones, as we will sing more old songs than new ones. These new songs are cheap stuff anyhow at meetings like these.
An organ will be there, and a trained organist playing it. (this was the Christian church)
We rather see boxes than bottles, baskets than bruises, peace than pistols, worship than war, joy than jugs, beef than beer, knowledge than ‘knuckles’, water than wine, a song feast than a series of fistfights, a manifestation of a spiritual out pour than the laying on of hands of a civil law officer, pies than pipes, mutton than murmuring, rounding of voices in song than the result of vices, good behavior and orderly conduct than bad manners and wretched confusion, there that day. We will begin at 10 a.m.

Remember the date, please, and come prepared to sing and not to talk politics, argue scripture, swap horses, raise the tick quarantine, trade knives, tell big fish tales, opine what the price of cotton will be by Christmas, prophesy for dry weather, inquire into the whereabouts of Dick, Tom and Harry’s missing watermelons, recite Paul’s charge to Timothy, tinker with the tariff, announce the exact age of a mule by looking into said mule’s mouth, or explain what the Good Book meant when it said: ‘One woe is past: and, behold there come two woes more hereafter.’

Several good leaders promised to come.
Let’s have a first class singing.
A stock of new yarns will be disposed of at reduced prices that day.” (the author of this news paper article Hodges, operated a store)

Harvey Hodges

It’s interesting to read from years gone by the simplicity of daily life and the planning that went toward getting the community together to sing. In 1913 our country was a much different place than you and I live in today. Life styles were simple and the concern for what was important took precedence. If we were to step back in time and live a day in the early 1900’s, most of us won’t survive more than a few weeks. Without air conditioning, running water and indoor plumbing there would be little to ‘sing about’. Why did folks in this time period dedicate a full day to singing praises to God? Did they know something we don’t know?

Simply put…we have become too busy to slow down and praise God in song. We are more interested in finding the newest ipad app rather of finding peace in praising God. Our schedules are so full of self that we forget each other. Of course even those in the 1913 had to be reminded to put aside selfish ideas and opinions and focus on the task at hand. It would be interesting to find out how many came to the Lain’s School House on that Sunday morning in August. Then again, if we called for folks to join us THIS coming Sunday…how many do you think would come?

“Come, let us all unite to sing, God is love. Let heaven and earth their praises bring, God is love. Let every soul from sin awake, each in his heart sweet music make, and sing with us for Jesus’ sake, for God is love.” Written in 1849 (54 years before this ‘Tennessee singing’) and published in Millard & Badger’s Hymns, this song reminds us of the importance of coming together and singing. Join us on Sunday!

1, June 27, 20121, June 29, 2012

Securing the Hearts of Our Youth…Part 3

As we conclude this series on ‘Securing the Hearts of Our Youth’, let’s example the third component of mentoring and preparing faithful families. Let’s turn again to examine the three previously mentioned, elements of securing their hearts. I truly believe that each of these will help us in drawing our youth closer to God.

Part 1, focused on the importance of a faithful example. Remember your consistency and faithfulness as you talk with your children, walk through your life and choice your path. Your example, in some cases, will impact people more than you words. Our second component (Part 2) addressed the idea of providing opportunities for involvement in the work of the church. We can include our young people when we give them a chance to work. Remember, if they’re ‘thirsty’ they’ll ‘drink.’

We have talked about the value of a good example and the importance of training and teaching our young people. And though these two methods of preparation are vital and needed to direct our youth, we must never forgot the ‘WHY’ behind it all. For the past 10 years I have taught the college class at our congregation. There has been Sunday mornings when only three (3) students came to class. And then again, there have been Wednesday nights when more than thirty (30) young men and women filled the room. During each class I ask them; “Why? Why are you here? No one is making you come; you are here because you chose to be. Why?” When we can come to understand the reason we attend a Bible study with God’s people is more than just habit, then they will grow closer to seeing the importance of doing more than just going through the motions. As a congregation and as individual families we strive to set the proper example. We focus on training and teaching our young people to serve (men to lead) in the Lord’s church, but our children must come to know why we do what we do.

During the early 1700’s, Isaac Watts at the age of 45, wrote a poem entitled “How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?” The poem, a song many have sung for years, asks the question we set as the pinnacle in exploring our objective; Mentoring Faithful Adults into a Life of Service. How can we safe guard the hearts of our young people for Godly service? Isaac Watt’s doesn’t miss a beat. His answer comes from the second part of Psalm 119:9 “…by keeping it (a young man’s ways) according to Your word.” The song states; “Thy Word the choicest rules imparts to keep the conscience clean.” How else can we, should we, mentor faithful adults if not through the Word of God. The Psalmist continues as he writes in the 119^th Psalm, “With all my heart I have sought You…Your word I have treasured in my heart…with my lips I have told of all the ordinances of your mouth…I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statues; I shall not forget Your word.” Notice the example of seeking God and treasuring His word in our hearts; of mediating on His instruction and delighting (making a priority) of his statutes (the Law of Christ). As we mentor our young people and train them, we’ll teach them how to tell others about the ordinances (the word) of God.

We have a massive obligation to mentor our young people. We need to begin early and continue mentoring often. Our responsibility should never be take lightly. If you still have children at home, focus your attention on bringing them to God…literally. Don’t let culture dictate where they will go and what they will do. Be certain, if you don’t show them that God is first in your life, the world will show they what it holds to be important. And remember mentoring our young adults must start with you, the parent. If you have grown children who are no longer faithful and no longer under your guidance; be sure you have your priorities right and pray for an opportunity to correct any errors from your past. You may still be able to sway them if they a change in your life. If you have no children but want to impact and influence ‘the next generation’, search your heart and be sure you’re focused on Godliness. Seek ways to teach, train and encourage the young adults in your congregation. It’s never too late to secure their hearts and guard their lives from sin. Use God’s word as the light that will guide them through the dangers of the night. Rest assured, God’s Word is everlasting truth and every page of His word is pure! Using the Bible as our foundation in life will guide our young people and, as Isaac Watts wrote, will well support our age.

1, June 26, 20121, June 23, 2012

Securing the Hearts of Our Youth…Part 2

As we consider the importance of ‘securing the hearts of our young people’ for a life of faithful service, let’s continue to investigate the components of this pressing topic. Digging deeper into the question at hand, we turn again to examine the previously mentioned, three basic elements of securing their hearts. Together, I believe that each of these will help us in mentoring our youth.

To review ‘Part 1’, let’s reiterate the importance of a faithful example in mentoring our youth. Consistency and faithfulness on an individual basis is important. But next let’s consider the wisdom in the old saying, ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.’ So if the time of establishing expectations is passed and the individual choice is in place, we have to ask the burning question; “If I can’t make a horse drink the water, what will make a horse drink?” Here in lies the second method of training up and teaching our young people faithfulness. A horse lead to water will drink…when he’s thirsty. An understandable conclusion, but what indeed makes a horse WANT to drink? A thirsty horse is one that has been working. We must provide opportunities and for our young people to get involved in the work of the church. There are vast areas where we expect work to be done around the church building and within the church family. So who will do the work? Often it’s easier to hire out the work to be done (missionaries, janitors, etc.) rather than putting the onus of responsibility on the family.

We live in a modest home in north Dallas with a good size yard on a corner lot. One look around the house and you’ll find we have lots of grass to mow in both the front and back yards. But who will do it? For several years I hired out the work to a local lawn service. They made it look easy and quick (actually they were much quicker than me) and the cost was minimal. But then my oldest boy turned 12. My wife and I quickly realized that the monthly cost for mowing could be put toward a new lawn mower and some yard accessories and then he could work with me mowing the yard. But it wasn’t easy at first. My son had to be trained. There were times I was frustrated and could have simply told him to step aside and let me do it. (Actually, that was said on more than one occasion.) However, if he was to learn to serve the family and ultimately be able to do work in the yard by himself, he had to be taught, trained and provided the opportunity to ‘get involved.’ Let the young, baptized men of your congregation go to work serving. Train them to read scripture and serve on the Lord’s Table. Teach them, as Christ did, how to pray. Show them how they can lead (yes…even the song service). Let the young ladies get involved too. Teach them how to teach in the toddler’s classes. Introduce them to building bulletin boards or even baking unleavened bread. Give them opportunities to be involved and start getting thirty. But you know…training will take time and energy. So ask yourself the question; “Do I really want the help secure the heart of our youth?” If we want our young people to grow into a life of faithful service, we must we willing to do what it takes to mentor them into serving.

How shall the young secure their hearts and guard their lives from sin? Next time we’ll look at the third and most vital of all elements when it comes to preparing our youth. You’ll remember…“Thy word the choicest rules in part…” See you next time!