Biddeford Church of Christ

As Christians, we marvel at all that Christ has done for us through his sufficient work.  The apostle Paul speaks of how we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).  Because of His work on the cross and our belief in Him, we can walk in confidence knowing we “have eternal life” (1^stJohn 5:13).  Now that we have eternal life, God calls us to transformation (Romans 12:2), to be imitators of Him (Ephesians 5:1); which means, He is not done with us.   God wants to equip us “with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen” Hebrews 13:21).  That equipping comes, in large part, through the work of His word. His word makes us “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2^ndTimothy 3:17).

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an

inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

                                                                                                                                           Joshua 1:6

As I think about this, in light of our new theme concerning meditation, my mind draws me to Joshua and the epic story of God’s people taking possession of the Promised Land.  The setting of the verse above is both tragic and inspiring. Sad because Moses has died and will not be able to enter the land of his people, which God was giving them.  Inspiring because God’s promise to His people was right in front of them: they only needed to walk in faith.  Their new leader, Joshua, is urged to be “strong and of good courage.”  If you were to read down through vv1-6, you would find several promises from God.  But God also yearns for His people to listen to His direction, so He exhorts Joshua saying, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it” (Joshua 1:8).  If you were to keep reading, you would find that both prosperity and success were, at least in part, dependent upon this very thing.

I understand, more now than ever before in my walk, that we are not under the law…period.  My performance does not (thankfully) dictate my relationship with God, for Jesus took care of the obstacle that robs one of peace.  Here is a question though, “Does God’s grace displayed in full through Christ, somehow eliminate one’s need to earnestly seek after His ways, His character, His likeness?”  According to 2^nd Peter 1:2-11, that very grace so lovingly offered is supposed to be the reason behind our desire to grow in Christ.

Meditation was a tool which Joshua was encouraged to use to help him and the rest of God’s people, stay on track, enabling them to reach their destination. Christians unshackled from the Old Law through the redemptive work of Christ, like those of old, want to know His will for them as they also journey homeward.  If it was helpful to them, then it will be beneficial to us.  Help us, Lord, as we grow in our understanding of meditating on Your word.

Dennis

With the beginning of the new year, we venture into a new theme that finds its roots in the word meditation.  I have been spending some time thinking about this subject and will admit that this journey is as much a learning opportunity for me as it might be for many of you.  So, where to begin?  I decided to look up the word in the dictionary and found the meaning interesting.  Webster’s New World Dictionary defines meditate as (1) to reflect upon; study; ponder (2) to plan or intend – to think deeply and continuously; reflect; muse.  I took the liberty of highlighting part of the definition because I realized something (I think.); that is, whether we know it or not, we all meditate!  We all often find ourselves thinking continuously about something…right?  More about that in a minute.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and in His law he meditates day and night.

                                                                                                                         Psalm 1:2

The Hebrew word translated “meditates” in this verse means to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse.  Muse simple means to consider something thoughtfully.  Let’s try and connect some dots from the verses surrounding this text.  First, the Psalmist is speaking of someone who is “blessed” (v1).  Why is this person blessed?  Because he or she (1) walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, (2) nor stands in the path of sinners, (3) nor sits in the seat of the scornful: but instead, delights in the law of the Lord.  He or she meditates on it “day and night”; that is, to think about it deeply and continuously.  Although the outcome will be more directly considered in a future lesson, it is noteworthy to take a moment and look at v3, which says, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he (or she) does shall prosper.”  So, let see if I understand this correctly; what we think about continuously plays a significant role in our happiness (blessed) as well as our prosperity.

So, I ask myself this question?  What do I tend to think deeply and continuously about in my daily life?  We think about something…always.  Maybe you worry a bunch, fretting about life. Perhaps your focus is on achievement in life, goals in this world.  Whatever it may be, you are thinking about something.  So, I begin anew to realize why meditating on God’s word “continuously” is so vital to my walk.  It is the “lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105), what we use to bring “every thought into captivity” (2nd Corinthians 10:5), it is what God uses to prepare us for “every good work” (2nd Timothy 3:17).  It is a critical part of our Christian walk, which enables us to prosper.

May our Lord strengthen us this year to be a people who think deeply and continuously upon His word that He might guide and direct us to the glory of His name.

Dennis

Today marks the last Sunday of 2019 and we are blessed to have Angel Velez bring us the lesson today.  This day also marks the close of our study on prayer, setting the stage for our next study entitle, Learning to Love.  As was mentioned a couple Sunday’s ago, each family is being provided with a book (located on the back table).  There are also study booklets provided for each person, simply take one and write your name on it.  Although we will be walking through these study booklets each Sunday, you are encouraged to spend some time during the week preparing for class (should only take 30 minutes or so).  The study booklets are not completed, so periodically I will ask that you leave them so I can insert more material.  It is the hope of the shepherds that we are all blessed as a result of this study.

Today also marks the last day of our theme verse for 2019 which is found in Lamentations 3:22-23.  I have been blessed this year by my thoughts being focused of God’s incredible love for us…for me.  He mercy and faithfulness are at times hard to grasp, only because I try and find them through my own merit.  Being reminded that He loves me fully, even in my lowest state (Romans 5:8), gives me great comfort.  That awareness of His love is at the very core of our next adult bible class.  Hopefully, we can build on some of the things we have been reminded about throughout the year.

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season…

                                                                                 Psalm 1:3

Our new theme, which is found in Psalm 1:1-3, will also play a significant role in helping to build upon the things we have learned.  All of us want to bring “forth fruit in its season” for God.  The question is, “How do we get to that point?”  Well, one of the ideas set forth in Psalm 1:1-3 is the understanding of meditation and its potential role in helping to mature us so we can bring forth that fruit.  Like you, I have a lot of questions regarding this subject.  What role can and should meditation play in our Christian walk?  What does it mean to meditate?  These and other questions will be answered along the way.  Maybe you have a question that you would like answered about it: if so, let me know.

So, how are you going to start your new year?  I hope you can commit yourself to being part of our Sunday morning bible class!  May God continue to richly bless us with all the spiritual blessings found in Christ.

Dennis

For the last couple of weeks, if you listen to the radio at all, you most likely have heard a lot of Christmas songs.  It is a time of year where millions of people, young and old, religious and not so religious, participate in a holiday that seeks to remind the world of an event from over 2000 years ago, when the Word that was God (John 1:1) “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).  For hundreds of years, God’s people spoke of the promise to come, waiting in anticipation for the Messiah.  Isaiah prophesied about it, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).  In our readings today, we look back at that historical day, an event that changed the world, as the redemptive work of God took on bodily form as a baby, ushering in the Savior of the world.

Lenny will be doing our first reading today which is found in Luke 1:1-38.  Our author Luke is tedious with details, wanting to provide “an orderly account” of things (Luke 1:3).  So, the story begins not with Jesus; but instead, John the Baptist’s birth.  As you read about it, you realize that his birth, John’s that is, was equally a miracle, especially in the eyes of Zacharias and Elizabeth.  John’s arrival was with a purpose, which was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).  It was only six short months later that Mary would hear these words, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus” (Luke 1:31) and “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  And so it is, “with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

The second reading, Luke 1:39-80, will be read by Angel.  As the story of Jesus unfolds, we see both Elizabeth (pregnant with John) and Mary (pregnant with Jesus) visit together.  When Mary greeted her, “the babe leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:41).  Elizabeth, overjoyed by Mary’s presence, says, “But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43).  Mary herself is overwhelmed with what God is doing through her, “My soul magnifies the Lord” she says (Luke 1:46).  Mary visited for three months, then returns to her home, while Elizabeth gives birth to John.  His father, Zacharias, a priest who worked in the temple, has been mute since the announcement of God’s promise that he would have a son (Luke 1:20).  His mouth was opened when he said the child name would be John, prophesying about the child to come (Jesus) and his son who “will be called the prophet of the Highest” (Luke 1:76).

Our third and final reading is found in Luke 2:1-40 and will be read by Matthew.  God masterfully orchestrates His plan and Jesus is born in the humblest of places, laying Him in the manger (Luke 2:7).  The familiar scene continues, as we read of the shepherds in the fields and the announcement from the angel of the Lord, “For there is born to you this day in city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).  Jesus is soon presented in the temple for circumcision where Simeon announces, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace…for my eyes have seen Your salvation” (Luke 2:29-30).  Anna, an eighty-four-year-old prophetess who also gave thanks to the Lord because of Jesus.  Before Jesus was able to utter a single word, He was bringing hope and joy to God’s people.   Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her king!  For to us, sinful man, a Savior is born.  Have a blessed holiday.

Dennis

Okay, if you are my age, that title sounds familiar.  It is a title of a song sung by the Bee Gees, and yes, I will admit that they were my favorite group in the day.  It does present a question of sorts that is the reason for our next Sunday morning bible class that is formatted from Willard Tate’s book, Learning to Love.

Everyone is brought up in an environment that established for them some understanding of what love is and is not, whether it be good or bad.  That understanding then becomes the foundation of reasoning that motivates him or her to love others. It also defines how we will express that love.  This thought may sound like a bunch of psychobabble, but I encourage you to hang in there a moment and consider the following.

We read over and over again in our bibles the call for us to love God, our enemies, our spouses, the church, and the list can go further.  We read that “the love of Christ” is what should “compel us” (2^nd Corinthians 5:14).  The bible assures us that “there is no fear in love” (1^st John 4:18), so why are so many held captive to the uncertainty of life?  If our perception of love: that is, what it means, how God loves us, how we are to in turn love others, is at the very core of our Christian walk, it begs the question, “How deep is your love?”  By deep, I am not asking about whether we love, but rather, what we understand about it and how that understanding impacts how I experience it and share it with others.

So, at the beginning of the year we will start our new class and here is what you to expect.  1^st – Every family will receive a book, and we will walk through the book in bible class each Sunday morning.  We will ask you to read the book, consider the questions at the end of each chapter, which we may or may not use in class.  It is important to note that we will not cover a section each week; but rather, allow the discussion (or lack thereof) to determine our pace.  As a suggestion, because the chapters are short, it may be worth sitting down as a family and reading it together.  2^nd – Each participant in the class will receive a study booklet.  I am in the process of developing the material, so when you first receive yours, it will not be complete.  You can begin to work through the content at home, enabling us to have a more enhanced discussion in class.

What is the objective of all this?  It is simple to help us grow in our understanding of God’s love.  The better we understand how we are loved and how we are to love, the better we can shine the light of Christ.  I encourage you to make time for this class.  May God bless it to the glory of His name.

Dennis

If there is one thing I have learned about the Christian walk, it is this:  I can’t travel this road alone.  A bible verse that echoes in my mind which reveals this truth is a familiar one to many of us: “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”  Still, another verse that speaks to our need for mutual companionship is Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”  The simple truth is, we need each other, a thought that flies in the face of our influential, independent culture.  Having our bibles filled with those “one another” verses helps us realize how much of a gift we can be to each other.  We are intended to be a gift to one another, and if you’re wondering how that might happen, here is a simple and powerful way…encouragement.

There is an old Japanese proverb that says, “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”  Sounds good, right?  Yet, I know after a while, the “getting up” part becomes harder because I am distracted by my failures.  It is here where the voice of another can make all the difference in the world.  As one person writes, “A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.”  God urges us to “encourage one another daily” (NIV, 1984) in Hebrews 3:12.  Why is encouragement so important?  Let’s go back to Hebrews 3:12.: We learn from this verse that each day can bring about the possible “hardening through the deceitfulness of sin.”  So, we can help one another from getting a hard heart towards God.  That, in itself, is a beautiful gift.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what

is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

                                                                                                                                    Ephesians 4:29

Why is encouragement so important?  Simple, words are powerful!  God wants them to be used for “edification,” or as the NCV says, “When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.”  I saw something anew when reading this verse; that is, one must be involved with another on some level if they are going to understand their need and thus be a source (i.e., gift) of strength and encouragement for them.  This gift of encouragement can help someone through life and its adversities.   There is another good reason to give this gift.

I think you would agree, there can never be too much encouragement.  If I were to be honest, it is one of the things I often crave from others, because this life can, at times, seem overwhelming.  Maybe this is why God yearns for us to grow in the grace of encouragement.  1st Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  Why seek to encourage?  Because it is a gift, we can all give and the only cost is a little time, along with a loving heart that seeks to help another in their journey heavenward.  So, who is going to receive your gift this day!

Dennis

With the holiday season now upon us, it is an exciting time for many as family and friends come together to share old memories and create new ones.  That being said, this very season also brings a heightened level of anxiety and depression.  Consider the following: In a survey, some 38% of people said their stress level increased during the holiday season, with the top stressors being lack of time, lack of money, gift-giving and family gatherings.  As Christians, we are not immune to these genuine and often debilitating thoughts.  Without over-simplifying things, what are some things we can learn from God’s word to help combat such things?  Or, as one person shared with me recently, what tool can we put in our tool belt to help us on our way?

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

                                                                                                                             Philippians 4:6

Are you kidding me?!  I know, this verse can cause such turmoil in the minds of Christians.  What does the word anxious mean?  It means to be troubled with cares.  It is also used in Luke 10:41 by Jesus. He reasons with Martha saying, “you are worried and troubled about many things.”  Those “many things” resulted in her being “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40).   So, anxiousness is an inner thought that causes us to be distracted.  Such distractions tend to cause uneasiness, which in turn, rob us of a sense of peace.  Prayer provides a means in which we can seek anew His peace, a peace that “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:6).

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true…meditate on these things.

                                                                           Philippians 4:8-9

With prayer as one tool to use to fight against anxiousness, we consider another which is equally effective, but more than likely seldom used.  It may not even be in our tool belt.  What is it?  Meditation.  What is meditation?  Well, the KJV uses the words “think on” to try and help us understand.  The Greek word means to consider, take account, weigh.  Let’s examine the idea of anxiety; that is, it is a state of mind where we find ourselves thinking about a particular concern for a period of time.  So, meditation is a redirecting of what we are focusing on; that is, what we are thinking.  Paul lists some options that we can use to help refocus and ease our anxiousness: noble things, just things, pure things, lovely things, things of good report, praiseworthy things.  When we seek His strength to help change our focus, the “peace of God will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

May our Lord and Savior give you strength this year to grasp the true peace that can be ours through His amazing love for us.  If you find yourself troubled in heart today, may His grace comfort you.  Maybe these tools can help empower you to fight against the holiday blues.  God bless us all this holiday season.

Dennis