Word for Life World Ministries – Minute Messages

If God had a face, how would it look?
Like a majestic mountain or a babbling brook?
Would it be sweet and mild as a Child?
Or old and wise with a strength in the eyes?
Would God have a smile to shine on the Earth?
And laugh to awaken the heart to new birth?
Would He see only the best in You and in Me?
Would God’s face be black, red, yellow or white?
Would God’s eyes light up the dark lonely night?
If God had a face, how would it be?
When I look at you, it is Him I see.

(Author Unknown to us)

” A lady went to the Pastor of her church and said, “I won’t be attending Church anymore.” He said, “May I ask why?” She said, “I see people on their cell phones texting and typing during the service, some are gossiping, some just aren’t living right, some are sleeping, some are staring at me, they are all just hypocrites.”

The Pastor was silent. Then he said, “Can I ask you to do something for me before you make your final decision?” She said, “Sure, what’s that?” He said, “Take a glass of water and walk around the church two times and don’t let any water fall out of the glass.” She said, “Yes I can do that!” She went and got the glass of water and walked around the church two times. She came back and said proudly, “It’s done.”

The pastor asked her these questions; “Did you see anybody on their phone?; Did you see anybody gossiping?; Was anybody living wrong?; Did you see anyone sleeping?” She said, “I didn’t see anything because I was so focused on this glass, so the water wouldn’t spill out” He told her, “When you come to church , you should be just that focused on God , so that you don’t fall. That’s why Jesus said, ‘Follow Me’, He did not say follow Christians.” Don’t let your relationship with God be determined by how others relate with God. Let it be determined by how focused you are with God. (Author Unknown)

[Many years ago] I went back to the place of my birth to celebrate my sister’s 70th birthday with her. It was fun being with family once again. As we toured the community, we discussed how things were different today than they were when we were growing up. Places of business had closed, streets have been changed and the atmosphere even seemed to be different.

What is it about returning to what was once home that makes it so difficult for some and euphoric for others? It all has to do with our ability to remember. memories have a way of crowding in on us. Sometimes they produce a smile and warm feelings. At other times we would just as soon forget them. We cannot be selective when it comes to remembering things. They are recorded forever in our minds and to simply forget something that we experienced in the past is not possible.

However, we can do something with those memories, even bad ones. We can learn from them. They can be stepping stones to a better you. You can determine not to pass on those unpleasant experiences to your children. You can also take those memories that are valuable and teach them to the next generation.

God has given you a memory, use it to bring glory and honor to Him as well as being a blessing to others.

Come see us Sunday. –Norm Russell

It has been my experience in dealing with parents and kids. that often parents want to be so helpful to their children that they do more harm than good. A little child will never learn to walk if the mother or father carries it all the time. Neither will an individual learn to accept the consequences of his/her action if the parents continue to bail them out every time they get into some trouble.

Interrupting the cause and effect process can have some serious consequences A caterpillar struggles to get out of its cocoon and in so doing strengthens itself so it might fly . So to, when someone is locked into a difficult situation that individual emerges much stronger and the next time a problem arises, they will be able to deal with it. But not so if someone bails them out all the time.

That is the beauty of struggling. We may not like the situation and would wish for an easy way out, but having to deal with problems strengthens us emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Even God allows His people to struggle with life. It results in a stronger faith in Him, and it will make us appreciate heaven even more. So parents, don’t interrupt consequences. There is value in them.

Norman Russell
(Originally published 7.24.99

The editors of Reader’s Digest once decided to do an unscientific survey. The purpose was to examine how honest people were around the world. In the an issue of their magazine, they listed their findings. The magazine editors purposely lost 1100 wallets, each containing $50 in local currency. Each had a name and a phone number so that the finder could call the owners. All told, 44 percent of the wallets were never returned.

How would you have responded if you found a wallet containing $50 and a phone number you could call to return it? Two stories struck me in the article. One woman in Switzerland, well dressed, with a young girl, saw the wallet and pocketed her find with the young girl watching. What do you think she was teaching the youngster she had with her? The other was of a man from Canada who turned in the lost item. It seems the wallet was located in a phone booth, down low. He assumed it was lost by someone in a wheelchair. He felt they needed the money more than he. Maybe so, but before returning the wallet, he was searching for cans and bottles to recycle for cash. His values are in place. How about yours? –Norm Russell

GLORY/PRESENCE
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the
glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall
arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon
thee.” (Isa. 60:1-2)

What is this “glory of the Lord”? It’s the evidence of his Presence. It’s ALL of his goodness (see Ex. 33: 19). It’s his weight (a root word in Hebrew) — that is, all of his weightiness, mightiness, splendor, and full
personality.
If one counts up the stories in the Bible, Jesus seems to have spent nearly eighty percent of his time here on Earth in healing those who needed help. Isaiah looks forward to an event Christians sometimes call “the Second Coming of Christ”. This passage of Scripture gives us great hope that one of the signs of God’s glory our generation will see, is healings.
For we see how dark it’s getting in the world. But Christians with waiting hearts say the Lord’s brightness is getting stronger. (“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound…” Rom. 5:20)
Many believe our generation is living in the “last days” before Christ’s return, and that in this time, there will be a great outpouring of
miracles.
In every generation, God brings forth persons who become willing containers (vessels), emptied entirely of self, and completely filled with him. That’s why we go through the fire (trials). To be cleaned and ready for God’s glory to fall upon us. That we may walk in darkness no more! For we belong to him, who is the Light.

Written by the late Marilee Miller of Coquille, Oregon USA

Thank you for choosing to join us this morning along your journey of life. It is great to have travelling companions as we follow in the steps of Jesus. Look around and notice all the beautiful children of God created to reflect God’s image. Take time to rejoice with all the believers who have faith in Jesus. Count it all joy those with whom we call our church family.

Randy Harris writes in his book Life Work, “Sometimes in our theology we have tended to emphasize the destination as if the trip didn’t matter. But most of the Bible is not about the destination, it’s about the trip. This business of peace is not about so much going to heaven, it’s about what we’ re doing on our way there because the trip is very, very important.” How is your trip going? What are you busy with as you go along each day? What are your thoughts when you first get up and when you lie down? What are you talking about when you sit at home or when you walk along the road? How would you assess your life? Does your daily journey include walking and talking with Jesus? Is your life defined by peace in your home, your marriage, your friendships, your work place?

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GOD’s PHONE NUMBER: (By Norm Russell) I am amazed at the technology that brought us the cell phone. That little invention that came into being a few short decades ago can now be used for any number of things. In my Bible class, people pull out their phones and can access the complete Bible in a matter of a few seconds. You can use it as a G.P.S. enabling you to find various locations. You can get the local weather report and even access your checking account. It appears you can do just anything with it. You can even be connected to whomever 24/7. We have definitely come a long way since the brick.

Jesus taught us in no uncertain terms that everything that comes out of our mouths must (not “should be”) be worthy of someone else to  hear. He was very specific about this — He did not mean “some of the time” or “most of the time,” He meant ALL OF THE TIME. This is something that I believe just about all Christians struggle with – myself included. I’m prone to outbursts totally unworthy of my calling sometimes, and language that is not befitting a member of the Lord’s church. I can admit that – and hope and pray to fix it – because I know that for as long as I live and breathe God will continue to help me do better as long as I TRY to do better.

“PURE SPEECH” (a sermon in MP3 by Bryan Johnston) is based on Ephesians 4:17-5:20, where we are taught that in Christ we are to put off the old self and put on the new. We are to stay sensitive and soft to the impurities around us. There should be no hidden sins treasured in our hearts. Our speech should be pure so put off falsehood, do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, get rid of all unkind language, there should not be even a hint of impurity, and do not partner those who are disobedient. Be kind, forgiving, and give praise with your words. Make the most of every word. (37 minutes, file size 8.9 MB) I would like to invite you to listen to it, its only about 37 minutes long and very inspirational. Its free of charge (as are all of the resources on our websites) and you’re free to share, broadcast, or use it in any other way that glorifies God. Here’s the details (below) of how to get it:

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[Editor’s Note: I suspect that MANY of us could have written this same letter about OUR mothers. Bryan is the pastor of the Church of Christ in North Bend, Oregon USA and shares this article he wrote in today’s church bulletin:]

“What has your Mom meant to you in your life? I pray every mom will be blessed and encouraged today for the love, care, and nurture they have given. I share this blessing I wrote to my mother with you this morning.

“Thank you, Mom, for being strong and beautiful. You have always encouraged me and have always believed in me. You provided strength and support for every goal that I pursued. You are a strong foundation and a soft place to land. You created a home that served as a refuge and a retreat from the pressures of the world, both inside and out. Our home was a house of rest and refueling. The core of your heart for God was the pillar of our lives. Your love for the Lord was expressed in your every act of service and sacrifice. Your love for others was a model of true living. Your compassion for the marginalized and the outcast was a testimony of your faith in Christ.

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