Word for Life World Ministries – Minute Messages

A good friend is someone who will stand up for you when others try to knock you down. A true friend will deny every lie, refute every doubt, and reject every curse. A courageous companion will uphold the credibility of one’s true character and choices. In times of uncertainty, a friend in the Lord will testify before others your faith and obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. A friend sticks by you during the transformation process of becoming more and more like Christ, and does not waver when one experiences ups and downs during the maturing process. A friend does not live in fear but holds firmly to the truth of the power of the Holy Spirit to bring full redemption and salvation in and through the life of the follower.

Without a doubt, Paul’s faith, life, and writings have had an overwhelming impact on the spread of the gospel. His presentation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ continues to be a model and tool for how the kingdom is taking root today. But let us not forget his good friend Barnabas. When people were afraid of the “new” Christian Paul, Barnabas defended Paul’s confession and conversion to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. When the believers feared accepting this persecutor of Christians, Barnabas testified how the Lord transformed him into a preacher of the gospel. “He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord spoke to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27). Barnabas was a good friend who stood up for Paul and had assurance in the redemptive work of Christ in Paul’s life.

“Praise the Lord for friends in the faith. Thank you for friends who stand with us in our faith, they love us even when we fail and when others have doubts about us. Thank you for friends who do not give up on us during the transformation process of the gospel working through us. Thank you for friends who will rescue us when we get off the right path. May we be as good of a friend as others have been to us.”

AMEN
Bryan Johnston

It is difficult at times to know when it is time to go. There have been CEOs who have hung on when it was obvious that their talent for that particular company has run its course. Middle managers are often caught in a squeeze between down sizing and expediency. Even preachers sometimes have difficulty knowing when their time has come.

My time has come and I cannot be more at peace with that. For several months I prayed that God would bless this church I have served with what would be best. He has answered that prayer and I am confident that the future will be an exciting time. The new preacher, Bryan Johnston, [began his work here] Sunday September 18th. He and his wife Leah are no strangers to our community. He served this church for six years as a youth minister. We were blessed to have them then and we are blessed that they are returning.

I hope all of you who read this will take the time to get acquainted with them. Let me say that those of you who wrote me cards expressing your thanks for this column, “thank you.” You made writing them more joyful. I pray I will get to meet you in person. May God bless each of you.

–Norm Russell

(Editor’s Note: Norm and his wife Dee Ann have been serving the church for 27 years!  Although there will be no more new Minute Messages, we have saved up a collection of the last 10 years of them (thanks to secretary Karen!) and will be publishing them online as time allows – so be sure to watch for them both here, on the church website at http://churchofchristnb.com and on my home site at http://wordforlife.com/blog

The two words that make up the title of this article are very powerful when used often. When someone does something for you, it should be second nature to say “Thank You.” Recently a neighbor went next door to help an elderly man unload his car of some heavy blocks. When they were finished the man said “Thank you, now I need to do something for you.”  His neighbor replied “You already have, you said thank you.”

I have at times done things for others and never heard the words “thank you” uttered.  But, I am sure that there have been times when I have not said those words myself.  (I would be embarrassed if I had done that.) Jesus was always coming in contact with those who needed something.  It was mostly people who were suffering and wanted to be healed.  The Bible is replete with Jesus responding to those needs, not because He had to, but because He felt compassion for them.  On one occasion He healed ten lepers.  He told them to go show themselves to the priests.  One, a foreigner, when he saw he was healed, returned and gave thanks to Jesus for his healing.  Jesus’ response was, “Were there not ten who were healed?  Where are the nine?”

We need to be thankful always.  But more importantly, it just might be good if we told God “Thank You.” Come worship with us Sunday, and remember: EVERYONE is welcome here.

Norm Russell – http://www.churchofchristnb.com

Yesterday, August 20, our church opened the doors to anyone needing free clothes. We wanted everyone who came to take as much as they wished. This ministry was born out of a recognition that many in our community were not able to provide for their family. It has grown because of great people who had a heart to help others.

We have received clothing from all around the county and some of it is new. We have been doing this for a number of years and feel blessed that someone was encouraged and lifted up. I know it has been difficult economically in our county. People have been talking about how we have emerged from the recession and that people are finding jobs and buying new homes. However, it appears we have been left behind. There are some good signs appearing on the horizon, but we are still struggling.
God has called us to be sensitive to those who could use some assistance, and that is what we are trying to do. I pray you will come see us. Feel free to also come and worship with us Sunday. We have Bible study at 9:30 AM, worship at 10:30 AM, evening study at 6 PM. You’re always welcome here.

–Norm Russell — http://churchofchristnb.com

(Editor’s Note: This message is being posted on Sunday, the day after – and reports are that the event was heavily attended as it has been each year – indicating the need hasn’t lessened at all. We hold two of these special event giveaways each year, and spend months gathering  new or gently used clothing beforehand. Every year, 500+ people attend. It’s not uncommon to see people lined up hours in advance of the giveaway – so if your church of civic group can do this too, I encourage you to do so. –Mark Magill, webmaster)

To say that our nation is in financial trouble is to state the obvious. Being twenty trillion in debt does not seem to bother most folks because they do not see it as their problem. They see it as the governments problem. However, we are the government. Thus it is our problem.

We may not be able to do much about the national debt, we can do something about our own use of money. That which we have is placed in our care and we are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. I want each of us to take a serious look at ourselves and to honestly consider how we are doing in our stewardship.

This is not a condemnation of anyone, as I am not God and know nothing of your finances or how you use it. But, we can look inward and ask ourselves “how am I doing with what God has given me?” Consider the following. First, when is enough, enough? We live in a world that promotes accumulating. Did you know that storage sheds came into being only recently. In the Coos Bay area alone there are about 20 storage companies.

There are probably enough storage sheds for everyone to have one. But, we return to the question. When is enough, enough? Everyone must come to their own conclusion regarding how much they feel is necessary to make life simple. The simplest way to answer the question is to ask yourself “Do I need this, or do I just want it?” Only you can answer that.

Secondly, what are our priorities? What is it that is most important to us? God must come first. This is not optional. When we say God, we are talking about spiritual matters. Unfortunately there have been some who have allowed themselves to become so burdened with debt, they cannot find room in their budget for God.

Finally, avoid pursuing wealth. Paul wrote “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root for all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10. I have nothing more to add, except I have witnessed Paul’s words lived out and the consequences have been devastating.

May God bless you as you consider how you might improve your stewardship.

Norm Russell – http://churchofchristnb.com

Everyone wonders at times how people seem to get away with so much. They seem to be above the law and it is not unusual for them to have hundreds of supporters, even worshipers. We have even witnessed this with organized crime figures. They are even given hero status even though they are so crooked and dishonest.

When Moses spoke to Israel prior to his death, he informed the tribes who chose to remain on the eastern side of the Jordan, that they were to give aid to the nation in their upcoming campaign to drive out the people living in the promised land. He then said “if you will not do so, behold your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)

That warning has been proven throughout history. I think of such individuals as David, Solomon, Judas, and a host of others. People do not get away with anything. There is a God in heaven who is aware of every sin and every cover up. We can point to sports figures, and politicians and, even some preachers, who had committed sin and attempted to cover it up, only to have it exposed later.

I cannot do anything about those who insist on doing what they do, but God can and will. My responsibility is to take care of myself.

Please: Come and worship with us Sunday. And remember: EVERYONE is welcome here.

–Norm Russell — http://churchofchristnb.com

Which Way to Heaven?

Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy had told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, “If you’ll come to the Baptist Church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to heaven.”

The boy replied, “I don’t think I’ll be there… You don’t even know your way to the post office.”

This poem by Delores Stowe of Coos Bay, Oregon USA was written in 1996 shortly before she died of cancer. She gave us permission to share it on the web. It is humbling to know that she wrote this knowing that the end of her life was very near…
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His Presence – by Delores Stowe

In the presence of the Master
There I find myself at peace.
All the sad and false illusions
Find there death beneath His feet.
So I’ll always seek His presence
When this world sends forth its call,
For I know He’ll always answer
“Lo, I’m here, you cannot fall!”
So through this world, as I travel
With perfect faith in Him my guide
I’ll seek to help all others
Who wish to journey at His side.
I’ll be a channel for His glory
A servant of the God on high,
Until He calls me home again
To my rest beyond the skies.

Copyright 1996 Delores V. Stowe, used by permission