Word for Life World Ministries – Minute Messages

Anyone who has heard me preach knows that I make a distinction between being a Christian and being a disciple. The term “Christian” has been so corrupted by a thoughtless society, that the real meaning is no longer applicable.

The word Christian was formed after the Roman style, signifying an adherent of Jesus. It is found three times in Scripture Acts 11:26; 26:28 and I Peter 4:16. This was not considered to be a favorable term. Tacitus, a Roman historian wrote at the end of the first century “The vulgar call them Christians. The author or origin of this denomination, Christus, had in the reign of Tiberius, been executed by the Procurator, Pontius Pilate.” It was not until the second century that the term Christian was embraced as a title of honor. But what of being a disciple of Jesus? Discipleship is what we strive for. But, would we know what being a disciple of Jesus is about? Would we know a disciple if we saw one? Let me suggest some characteristics of what a disciple is:
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Advice is readily available to anyone who is searching for some counsel on any given subject. You need medical advise, or some answers to legal questions, or marriage counsel, just go to your next door neighbor or to a good friend and you will receive it all for free. Whether you wish to follow their expert advise is another thing entirely.

The same is true in matters of faith. O There are a host of experts out there who are convinced they know all the answers about God, scripture and eternity. Frankly I would not want to trust my eternal destiny to any human. They do not have all the answers. I will even go so far as to say that those who stand before their congregations every Sunday do not have all the answers. And, do not trust your eternity with them either.

There is only one source for answers, and that is God. He has given us His Bible to tell us where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. He has explained to us that Jesus Christ is the answer to our question about that which matters most in life. I encourage you to open your Bible and let God give you the right counsel. You can trust Him.

Come worship with us Sunday.

Norm Russell

Is anybody telling us the truth? We have people who we trusted letting us down. The president and many of our politicians have broken trust. Now we find a popular news anchor who has been caught telling us things that did not happen. He is not the first to do so and he may not be the last. But some folks are now wondering if they could trust those in the newsroom.

It is a sad commentary on those who we have thought were trustworthy when the public says, “You cannot believe a word ________ (you fill in the blank) says.” Is it simply easier to be dishonest than it is to be truthful? When we say something that is not honest and then have to retract it, our credibility is lost and our character has been compromised. The news anchor will always be remembered for the scandal just as a couple of others will be who attempted to slant the news to fit their agenda.

God has called us to be honest in every aspect of life. We make choices. We can choose to be honest and upright or we can go the opposite direction. There are consequences with either choice. It matters little about others, what does matter is you. Do you tell the truth? Come worship with us Sunday.

Norm Russell, North Bend Oregon USA Church of Christ – http://churchofchristnb.com

I suppose I could complain
About how tough my life can be
About how I’ve been done wrong and hurt
About all those who were mean to me

On July 4th of this year, the United States of America celebrated its 240th birthday. We have come a long way since Plymouth Rock and the Pilgrims. It has been an exciting journey, filled with great accomplishments. Consider the fact that our means of travel has gone from walking to jet airplanes. We have gone from the mountain to the moon. Communication has gone from pony express to the internet. Telephones have become so advanced you can carry nearly all you need in your shirt pocket or purse. Truly, our nation has become a country that has tapped into the human imagination and who knows where it will be in a few more years of technology.

Unfortunately, the news media has made it their lot in life to show all the negative that exists. They have exposed political corruption, injustices, theft, mayhem and chaos. Negativity seems to sell. It seems as though those who engage in all of this ungodliness, are getting away with it. We could do, as our member Steve Rose encouraged us one Sunday, “just stop watching it!” That is no doubt something that would be helpful if you find yourself being drug down. But, whether you watch it (the news) or not, I want to suggest you do as Paul instructed in I Timothy 2:1-8. He said in verses 1-4 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all men. For kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” The apostle also wrote in Romans 13 that we are to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are established by God. (13:1)

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Beware

He was an excellent professor. He knew his subject well and the students and faculty admired him greatly. When the university president resigned, the board believed that instead of going outside the institution, they should offer the position to this outstanding teacher. During a routine background check of his credentials, no evidence of this man ever receiving a degree could be found. In fact, there was no record of him ever going to college. When he was asked about the problem, the man told the board he would return in a few minutes with everything they needed. He never came back.

The professor was not the first to claim to be something he wasn’t. There have been surgeons who have practiced medicine on unsuspecting patients and lawyers who have represented clients in a courtroom, neither having the credentials necessary to carry out their duties.

In religious circles, there have been individuals who claimed to be the Messiah but were frauds. There have been those who spoke of having special revelations, even saying “God told me . . .” only to find their special revelations, more often than not, were for the purpose of lining their pockets. Beware of the con artists. Read your Bible. God will not let you down.

Come worship with us Sunday

Norm Russell – North Bend (Oregon, USA) Church of Christ – http://churchofchristnb.com

Editor’s note: “Freedom” – is a message Norm wrote nearly 20 years ago. It’s still as true now as it was then…

July is always a fun time of the year. American celebrates its birth and we are impressed with all the celebration’s events. It was [240] years ago that we case off the shackles of oppression from a foreign monarch. America is free and we are glad. Patriotism, flag-waving and speeches all make this a memorable moment.

Freedom does not come without cost. Just a few short days ago we were reminded of how might the price can be. Several were killed in a bomb blast in Saudi Arabia. Loved ones back home were stunned when the news of their father, brother, husband or other relative was tragically taken from them.

With freedom comes responsibility. Unfortunately, in many cases freedom has become the altar upon which responsibility has been sacrificed. The freedom to choose has become the right to kill our unborn. The freedom of speech has become the right to spread vulgarity in music and on the screen. The freedom of the press has become the right to print indecent literature. Someday, I pray, we will see what we have done and turn around.   In spite of our disappointments and the abuses we have witnessed, I’m still glad I live where I do. America is still a good nation and we continue to pray for her.

Norm Russell
http://churchofchristnb.com (nbcoc@hotmail.com)

The other day I was reading a piece in preparation for the lesson on Sunday and I noticed that the author had injected some error in his writings regarding God’s sovereignty. He referred to a passage that at face value appeared to support his position. However after further examination it was obvious he failed to keep the passage in its context.

Many books have been written on how to study the Bible, and they are extremely helpful to the student who reads and wrestles with what God has said. I am thankful that people read their Bible and I wish more did so. Having said that, always remember to keep a passage in its context. Failure to do that will create enormous problems for you.

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The other day my wife was working on a dress of our granddaughter’s. It is a nice garment and some alterations were necessary. As she labored over her sewing machine, it struck me that she was engaged in a rapidly disappearing art. She learned to sew in, what was known then, home etc. It was a class to teach the kids (mostly all girls) about how to be a self-reliant home maker.

There are a number of skills that are being lost today. Some are fading out because technology has replaced it. Some because there is no longer a use for them and still others, because we have become so affluent there is no need for them any longer, or we do not have the time.

But, there is something that will never fade away and that is our need for God. There are attempts being made to totally remove God from every facet of life in America. The result is our sinking into barbarism. We have abortions totaling some 58,586,256 from 1973-2012. Shootings have escalated, single parent homes, and a host of other issues. All this is a reminder that when a nation turns inward and away from God, chaos erupts. Let’s put God back in our lives, and we will marvel at how God can change things.

Norm Russell,  http://www.churchofchristnb.com – email: nbcoc@hotmail.com