Word for Life World Ministries – Minute Messages

Someone recently asked me how I control spammers on this site. To go into complete details would probably result in my spam-removal routines being defeated, but  I will say this much: If you’re having trouble with spammers, start by using Askimet. You’ll need a free usage-key, and will have to add it as an accessory, plug-in, or tool – depending on what your blog software calls add-ons. This one add-on alone will help you a lot. Beyond that, just do a Google search for “Best spam prevention for <your program name> +free” The “free” on the end is to find free ones… 🙂 No sense paying if someone is willing to donate one.

Sadly, the only other solution is to make your blog READ-ONLY, as I have. I don’t like it that way, but -every- time I have done so they just took over everything…. maybe sometime that will change. Anyway, I hope this has been helpful.

IF you have an article you’d like to share here (Christian devotional or other feel-good type story) just send them to mailbox99@wordforlife.com – and thank you!       -Mark Magill, webmaster, wordforlife.com

It seems the apostle to the Gentiles had a great concern for the **churches. In II Corinthians 11 Paul lists the hardships he had faced on behalf the gospel. In verse 28 he states “Apart from such external things there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.” In I Thessalonians 3:5 he writes, “For this reason when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that thee tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.” There is his concern for the Galatians churches because of their willingness to embrace a teaching that would destroy their relationship with God. All of this is a reminder that even in the ancient world, the young churches were vulnerable to the schemes of Satan.

We should not be surprised that in our modern world we are beginning to see things some people and churches are beginning to embrace. This is very easy to do because if we want to follow Scripture, we will find ourselves becoming the target of ridicule and disdain. Society is calling on the churches to come into the 21st century in spite of the fact that what is being called acceptable and right is in conflict with what God has spoken.

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This is that time of year when people shake off the restrictions and depression of the winter months. We love spring with its promises of a new beginning and we cannot wait to put the family in the car to get away for some rest and renewal.  Nothing ruins time away like a cell phone. I encourage you to put it on “silent” and at the end of the day check it for messages. Your family deserves your undivided attention. They have shared you for months, even on weekends, now is the time to focus on them.

Be sure you take God with you. He does not interfere with you having a good time. In fact He enjoys watching you have fun. We seem to think at times that God is like a wet blanket that silences all laughter and is a kill joy for all the excitement. How did we ever get to thinking that? I don’t know, but one thing I do know and that is you can have a great time with your heavenly Father present.

Finally, be careful. Be alert when you drive. Let your spouse do some driving as you take in God’s creation. No one back home wants a visit from a police officer bearing sad news. If you are here on Sunday, we would enjoy the presence of your company. Come worship with us Sunday and remember, everyone is welcome here.

Norm Russell, pastor, North Bend, OR USA Church of Christ – nbcoc@hotmail.com

Someone once said that at one time the church was so heavenly it had no earthly value. Now, it is so earthly, it has no heavenly value. I don’t know when those words were spoken, but sometimes it seems that the battle to keep the world out of the church can be terribly overwhelming.

God did not take us out of the world when we became Christians, but He does expect us to be different from what the world has become. We look about us and see the world is in really bad shape. We find evil being called good and good being called evil. To address sin puts the Christian at odds with the majority of society and even opens one up to be called all sorts of names. Sin is still sin. The fact we have been making every effort to eradicate the concept of sin from our culture has not changed the truth that sin is still present.Call it by any name one chooses, and it is still sin.

When Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians, he spent considerable time in laying out the Biblical truthof Jesus Christ. In chapter three he begins with the words “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ,  keep seeking the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above not on the things that are on earth.” We need to have a heavenly mindset that keeps us focused on the eternal. We are to be dead to the practice of immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed which Paul tells us is idolatry. Furthermore we are to put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, and lying. We look at the above things the apostle tells us to rid ourselves of and we all see that it should be a given. But is it? I would like to think it was, but the words spoken by the anonymous speaker who said the church is too earthly, keep coming back to haunt us. Is that person seeing something that is not true, or have we become so accustomed to living here below that we fail to see our own imperfections? Each of us must grapple with how we are perceived in the world.

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Last week we lost one of our church’s members in a logging accident. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and a brother in Christ. He always knew the danger of his occupation. His family also knew that when Leland left for work, he might not come home.

This always brings home to us the reality of the fact that we do not know what will take place on any given day. That is why we need to not procrastinate in matters of grave importance. It is essential we get things right with God. There are no second chances when it comes to eternity. We prepare for the journey daily for it may be that death will come without notice. It is also important that we get things right with one another.

Far too many people have found themselves regretting that they had not taken the time to tell someone how much that person means to them. Your husband, your wife, your kids and your friends want to know how you feel about them. Never assume that they already know. Finally, take that trip you have been wanting to make. Do not wait till you retire.

Leland and his wife did not wait for retirement, they took several trips and enjoyed each of them. Life is short and God wants you to enjoy living. I hope you do. Come worship with us Sunday.

There are geological rumblings taking place on Mount Saint Helens. It is an active volcano in Washington state, USA, which last erupted May 18, 1980 causing massive devastation. Now, the experts have registered numerous quakes but so far have not made any attempt at suggesting when or if the Mountain will blow again. According to a report out of Los Angeles, the San Andreas fault is “Locked Loaded and ready to go.” The reason for this assessment is that the fault has not produced an earthquake in the region since 1857 when there was a quake that measured 7.9. Now, 159 years later, we find ourselves wondering when it will all take place.

These things ought to concern us. The fact that the geologists are unable to give us an answer as to when it will all happen, tells us we need to make some preparations. We need to do that now, not when it all hits as then it will be too late.

When Jesus returned to heaven, there were two angels standing by and they said to the apostles “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven” Acts 1:11. The word is out, Jesus will come again. When will He return? No one knows. Thus it is necessary for you to prepare for His coming. I encourage you to begin now, you wont have time when He comes.

Come worship with us Sunday, and remember: EVERYONE is welcome here. –Norm Russell

In Mark 8, Jesus is recorded feeding four thousand with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. I suppose some might say this is a rather simple miracle that He performed. However you may feel about Jesus, you have to admit that feeding that many people with such a small amount of resources is rather phenomenal. Don’t try it, you will fail.

As He and the disciples were traveling in a boat to Dalmanutha, He told His followers to “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” The disciples were confused and began to discuss among themselves that they had no bread. Jesus was aware of their conversation and it appears He got a little upset with them. He became rather critical of their inability to grasp a truth He had placed before them. They finally got it.

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In 1957, Ford Motor Company introduced an automobile that they dubbed the car of the future. It was named after Henry Ford’s son Edsel. You may remember the car. It had a funny looking front end and some experts said it was way too expensive. It was a manufacturer’s flop. In just two years the vehicle ceased to be made, and Ford lost a lot of money promoting it.If we fast forward about five decades, we find an occasional Edsel at a car show. It is completely restored and is worth considerable amount of money. Don’t you wish you had kept yours?

My wife likes antiques. I must confess that going into an antique store can be a real adventure. Sometimes we find things that I am very familiar with because I grew up using it. Occasionally you find an item that you just simply must have. We have a few of those in our house.

There is one thing that never grows old and is impossible to purchase. Jeremiah the prophet wrote “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning. . .” God’s loving kindness is always available and never ceases to be. Have you sought Him lately?

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

If you’re ever in our neighborhood (North Bend, Oregon USA) please come and worship with us Sunday. EVERYONE is welcome here.

You may recall the song “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” by Andy Williams. It has to do with all of the good things that take place around the Christmas season. One would have a difficult time disputing the truth of that piece of music. I for one enjoy Christmas as much as anyone.

However, I am also greatly excited about Spring. To me this too is a happy time of the year. Winter is past, the sun is shining, grass is turning green, flowers are blooming, and people are coming out of hibernation to greet the season. Their attitudes are changing and there are more smiles and glad hearts. God created the seasons when He created the world in which we live. He knows the human heart and as we greet the new and warm days and nights, let us thank Him for the joy He provides us.

There are those who find this a most enjoyable time and I hope you are one of them. Open your eyes to His creation and marvel at the wonder of it all. Let us not allow the burdens of our world to interfere with our reaping the benefits of God’s handiwork. Stop for a moment give Him thanks, He would appreciate it.  If you’re anywhere near North Bend, Oregon, please come worship with us on any Sunday.

Norm Russell

There is a website called “The Hunger Site” located at http://www.thehungersite.com that provides cups of staple food to those starving in exchange for you clicking on an icon once a day. The sponsors pay for the food in exchange for your click. You don’t get any junk mail. You don’t get any other requests. You just click!

Also on the webpage page, you’ll find other click-to-support pages such as breast cancer research, rain forest preservation, kids AIDS, and a landmine victim site. Yes, even now in 2016, people (and it’s usually children..) are being blown up, maimed, and killed by left-over landmines, IED’s and other war-leftovers as they search for things to sell to make their lives a little better. I usually click on all of them, and  it takes me less than 10 seconds start to finish.  Webmasters: please feature a link to the site on your site’s Favorite Links or other prominent location. The charity has been around for many years and is very responsible.

Thanks –
Mark R. Magill