Word for Life World Ministries – Minute Messages

“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the Lord. This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 (Scripture Focus: Isaiah 66:1-6)

God is not looking for a temple of stone for His dwelling place. He is looking for hearts that are not concerned with the externalities of religion. He wants those who take His Word seriously. Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23).

But what happens when we do not obey His teaching? Does God not love us then? Isn’t it every day (every hour!) that we disobey? When our world constantly presents us with what is spectacular or sensational, those things begin to look more attractive than obedience.

Read the rest »

“Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9

Scripture Focus: Hosea 1:2-11

God gave Hosea a difficult assignment: find a prostitute, marry her and have children with her. God told Hosea his wife would be unfaithful to him and that he must reconcile with her anyway. It must have been a tremendous burden to Hosea.

No one sets a goal of marrying an unfaithful spouse. Yet this was required of Hosea. When betrayal enters the home, families are disgraced, children are devastated, and relationships are damaged. Hosea’s reputation among his fellow prophets must have suffered. What Hosea was commanded to do went against what he knew of God’s will and wisdom.

But God’s purpose was to illustrate how He would have mercy on Israel though they had been unfaithful to Him. So Hosea put aside his own desires and delivered the message as an object lesson to Israel and to hundreds of generations who would read it in the Bible. The lesson has been far-reaching because through the generations we have been that unfaithful wife. Our faithful groom, Jesus, gave everything to reconcile us to Him.

Insight: Many in the bible were asked to do things that seemed counter-intuitive. Some followed God’s plan; some didn’t. Which way will you choose?

Written by “Rev. Michael & Anita Inman” <restoration@embarqmail.com>

Have you ever come across someone who looked at life through rose-colored glasses? This person is an eternal optimist, and nothing negative appears to them as it really is.  I like being around such people and I have a friend who lives up north who is extremely optimistic no matter the situation. In a world where there is so much “bad news,” it is encouraging to find someone who simply sees things differently.  However, is it possible that always looking at life through lenses of optimism a reality?  Ignoring reality hinders us from actively pursuing solutions to our situation.

The nation of Israel was steeped in sin but because the temple was still standing in Jerusalem they believed all was well with God.  However, God through His prophet told them they were foolish thinking that way and He sent them off to live in a foreign land.  Today, many are like Israel, honestly believing that all is well with God, when all is not well.  We need to open up our Bibles and take a serious look at how we measure up to what God has written, and be honest with ourselves. Come worship with us Sunday, and please remember: EVERYONE is welcome here.

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

A small boy stated that when he got older he wanted to wear glasses just like Granny’s. When asked why, he said it was because she could see things others could not see.  She can see good in a person when everyone else can only see the bad.

Smart boy.  How different our world would be if we all saw good in others instead of accentuating that which is negative.  We are in the midst of an election year.  Candidates point out for us all the negatives of their opponent.  Can you imagine how different it would be if we heard one candidate extolling the virtues of another? When God looked down from His heaven after Adam and Eve sinned, He saw good in His creation.

Since that time, God has been attempting to bring man back into a relationship with him.  That was the reason Jesus came, lived among us, died on a cross, was buried and rose on the third day.  He did all of this because God saw good in you and me. Since God was able to see good in you, don’t you think it would be appropriate that you look for good in others?  Go put on a pair of Granny’s glasses and begin seeing the good in your wife, husband, children, job, employer, government, and even your worst enemy.  You will be glad you did. –Norm

The death of *Justice Antonin Scalia has certainly ignited a fire storm.  People are demanding that a new justice be named immediately and others are resisting because we are in an election year.  It seems that politics is going to rule the day.

Someone said recently that when they get to heaven there will be no politicians.  My response was “Thank God.”  One of the great things about living for eternity is that you know no one is going to mess things up in heaven.  There will be no sin, temptation, suffering or campaigns.  What a day it will be when time ceases and God invites His children to join Him.

In the mean time, how should we live?  Although this may seem like a given, it is not. First, we need to get our focus off the here and now.  When we start living for whatever we can accumulate or experience, life will not be fun.  The only way to really get the most out of life is to live for eternity.

(*Article refers to Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court)

In Psalm 19 David speaks concerning the law of God! In the very first verse he speaks of how the heavens declare the glory of God. The next few verses speak of how it shines upon all the earth leaving nothing hidden or unknown! In verses 7-11 he speaks of the things the law of God brings to us–revival, wisdom, joy, enlightenment, righteousness, riches, and warning which brings reward if they are kept! The last verse then says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Pretty well sums up true wisdom from God and the life of the one that accepts and acknowledges God and His word!

Read the rest »

It was Wednesday of this week and I suddenly had a thought.  I went in to the church secretary and asked her “Did I write my weekly column?”  She looked at me, thought for a moment and said “No, but you have time if you do it now.” Being forgetful is not uncommon for most of us.  A forgotten appointment, payment, meeting, or (horrors of horrors) a birthday or anniversary.  I do not know what causes forgetfulness, and there are those who suffer some neurological condition that causes loss of short term memory.

Have you ever wished you could forget some things?  That you could, in some way, erase those things in your past that you are ashamed of?  Thoughts keep coming back to haunt you and you feel terrible.  Did you know that God has the capacity to forget?  There are those who have sought forgiveness from God, and will years later find themselves seeking forgiveness for sins He has already forgiven.  Just because you remember them does not mean God does.  The best part is, you will never have to answer for them. I thank God for His forgetfulness, and I hope you do too.

Norm Russell – http://churchofchristnb.com

The teams that will be playing each other on February 7 have gone through a grueling season to reach the Super Bowl.  This year marks the fiftieth year that the Super Bowl has been played.  I enjoy the game and am always anxious to sit down and watch it.  The other day I allowed my thoughts to meander and I figured if each game lasted three hours and I watched all fifty games then I have spent a total of one hundred fifty hours watching football.  That is equivalent of just over six days!!

This all brings me to the subject of time.  There is probably no more precious commodity for the human being than time.  We protect it, we cherish it, we hoard it.  It has to be extremely important as well as beneficial to us personally before we decide to release some time for some project.  Thus, we continue to hear such phrases as “I don’t have the time,” or “my time is too occupied” and etc. when someone determines their time is about to be imposed on.

God created time and how we use it is up to us.  He gives us each a twenty-four hour block of time.  How much of that do you set aside for His purpose?  If we take time for God, our lives will be blessed and we will be much happier.

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