Jesus Practices Preventive Medicine

"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray." John 16:1
 

Jesus spoke these words to his apostles who were about to witness the crucifixion.  But don't they still apply today!  It is possible to go astray, thus God has given us the words of life to protect us from that danger.  We must respect both the danger and the preventitive remedy.

Memorial Day in Helena

Every Sunday the Helena church of Christ meets to remember the death of Jesus for our sins and his triumphant resurrection.  This Sunday will be no different.  Check out www.helenachurch.org for our assembly times.

Dr. Dickey's "Isms" on www.helenachurch.org

You can stream or download the lessons presented by Dr. Thaxter Dickey on www.helenachurch.org.

Love and Obedience

John 14:30-31 "I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
 
The crucifixion proved Jesus' total obedience to the Father beyond any doubt.  In agreement with what Jesus said earlier, this obedience proved his love for the Father.  If we love Jesus we will do what he says, just like he did what the Father said.  The formula is really that simple.  When we disobey, we know that our love is not yet perfect.  So, we press on, and endeavor to grow more in faith and love.  And we could look to Jesus as the perfect example of both.

World ending tomorrow...last chance to invite someone to church

Our meeting with Thaxter Dickey starts Sunday, May 22.  But the world is ending tomorrow so today is your last chance to invite someone to church.  For more info about Brother Dickey's topics send your friends to our website: www.helenachurch.org.

The "Isms" that Control Us

Thaxter Dickey will present special lessons next week, May 22-25 on The "Isms" That Attempt to Control Us.  Mon-Wed at 7 PM. Some of the topics are: "Humanism," "Feminism," "Selfism."  See www.helenachurch.org for more info.  Hope to see you there.

Think Smaller

Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."  Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me?" John 13:37-38a   Peter had things turned around.  He thought he could preserve God's plan by laying down his life for Jesus.  No doubt he wanted Jesus to be the triumphant Messiah.  But Jesus knew the plan would work another way...he must lay down his life for everyone.  It is easy to be distracted by what we think the plan should be; even grandiose ideas of significant acts of service.  Although it is possible that we will be privileged to do something "great" for the kingdom, it is probably much better to focus on the many smaller things we can do each day.

Win at all costs

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
John 12:9-11

Familiarity with the gospel story makes threats against Jesus' life seem rather ordinary.  But when we read that the leaders wanted to kill Lazarus, also, we get a sense of how wicked these men were.  Isn't it sad how far some people will go to protect their belief / power?  And isn't the situation ironic?  What did the rulers think they would accomplish by killing Lazarus - couldn't Jesus bring him back to life again!
 
But we, too, can be guilty of protecting our own beliefs (or positions of power / social standing) through denying the truth and attempting to quiet the opposition.  We must remember that we are serving God and His will, not our own.

Is your faith "Martha Strong"?

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."  And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you."
John 11:27-28

Martha had a robust faith.  In this short quote we find her hailing Jesus as: Messiah, Son of God, and The Teacher.  She had heard Jesus and seen the miracles, but she also made the connection with numerous OT prophecies.  This depth of spirituality should not be taken for granted.  Are we cultivating (or allowing the Spirit to cultivate in us) a similar depth of spirituality? 

Is your faith Martha Strong?

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."  And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you."
John 11:27-28
 

Martha had a robust faith.  In this short quote we find her hailing Jesus as: Messiah, Son of God, and The Teacher.  She had heard Jesus and seen the miracles, but she also made the connection with numerous OT prophecies.  This depth of spirituality should not be taken for granted.  Are we cultivating (or allowing the Spirit to cultivate in us) a similar depth of spirituality? 

Something a Miracle Cannot Change

So they said to Him, "What then do you do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You?  What work do You perform?"

John 6:30

 
We are drawn to the idea of miracles; an astounding display of power that instantly proves beyond all doubt the truth.  But the Bible shows a different story.  Jesus had just fed 5000 people miraculously; and he had performed many miracles before that.  Yet here are people questioning him; wanting another sign.  Jesus recognized that they did not intend to believe.  They simply were looking for a free meal.  While we overestimate the power that miracles have in producing faith, we underestimate the power that carnality has in destroying faith.  Worldly desires can blind people to even the most awesome display of miraculous power.  So we must continually work on our hearts; making sure we develop them spiritually in accordance with God's word.