An Opportunity

Tracy Frederick

Some days can just be a little harder than others, can’t they? Some days it just takes more effort that others doesn’t it? Some days it feels as if it just doesn’t matter, doesn’t it? Perhaps it is because we are physically weary from the day to day grind of this world, or perhaps it is because the burdens seem just a little heavier at times and our spiritual examples are…well…turn out to be not so spiritual after all? There are a host of reasons why some days it is tempting to just sit and hide from the world; to hunker down and neglect the work that has been set before us.  Then that little verse nags, it itches doesn’t it? And won’t let go, no matter how hard we try to distract ourselves or ignore it. It is there….you know the one I mean: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith”( Gal 6:9-10). The out is “opportunity” right? There are so many excuses for not having opportunity, right? But…..I bet Christ had other things He could have been doing rather than die for me.  I mean, He was busy…: ^“…7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross” (Phil 2:6-8). I bet He was pretty weary after being beaten all night, “A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross” (Mk 15:21) …..I know that Christ was lonely: “He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons with him. Jesus began to be sad and troubled. He said to them, `My heart is very sad. I am almost dying! Stay here and watch with me.'”( Matt 26:37-38). “Then all the disciples left Jesus and ran away” (Mat 26:54b). I am confident that it was difficult for our Creator (Col 1:16) to take that opportunity: “Jesus went on a little further. He bowed down with his face to the ground. He talked to God and said, `My Father, if it can be, let this cup of trouble pass by me. But do not do what I want. May what you want be done.'” (Matt 26: 39).  What if He had was too weary? What if He was too discouraged? What if He had not taken the opportunity?

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” ! Corinthians 15:58

Burdens or Blessings

~ Nancy Goring

The sounds of cries distrubed her sleep- the baby one more time!
    How could this keep on hapening? She struggled not to whine.
If only she could rest a while and maybe catch a break,
    In two more hours the other kids would surely be awake!

While tending to the baby's needs this though ran through her mind,
    "Dishes, Laundry, Cooking! I'm always in a bind!
I have so many things to do; I just can't do it all.
    My life is such a jumbled mess, I feel so very small.

And then there's mom and dad; they need me too," she sighed,
    "So many things to care for, no time for me, "she cried.
She looked into her baby's eyes, resting peacefully
    It struck her then how blessed she was, to have this family.

Some folks don't have a home or bed to rest in every night,
    And many don't have children who will bring them such delight.
Some have lost their parents and their hearts are broken in two.
    And others don't have food or clothes or laundry to do.

So when it came to bearing up beneath her heavy load,
    She realized the blessings that her Father had bestowed.

The hard times that we all must face will make us stronger too,

Our God will be there with us, and He will help us through.

 

Nancy is the wife of Bill Goring, who serves as a gospel preacher and elder for the Chipman Road church of Christ in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and has taught Bible class for over 40 years, speaks at Ladies Day gatherings and has published several books including: Behavior Becoming Holiness: Studies in Titus Chapter 2 and Overcoming our Self-Imposed Prisons.

Stop Drop and......PRAY!

~Tracy Frederick

There are just some days that are overwhelming aren’t there? There are days when the hurt and the pain is just too much to bear.  We often sing a familiar song- My Jesus Knows. In that song we encourage each other that our Savior understands our emotional pain and can empathize with our weaknesses and the sufferings we have here on this earth. What a comfort that is to know that “we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but in all points was tempted like we are, but was without sin” Hebrews 4:15. It is the first part that is comforting, but the last that causes me to pause and tremble.  I find that when I am at my most emotional, I am at my most vulnerable. When I am hurting, I am looking for a quick way out. When I am emotional I am less rational and more willing to act without thinking. So, how was our Savior was able to withstand the emotions of hurt when betrayed by a best friend (Mk 14:66-72), the rejection of the world (Mk 15:6-15)? Notice each and every time our Savior was in a difficult situation, an emotional situation, or knew He was about to be, He prayed; He stopped, dropped His head and prayed. We teach our children that to stop themselves from burning, physically, they should stop, drop and roll. We preach it over and over again. I think it is a good idea to teach our children the same to avoid eternal fire- stop, drop and pray. We know that if the Evil One has no qualms about tempting the Lord, (I mean seriously!) he looks upon us as easy prey. Our Savior knew the solution to the temptation- STOP what you are doing NOW! DROP your head and humble yourself, realizing you are the created and need help! PRAY for forgiveness and wisdom to discern what is needful. Such an easy answer to any problem. And the example was there all along.

Meditations on Forgiveness

~Tracy Frederick

You are probably very familiar with the biblical account of Joseph and his journey to Egypt.  You recall that Joseph was an innocent boy who found favor with his earthly and heavenly Father. His earthly father showed his favor by clothing him with a beautiful coat of many colors, while his heavenly Father bestowed visions on him, revealing to him that he would be a great leader and rule over his brothers one day. This was confusing to Joseph, but for those of us who know the account, we realize both were ways to comfort him for the times to come, hardships that would no doubt break his heart, but never his faith. But, that is not our focus, and will perhaps be the subject of a later meditation, so let us move on. You will recall that later, Joseph’s brothers were overcome with Satan’s temptations of jealousy and sold him into slavery, fully expecting him to be killed, or most likely tortured. But, then, by the help of his heavenly Father, he was saved from death and given the gift of deciphering visions, once again showing that our Father was protecting and providing, as he promised Joseph when he was just a boy. We move forward to Joseph enduring prison, and temptations, and his faithfulness to the Father who gave him His promise. All of this brings us to focus on what I believe is rarely taught from this account: forgiveness.  After Joseph teaches his brothers a lesson in humbleness that starts in chapter 37,we see Joseph speaking to his brothers kindly, after they contemplated his murder, abandoned him, lied to his father and caused him much grief, and were brought to the lowest place they could be (fulfilling the dream/vision they heard him tell them many years before), Joseph stands as their ruler, their master and the one that holds their lives in his hands; they are  humbled,  begging for their lives and fully expect Joseph to take retribution on them; they expect death. What is most interesting, is- they know they deserve death; after all, it is what they would do to him, if the roles were reversed. But, what we they find is mercy, forgiveness and compassion in chapter 45:4-7:  “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.  For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.  And God sent me before you to preserve posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” Then again, after their father dies, what they believe to be the only reason Joseph has kept them alive, they question Joseph’s motives again, and ask for their fate. Joseph replies in chapter 50: 19-21:  "’Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?  But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.  Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." Many, less godly men, or women, would have used the opportunity to make them pay, to take their lives, or to make their lives as miserable as possible. A less godly man might have taken it as a sign from God that he had permission to kill them, that God had delivered them into his hand for his revenge. The great faith of Joseph was able to keep his heart from bitterness and anger, to see that it was all for the purpose of God that he suffered. It was only through this steadfast focus on the purposes of His father, the belief in that promise given so many years prior was the only thing that mattered. 

Roads: Matthew 7:13-14

~ Nancy Goring

The road that led away from God was fun and fancy-free.
  I traveled quickly down that path – there was so much to see!
It was an easy way to go, wide and full of fun;
   I met a lot of people there, so friendly, everyone.

So much laughter, so much joy,
   Good times constantly,
Then someone tripped and fell down hard,
   But SOMEONE wasn’t me!

We left her there, ‘cause after all
   We were busy having “fun.”
Who has the time to stop and help
   That careless silly one?

We went along our merry way,
    Carousing as we went,
With never a worry, never a care,
   On pleasure we were bent.

 Then one day something happened!
   An illness took me down.
I looked about for my new “friends,”
   But they could not be found!

 Not a person, nary a soul
   Was there to lend a hand.
When I was down and out,
   Not one to help ME stand.

 I thought it over carefully
   And realized that day,
I should have took the narrow path;
   The godly narrow way.

 The wide path may be easy
   And fun and fancy-free,
But that path leads to nowhere
   But a deadly destiny.

 I’ve changed my course and set my sights
   On heavenly things above.
Where peace and joy and fellowship
   Are coupled with true love.

 So when you pick a pathway
   Make sure you choose the best,
Where God our Heavenly Father,
   Gives His children blessed rest.

Nancy is the wife of Bill Goring, gospel preacher for the Chipman Road church of Christ. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and has taught Bible class for over 40 years, published several books including: Behavior Becoming Holiness: Studies in Titus Chapter 2 and Overcoming our Self-Imposed Prisons.

ALL things Work Together for GOOD?.... Seriously?

~ Tracy Frederick

     I struggle too much with discouragement. It’s me; it’s a personal problem. Oh sure, there’s a lot to be discouraged about in the world, but I take it to the extreme. It is easy for me slide into a pity- party complete with balloons, decorative hats, cake (chocolate of course), and a clown for entertainment. I start thinking about the bad and before you know it, I am about as low as one can go. That’s when I blow things way out of proportion and begin to focus on what is wrong with me, the church, the house, the world…see what I mean?

       But, I admit that when times are easy and I am just floating along without a care, I am not up late at night searching for answers in God’s word, or on my knees in tearful prayer to my heavenly Father begging for mercy, help, courage and forgiveness. It is in the “good” times that I am not waiting impatiently on my dear husband to come home so I can fall into his loving, comforting arms and hear his sound advice.  I admit that when all is “good,” things get pretty dangerous:  I read my Bible less, I contemplate my spirituality and my relationship with God less, my prayers are shallow and fewer and farther between. I just, well, ashamedly, think about the Lord less. Isn’t it ironic that it is when I am at my worst that I feel closest to my Father?

     When I am at my deepest dispair I always contemplate Romans 8:28:  “And we know that all things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose,” and think: Seriously? Good?  It is a great verse, but I suggest if we take this verse out of context, we miss the best part, the “good” that is explained in the verses just above it. Those, for me, are the most powerful and comforting of all. Consider verse 17 and 18: Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

     A very dear sister, and the closest of friends, uses the phrase:  “it is good,” a lot.  When there is a trial or a problem, she’ll think about it, size it up and say: “Well, that is good, right? I don’t see anything bad in it. It is an opportunity to grow, right? So, it is good.”That always seems to settle it. To be able to get to that point, able to assess each trial as “good” or “bad” depending on how it will help us grow spiritually is what we should all strive to grow into. But, to get to that point, one has to be willing to look through all of the “junk” and say- it was a good day, it was a good day because I found myself prostrate on the ground at the Lord’s feet not knowing what to say, but begging for His guidance through.  One has to be willing to see it as a “good” day because I called on the Lord when I was hurting and opened my heart and poured out my problems and laid them at His feet. One has to be willing to see the problem is “good” because it caused me to opened the Lord’s book and I found myself lost in the comfort and instruction there. One has to be willing  to realized I had grown that day ONLY because of that struggle. It was good.

     Recently this dear sister asked me about someone we know that was in a personal struggle. I found myself thinking about it deeply and replied:  “It’s good, it will help them to grow. They’ll be fine.” And I realized, yeah, it really is GOOD even when it is not easy to see the “good” at the time. We often think that Romans 8:28 means that if we love God, He’ll just give us what we want. I mean, after all, that is the “good” right? But consider a few difficult and discouraging times that were really blessings in disguise:

• Abraham took the less fertile land that appeared to make his life harder to feed his livestock and family, but he saved his family from certain distruction and was blessed by God for his choice.
• Daniel was chosen to serve the King and was persecuted for worshiping God, but showed the King what a man of God could be.  
• Esther was taken from her people to wed a King that was not of her people and seemed cruel, but she brought peace and rest to her people and showed her husband the heart of a godly woman .
• Ruth lost her husband, but she found God, and helped to bring Christ to the world.
• The apostles each lost their life in a cruel way, but gained their eternal rest.

Each situation and life was full of struggles, but each and everyone was GOOD. Each struggle brought about good, because they loved the Lord and worked for His purpose.

Vexation Of The Soul!

~ Nancy Goring

     Sometimes we wonder how wicked this old world will get. For generations now, folks have said we have grown worse and worse, and perhaps that is true. Or perhaps we are just more aware of the evil because the world has grown; technology has allowed us to hear and view things almost as soon as they occur.
     In my Bible study the other day I couldn't help but reread a statement in 2 Peter 2:6-9.  "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished."
     We can learn a great deal from these scriptures. To begin with, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha served as a deterrent to those who were ungodly.  We also see that Lot was constantly vexed with the filthy conversation of those who lived about him. God tells us that Lot was a righteous man dwelling among evil people. Does that sound familiar to you? Do you ever feel that you might be the only one left who has not gone the way of the world? Poor Lot's soul was vexed continually watching their wicked ways, hearing their vile speech. How difficult it must have been for him and his family to get up every morning, knowing that his children would be subjected to these evils, that they would not have any friends, and that his wife would not have the blessing of having godly women with whom she could share her day. What a miserable existence that would be. Not only did they not have any godly people with whom to share their joy and sorrow, or to hold them up spiritually in times of need, but they actually had people banging on their door, trying to get Lot  to send the angels of the Lord out to them that they might commit fornication with them (Genesis 19:5).
       Like Lot of old, we too, face vexations in our lives today, although I do not believe nearly so drastic. Our children have to hear vile language daily in their schools, as well as other public places and whenever they turn on a T.V., radio, video, or any other electronic device.  We have to endure the ungodly conversations and behavior of the wicked as we go through our daily lives. As we look back at the passages above though, there is a blessing that follows those who are righteous. God knows, He sees, and He cares for His children! Let us never forget that. He knows how to deliver us out of temptation. We are told that we will not be tempted above that which we can endure and that He provides a way out of temptation if we will but look for it ( 1 Corinthians 10:13). There will come a day of reckoning for the just and the unjust. If we be found faithful we will spend eternal life with the Father and no longer have to worry about the evil deeds of others. What a blessing to know there will be rest for the soul, when our Great God delivers us! This life is brief. Our job is to bring as many to Christ as possible. Along the way we will have vexations just as Lot did, but don't give up! Remain righteous - don't allow the wicked acts of others to bring you down. There is a better place awaiting us if we remain faithful to God. Enjoy the blessings of worship, prayer, fellowship with brothers and sisters and be thankful for all those blessings while we remain here on this earth, ever looking toward the glorious home we will have in heaven.

Nancy is the wife of Bill Goring, gospel preacher for the Chipman Road church of Christ. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and has taught Bible class for over 40 years, published several books including: Behavior Becoming Holiness: Studies in Titus Chapter 2 and Overcoming our Self-Imposed Prisons.
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These Hands

~Nancy Goring    
     Several days ago, while I was working on my computer, my four-year-old granddaughter came into the room and was watching. She put her hand on top of my hand while it was on the mouse. Then she looked up and said, "Grandma, why do your hands have bumps on them?" She was referring to the veins in my hands. I explained to her that I had old hands. She looked at her sweet little hands and said, "I wish you had my hands, grandma." I thought that was so precious and I said, "I wish I did too, baby." Then I thought about that statement for a while. Although I would like to have beautiful hands that were young and smooth and wrinkle-free, would I really give up these hands?
     These hands of mine with their protruding veins and tiny scars and wrinkles have been through much. Would I trade those experiences for youthful hands that have never seen trials and tribulations? These older hands have helped serve many a meal to the sick and those who were not able to walk about. They have made uncountable Bible lessons and written many articles. They have typed and edited multiple manuscripts for various lectures. They have bathed and fed several dying saints who were unable to fend for themselves, as well as some who were hospitalized for weeks on end. They have reached over the heads of countless numbers of children assisting them with their Bible class lessons. They have made cards for the shut-in and dialed innumerable wayward saints, begging them to return to the Lord. They have handed out Bible tracts from door to door, changed the diapers of babies and assisted mothers on the pews so they could hear a gospel lesson. They prepared meals for those who were unable to do so and for those who had lost loved ones. They have helped organize weddings for sisters in Christ and held showers for those who were pregnant. They have hosted ladies Bible classes and thoroughly enjoyed having the brethren over for a meal and fellowship, hosted visiting preachers and their families with great pleasure. These hands have nurtured and loved grandparents, parents, and siblings as they lay waiting to meet their Maker. They have loved and cared for a husband, children, and grandchildren for forty-seven years now, and feel blessed by God to have been able to do so. These hands continue to do so and are still functional, thanks be to God, and will continue to do so until I take my last breath or am unable to move them. I am reminded of the verse in Luke 17:10: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” My life, my health, my body has been given to me by an All-Giving, All-Loving Father who adores me, and who expects me to give back my reasonable service to Him (Romans 12:1-2). Many sisters in Christ can say the same. It is not to brag upon what we do, it's simply a reminder of what is important in life, and that is our service to God. He gave us these hands to work, not to worry about how they look, or if our nails are perfectly manicured.
     Now my little granddaughter was just being kind and wanting her grandma to have pretty little hands like she had. But for my sisters in Christ, please remember as I had to do; take a look at your hands and then look backwards at your life and see if you are serving more today than you did yesterday. That should be our thrust and goal. Set your affections on those things which are above, not the earthly things (Colossians 3:1-3). We are all aging and our physical bodies will change, but the spiritual body renews itself continually as we study and serve our Father in heaven. Remember, “...though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day,” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
     Give up these hands? Not a chance! I am thankful to God for every wrinkle, every broken blood vessel, each protruding vein - it's just one more reminder that He has allowed me to serve in His kingdom, and it is my prayer that all of my sisters in Christ will have the same privilege to serve as I have been allowed, and that your opportunities to do so will be multiplied. Again, I must say that we can learn so much from the children if we will just listen! Thank you, Kate, for making me aware of how much God has blessed me in His service!

“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” Proverbs 31:20

Nancy is the wife of Bill Goring, gospel preacher for the Chipman Road church of Christ. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and has taught Bible class for over 40 years, published several books including: Behavior Becoming Holiness: Studies in Titus Chapter 2 and Overcoming our Self-Imposed Prisons.
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Closer to Heaven....

~ Amanda K. Leonard

     If there is one thing I've learned from my health struggles, it is that this world is tough. So why wouldn't I want to be in heaven with God? If this life is so painful, then why would I want to spend an eternity in hell, where there is no relief or balm or pain medicine that can soothe even for one second?! Sometimes I am amazed at people's lack of fear and dread when it comes to hell. If you think the stomach flu is miserable, think about an eternity of endless misery! Okay, maybe that's not bad enough for you. If you think diseases like multiple schlerosis, or lupus, or cancer are horrible illnesses that give people so much pain and misery and are sometimes disabeling, then think about an ETERNITY with UNQUENCHIBLE FIRE! (Revelation 21:8, Matthew 18:8) The rich man in torments simply wanted Lazarus to "dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." (Luke 16:19-31, emphasis added)


     There is no end to hell. But, there is also no end to heaven (John 3:16). Sometimes I feel I have something in common with Paul when he talks about the "thorn in his flesh" and asking God to remove it. We don't ever know of God taking that burden away from him. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) But we do know that he was pressing "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14) On the one hand, in moments of weakness, I struggle with the "why me's?" and I often say the same prayers as Paul; simply requesting that God take away my pain and suffering. But, on the other hand, sometimes I think maybe God is allowing this because it will keep me focused on Heaven and it will keep me faithful and strong. (2 Corinthians 12:12:9-10) But this I can know for sure; that my Heavenly Father loves me and will give me the strength that I need to get through each difficult morning, to smile with my children, and to continue to teach them His Holy Word as long as I serve Him and only Him. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon (serve) the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:30-31) Teach me, Lord, to wait upon thee!

NOTE: The reader should know that this is especially poignant article since Amanda, although not yet 30, suffers from several serious illnesses, but is well known for her enouraging attitude and positive outlook on life.

Amanda K. Leonard is married to Josh Leonard and the mother of two, a homemaker, homeschool teacher, worships with the Chipman Road church of Christ in Lee's Summit, Mo and LOVES teaching her 0-2 year old Bible class.