The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at New Georgia

Tim Johnson, editor

November 7, 2004

 
In This Issue:
A Man After God's Own Heart
by Greg Legg

'Fraidy Cats
by Steve Klein

 

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A Man After God's Own Heart

   When Samuel told Saul that his throne would be taken from him due to his disobedience he said, "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you." (1 Samuel 13:14). We know this man was David (Acts 13:22). There are several of David's characteristics that show how he was a man after God's heart.

  David loved God's word. In the 119th Psalm he says, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." If we have the same type of heart God's word will be important to us also. Do we meditate upon it? Do we study it daily? Are we searching to find its truths? Our priorities show through our actions and our time is generally spent where our hearts are.

  David also hid God's word in his heart. He not only loved it, he made it his life. He sought to live as God would have him to. Who is in control of your life--you or God? Psalms 119:11  "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!" If we are to live as David did God's word must be hidden in our hearts also.

  David was willing to confess his sins. Pride creates many problems and stands in our way when we err from the faith. David sinned as we all do, but he was willing to confess his sins before God and man. Many sin as grievously as David, but few repent as nobly. Psalms: 51:3  "For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me." Much can be learned about repentance from the 51st Psalm.

  David also hated every false way. Psalms 119: 104  "Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way." Can we truly say that we hate all sin and every way that is contrary to our God? After whose heart are you?

By Greg Legg

'Fraidy Cats

   I was driving on Market Street in Athens, Alabama the week before Halloween when a yellow cat pranced across the street in front of me.  I slowed.  The cat slowed too, and then with regal bearing continued its leisurely stroll across the street.  When it got to the edge of the road, I hit the accelerator and went by, at which point the cat bolted in fear, took off like it was shot out of a canon, raced cross a yard and dove into some bushes on the far side.  Hysterical.  While in the middle of the road and in real danger of being smacked by a vehicle, the cat acted as if it could not care less.  But when it made it to safety at the edge of the road, it suddenly became terrified of my car.

  It reminded me of another time a cat crossed the road in front of me.  Years ago, I was the passenger in a truck being driven by a brother in Christ. A black cat darted across the street in front of us.  The brother hollered, "Whoa," slammed on the brakes, did a U-turn and took a long detour.  Looking back, his fear seems to me to be about as reasonable as that of the yellow cat in Athens.

  Cats and men often fear things that pose little significant threat, while failing to show concern for real dangers.   Lots of folks are more apprehensive about their favorite ball team losing, or their favorite NASCAR driver wrecking, than they are about losing their souls.  Some are more concerned about getting wrinkles or the color of their hair than they are about living life in the beauty of holiness.  Some care more about who wins an election than they do about being elect of God, called to be saints.  We worry about how the acts of evil men and terrorists might impact our lives on earth, but give precious little thought to how our own actions will impact our lives for eternity.  To be sure, there are things that men should fear, but they seldom are the things that men do fear. "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

  For those who have learned to trust God, there is little in this life to be afraid of. The Scriptures are clear:

  • "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2).

  • "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident." (Psalm 27:1-3)

  • "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6)

  • "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

  Friends and brethren, let us love what we should love, hate what we should hate, and fear only what we should fear.  God's children cannot be 'fraidy cats.

by Steve Klein