Another year of Bible camp is in the books. Weather was hot, we had a ÒbugÓ go through the camp, but we had a great time. The singing was wonderful, the classes were excellent and the fellowship was outstanding. The cabin of boys that Tim, Mitchell and I had was very well behaved and we had no problems all week. I think most of them even took a bath every day. That is good for a group of young boys ages 10 to 14 (with two pre-campers).
One of the great things about camp is the number of young people who decide to become New Testament Christians. I had the privilege of baptizing the first one to make that decision on Tuesday. Karly Edens had decided she needed to be baptized for the remission of her sins. We have a baptistery on the grounds, so we took care of that right away. There were twelve young people who obeyed the gospel during the week of camp. I do not know how many requested prayer for forgiveness and strength. I know at least sixteen did that. We plant the seed of GodÕs word through class and devotions, we water the seed when the opportunity arises and God gives the increase. I am especially glad when the older teens express their desire to be baptized for the remission of their sins. That happened several times this past week. When we returned home, I had the privilege of baptizing three more precious souls into Christ. Alex Armour, McKenna Anderson and her mother Tonya Anderson all made that decision Sunday morning following the lesson. It is a great feeling to be a part of a mother and daughter obeying the gospel. If I read correctly, four young people made that decision on Sunday at Zion. When you sow the seed, God will give the increase. What a great week we had. What do we do now? We must keep sowing the seed, we must keep talking about that One Solitary Life of Jesus Christ and what he did for each of us. If we will continue to do that, souls will continue to respond to the invitation to become part of GodÕs family. To God be the honor and the glory for the great things he has done this past week. We must continue to be servants and the results will come.
MORE
LIKE JESUS EVERY DAY
A
childÕs likeness to a parent is often recognizable by certain attributes, habits,
peculiarities, or otherwise that they share. For instance, a mother and daughter
may have a similar interest in shopping. Thus when that girl is likened to her parents,
she is stated as being Òmore like mommy
every day.Ó What is the origin of that
similarity? Surely we know that it is not inherited. Many attributes similar to
those of parents are inherited such as skin color, eye color, hair color, etc. However,
a girlÔs interest in shopping surely is not. It is, though, a learned trait. The
case is likely that the two have spent a significant amount of time together in
pursuit of this pastime and the daughter, because of her proximity to her mother,
developed that similar trait. Such illustrates the glorious truth that in righteous
pursuits, time spent is well spent.
I
have in my life known (and do know) men and women, children of God, who are, similarly, Òmore like Jesus every day.Ó What is meant is that their personality,
character, influence, compassion, etc. so greatly resembles that which Jesus portrays
in scripture. How could such similarities exist? Again, we know they are not inherited.
Sin is not inherited (Ezekiel 18:20), but neither is righteousness. No, I think
rather, that the explanation for such is that they spent a significant amount of
time Òwith the LordÓ in prayer and in the scriptures, pursuing
a closer proximity to the personality, character, influence, compassion, etc. of
Jesus. Peter would say it this way:
ÒBut grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and foreverÓ (2 Peter 3:18). The two concepts are irrevocably connected. To
be more like Jesus demands growth in grace and in knowledge. And growth in grace
and in knowledge will produce an individual who is more like Jesus. If that is not
the goal of every Christian then their course has been unrighteously altered and
they have forgotten their purpose looking toward eternity. A girlÕs similarity to
her mother is an innocent result. A ChristianÕs likeness to Jesus must be an expected
and anticipated plan for life. What are some areas in which we should grow to become
more like Jesus every day?
We
should be more like Jesus every day in PRAYER. I believe it can be safely said that Jesus is the BibleÕs
foremost example in the area of prayer. He is spoken of often as retreating from
His daily trials to spend time in prayer. He has more prayers recorded in scripture
than any other character of scripture. In fact, His prayer life was so prolific
and recognized as such by His associates that they requested that He teach them
how to pray (Luke 11:1-4). The longest of His recorded prayers is in John 17, but
elsewhere He is referenced as spending an entire night praying (Luke 6:12). What
a testament it is to an individual when they pattern prayer lives after their Master.
PaulÕs admonition was for Christians to
Òpray without ceasingÓ (1 Thessalonians
5:17). In other words, he wanted us to recognize the power of prayer and to not
give up on its usage. Prayer is a privilege, and it is one that should be put to
use every day. In that sense, we can be more like Jesus every day.
We
should be more like Jesus every day in PURITY. ÒFor we
have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all point tempted like as we are, yet without sinÓ (Hebrews 4:15). ÒFor even hereunto were ye called: because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouthÉÓ (1 Peter 2:21-22). ÒFor such an high priest became us, who
is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavensÉÓ
(Hebrews 7:26). Each statement in the
preceding verses are spoken of Jesus, the sinless Son of God. And as Peter indicated,
His suffering and sinlessness served as an example to us in our pursuit for purity.
It is very difficult to withstand the worldÕs pressures, but it is very possible.
Sometimes we have to Òjust say no!Ó
When we commit ourselves to that, we
become more like Jesus every day.
We
should be more like Jesus every day in PASSION. It was Jesus who on one occasion stated the epitome
of what true brotherly love is. ÒGreater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are
my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command youÓ (John 15:13). Can a greater display of affection possibly be imagined.
The willingness to sacrifice oneÕs own life pictures a passion beyond comprehension,
and yet that is exactly the degree of passion that Jesus had and has for the souls
of mankind. The greatest display of love is self sacrifice, but how many are unwilling
to show simple signs of affection to others? Such surely shall bear consequences
that are eternal (Matthew 25:41-45). But by seeking to show the love of God to those
around us inasmuch as we possibly can, we become more like Jesus every day.
There can surely be no more honorable pursuit than to pattern ourselves after Jesus Christ. Such, though, only is possible by careful consideration and application of those principles displayed in the life of the Lord. May it be said of us all that we become more like Jesus every day.
-Andy Brewer,
Plumbline Perspectives, 05/13/10
YOUTH DAY
MONTROSE CHURCH
OF CHRIST
AUGUST 14th
10:00 AM
SPEAKERS WILL BE:
BRIAN HARVILLE
STEVE ANDERSON
AFTER THE LESSONS AND A PERIOD OF SINGING, WE WILL TRAVEL
TO THE BUSH RESIDENCE (IN DEFEATED)
FOR A PERIOD OF FOOD,
FUN AND FELLOWSHIP
THIS IS FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE
PLEASE COME AND BE WITH US
ON THAT DAY
MORE INFORMATION
CALL 615-774-3248