Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

USA Today Snapshot

A look at statistics that shape our lives

Source: Willard & Shullman

Flirtatious colleagues
Six of 10 workers say they have seen co-workers flirting

at work, but only a third admit to flirting themselves.

T HE SPIRIT’S SWORD

“And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Northside church of Christ

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall · 5201 Northwest Road · Bellingham, WA

Visit our Web Site on the Internet: http:// www.davisinet.com/northsidecofc

Volume II, No. 15 May 31, 1998

PERSONAL PRAYER

Many new Christians feel that they do not know how to pray, there is much to be learned about prayer and you will grow in your knowledge and practice of prayer, but you can and should pray from the very beginning of your Christian life.

Read Matthew 7:7-11. God wants you to pray. He wants you to seek His help as a loving Father.

Read James 5:16-19. This shows that prayer is a powerful force. Sometimes people think God cannot answer prayers without a miracle; but He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think...” (Ephesians 3:20).

Read 1 John 5:14-15. You can be confident that God will hear you. Remember, however, that God’s answer will be “according to his will.” You should always pray with the attitude that God’s wisdom and goodness are to be trusted more than your own desires. Sometimes the best answer we can receive is for God to refuse what we request. We may not always understand why, but we know that God knows best. See also 1 John 3:22.

Here are some things which should be included in prayers.

1. Confession of sins. 1 John 1:9. 2. Thanksgiving for God’s goodness. Colossians 4:2.

3. When you are troubled. Philippians 4:6-7. 4. To overcome temptations. Matthew 26:41.

5. For daily needs. Matthew 6:11. 6. For health. James 5:13.

7. For others. 1 Timothy 2:1.

(This, of course, is not a complete list. Simply stated, you should pray for anything that is in harmony with the will of God. This includes things that are both material and spiritual.)

As you grow spiritually you will learn many wonderful things about prayer. And as you make prayer a regular part of your life you will find it to be a continual source of strength.

You may find it helpful to make a written list of the things and people for which you want to pray. A personal prayer diary may be helpful in reminding you of your particular prayer needs and especially the needs of others for whom you want to pray.

-Bob Dodson, “New Born Babes in Christ Lesson Series;” Lesson 24

Ask For God’s Word First!

“And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah.”

-1 Kings 22:5-

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah had made peace with Ahab, the king of Israel (1 Kgs. 22:44). Unfortunately, this peace was ill-advised because of the wickedness of king Ahab. Jehoshaphat almost lost his life as Ahab’s ally in battle against the Syrians (1 Kgs. 22:29-35; 2 Chron. 18:31).

His predicament started when he visited king Ahab and was asked to join him in battle against a common enemy. Jehoshaphat agreed, but only if God’s word was first consulted. Only one prophet out of 400 warned against such a battle. Micaiah resisted the temptation to change God’s word to conform it to the comforting message which 400 false prophets had spoken to Ahab in the name of the Lord. For his uncompromising stand for truth he was put in prison and fed nothing but bread and water (1 Kgs. 22:13-28). Would to God that we had such conviction and fidelity to His truth today! (2 Tim. 4:2-5; 1 Cor. 9:16)

Jehoshaphat’s desire to hear God’s word is admirable and worthy of our imitation. To inquire of God’s word before we engage in an attitude or activity helps us make sure our course has God’s approval (cf. Col. 3:17). Only His words contain eternal life (Jno. 6:68; 8:31-32). When we go to God’s word for approval we can then walk by faith rather than sight (Rom. 10:17; 2 Cor. 5:7). Only by hearing God’s will are we able to conform ourselves to it. And, we need to inquire of God’s word so that we make our alliance with God and not man. Even if the odds are 400 to 1, with God’s word on our side, we will be victorious (Rom. 8:31-39). Here are just a few items about which we should consult God’s word (the New Testament of Jesus Christ) before acting:

1. “What must I do to be saved?” (read Acts 2:37-41; 16:30-34; 22:16; Rom. 10:9-10; Gal. 3:26-

27)

2. “What attitudes of heart will help me think and act like Jesus?” (read Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 3:12-

17)

3. “Does God really expect me to be different from the world? Why?” (read Matt. 5:13-16; Tit.

2:11-12; 1 Jno. 2:15-17)

4. “Can I use mechanical instruments of music to worship God?” (read Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16;

Rev. 22:18-19)

5. “What work can the local church do?” (read Acts 2:42-47; 6:1-6; Phil. 1:5; 4:15; 1 Tim. 5:8)

6. “Can the local church provide ‘fellowship meals’ as a part of its program of work?” (read 1

Cor. 11:22, 34).

7. “Can the church use women preachers?” (read 1 Tim. 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 14:33-35)

8. “It is lawful to divorce my mate for every cause?” (read Matthew 19:3-12)

9. “Does God hear and answer prayer (does prayer work)?” (Lk. 18:1-8; Mk. 11:24; Jas. 5:16)

10. “Who will go to heaven?” (read Matt. 7:21-23; Heb. 5:9; Rev. 21:1-8, 27)

The sentiment expressed by Isaiah still rings true today: “To the law and to the testimony! If they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them” (Isa. 8:20).

-Joe Price

Prayer: The Forgotten Blessing Notes

{Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:7-11}

1. God hears and answers prayer.

2. Prayer brings with it power, privilege, possibilities, promises and duties.

3. If we are neglecting prayer it is because we are neglecting God in our lives!

I. THE PROMISE OF PRAYER.

A. God Hears & Answers Our Prayers! - Matt. 7: 11; 21:22; 1 Jno. 5:14-15;

Jer. 32:27; Matt. 19:26; Heb. 6:18.

II. THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER. Pray About....

A. Our Attitudes - Phil. 4:6-8.

B. Our Lives - 1 Tim. 2:1-2; 1 Ths. 5:17-22.

C. Temptations - Matt. 26:41; Heb. 4:14-16.

D. Sin - Acts 8:22; 1 Jno. 1:9; Jas. 5:16.

E. Spiritual Growth - Lk. 17:5.

F. Others - Col. 1:3, 9-12; 4:2-3 (intercessory).

G. Heaven - 1 Pet. 1:3-5 (expectation, thanks, endurance).

III. THE PATIENCE OF PRAYER - Psa. 55:16-17.

A. The Endurance To Continue Praying - Acts 2:42; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2 (1 Ths. 5:17).

B. The Faith To Accept God's Answers - Matt. 26:39, 42; 2 Cor. 11:7-10.

The Faith and Personal Faith

{Scripture Reading: Acts 13:4-12}

I. WHAT IS “THE FAITH”? - Acts 13:5-12

A. The Gospel - Gal. 1:11, 23 (Mk. 16:15; Col. 1:23).

B. The Truth Which Is According To Godliness - Titus 1:1.

II. THE FAITH WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED - Jude 3 .

A. The Faith Is The Message Of Salvation - Jude 3; Rom. 1:16-17.

III. THE FAITH PRODUCES PERSONAL FAITH - Rom. 1:17 .

-The faith must be preached, believed, obeyed and continued in.

IV. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAITH:

A. The Faith Can Be Known - Titus 1:1.

B. It Is Sound - Titus 1:13. We must conform to it, not vice versa!

C. It Produces Unity, Not Division - Eph. 4:13.

D. Our Fellowship Is Based Upon It - 1 Tim. 1:2; Titus 3:15.

V. OUR DUTIES TOWARD THE FAITH :

A. Stand Fast In The Faith - 1 Cor. 16:13; Phil. 1:27.

B. Earnestly Contend For The Faith - Jude 3. WHY?

C. Examine Ourselves To See Whether We Are In The Faith - 2 Cor. 13:5.

D. Keep The Faith - Rev. 14:12; 2 Tim. 4:7-8.