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 The Cornerstone 

This is the Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Conerstone." Acts 4:11

Pulbished to Support the Work of the West End Church of Christ, Richmond, Virginia

Volume 6 *   Number 44*  October 29,  2006

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

I saw a license plate that read "sew bzy". Being so busy is a common today. The automobile allows us to get from one place to the next in minutes. There is no need to decline hardly any invitation so long as they are not at the same time. A person can work it all in.

I wonder just how much we work into our busyness Bible study, prayer, worship, benevolence, visitation, Gospel meetings, or meditation. You know the important things. The spiritual things that help us travel across time into eternity and enter the city whose Builder and Maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)

We sing these words "Take time to be Holy, the world rushes on". The world is moving so quickly around us, in fact they are speeding right by us to hell. Holiness just doesn’t happen to us, we have to actively "take" the time to be holy. (I Peter 1:16)

What this means is we have to determine what is important, and continuously make time for it. "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

Though the choice of what to do or not do is ours, we must choose wisely. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21) If we determine what we are doing to be so busy, we will have determine what is important to us, …where OUR treasure is.

Stacy Crim

Who Are You Trying to Impress?

Alan Smith

The story is told of a newly promoted colonel who moved into a makeshift office during the Gulf War. He was just getting unpacked when out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a private with a toolbox coming his way.

Wanting to seem important, he grabbed the phone: "Yes, General Schwarzkopf. Of course, I think that's an excellent plan." He continued: "You've got my support on it. Thanks for checking with me. Let's touch base again soon, Norm. Goodbye."

"And what can I do for you?" he asked the private.

"Uhhh, I'm just here to hook up your phone."

For some reason (pride?), we feel it necessary to impress others, to have others think we are somebody special or that we have special connections. And so we play games, putting on a show and dropping names, sometimes appearing very foolish in the process.

"Therefore when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." (Matthew 6:2).

Who are you trying to impress? The people you work with? Your boss? Your friends? Or God?

Don't play games, trying to elevate yourself in the eyes of people. Just live for God seeking his favor.

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* Someone once posed the question to me, "Is man inherently good or evil?" Please consider Brother Smelsers thoughts below. sdc *

Why Man Is What He Is

Dale Smelser

We have studied about how man receives any and all information. It comes through and only through his five senses. He has no way to perceive anything except by information gained thereby. A person born without sight cannot on his own develop a concept of Green. He has no sense to know about Green. Likewise man has no sense to perceive or invent any kind of being with qualities apart from information gained through his five senses. The only way we can perceive the Spirit Being of God is to have received information from that Source through the five senses. So our knowing of such a being is evidence that he has communicated to us, and thus must exist.

On the other hand, is there some different kind of element in man nonexistent and unneeded in animals? Is there an innate moral quality there? And I believe we would have to answer yes. Thus the Bible teaches we are born with the ability to do "good" (Rom. 2:14-15), though this quality does not have to be exercised. It does not manifest itself automatically. Man has to choose to do it. Animals act by instinct and fulfill their purpose. Though some perverted men may revel for some time in "evil," why is it man is more comfortable doing what all perceive as good? Because by nature that is what he is. Herein is man compatible with God. And it is that part of man, that once knowing God, has caused man everywhere in all ages to seek him. This is evidence we are made in his image. There is a quality in man that seeks God, though it cannot know him without revelation. And where did that quality come from? Without God there is no explanation. To deny God, is to close one's eyes and be unable to explain what man is.

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This World Is Not My Home

W.R. Jones

I recently saw the following saying: "A dog is at home in this world because this is the only world a dog will ever live in. We are not at home in this world because we are made for a better one."

Christians often sing, "This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through; my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue." This doesn’t mean we do not appreciate the opportunity to live in this beautiful world God has provided for us. It simply means that we don’t consider life on this earth as the "end" but rather, a "stepping stone" to the real end which is heaven.

I am impressed with a statement made about Abraham in the book of Hebrews. It says, "For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (11:10). The apostle Paul writes of another dwelling place — "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2Co 5:1).

It is foolish to be wrapped up with the things of this world. It is always a losing proposition when we put all our money, time, and talent on something that is not lasting. John writes, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1Jn 2:15-17). We must not become too satisfied with a sinking ship.

My friends, if you are settling for this world only you are settling for much less than God has offered you. You could have "eternal life" (Jn 3:16). Instead, you have contented yourself with that which will perish. What a shame to cheat yourself. Through faith and obedience put yourself under the ruler-ship of Jesus Christ. It will afford you the most peaceful life here, and everlasting life hereafter.

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