Author Archives: TFRStaff

TFRStaff 6:02 am on 2018-10-11
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Where no storms ever threaten

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12 ESV)

Бо хто хоче любити життя та бачити добрі дні, нехай здержить свого язика від лихого та уста свої від говорення підступу. Ухиляйся від злого та добре чини, шукай миру й женися за ним! Бо очі Господні до праведних, а вуха Його до їхніх прохань, а Господнє лице проти тих, хто чинить лихе! (1 Петра 3:10-12 Ukrainian)

O LORD my God, have mercy on your people of faith who wait patiently for your deliverance from all the evil that continues to pollute the hearts and minds of children and non-conscientious adults. Bless all people who desire to follow in the steps of Jesus with wisdom that enables us to accomplish good deeds that glorify his high and holy name. Dear merciful Father, we know it rains on the just and the unjust in this world. Help all those people who are suffering from powerful storms, to trust in Christ as Christians do our best to render aid to one another and others in need. Calm our spirits as we picture in our mind’s eyes that beautiful land where no storms ever threaten. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

David Binkley, Sr. Gospel Minister

Cedar Key Church of Christ

#david-binkley

TFRStaff 5:30 am on 2018-10-10
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The way to connect to the blood that was shed for sin

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4 ESV)

Неужели не знаете, что все мы, крестившиеся во Христа Иисуса, в смерть Его крестились? Итак мы погреблись с Ним крещением в смерть, дабы, как Христос воскрес из мертвых славою Отца, так и нам ходить в обновленной жизни. (К Римлянам 6:3-4 Russian)

O LORD God, my dear heavenly Father ~ thank you for this new day that arrives as a reminder of your vast power to transform darkness into light. Open our eyes of understanding to more fully comprehend the power of the gospel of Christ Jesus to transform a sinful person with an obedient heart into a brand new and eternally valuable person. Annihilate the message of those who teach that a believer’s baptism has no purpose in your plan of salvation. Help every person who teaches your doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, to have pure and honest hearts and include the teaching of Christ about immersion in water as the way to connect to the blood that was shed for all sin. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

David Binkley, Sr. Gospel Minister

Cedar Key Church of Christ

#david-binkley

TFRStaff 1:51 am on 2018-10-10
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Humble by casting: 1 Peter 5.6-7

“And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5.6-7

The verb “casting” explains how to humble oneself before God. It means giving to God our cares and depending upon him for our needs.

Failure to trust in God and surrender to him our cares and concerns means that pride is our downfall. In the end, we don’t want to turn it all over to the Lord. What have I refused to give to him?

#votd #1Peter #humility

[humble-1pt5-6-7]

TFRStaff 5:49 am on 2018-10-09
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The exhilarating gift of life

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:21-23 ESV)

Тож знаходжу закона, коли хочу робити добро, що зло лежить у мені. Бо маю задоволення в Законі Божому за внутрішнім чоловіком, та бачу інший закон у членах своїх, що воює проти закону мого розуму, і полонить мене законом гріховним, що знаходиться в членах моїх. (До римлян 7:21-23 Ukrainian)

Our most holy Father who is in heaven ~ thank you for the exhilarating gift of life that emanates from your creative genius and permits us to live and do unusually creative things with our minds. Grant us wisdom on this new day so that we will fill our minds up with the mind of Christ our Lord by keeping our head in your inspired Scriptures each day. Surround your people of faith with a greater sense of right and wrong than the average person. Prevent us from thinking too highly of ourselves and so diminish the influence of your Spirit. Help us to wholeheartedly love righteousness and despise evil. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

David Binkley, Sr. Gospel Minister

Cedar Key Church of Christ

#david-binkley

TFRStaff 2:58 am on 2018-10-09
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Open a door

“At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

Colossians 4.3

The apostle Paul asked for prayers for his work of proclaiming Christ. He had urged the Colossians to be alert in prayer, v. 2. Among many subjects of prayer, the greatest is the spread of the gospel.

Where is your prayer list of people who spread the gospel? How many people who need to obey do you pray for? What doors might God open through your prayers?

#votd #Colossians #prayer

TFRStaff 3:23 pm on 2018-10-08
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Hugh’s News & Views (The Indwelling Holy Spirit)

THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT

The New Testament is quite clear in affirming that the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians, God’s children. Jesus promised, “‘He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:38-39). Peter affirmed, “And we (the apostles, hf) are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Paul declared, “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Galatians 4:6). (It is important to note that in this latter text Paul does not say that the Spirit was given to make us sons of God, but rather that the Spirit has been given to us because we have become Sons of God!) Continue reading →

#holy-spirit, #hughfulford, #indwelling-of-the-holy-spirit

TFRStaff 5:56 am on 2018-10-08
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By the daylight and by the moonlight: Deuteronomy 33.14

“with the harvest produced by the daylight and by the moonlight;”

Deuteronomy 33.14

In the blessing that Moses gave to Israel before he died, he saw abundance of harvest for Joseph. God gave the sun and moon for man. The universe exists for God and his most important creature.

The heavenly lights were made as “signs to indicate seasons and days and years” Genesis 1.14. They function for the good of man. Let creation lead us to thank and praise God.

#votd #creation #Deuteronomy

TFRStaff 5:46 am on 2018-10-08
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Allow the light of faith to shine

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.(Philemon 1:4-6 ESV)

Я завсіди дякую Богові моєму, коли тебе згадую в молитвах своїх. Бо я чув про любов твою й віру, яку маєш до Господа Ісуса, і до всіх святих, щоб спільність віри твоєї діяльна була в пізнанні всякого добра, що в нас для Христа. (До Филимона 4-6 Ukrainian)

O LORD my God, hear the prayers of your people of faith on this new day that bursts forth with fresh and clear evidence that you made us in your image. Give us clear minds so that we will respond to all the guidance that your Spirit provides for everyone who obeys Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. Give a sense of worthwhile achievement to Christians in small churches and in remote places. Give leaders in large congregations a sense of true humility so that they will never think they are more important in the vast Kingdom of Christ than other followers of Jesus who fight the good fight of faith each day in very difficult circumstances. Expand our combined efforts to allow the light of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to shine more brightly on every continent and islands in the seas. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

David Binkley, Sr. Gospel Minister

Cedar Key Church of Christ

#david-binkley

TFRStaff 8:22 am on 2018-10-07
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These things defile: Matthew 15.18

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a person.”

Matthew 15.18

Jesus taught on true defilement. Ceremonial uncleanness pointed toward the greater evil. The inner person is the source of unholiness and profane one’s words and actions.

Conversion from the heart and control of the mind are necessary to one’s sanctification. From evil thoughts that enter will come evil words and sins. It cannot be otherwise.

#votd #Matthew #heart #uncleanness

TFRStaff 8:16 am on 2018-10-07
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No one like him, Philippians 2.19-21

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:19-21 ESV)

We continue to enjoy being in Slavyansk, Ukraine where we are able to assemble with other Christians while giving and receiving encouragement from the Holy Scriptures. Albert Bagdasaryan, the local Gospel Preacher invited me to preach the three Lord’s Days we are here. Our son Zhenya is enjoying time with his son Seva and his wife. He is benefiting from medicines prescribed by a local oncologist. Your prayers are very important! It is a very real pleasure to stay here at Mama Elena’s house while enjoying simple hospitality that is not so common these days. The garden has pretty much played out for the year and most chores involve preparing for the winter that is more than likely on the way.

David Binkley, Sr. Gospel Minister

Cedar Key Church of Christ

#david-binkley

TFRStaff 9:28 am on 2018-10-02
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You will be told: Acts 9.6

“But stand up and enter the city and you will be told what you must do.”

Acts 9.6

Saul saw the Lord Jesus on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus. He asked what he should do. The Lord told him. To do for what purpose? To be saved.

Saul was not saved on the road to Damascus. He was saved in Damascus after he heard what to do to be saved. He was immersed in water and his sins were washed away, Acts 22.16.

#votd #Acts #baptism #salvation

TFRStaff 6:53 am on 2018-10-02
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Hugh’s News & Views (Great Gospel Preachers . . . – Pt 1)

GREAT GOSPEL PREACHERS OF THE PAST

(Part 1: G. C. Brewer and H. A. Dixon)

(Note: A few months ago I wrote several essays on “Great Leaders of the Restoration Movement.” I now begin an intermittent series on “Great Gospel Preachers of the Past.” It is my plan to discuss two preachers in each essay. I hope you will find these biographical sketches both interesting and informative. “Remember those…who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” [Hebrews 13:7]). Continue reading →

#hughfulford

TFRStaff 4:53 am on 2018-10-01
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September 2018 Issue of Christian Worker (Various Topics)

Here’s a link to the latest PDF issue of the Christian Worker.

Here are the topics you will find:

  • Living in Trying Times (Kevin W. Rhodes)
  • Using the Unusable (Cody Westbrook)
  • You Won’t Like Heaven (Trent Kennedy)
  • “They Have Not All Obeyed” (Don Walker)
  • Imitating God in Forgiveness (Kevin Cauley)
  • Some Reasons for Christians to be Happy (Mike Batot)

Christian Worker is an edification effort of the Southwest church of Christ in Austin, Texas.

You can subscribe to the email version of the Christian Worker paper by clicking on the publications link on their website and then following the given instructions.

Copyright © 2018 Southwest church of Christ, All rights reserved.

#bible-characters, #christian-worker, #forgiving-others, #happiness, #heaven, #obeying-the-gospel, #reactions

TFRStaff 3:21 pm on 2018-09-30
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Never richer

“He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away’” Luke 19:26.

Other than a “wee little man” many may not know who Zacchaeus was. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus, in the normal practice of his profession, was a state-sanctioned thief who stole more money from his fellow Jews than Rome said he needed to collect. He was despised, yes, but he was a part of the 1%. A Have—in a sea of Have-Nots. Yet, he repented and was willing to give up his ill-gained worldly wealth for eternal riches. This prompts Jesus to tell the parable of the Ten Minas that ends with the one who had the most wealth and who invested it to present his master with an increase to be given the mina of the servant who had buried his. How unfair that seems from a worldly perspective, yet how often God turns our logic upside-down. To be strong, we must become weak. To gain our life, we must lose it. Rather than fighting our own battles, we must cease striving and know that He is God. In Jesus’ view, Zacchaeus was never richer than when he gave it all away.

Where is your treasure stored?

Douglas Kashorek

plattsburghchurch.com

#devotional #treasure #Luke

TFRStaff 4:45 pm on 2018-09-29
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What God Requires

First, let us define the word require: “To demand; to ask, as of right and by authority” [Webster’s].

There are still some “religious” people that think pleasing God means only we accept His love and/or accept Jesus into your heart. Some also believe that since we serve a loving God (1John 4:8, 16), no one will be condemned to hell. There are so many scriptures that prove those beliefs wrong that it would take days, if not months, of study to cover them all. This study will therefore focus on one aspect of that study; what God requires. Continue reading →

#commandments, #obedience