Are We in Jeopardy?

I recently read an email from Legacy of Faith by Jim Faughn entitled "Jeopardy" which reminded me of an incident that occurred several weeks ago. Host Mayim Bialik read the two-hundred dollar puzzle which said: Matthew 6:9 says, "Our Father, which are in heaven, 'This' be they name." My kids, who can be jeopardy junkies (weirdos, lol) would have loved that question. Surprisingly, none of the contestants tried to answer the question. Wow. Please understand, I am not trying to mock the contestants. I am sure they are smarter than I am. If I were to go up against them on Jeopardy!, they would probably destroy me. It might have been nerves that got them, but my concern is that our world is getting more and more ignorant in regards to the Bible.

God is pretty plain when He says in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." How can we accurately handle something we do not read, study and know? We also see the example of the people of Berea in Acts 17:11 who examined the scriptures daily. Is it possible that some of the things going on in our world are due to the fact that as a society we are becoming more and more biblically illiterate? Maybe worse than those wo are biblically illiterate and those not living in harmony with the word of God are those who just do not care about what the Bible says.

God says in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." If God were to look down today, would he see a famine of true knowledge of the word of God? I am afraid so. How do we remedy the problem? We need to get hungry for the Word. Demand it in our Bible classes and pulpits. Demand it in our own lives, and share it with others. If we do not, our world is in jeopardy, and I do not mean we are going on a game show.

-- Chris

Responding to the Invitation

Have you ever thought about responding to the invitation? It should not be a walk of shame that is whispered or gossiped about. Yes, there may and should be shame about sin that was committed, but we are coming for forgiveness. I am thankful for those that want to be forgiven. I am reminded of Luke 15 where we see three examples of the lost being found, and they were joyous occasions (7, 10, 24). What could be more exciting than someone who wants to leave sin and put Christ on in the watery grave of baptism or someone lost in sin coming back to Jesus? I want to be a part of a church who rejoices at repentance, not one that looks down on it or gossips about it.

I have seen something beautiful lately here at Huntingdon. We have had several responses to the invitation, and people went to those who responded to sit with them and encourage them. After services, a line formed to support those that responded. Praise God, and thank you for loving and caring about people. It would be easy to say, "I do not know them very well," or "I have a lot to do today." What if you responded to the invitation and no one cared? I want to be a part of a congregation that loves each other by showing it.

I want to be a part of a congregation that does not view the invitation as a bad thing but as a way we can ask each other for prayers. It is not the only way we can ask for prayers, but it is one way. Life is tough sometimes. Health, economics, family, work, etc. can get us down, and when we try to live godly in the midst of this world, we can suffer for it (2 Timothy 3:12). How humbling to say, "I do not have it all figured out. I need prayers." What a great use of the invitation! If you need to respond, do not be scared, and if you see someone respond, go sit with them or go hug them, but make sure you pray for them.

-- Christ

BUILDING UP THE BODY

We might say that July got started with a bang or that it got off to a hot start. Both of those statements would be true here at Huntingdon. We started with the food drive. I think it was probably the best food box we have given away since i have been here. I hope that this food will lead to a desire for spiritual food. The first Sunday, we thanked God for the country we live in and prayed for it. Afterwards, we had a great night of fellowship and fireworks. It was a great Sunday to be at Huntingdon. Our Wednesday night summer series continued with great reception. After class Wednesday night, the church turned into a hangar with planes and airport stuff taking over. As i write this on the Monday of VBS week, VBS is off to a great start. This afternoon, we will have a send off for some of ours who are heading to the mission field.

If that were not enough, there is more coming in July. The summer series will continue with some familiar names. Brooks is preaching on July 23rd, and we will have church eat church on July 30th to welcome the new members with our youth doing the services that afternoon. That is just to name a few things that are planned.

How does all this get done? You make this possible. I was reminded of Ephesians 4:16. The body grows when all the parts are working together. I am not talented at everything, but I can add my talents to the talents of others to help the body grow. Thank you to all of you using your talents to make Huntingdon church of Christ a great place to be. I might not be able to life a heavy box of food, or shoot off fireworks, or speak in front of a class, or make great decorations, ect. Ask yourself what you can do, and do it to the best of your ability for the glory of God and the edification of the church. Thanks again for all you are doing to make Huntingdon church of Christ a great place to be.

-- Chris