Topic(s): Pain and Suffering, Unity

Every now and then somebody quits attending because someone hurt their feelings. When we consider it, it doesn’t make sense for us to take it out on God when He had nothing to do what hurt our feelings. Someone suggested that asking these questions would help:

• Did anyone spit on me? They did on Jesus.
• Did anyone beat me on the back? They did Him.
• Did anyone press a crown of thorns on my brow? They did His.
• Did anyone hang me on a cross? They did Jesus.

They did all this to Him and more. Yet He did not quit because He came to pay the price for our salvation. Anyone who lets anyone or anything cause them to forsake the Lord Jesus has forgotten the price paid for them. - adapted from O. B. Porterfield

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” - Romans 8:38,39

Truett Cathy and Chick-Fil-A

Topic(s): Priorities

The name Truett Cathy is familiar to most folks who live in and around Atlanta. He is the owner of Chick-Fil-A and Dwarf House restaurants. Robin Phillips told me of a speech Mr. Cathy made recently at the Bremen High School. I made reference to this information in a speech at the Kiwanis Club, and the editor of our local paper brought me Mr. Cathy’s book. This man impresses me. Here are three reasons why:

• He will not open any Chick-Fil-A on Sunday. His stores do more in six days than most do in seven. He says, “I believe God gave his laws not to make life hard but make it better. Our bodies and our minds need time off to recharge.” He doesn’t say that everyone must follow that line of thinking, nor do I, but he has a principle and sticks to it. Sunday is the Lord's Day and should be a day of worship and refreshing ourselves (Hebrews. 10:25).
• For 30 years he has taught a Bible school class for 13-year-old boys. Isn’t it amazing that many folks who work 40 hour a week jobs don’t have time to teach a class but a person who runs a large corporation does? Could it be where we put our priorities (Colossians 3:1,2)?
• Mr. Cathy is a generous man. The Cathys opened their home to foster children, their family foundation funds a college called WinShape Centre, they offer college scholarships to all employees, their farm is a gathering place for young people. We say, “Well, he can afford it.” But remember, “It's not what you would do if millions were your lot, but what are you doing with the dollar and quarter you got?” (2 Corinthians 9:6,7).

Why has Mr. Cathy been successful? Probably many reasons but most likely it all goes back to his attitude. An attitude of respect for others. - Larry Acuff

If I Really Wanted To

Topic(s): Christian Life, Church, Evangelism, Worship

• I could make this church the most wide awake and working church in the world.
• I could visit members who are sick or shut-in and find other ways of helping them.
• I could show more devotion in worship and receive much more good from the services.
• I could profit more from the sermon by not resenting the truth when it reveals one of my weaknesses.
• I could attend Bible classes regularly and encourage others to do the same.
• I could tell others about Christ and His church and lead them to Him.

Of course, all this depends on what I want to do. I could be an honored servant of the greatest of all kings. I have the ability—if I really want to.

Things You Will Never See at a Modern “Healing” Service

Topic(s): Denominationalism, Miracles

• One raised from the dead, like Jesus did (John 11:38-44).
• The blind made to see, like Jesus did (John 9:1-12).
• The deaf made to hear, like Jesus did (Mk. 7:31-37).
• The lame to walk, like Jesus did (Mk. 2:1-12).
• An ear restored, like Jesus did (Luke 22:49-51).
• A leper cleansed, like Jesus did (Mt. 12:9-13).
• Restoration of a withered hand, like Jesus did (Mt. 12:9-13).
• False teachers struck blind, like Paul did (Acts 13:8-12).
• Order maintained, like Paul commanded (1 Cor. 14:26-40).