TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – #222

The Bible – A Rare And Unique Book.
In the Library of Congress, in Washington, DC, there are over 22 million catalogued books.  If you could read one book per hour, and spent a 10-hour day, 365 days per year, it would take you more than 6,000 years to read them all.  That’s a lot of books!  Of all those books, The Bible (if it’s allowed in there) is the only book that tells who we are, where we came from, where we are going, and how to get there.  It’s the only book that tells us what life is really all about and how to live it.  The Bible alone tells us how to prepare for death and offers a valid promise of life after death.

The Bible – A Most Misunderstood And Abused Book.
Never has a book been so misunderstood and abused as The Bible.  Through the ages men have sought to destroy it, still it stands.  Those who have rejected it have faded into history, but The Bible is still the world’s best seller.  It promises great blessings to all those who believe and obey its holy message, and pronounces a curse on all who would tamper with its sacred contents.  Why do men hate it so?

The Bible – The Only Book Inspired Of God.
As the above text notes,  all scripture is given by inspiration of God.  The Greek word for inspiration (THEOPNEUSTOS), literally means “God breathed”.  So when we are reading the scriptures, we are reading the mind of God. The Apostle Peter said it this way:  “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”   (2 Peter 1:21) .  The Spirit of God led these men to write what God wanted written.  No other book can make that claim.

Evidences Of Inspiration.
Is our faith in the Bible as the inspired Word of God a blind leap in the dark?  Have we any reason for believing that it is indeed the Word of God, and not the work of men?  Is there any valid evidence for the inspiration of the scriptures?  Yes, we do indeed have valid evidence for inspiration.  We have both internal and eternal evidence.

Internal Evidence.   Unbelievers like to argue that you cannot go to The Bible itself to prove it is inspired of God.  “You cannot prove a thing by itself.  That is not valid evidence.”  But that line of thinking borders on the ridiculous.  If blood is found at the scene of a crime, how can you best determine if it is human or animal blood?  Would you not take the blood itself to a lab to test it?  If you found a white granular substance and wanted to know if it were salt or sugar, would you not test the substance itself?  The most valid evidence would be to test the thing itself.

In future articles in this column we want to examine The Book itself for internal evidences of its inspiration.  Later we will look at some external evidences.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – WHY STUDY? #7   # 221

“I am profitably engaged in reading The Bible.  Take all this book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man.”  Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States.

Why Study The Bible?
In recent articles in this column we have been examining some reasons why it is good to spend time with The Bible.  1. It Is The Word Of God.  2. It Is The Law Of Liberty.  3. It Is A Complete Guide For This Life.  4. It tells Of Man’s Origin.  5. It tells Of Man’s Duty.  6. It tells of Man’s Destiny.

7.  We Will Be Judged By It.
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:  the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48) .  On the isle of Patmos,  John was permitted to look into the future:  “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;  and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:  and another book was opened, which is the book of life:  and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:11-12) .

The Standard.
It only makes sense that we should order our lives by the standard we are going to be judged by.  Imagine you are enrolled in a class, and the professor assures you in the beginning, that whether you pass or fail will be determined only by the final exam, and the final exam will be based on the textbook.  “You will not be graded on my lectures, on what we discuss in class, nor what you hear on campus.  The only thing that matters is the final exam, and it will be based on the textbook.”  How much time would you spend with the text?  What is discussed in class may aid in your understanding of the text, but knowing and applying the text is most important.

Changing The Deed.
You might rewrite your deed to a piece of property to include some of your neighbors land, but that doesn’t change the deed that’s recorded at the court house, and that’s the one that really matters.  Many folks want to change the deed, to include some things they would like to do in worship and service, but that doesn’t change the deed in the court of Heaven.

Rewriting The Text.
Rather than learn from the textbook God has given us for this life, many want to rewrite the text to allow them to do what they believe and practice in religion,  but their revised text is not the one our final exam is going to be based on.  If we want to pass our final exam, we need to read and learn what our text teaches.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – WHY STUDY? #6     #220

Why Study The Bible?
In recent articles in this column, we have been examining some reasons why it is good to study The Bible.  1. It Is The Word Of God.  It is a love letter from the One who created us and gave us life.  2. It Is The Law Of Liberty.  So much of what we believe to be freedom ends up in slavery.  3. It Is A Complete Guide For This Life.  It tells us everything we need to know about life and how to get the best out of it.  4. It Tells Of Man’s Origin.  Man’s theories keep changing with time.  The Bible is the only book that tells it like it is, and has not changed one iota since it was first penned.  5. It Tells Of Man’s Duty.  The One who gave us life, expects us to fear Him and keep His commandments.  It’s really in our own best interest that we do so.

6.  It Tells Of Man’s Destiny.
Not only is The Bible the only book that tells of our origin, where we came from, but also the only book that tells of our destiny, where we are going.

Youth, Old Age, Death.
In the last chapter of his search for the meaning of life, Solomon speaks about the first three legs of our journey in this life:  Youth, Old Age, and Death (Ecclesiastes 12).  Remember your Creator in your YOUTH (verse 1).  There follows several pictures of OLD AGE (verses 2-6). Then comes some figures of DEATH (verse 6).  “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was:  and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it (verse 7).

After Death Comes The Resurrection.
Jesus takes us to the next step:  “Marvel not at this:  for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29) .

After The Resurrection Comes The Judgment.
Matthew records the next step in the schedule of life:  “When the Son of man shall come in his glory…before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats…And these (the goats) shall go away into everlasting punishment:  but the righteous (sheep) into life eternal” (Matt 25:31-32, 46) .

An Unknown Destination.
If you were making a journey to an unknown destination, you would need to know something about the weather conditions, the road conditions, and what lies at the end of that journey.  When Abraham was called to leave Ur of the Chaldees, he didn’t even know where he was going, but God promised to show him the way.  God became Abraham’s GPS.  Since we don’t know where Heaven is, how can we know the way?  The Bible is our GPS that not only guides us in the right way, but also prepares us for the journey.  We need to spend time with it, and learn how to use it, that we be not deceived by false guidance systems.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

Evelyn D. Wood

Evelyn D. Wood

Age 63, of Shock, Gilmer County, WV, passed away April 25, 2013 at her home following an extended illness.

Born at Lower Run, Calhoun County, WV, she was a daughter of Blondina (Dean) Duelley Richards and the late Burlen (Bunk) Richards.

Surviving is her husband Gerald (Gene) Wood whom she married August 22, 1970. Three children, Curtis Wood, Shannon Catherine Dobbins (Jerry) of Shock, Chris Wood (Becky) of Morgantown.  Eight grandchildren; Carrissa Wood, Shawn, Makayla and Rebeah Skeens, Sierra and Hannah Wood all of Shock, Ken McDaniel and Jamie Wood of Morgantown, WV.  Evelyn’s mother, Blondina (Dean) Richards of Mt. Zion, WV.  Three brothers; Roxel, Mike (Kay) and Denver Richards, all of Mt. Zion.  Two aunts and one uncle.

She will be sadly missed and loved by all that knew her.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, 1:00 PM at the Stump Funeral Home in Arnoldsburg with Rev. Rodney England officiating.

Interment will be in the Wood Cemetery at Stumptown.

Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the services.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – WHY STUDY? #5   #219

Why Study The Bible?
“A man has deprived himself of the best there is in the world who has deprived himself of a knowledge of The Bible.”  (Woodrow Wilson, 28th president of the United States).  In recent articles in this column we have been examining some reasons why it is good to spend time with The Bible.  1. It Is The Word Of God.  It is a letter from the one who created us and gave us life.  2. It Is The Law Of Liberty.  So much of what we believe to be freedom, ends up in slavery.  3. It Is A Complete Guide For This Life.  It tells us everything we need to know about this life and how to get the best out of it.  4. It Tells Of Man’s Origin.  Man’s theories keep changing with time.  The Bible is the only book that tells it like it is, and has not changed one iota since it was first penned.

5. It Tells Of Man’s Duty.
Now we’re getting to the real reason why so many do not believe The Bible to be the Word of God…they don’t want to believe it.  If they believed it,
they would feel obligated to obey it.

Man’s Duty.
After Solomon’s search to find what life is all about, he concluded:  “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”  (Eccl. 12:13) .  There is man’s duty to his Creator in a nutshell:  Fear Him and do what He says.

Jesus summed it all up in one little four-letter word:  LOVE.  When asked the greatest commandment in the law,  He responded with two:  #1 Love the Lord thy God, and #2 Love thy neighbor as thyself (Matt. 22:37-39) .  If we could only learn to love, as God loves (AGAPE), everything else would fall into place.  That’s man’s entire duty to His Creator…learn to love.

Ye Do Err.
When the Sadducees came to Jesus with what they thought was solid evidence against the resurrection and future life, Jesus replied:  “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Matt 22:29) .  They were familiar with the Old Testament scriptures, but they didn’t know (understand) them all, or they wouldn’t have made such an argument.

If you believe that all you need to do to get to heaven is keep the Ten Commandments, ye do err not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.  If you believe that you and Jesus have it all worked out without the church, ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.  If you believe that Jesus is going to come back to earth and set up a kingdom and reign on earth for a thousand years, ye do err, now knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.  If you believe that baptism is not essential for the remission of sins, ye do err, now knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.  If you would like to sit down, open our Bibles and discuss any of these matters, give me a call at 304.462.0384.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – WHY STUDY? #3   #217

Why Study The Bible?
The books of The Bible were written by men who lived between about 1500 BC and 100 AD.  Is it really relevant to our modern technological age?
Why should we take time out of our busy schedules to spend time with a book so old?

In Earlier Articles.
1. It Is The Word Of God.  We should cherish The Bible because it is a love letter from our Creator.  2. It Is The Law Of Liberty.  We should seek to master its contents, because it reveals to us the path to true freedom.

3. It Is A Complete Guide For This Life.
A new automobile comes with an owner’s manual, prepared by the engineers who designed it, that gives instructions as to how everything works, and how to get the best service out of that new automobile.  It provides details about the amount and grade of oil, anti-freeze, and other fluids to be used.  It even contains a Trouble-shooter’s Guide, if something goes wrong.

The Bible
is the operation manual that goes with man.  Given by our Creator, it instructs us about who we are, where we came from, where we are going, and how to get there.  It is the complete guide for this life.  It tells us what this life is really all about, and how to find peace and joy, satisfaction and fulfillment.  Common sense would lead us to learn and to follow the instructions in our manual.  We need to spend time with it to get to know those instructions.

All Scripture.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) .

For Doctrine.
For a creed to live by.  For instructions on how to serve and worship God in the way that not only pleases Him, but in the way that best serves our spiritual needs.

For Reproof.
For a troubleshooter’s guide.  For pointing out our shortcomings, and helping us see those things we are doing (or not doing) that are detrimental to spiritual growth.

For Correction.
For a how-to guide.  Multitudes can tell us what we are doing wrong, but how many can tell us how to make it right.  The scriptures can correct us.

For Instruction In Righteousness.
For a textbook on living right.  Unable to see into the future, we cannot know the end result of our actions here on earth.  That which seems to be a blessing today, often turns out to be a curse tomorrow.

A Complete Guide.
Our Creator has given us a manual that furnishes us completely with everything we need for spiritual health and spiritual growth.  Our guide gives us basic instructions on how to live this life in preparation for eternity.  We need to spend time with it.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – WHY STUDY? #2     #216

Why Study The Bible?
Why should we take time out of our busy schedules to spend time with The Bible?  Is it really all that important?

It Is The Law Of Liberty.
When we look into man-made mirrors,  we see only the physical appearance, not the spirit that lives within.  “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein,  he being not a forgetful hearer,  but a doer of the work,  this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25) .  Only the Word of God can liberate us from the physical, and enable us to see ourselves as we really are…spirit beings, made in the image of God.

Freedom – A Universal Desire.
Millions have left home and family in the old country and come to America seeking freedom.  We are familiar with the words by Emma Lazarus at the base of the Statue of Liberty:  “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,  The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,  Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,  I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”  Wars have been fought for freedom. Millions have died for freedom.  But what man calls freedom often ends in slavery.  Where is true freedom to be found?

The Truth About Freedom.
Jesus said:  “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32) .

What is Truth?  Jesus answered that question in His prayer to His Father when, speaking of His disciples He said:  “Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth” (John 17:17) .  Millions of young people leave home and family and go out into the world seeking freedom, only to become slaves to the devil’s lies.  Paul said it this way:  “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;  whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16) .  God’s Word…the Truth…is the perfect law of liberty.  “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36) .

The Bible – A Guide.
The Bible is the only guide that can free us from the bondage of sin, and keep us free.  But we must spend time with it to know what it teaches,  and then we must put those precepts into practice in our lives by obedience.

A Medical Guide.
If you had terminal cancer with only months to live, and someone came up with a medical book that could absolutely guarantee freedom from cancer, if you would but read and follow its instructions, would you let it lie on the coffee table and collect dust?  Sin is a cancer with far more devastating consequences.  God has given us a book of instructions on how to be free from sin.  What are we doing with it?

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – WHY STUDY? #1     #215

Spiritual Starvation.
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11) .  We’ve all seen horrible pictures of bodies that little more than skin and bones, the results of starvation.  Is that the way God sees us when we are spiritually deprived?

America Today.
America was founded on biblical principles.  Our founding fathers and mothers knew their Bibles well.  Our American heritage is saturated with references to God, to His Word, and to the Christian religion.  Amos, in the above passage, could very well be describing America today, because, as a nation, we are turning our backs on The Bible, and as a result are becoming spiritually destitute.

Why Study The Bible?
For the next several articles in this column, we want to give consideration to a number of reasons why we should spend time with God’s Word.  The wisdom and knowledge that is contained in this one book, can certainly enrich our lives.

          1.  It Is The Word Of God. When we purchase an appliance or a new automobile, a manual comes with it that tells us how to take care of it and get the best use of our purchase.  The Bible is the manual that comes with man.  It tells who we are, where we came from, and where we are going.  It tells us how to get the best of this life, as we prepare for eternity.  We need to spend time with it.

          Position yourself on a busy street corner and observe the numbers of folks hurrying by.  By far the vast majority of them have no idea what this life is really all about, much less where they are going.  “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:13) .  Don’t most folks, who believe in heaven, believe that they are going there?  Are they aware of what Jesus taught?  How can we avoid being deceived if we don’t know what Jesus taught?  We need to spend time with The Word.

          Jesus also taught:  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21) .  How can we do the will of the Father, if we don’t know what that will is?  We need to spend time with The Word.

Suppose you had a personal letter from a favorite entertainer, sports figure, national hero, or even your favorite president (living or dead).  Wouldn’t you cherish such a letter, perhaps frame it, and read it so often you would have it memorized?  The Bible is a letter from God…..the Creator of the universe.  Isn’t that something special?  We need to cherish and spend time with The Word.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

Pearl Ray

Pearl Ray

Age 86, of Shock, Gilmer County, WV, passed away March 18, 2013.

Graveside services will be 1:00 PM Friday at the Rosedale Cemetery at Rosedale, WV.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – THE SCHEDULE OF LIFE     #214

Universe On A Schedule.
When God created the universe, He placed everything on a schedule.  The sun, moon, and stars all move on schedule.  Even comets have their schedules. There are schedules here on our earth.  “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22) .

Man On A Schedule.
LIFE: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die… (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) .

DEATH: “It is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment”  (Hebrews 9:27) .

RESURRECTION:  “Marvel not at this:  for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth” (John 5:28-29) .

JUDGMENT:  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;  that every one may receive the things done in his body…whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10) .

ETERNITY:  “And these (goats) shall go away into everlasting punishment:  but the righteous (sheep) into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46) .

Everybody On The Schedule.
Every human being that is living or has ever lived is on the schedule:  the youth, the aged;  the rich, the poor; the master, the slave;  the believer, the unbeliever;  the righteous, the unrighteous….all ages, all nations, all races.  You’re on it! I’m on it!  The living are awaiting death, the dead are awaiting the resurrection.

We Cannot Change The Schedule.
We can no more change the schedule that God has put us on than we can change the schedule of the sun, moon, and stars.  We cannot avoid death for that is an appointment all must keep (Heb. 9:27) .  Nor can we sleep through the resurrection, for Jesus said all SHALL hear His voice and SHALL come forth (John 5:28-29) .  We cannot skip the judgment, for Paul said we MUST all appear before Christ (2 Cor. 5:10) .  Nor can we refuse the eternal reward, for the unrighteous SHALL go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal (Matt. 25:46) .

We Live In Two Different Homes.
Solomon says that at death “man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets” (Ecclesiastes 12:5) .  Since we go to our LONG home at death, then this life must be our SHORT home.  Our short home is given to us as time to prepare for our long home.  When a young couple marry, they begin making plans for a home they intend to build some day.  After some years of saving and planning, the day comes when they move out of their little apartment into their new home.  It’s a day of rejoicing.  That’s what they had been planning for.  When we use this short home to prepare for our long home, then we can look forward to death as a time of rejoicing.  How is your “long home” coming along?  Are you about ready to move?

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

Gilmer County Farm Bureau Visits Capitol

On Monday, March 11, 2013 several members of the Gilmer County Farm Bureau visited with House Majority Leader Brent Boggs (D-Braxton).

The group was at the Capitol to participate in Farm Bureau Day at the Legislature.

Delegate Boggs was pleased to welcome the group to the Capitol.

“I was glad to see so many Gilmer County residents visiting the Legislature as part of Farm Bureau Day, and I’m grateful that these individuals could participate in the day’s events,” Boggs stated.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – Where Is Heaven?  #213

Where Is Heaven?
Luke’s account of the gospel ends with Christ’s ascension back to His Father:  “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:51) .  The Acts of the Apostles begins where the gospel leaves off:  “And when he had spoken these things while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight”  (Acts 1:9) .  In both accounts, Jesus was taken UP.  So Heaven is up, right?  Where was Jesus when this event took place?  On the other side of the world from us.  So, from our position, when He went back to the Father, He went down.  So where is Heaven?  Does it really matter?  Can Heaven be confined to one particular location?

How Can We Know?
Jesus had met with His disciples in an upper room to observe the Passover for the last time, to establish the Lord’s Supper, and to further prepare them for His departure back to the Father.  Among the things He said to them that evening were these comforting words:  “I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (John 4:2-4) .  You know where I am going and you know the way!  But:  “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”  (John 14:5) .

The Way To Heaven.
In answer to that question, Jesus replies:  “I am the way the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (Luke14:6) .  That’s why Jeremiah said in the long ago:  “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself:  it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23) .  Since we don’t even know where Heaven is, there’s no way we could know the way.

An Unknown Destination.
God called Abram to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldees and journey to a new land:  “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee” (Genesis 12:1) .  Abram left his home that morning with no map, nor GPS,  but they would have been useless anyway, because he had no idea where he was going.  God said He would show him the way, and Abram believed God.  God became his GPS.

Our GPS.
Like Abraham, the Christian is on a journey to an unknown destination, but Jesus is The Way, and The Bible is our GPS.  Not only does it highlight the way and tell us when and where to turn, it also does “recalculating”.  When we make a wrong turn, it directs us back to the strait and narrow way that leads to Glory.  So, we don’t really need to know where Heaven is.  Our Glory Positioning System (The Bible) will lead us to Glory, if we will but learn and follow its instructions.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – #212

The Wrong Goal.
On January 01, 1929, the California Golden Bears faced the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.  Midway through the second quarter, Roy Riegels, who played center for the Bears, picked up a fumble, somehow got turned around, and ran 69 yards in the wrong direction.  He was in for a lot of criticism, but Will Rogers came to his defense when he said:  “I don’t know why we are heaping such criticism on the poor fellow.  Is it not a fact that the vast majority of people are headed in the wrong direction and running at top speed toward the wrong goal?”

The Need For A Goal.
Can you imagine the confusion on a football field if there were no goals?  Maybe that can help us better understand the confusion and frustration many folks experience in life because they have no definite goals.  Goals give meaning and purpose to life.  Why are we here?  Where did we come from?  Where are we going?  What is this life really all about?  What is death?  What happens after death?  Questions like these can help us determine our goals.

The Choices.
The Bible is the only book that can give a credible answer to such questions, and it reveals only two choices.  There are only two gates to enter (strait and wide), only two roads to travel (narrow and broad), and only two destinations (life and destruction) (Matt. 7:13-14) .  When harvest time comes (he judgment), the wheat will be gathered into the barn but the tares will be burned (Matt 13:24-30) .  In the judgment when the net is drawn to the shore, the good fish will be kept, the bad thrown away (Matt. 13:47-50) . The sheep (righteous) will be separated from the goats (unrighteous).  Only two groups and two destinations:  life eternal and everlasting punishment (Matt 25:31-46) .

Freedom To Choose.
When God gave each of us life,  He also gave us the freedom to choose how we would live this life,  and as a result of that choice, the choice as to where we will spend eternity.  Our ultimate destination when this life is o’er will be determined by the choices we make here and now.  The deciding factor in the “sheep and goat judgment scene” is determined by how we respond to the needs of those around us.  I was hungry…you fed me, you didn’t.  I was thirsty…you gave me drink, you didn’t.  I was a stranger… I was naked… I was sick… I was in prison…  (Matt. 25:31-46) .  To get to heaven, I’ve got to do more than warm a pew on Sunday morning.  “What on earth are you doing for Heaven’s sake?”  When I stand before Him in judgment, can He say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant?”

A Love Of The Truth.
Paul discusses another determining factor when he writes about “them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10) .  If I want to be counted among the saved, I must develop a love of the truth.  How do I do that?  By spending time with it (Rom. 10:17) .  Do I love the truth when I ignore and reject opportunities for Bible study?

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  –# 211

Is It Nothing To You?
Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet”.  He wrote five chapters of lamentations expressing his grief for his people and the city of Jerusalem.  God’s people had turned their backs on Him, and had been carried into captivity.  Jerusalem was desolate.  Her beauty had departed.  Filled with grief, Jeremiah cries out:  “Is it nothing to you,  all ye that pass by?”  (Lamentations 1:12) .

Is It Nothing To You?
America was once a Christian nation, founded by leaders who believed in the Christian religion.  Our government was based upon The Bible and depended upon the God that is revealed there.  If you don’t believe that, just look at the abundance of documents they signed their names to, and the inscriptions on public buildings, including those in Washington DC.  Look at our money, our monuments, and the names of cities across this land that bear biblical names and biblical inscriptions.  Liberal fanatics have achieved much success in turning this nation into a godless nation.  “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?”

Is It Nothing To You?
America was once the Land of Opportunity.  People of all lands have gone to great lengths to make it to her shores to enjoy the liberty and prosperity that she offers.  Thousands of her sons and daughters have risked their lives and have given their lives to defend that freedom and opportunity.  But America, as a nation, is turning her back on the God who shed His grace so abundantly on her.  How can she expect God to continue to bless?  “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?”

Is It Nothing To You?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…”  (John 3:16) .  The cross of Christ is the drawing power of God.  Speaking of the cross, Jesus said:  “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).

We talk about the agony of the cross and certainly our hearts ought to be touched by the pain and suffering Jesus was willing to endure for each of us, but what about the Father?  Could you see your son pleading in such agony, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me…” (Luke 22:42) , having in your power with the snap of a finger to stop it, but you don’t.  Surely the Father suffered much, too.  “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?”

Is It Nothing To You?
Ten men who were lepers once approached Jesus, and from afar off, cried:  “Master, have mercy on us” (Luke 17:13) .  Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest, who, according to the law at that time, had to declare them clean.  As they went, they were cleansed, but only one of them came back and, falling at his feet, thanked Jesus.  “Were not ten cleansed?  But where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”  (Luke 17:17-18) .  Are not many folks like the nine?  Where will you be when the church assembles for study and worship?  “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?”

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – The Lord’s Supper #3   #210

How Often?
In correcting some abuses of the Lord’s Supper in Corinth, Paul said:  “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26) .  That implies a regularity in observing this memorial, but doesn’t tell us how often.  Should we partake yearly, quarterly, monthly, or weekly, or only on certain special occasions?  How often did these first Christians, under the leadership of the apostles, observe it?

The First Day.
At the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, as he was returning to Jerusalem,  he came to Troas, where he tarried for seven days,  “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow” (Acts 20:7) .  We take note that their purpose in assembling on the first day of the week was not to hear Paul preach, but to break bread, a common expression for the Lord’s Supper.  True, the expression “the first day of the week” doesn’t specifically say every week, but weekly is implied.

Implied Regularity.
Were we to say that a club or organization meets on the first Monday of the month, how often do they meet?  Do we need to add every?  When God told Israel to “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy”, He didn’t specify every sabbath day.  How often did Israel observe the sabbath?  In like manner, wouldn’t “the first day of the week” imply every week?

Too Commonplace?
Wouldn’t partaking of the Lord’s Supper every week tend to lead to monotony?  Wouldn’t it be more meaningful if it were observed less often, only on certain special occasions?  What about praying, singing, and giving?  Would they also be more meaningful if observed less often?  Should we follow the example of some who meet to worship only two or three times a year on certain special occasions?

The Significance.
The First Day of the Week has a special meaning for the Christian.  It is the day of the Lord’s resurrection (John 20:1).  It is the birthday of the church (Acts 2) .  The Day of Pentecost was always fifty days after the Passover which was always on the seventh day of the week, which means Pentecost always fell on the First Day of the Week.  The First Day is the day Christians are to lay by in store (1 Cor. 16:1-2) .  It was on this day, the Lord’s Day, that John was in the Spirit on Patmos, and the Lord appeared to him with The Revelation.  So this day has special meaning to the Christian.

A Bridge.
In the First Century, faithful disciples met on the First Day of every week to break bread in memory of their Lord’s sacrifice.  In the Twenty First Century faithful disciples still do, and will continue to do so until He comes again.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

Gilmer County Family Court News – 02.08.13

Family Court Judge Larry Whited presided over hit regular Wednesday docket in Gilmer County on February 06, 2013, hearing about 10 cases.

•  In child advocate bureau cases or where attorneys are involved, no orders have been made.

Orders were entered in the following cases:

•  Temporary orders were entered in2 modification cases.

•  A generic testing order was entered in a paternity case.

•  Temporary orders were entered in two child support cases.

•  One allocation case was not heard due to being dismissed previously.

•  On Friday, February 08, 2013 one divorce was finalized between:
Charlotte Miller, age 58 of Shock, WV divorced John C. Miller, age 60 of Shock, WV.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – The Lord’s Supper #2     #209

The Purpose.
In correcting some abuses of the Lord’s Supper in the church in Corinth, Paul stated two basic purposes of this memorial:  1) To look back to the suffering and death of Christ.  Quoting Jesus Himself, Paul wrote:  “This do in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11: 24, 25) .  And 2) To look forward to the Second Coming:  “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26) .  So the Lord’s Supper is a bridge that spans the time between the Lord’s first coming and His second coming.

An Early Abuse.
One of the reasons for Paul’s writing to the church in Corinth was to correct an abuse of the Lord’s Supper.  One primary purpose for assembling on the first day of the week was to observe this memorial (Acts 20:7) , but in Corinth, their purpose in assembling was to feast, even to the point of some becoming drunken (1 Cor. 11:20-21) .  Paul rebuked them for this and gave instructions for the proper observance v (1 Cor. 11:22-29) .

A Misunderstanding.
Some have misunderstood the Lord’s words in establishing this supper.  It is true that when He took the unleavened bread, He said:  “This is my body” , and in reference to the cup, He said: “This is my blood” .  Are we to take those words literally?  Are we to understand that the unleavened bread literally turns to flesh and the cup literally turns into blood?  It was that misunderstanding that lead many to accuse the early Christians of cannibalism.  Jesus didn’t say I am like a door…I am like the way…I am like a vine.  He said: “I am the door” (John 10:9) ;  “I am the way” (John 14:6) ;  “I am the vine” (John 15;5) .  We understand He often spoke in figurative language.

The Cup.
When I was growing up in a small country congregation, there was, along with a saucer holding a cake of home-made unleavened bread,  a single glass of grape juice (the fruit of the vine), from which each member of the congregation took a sip.  Perhaps not very sanitary, but this was before the day of multiple cups, at least in our part of the world.  When multiple cups came into use, there was some debate whether or not they were scriptural to use.  After all, Jesus took THE cup (singular)  (Matt. 26:27) .  There are congregations yet today who still use a single cup because of this.  But let’s read the whole verse:  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it” (Matt. 26:27) .  To what does “it” refer?  Of what were they to drink?  The container or the contents?  The next verse begins:  “For this is my blood…”  To what does “this” refer?  What is the blood?  The cup or what’s in the cup?  The important thing here…the thing we are to remember is the blood that was shed, and that is represented by the fruit of the vine.  What is holding it is of little importance.

The Elements.
I have heard of those who, to modernize this memorial, advocate the use of a hamburger and a coke, or other such innovations.  Through the years man’s downfall follows believing he can improve on God’s plan (Gal. 1:6-9;  Rev. 22:18-19) .

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

Gilmer County Residents Graduate from GSC – December 2012

Six Gilmer County residents have completed their requirements for graduation during the 2012 Fall semester and received their degrees from Glenville State College.

•  Linville Filmore Couch of Glenville was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Psychology/Sociology and a minor in Social Work.

•  Nicholas Evan Dent of Glenville received a Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree.

•  Lora D. Gordon of Glenville earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with specializations in Early Education (PreK-K) and Elementary Education (K-6).

•  Robert Leroy Meyers II of Glenville received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with a specialization in Music Education (PreK-Adult).

•  Richard Alan Smith of Glenville earned an Associate in Science Degree in Business.

•  Mary Virginia Wellings of Shock was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with specializations in Elementary Education (K-6) and English (5-Adult).

A recognition program for the December graduates was held on Thursday, December 13, 2012 in the Mollohan Campus Community Center Ballroom.

These graduates are eligible to participate in the 139th Glenville State College Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2013.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – The Lord’s Supper #1     #208

Divine Memorials.
When God wanted His people to remember His Promise never again to destroy the world by water, He set a bow in the clouds.  When He wanted His people to remember His Protection, He had them kill a Passover Lamb each year, to remind them of how He had protected them from the last plague brought upon Egypt, the death of the firstborn son.  When He wanted His people to remember His Providence, He had them gather a pot of manna, to remind them of how He had fed them during the forty year wandering.

The Greatest Memorial.
What kind or memorial would be fitting for the greatest event in the history of the word?  What would be an appropriate way to remember the greatest sacrifice ever made, the greatest man who ever lived, the one who did more than any other to benefit more people,  one whose life and death has affected people of all races and cultures in all ages of time?  Somehow naming a bridge, highway, hospital, school, etc. all seem to limited and inadequate.  Such a memorial should be something that people of all nations and all ages could observe and be a part of.

The Institution.
On the night of His betrayal and arrest, Jesus had met in an upper room with His apostles to observe the Passover for the last time, and to institute the Lord’s Supper as a memorial for His followers.  Matthew records:  “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it and gave it to the disciples, and said,  ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,  ‘Drink ye all of it.  For this is my blood of the newtestament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’”  (Matt 26:26-28) .

The Memorial.
Unlike many memorials that are carved in granite, Jesus takes two very perishable items and establishes a memorial that has endured for almost twenty centuries, and can be readily observed by people around the globe.  Bread is the staff of life of every culture, and grapes can be grown on every continent where folks dwell.  So perishable, yet so enduring!

The Elements.
The unleavened bread, bread without yeast to give it life, is a very fitting emblem of the lifeless body of Christ as He hung on the cross.  The fruit of the vine, grape juice, pictures so beautifully the blood that was shed in order to cleanse our sins.

The Observance.
As we partake of this memorial, we look downward as we break the bread and take the cup, and we look upward to God in thanksgiving.  We look inward as we examine ourselves, and look outward as we commune together as a body of Christians.

We look backward through time as we remember His suffering and sacrifice, but we also look forward as we show the Lord’s death till He come.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  –  STEWARDSHIP #4     #207

How Much Should I Give?
Stewardship involves giving of our capital, our time, our talents, our opportunities, our blessings, etc.  Since all belongs to God, the question is not: How much should I give?  The question is:  How much should I keep for myself?  As I plan or purpose my giving, I must remember that God must come first (Matt. 6:33) .

A Pan of Brownies.
From a church bulletin some years ago, comes this story by Anonymous:  “Mrs. Baughman was my 6th grade Sunday School teacher.  One Sunday morning she brought a pan of brownies to our class.  As the goodies sat over by her chair, she gave each child a slip of paper marked with a household expense:  house payment, utility bill, phone bill, entertainment, etc.

“My slip had ‘car payment’ on it.  Before long, Mrs. Baughman picked up the tray of brownies and began naming the expenses written on the papers.  As we gave her our expenses, she redeemed each one for a brownie.

“’Car payment!’ she announced.  I jumped up to get my brownie from the pan.  Finally the last brownie had disappeared.  But one boy named Donald still held his unredeemed slip.  ‘God!’ called Mrs. Baughman. Donald took his slip marked ‘God’ and came forward hoping the teacher had one more brownie hidden somewhere.

“With a knife, Mrs. Baughman scraped the crumbs from the bottom of the pan into Donald’s napkin.  He got a pretty raw deal, I thought…just crumbs.

“’The brownies represent your money,’ the teacher explained to us.  ‘If you don’t give God His share first, He probably won’t get anything except maybe the crumbs.’

“I have never forgotten that illustration.  The day my friend Donald got only the brownie crumbs.  Even as a child I learned that God should have the first right to everything I have.”   Anonymous.

An Arabian Puzzle.
The story is told of an old Arabian father who wanted to divide his 18 camels between his three sons, but he had a favorite camel he wanted to keep for himself.  How do you divide 17 camels with three sons, giving the oldest son one half, the middle son one third, and the youngest son one ninth?  He gave his favorite camel back to the herd, which made eighteen.  One half of eighteen is nine (to the oldest), one third of eighteen is six (to the second), and one ninth of eighteen is two (to the youngest).  Nine plus six plus two equals seventeen, leaving his favorite camel.  The moral:  “Give to the Lord the best that you have and the best will come back to you.”  Isn’t that what the Lord taught:  “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38) .

Giving – An Investment.
Jesus tells me that I should lay up treasure in heaven rather than here on the earth (Matt. 6:19-21) .  Treasure is laid up in heaven as treasure on earth is laid down.  Giving to the Lord is a guaranteed investment in that which is eternal.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – STEWARDSHIP #3     #206

The Concept.
A steward is someone who manages or takes care of the property that belongs to someone else.  He doesn’t own it himself.  He is simply the caretaker.  Since God is the giver of life as well as “every good and every perfect gift” (James 1:17) , every human being is a steward.  What kinds of property are we to manage for God?

Stewards of Capital (Money or Property).
Lest we get the idea that since we worked for it and earned it, it belongs to us, consider God’s warning to Israel:  “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God:  for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.”  (Deut. 8:18) .  Without His gift of life, we would even be here.  And we must not forget the words of Paul:  “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”  (1 Tim. 6:7) .  The Rich Ruler (Matt. 19) , and the Rich Farmer (Luke 19) , were both poor stewards,  and both suffered as a result.  I must remember that all I hold deeds and titles to really belongs to Him, and one day I must give account of my stewardship.

Stewards of Time.
There is a bank called Time,  and each day 1,440 minutes are deposited in the account that has my name on it.  God grants me that to be used to His glory.  Paul admonishes:  “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:15-16) .  Lot’s sons-in-law had time to flee the city of Sodom, but they mocked and lost their lives in the destruction (Gen. 19) .  The Five Foolish Virgins had time to prepare for the bridegroom’s coming, but they slumbered and slept, and were unprepared when the bridegroom came (Matt. 25) .  God is giving me time to prepare for eternity.

Stewards of Talents.
Talents are given to be used.  Peter wrote:  “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Pet. 4:10) .  “Well, I’m not a very talented person.”  Why not?  Be careful what you are saying about yourself.  Talents that are used multiply.  Talents that are not used are lost.  We recognize that in the parable Jesus spoke (Matt. 25) , the talent was probably a measure of money,  but doesn’t the principle apply to all the blessings that God provides?  That’s the law of sowing and reaping.  The harvest is always greater than the seed sown.

Stewards of Opportunities.
Opportunities are fleeting occurrences.  Jesus said:  “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day:  the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) .  He told the church in Philadelphia,  “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” (Rev. 3:8) .  No man can shut the door of opportunity, but time can and does.  Noah was a preacher of righteousness while the ark was being prepared (2 Peter 2:5) .  Any human being living at that time had the opportunity to enter the ark and salvation.  But in time God closed the door, and the opportunity was lost.

This is just part of the property of God that we are stewards of.  Am I a faithful steward?

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – STEWARDSHIP #2   #205

All Belongs To God.
A steward is someone who manages or takes care of property that belongs to someone else.  He doesn’t own it himself, but is simply the caretaker.  Every human being is a steward because God owns it all.  Life itself is a gift from God, and is meant to be used to God’s glory.  We may hold deeds to many pieces of property, but they don’t really belong to us, for we must give them all up when this life ends, and we must stand before the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and give account of our stewardship.

All Mankind Belongs To God By Right Of Creation.
God Created All:  “ Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.”  (Psalm 102:25) .  “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.”  (Heb. 11:3) .  God Sustains All:  “For in him we live, and move, and have our being.”  (Acts 17:28) .  “And upholding all things by the word of his power.” (Heb. 1:3) .  What keeps the earth in its precise position in relation to the sun and other planets?  What insures that “while the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease”? (Gen. 8:22) .  God Owns All.  “The earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof;  the world, and they that dwell therein.”  (Psalm 24:1) .  If I am dwelling on the earth,  then I belong to the Lord.  “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills…..If I were hungry, I would not tell thee:  for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.”  (Psalm 50:10, 12) .

Stewardship Responsibility.
Did you ever wonder why God gave us life?  He didn’t have to.  There are plenty of others to give life to.  He didn’t have to give us X number of years to live and enjoy the beauty of His creation.  Why did He give us life in the United States of America?  He could have just as easily placed us in Siberia, or in some tropical jungle.  Why in the USA?  And why did He place us in the 21st Century?  Why did He not give us life in the days of the Roman Caesars or the Egyptian Pharaohs,  or back in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared?  God has a purpose for everything He does.  What was His purpose in giving you and me life, when and where He did?  And why has He blessed us so abundantly above all peoples of the earth?  “For who maketh thee to differ from another?  And what has thou that thou didst not receive?  Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?  (1 Cor. 4:7) .

All Christians Belong To God By Right Of Re-Creation.
The Christian has a double responsibility as a steward.  Not only do we belong to God by Right of Creation, but also by Right of Re-Creation.  Being born again into God’s Family, and being the recipient of all spiritual blessings,  and the partaker of exceeding great and precious promises,  we are the stewards of a much greater estate.  “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”  (1 Cor 4:2) .

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – STEWARDSHIP #1   #204

The Concept.
Our English word for steward comes from sti (enclosure or hall) plus ward (a ward or keeper), thus the word originally meant the keeper of a sty.  Doesn’t sound very glamorous, does it?  In the Greek, the word comes from OIKOS (house) plus NEMO (to distribute),  thus in the Greek,  the word means a house distributor.  But in modern English, the word steward has come to mean a person who manage the house or property of another.

The Basis.
Stewardship is grounded in the fact that God owns it all.  The universe is His by right of creation.  In addition to that, He upholds and sustains it all.  Since He has given life and blessing to every individual, every human being is a steward, either good or bad.  The Christian has been “re-created”, and given special spiritual blessings, which means Christians have a second obligation to exercise good stewardship.

The Picture.
To help us better understand the concept, someone has said that life is “Sailing the Steward Ship”.  Stewardship means that life is a great ship, loaded with rich cargo of many things to be delivered to many peoples in many places.  God is the owner, but I am the captain of the ship.  It is my responsibility as captain to see that everything is delivered in keeping with the owner’s wishes.

The Example.
The idea of stewardship is introduced in the Old Testament, but is developed more fully in the New.  In the Old Testament, when Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers, he became steward of the household of Potiphar (Gen. 39) , and later steward over all the land of Egypt (Gen. 41) .  In the New Testament, the prodigal son,  after squandering his inheritance,  literally became the keeper of a sty,  looking after the pigs of another (Luke 15) , until he decided to return as a servant in his father’s house.

The Scriptures.
“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”  (Luke 12:42-43) .

“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God.” (Titus 1:7) .

The Parables.
A good number of the parables of Jesus teach stewardship.  The Rich Ruler (Matt. 19) , seemed to think that all God had blessed him with belonged to him to use for himself.  The Wicked Husbandman (Matt. 21) misused and abused the authority and opportunities his master had blessed him with.  In the parable of the Talents (Matt. 25) , two of the three apparently understood the concept of stewardship, and made wise use of what had been entrusted to them, but the third buried his opportunity for blessing.

The Summary.
The apostle Peter summed stewaredship up quite well when he wrote:  “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  (1 Pet 4:10) .

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  –  EFFECTIVE STUDY   #203

A Famine In The Land.
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”  (Amos 8:11) .  Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God, faith in America is on the skids because of this famine.  America is not hearing the Word.  Why should we study The Bible?

It Is The Word Of God.
“Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  (2 Pet. 1:21) .  Would we not cherish a letter from our favorite president, entertainer, or sports figure?  The Bible is a letter from the Creator of the universe, the one who gave us life, and offers us eternal life.

It Is The Law Of Liberty.
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty…this man shall be blessed in his deed.”  (James 1:25) .  Freedom is a universal desire.  If we had a terminal illness, would we not cherish a medical guide that could free us of that illness?  The Bible is the book that can free us from the wages of sin, which is eternal separation from God.

It Is A Complete Guide.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  (2 Tim. 3:16-17) .  A manual comes with every new automobile, that tells how everything works, and how to get the best use out of it.  The Bible is the manual that explains what works and what doesn’t work, and how to make the best use of this life God has given us.

It Tells Of Man’s Origin.
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”  (Gen. 1:26) .  Men have developed a number of theories through the years about the origin of our universe and the origin of life.  Those theories keep changing as we gain new truth about ourselves and our world.  The Bible reads the same as it always has,  and man has never been able to refute it.  If we really want to know where we came from and what this life is really all about, we need to spend time with the only book that tells it like it is.

It Tells Of Man’s Duty.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep his commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.”  (Eccl. 12:13) .  In view of all God has done for man, what does He expect in return?  Jesus summed it up in one little four letter word:  LOVE…..love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.  (Matt. 22:35-40) .  If we could just learn to love as God loves, everything else would fall into place.  The Bible tells us how to develop that love.

It Tells Of Man’s Destiny.
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory…before him shall be gathered all nations:  and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.”  (Matt 25:31-46) .  If we were taking a journey, we would need to know something about the road conditions and weather conditions of the route we would be traveling, and certainly we would need to know what lies at the end of the journey.  The Bible not only tells us where we came from, and how to live this life, but also tells us where we are going.  It tells us what is awaiting at the end of this journey of life.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

Michael L. “Butch” Frame, Sr.

Michael L. “Butch” Frame, Sr.

Age 60, journeyed into Heaven in the early morning of December 08, 2012.

He was born on May 25, 1952 a son of the late Bazil Dane and Carrie Miller Frame.

Butch served our country in the United States Marine Corps from 1972-1975 as a military policeman. He worked as a policeman, truck driver, and school bus driver until his retirement.

He is survived by the love of his life, Mary Jo Frame and his children, Jenifer Myers of Burnsville, Melanie Murphy of South Charleston, and Michael Lee Frame, Jr. of Elkview.

He was blessed with four precious grandchildren, Meredith Frame (7), Amelia Frame (5), Meredith Murphy (7) and Joseph Murphy (1 ½ ). He is also survived by his brother, Charles Frame of Texas and his brother and sister in heart, Randy and Linda Minney of Shock, WV.

Service was 3:00 PM Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Richard M. Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway, with Rev. Mark Stump officiating.

Burial with military rites was in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Gassaway.

Friends called from 6:00 to 9:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Richard M. Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION     #201

A Special Kind Of Communication.
Have you ever thought of Christian worship as being a special kind of communication?  Communication is a giving, or giving and receiving, of information, signals, or messages, by talk, gestures, writing, etc.  In worship, we communicate with God, with one another, and with the world.

In Singing.
In our singing,  we communicate our praise, adoration, and thanksgiving unto God.  “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift(s).”  (2 Cor. 9:15) .    We also communicate our needs, our requests, and our pleas in our singing.  “By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”  (Phil 4:6) .  At the same time we are communicating our faith, our love, and encouragement to one another.  “Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  (Col. 3:16) .  And we are communicating our faith to the world…to anyone who might hear.  When Paul and Silas sang praise in the Philippian jail, the prisoners heard them.  (Acts 16:25) .

In Giving.
In our giving, we communicate our love and thanksgiving unto God in return for all He has given us.  We are also communicating to one another our concern for the work of the church and the spread of the gospel.  By our giving we communicate to the world our concern for those around us in need, as the church is involved in charitable activities.

In Communing.
In partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we are communicating to God, to one another, and to the world, our faith in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ, as we look back to Calvary and remember the Lord’s death.  At the same time we are communicating to God, to one another, and to the world our faith in His Second Coming and our anticipation of that glorious event.

Two Primary Avenues.
Our other two acts of worship are our primary avenues of communication.  Prayer is man talking with God, and Study is God talking to man.  We want to give more attention to these two avenues in future articles.  In any good conversation there is a balance between talking and listening.  I’m sure we have all been in conversations where this balance is lacking.  God forbid that I would be the one doing all the talking.

Lines Of Communication.
It is important that we keep the lines of communication open.  During World War II, in the battle of Iwo Jima, the Navajo Code-Talkers were a vital link between the heavy artillery and the front lines.  Had it not been for them, the battle would have been lost.  Two partners in business who fail to communicate are headed for business failure.  Production fails when there is a breakdown in communication between labor and management. Lack of communication between husband and wife, between parent and child results in serious problems in the home.  Keeping the lines of communication open between ourselves and God, through Prayer and Study, is just as vitally important for good spiritual health.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – CHRISTIAN WORSHIP #4   #198

Five Characteristics.

So much Christian worship is not acceptable unto God, because it is either not in spirit (not with the proper attitude), or not in truth (not according to God’s teaching).  For worship to be acceptable to God and profitable to ourselves, there are five attitudes that must characterize the worshipper.

An Attitude of Reverence.

“Fear God, and keep his commandments.”  Eccl. 12:13.  The Hebrew word for fear (YARE) means to show respect or reverence.  “”But the Lord is in his holy temple:  let all the earth keep silence before him.”  Hab. 2:20.  Worship is not a time for whispering, writing notes, playing with babies, clipping fingernails, etc.  There’s a time and place for those activities, but I show lack of reverence and respect for God when I do those things in a worship service.

An Attitude of Sincerity.

“Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth.”  Josh.  24:14.  “Therefore let us keep the feast…with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”  1 Cor. 5:8.  To be acceptable unto God, our worship must be free from pretense or deceit.  It must be genuine and from the heart.  As I approach a worship service, it might be good to ask myself:  What is my purpose?  Why did I come?  Why am I here?

An Attitude of Humility.

“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools.”  Eccl. 5:1.  “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility….”  Why should we be clothed with humility?  “…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”  1 Peter 5:5. After going to The Temple to pray, the humble publican went down to his house justified, but the arrogant attitude of the Pharisee made his worship unacceptable.

An Attitude of Submission.  Paul condemned Israel even though they had a zeal of God. Their zeal was not according to knowledge.  Paul explains:  “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”  Rom. 10:3.  That’s why he admonished the church in Ephesus:  “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”  Eph. 5:21.  If I seek to please God in worship, I must submit to His design for worship, and not change His plan to suit myself.

An Attitude of Liberality.
When Jesus sent The Twelve out on the limited commission, He told them:  “Freely ye have received, freely give.”  Matt. 10:8.  Paul commended the church in Corinth because “their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”  2 Cor. 8:2. God has blessed me so abundantly.  I need to be liberal not only with my money, but also my time, my talent, my blessings, my praise, etc.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – CHRISTIAN WORSHIP #3     #197

Three Purposes.
Why do Christians assemble when they do?  Perhaps the better question is, Why SHOULD Christians assemble?  Many times Christians fail to be blessed by assembling to worship, because they assemble for the wrong reasons.  For worship to be a blessing, there are at least three basic reasons for assembling with the saints.

To Glorify God.
We do not assemble to please men.  Giving, praying, and fasting are all acts of worship, and Jesus taught that when we do those things we need to “take heed” that we do not do them to be seen of men, but rather of God (Matt. 6:18) .  Neither do we assemble to please self.  Jesus also taught:  “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’ (Matt 16:24) .  We should assemble not to please men, nor to please self, but to Glorify God.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16) .  “For ye are bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”  (1 Cor. 6:20) .

To Edify One Another.
In our SINGING, we are “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” (Col. 3:16) .  In our PRAYING and TEACHING, we are to “seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” (1 Cor. 14:1-19) .
We can even encourage one another in our GIVING:  The church in Corinth was ready and willing to give cheerfully and bountifully to relieve the needs of the poor saints in Jerusalem, and Paul wrote:  “and your zeal hath provoked very many.”  (2 Cor. 9:2) .  In regard to the LORD’S SUPPER, Paul said, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor 11:26) .  Others can be encouraged and edified by our example.  Paul summed it all up very well when he wrote:  “Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1 Cor. 14:26) .

To Fortify Self.
Because of abuses of the Lord’s Supper in Corinth, Paul said:  “For this cause many are weak and sickly; among you, and many sleep.”  (1 Cor. 11:30) .  It follows then that the proper observance of this act of worship would help one to be strong and healthy spiritually. A vital part of Christian worship involves the study of God’s Word.  Just as the physical body needs wholesome food to be strong and healthy, the spirit needs nourishment also.  That’s why Paul admonished:  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  (2 Tim. 2:15) .

Note The Order.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to LOVE GOD, and the second is to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR (Matt. 22:36-40) .  Where does that leave self?  If I assemble to worship for what I can get out of it, I’m probably not going to get very much.  But if my primary purpose is to GLORIFY GOD, and my secondary purpose is to EDIFY OTHERS, I will be strengthened and built up spiritually.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

GILMER RESIDENTS STUDENT TEACHING FOR GSC

Two students from Gilmer County are currently completing student teaching internships for Glenville State College.

Lora Diane Gordon of Cox’s Mills, WV is completing her student teaching in Early Education (PreK-K) and Elementary Education (K-6) at Glenville Elementary School with cooperating teachers Nancy McVaney and Julie Perrin.

Shelly Ratliff and Connie Stout O’Dell are Gordon’s GSC supervisors.

She is the daughter of Daniel and Victoria Gordon of Cox’s Mills, WV.

Mary Virginia Wellings is completing her student teaching in English at Gilmer County High School with teacher Tabby Beall and in Elementary Education (K-6) at Normantown Elementary School with teacher Tena Church.

Don Sheets and Melody Wise are Wellings’ GSC supervisors.

She resides in Rosedale, WV with her husband Jason. She is the daughter of Herbert and Becky Cottrill of Shock, WV.

Successful completion of student teaching internships will qualify these students for December 2012 graduation. They will be eligible to participate in the 139th Glenville State College Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2013.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – CHRISTIAN WORSHIP #2     #196

Four Requirements.
Man has always been a worshipper of God,  but through the years most of man’s worship has been unacceptable unto God.  The way that leads to life is narrow, and few find it (Matt. 7:13-14) .  In His conversation with the woman at the well, Jesus spoke of four requirements for worship to be pleasing and acceptable unto God.

The Right Place – The Human Heart.
Worship is not limited by time nor space.  “The hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father” (John 4:21) .  Worship involves expressing love and praise unto God, and that takes place in the heart.  “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” (Matt. 22:37) .  Much worship designed by man is limited by space.  You’ve got to be in a certain building, before a cross, or some idol before you can worship, but Christian worship is not so limited.  The eunuch worshipped in a chariot,  Peter on a housetop,  Lydia on a riverbank,  Paul & Silas in a prison cell,  and John in exile on an island.  “Home is where the heart is.”  The same is true of worship…where the heart is.

The Right Object – God and Christ.
Much worship is unacceptable because it is not directed unto God.  “Ye worship ye know not what…God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:22, 24) .  Those who worship nature, science, philosophy, or other idols, do not know God.  Israel worshipped a golden calf, the Ephesians the goddess Diana, and the Athenians an unknown god.  All was unacceptable because that was the wrong object.  Worship, to be pleasing and acceptable, must be directed toward God.  “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matt. 4:10) .

The Right Attitude – In Spirit.
  Much worship is not pleasing to God because of the attitude of the worshipper.  “God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit…” (John 4:24) .  Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their arrogance and hypocrisy…the wrong attitude.  The worship of the proud Pharisee was unacceptable, as opposed to the worship of the humble publican (Luke 18:9-14) .  Worship is an activity of the spirit within, and must stem from the right attitude.  It must be sincere, from the heart, with love and enthusiasm.

The Right Method - In Truth.
For worship to be pleasing and acceptable unto God, it must be performed according to His instructions.  “God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) .  In regard to the people of His day, Jesus said:  “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9) .  They worshipped according to their own plan, not God’s.  Paul rebuked the church in Corinth for their abuse of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-30) .  For worship to be pleasing unto God it must be “in truth” .  How arrogant for man (the created) to imagine he can design a better plan of worship than God (the Creator)!

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – CHRISTIAN WORSHIP #1   #195

Man – A Worshipping Being.
Man was made in God’s image, after his likeness (Gen. 1:26) .  When God made man, he left a place in man’s heart for Himself, so man is incomplete without God in his life.  Perhaps that explains why man has always worshipped something.  When man turns his back on the God of heaven, he must of necessity turn to something else to explain his origin, the origin of the universe, and why things happen the way they do.  So he turns to science, nature, astrology, witchcraft, or other gods and idols.

Worship – The Experience.
Worship can be, and should be the most rewarding experience in this life, but so often it isn’t.  The worshipper is bored to sleep, and God is provoked to anger. As we look back over the history of worship, two outstanding facts emerge:
1) Man has always been a worshipper, and
2) God has not always been pleased with man’s worship.

Man Has Always Worshipped.
Adam and Eve communed with God in the cool of the day. Cain and Abel both offered sacrifices unto God. Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord and walked with the Lord.  He offered sacrifices after the flood.  As Abraham sojourned in the land of Canaan, he left an altar every time he folded his tent.  The children of Israel had a number of special days and feasts that they observed on a regular basis.  They had their synagogues in every major city, and the Temple in Jerusalem.  During all those years, the Gentiles had their own gods and idols which they worshipped at their own altars and temples.  Even when men do not know the God of heaven, or deliberately turn their backs on Him, they seem compelled to worship gods of their own making.

God Has Not Always Been Pleased.
Some seem to have the idea that God will accept anything in worship as long as one is honest and sincere, but that doesn’t square with the Scriptures.  Cain’s sacrifice was unacceptable unto God, because it was not offered by faith (Gen. 4) .  God was so displeased with Israel’s worship of the golden calf at Mt. Sinai, that He determined to destroy the whole nation, until Moses interceded on their behalf (Exo. 32) .  Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire unto the Lord, and lost their lives as a result of changing God’s plan for worship (Lev. 10) .  Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy in worship (Matt. 23) .  Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives because their giving (an act of worship) fell short of God’s standards (Acts 5) .  Jesus said that the worship of many in His day was vain (empty, worthless) because they were following the teachings of men rather than those of God (Matt. 15:8-9) .  The worship of the self-righteous Pharisee was not acceptable, because of his arrogant attitude (Luke 18:10-14) .

God-Designed Worship.
From the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden, God has always had a plan for man’s worship, and has never allowed man to design his own.  How can I ever hope to please God by ignoring His Will and doing things my way?

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

Randy K. Gregory

Randy K. Gregory

Age 53, of Elyria, OH, passed away Tuesday, October 09, 2012, following a brief illness.

He was born in Glenville, WV, October 28, 1958.

Randy loved to watch wrestling and the Cleveland Browns. He also enjoyed cartoons, cookouts and visiting family and friends.

He is survived by his siblings, Janice Clouser (Gene) of Oberlin, OH; Raymond (Janice) of Weston, WV; Sandy Clevenger (Don) of Shock, WV; Phyllis Coe (Donnie) of Titusville, FL; Allen (Diane) of Elyria, OH and Pamela Whilhelm of Elyria, OH and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Evalee (nee Carder) Gregory and siblings, Delores Fisher, Leon Gregory and Margaret Sue Ellison.

Private internment will take place in Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, at a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Busch Funeral Home, Elyria, OH.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – ONCE IN GRACE #3   #194

Once a person is saved and in the grace of God, he can never be lost.  Once in grace, always in grace.  Truth or Tradition?

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”   What IF I refuse to forgive someone who has hurt me?  Will God forgive my sins anyway?  Can I get into Heaven with unforgiven sins?

John 8:31 “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” What IF I don’t continue in The Word?  Am I still a disciple of the Lord?  After becoming a Christian, can I not neglect to spend time with The Word?  Can I not refuse to obey?

1 Corinthians 15:1-2  “Moreover, brethren I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”   I am saved by the gospel IF I keep it in memory,  but what if I forget about it, set it aside, and ignore it?  Do I lose the freedom to change my mind when I obey the gospel?

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” What IF I faint? What IF I become discouraged?  What IF I quit?  Will I still reap a spiritual harvest?

Colossians 1:22-23 Christ is able “to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled…” What IF I fail to continue in the faith?  What IF I am not grounded and settled in the faith?

2 Peter 1:5-10  “And beside this, giving all diligence,  add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  And to knowledge temperance;  and to temperance patience;  and to patience godliness;  And to godliness brotherly kindness;  and to brotherly kindness charity….For if ye do these things,  ye shall never fall.” What IF I fail to add these things to my faith?

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” What IF I stop walking in the light.  Will the blood of Jesus continue to cleanse my sins anyway?

Once in Grace, always in grace?  Why all these admonitions to Christian people, if they could never be lost anyway?  Do I lose my freedom to change my mind when I become a Christian?  That IF is a pretty BIG word.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – ONCE IN GRACE #2   #193

Once a person is saved and in the grace of God, he can never be lost.  He may lose part of his reward, but never his eternal life.  Truth or Tradition?

Luke 12:41-48
Jesus tells a parable about a faithful and wise steward who would be blessed if he were faithful when his lord came.  He would be promoted to ruler over all.  BUT if that same steward became unfaithful, and began to misuse and abuse his position as steward, when his lord came he “will cut him in sunder, and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”

What is the lesson of this parable?  Can a Christian who is wise and faithful, not become unfaithful?  Can the one who stands to be promoted and blessed, not be cut in sunder and be receiving the same as the unbeliever?  Can we be unfaithful to the Lord and still get to Heaven?  Do we lose our freedom to choose when we become a Christian?

John 15:1-10
In this passage, Jesus declares Himself to be THE vine (only one), and his disciples (not churches) are the branches.  “He that abideth in me. If a man abide not in me…” This is a clear reference individuals, not churches.  He is clearly talking about someone who is a part of the vine (saved), and is bearing fruit.  BUT if one does not continue to abide in the vine,  and fails to bear fruit,  is he not cast forth as a branch and burned?  “If a man abide not in me…”  Does a man not have the freedom to choose whether or not to abide in the vine?  That night in the garden when Jesus was arrested, all the apostles fled.  Fortunately they later chose to come back.  What if they hadn’t?  Judas didn’t.

1 Cor 10:1-12
Paul is briefly reviewing some of Israel’s experiences in leaving bondage in Egypt and journeying to the promised land.  They had clearly escaped bondage.  The waters of the Red Sea separated them from Egypt, and they were on their way to the Land of Canaan, but many of them were overthrown in the wilderness.  Twenty three thousand fell in one day alone. In fact of all the adults that escaped bondage, only two survived the wilderness, and finally entered the promised land.

Paul suggests that their crossing the Red Sea is a picture of our escape from the bondage of sin in baptism, and their forty years wandering pictures the Christian life on our journey to our promised land (Heaven).  Is it not possible for us to escape the bondage of sin, be on our way to Heaven, and yet be lost in the wilderness?  Why is Paul writing this to the church in Corinth, and to all Christians?  Hear his conclusion:
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:  and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”  (1 Cor. 10:11-12) .

Why that warning, if it is impossible for a Christian to fall?

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

Lucy Virginia Wright

Lucy Virginia Wright

Age 73, of Shock, Gilmer County, WV, was called home to be with her heavenly father on Thursday, October 11, 2012.

He was born May 28, 1939, a daughter of the late Everett and Lura Greathouse Parsons.

She attended the Shock Church of Christ.

Surviving are three children, Lorina (Colin) Hartshorn and Everett (Brenda) Wright of Shock and William (Angie) Wright of Fairmont. Eight grandchildren, Loretta, Scott, Andrew (Sonja), Jay, Everett II (Amber), Emily (Jerama), Jamie and Taylor. Four great grandchildren, Tyana, Mackenzie, Landon and Gavin; two brothers, Harley and Kenny; five sisters, Kathaleen, Wanda, Kathy, Shelia and April.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Erman Wright, one sister and one infant brother.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 15, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Stump Funeral Home in Grantsville. Minister, Vernon Kerns and Minister, Gene Miller officiated.

Interment was in the Collins Community Cemetery at Stumptown.

Friends called at the funeral home from 10:00 AM Monday, until the time of services.

GILMER COUNTY RESIDENTS GRADUATE FROM GSC - Summer 2012

Seven students from Gilmer County have completed their requirements for graduation during the Summer 2012 session at Glenville State College.

•  Mendi Faye Eakle of Glenville earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Psychology/Sociology.

•  Curtis Lee Gaillard of Glenville received a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Psychology/Sociology.

•  Joseph Paul Host of Glenville graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate in Science Degree in Business.

•  Wayne Edward Joyner of Glenville earned an Associate in Science Degree in Business.

•  Sara Jayne McFarland of Glenville received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

•  Kasey Jo Miller of Shock was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Sport Management.

•  Darren Allen Moore of Glenville received a Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree.

These summer graduates are eligible to participate in the 139th Glenville State College Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2013.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – ONCE IN GRACE#1     #192

If a person is truly a Christian, they can never be lost.  Once in grace, always in grace!  Truth or Tradition?

I Will In No Wise Cast Out.
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  (John 6:37) .  In Old English “eth” on the end of a verb meant continuous action.  “He that keeps on coming to me.”  What if one stops coming?  What if one stops following?  A rich ruler once came to Jesus, but he went away sorrowful, because he stopped coming (Matt. 19:16-22) .  One came to a wedding feast, but was cast out, because he was not properly clothed (Matt. 22:1-14) .  Jesus will not refuse anyone who comes to Him with the proper attitude, but does one who comes to Jesus not have freedom to walk away?  Does he lose his freedom of choice when he becomes a Christian?

Neither Shall Any Man Pluck Them.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) .  What if they stop hearing and stop following?  He will not cast them out, and no man can pluck them out, but are they not free to walk away?  Do sheep ever wander away on their own?

Nothing Can Separate.
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, or 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.” (Rom. 8:38-39) .  Nothing can separate us from the love of God….does that mean we are absolutely guaranteed a home in heaven?  “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) .  Anybody in the world God doesn’t love?  Does that mean everybody is going to heaven? Parents continue to love their children, even when those children reject their parents,  leave home and separate themselves from their parents.  Even though they are never separated from their parent’s love, they are separated from all the blessings of the parents’ home.  All spiritual blessings are in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3) .  Must I not be in those heavenly places (the church) in order to receive those blessings?

Separated From The Father’s House.
One of Jesus’ best loved parables is about a prodigal son, who took leave of his father, left his father’s house and journeyed to a far country, and wasted half of his father’s estate in riotous living.  When he hit bottom, repented and returned, his father ran to meet him.  (Luke 15:11-32) .  Was he ever separated from his father’s love?  But wasn’t he separated from his father’s house and all the blessings of being a son?  Had he died in that far country, would he not have been forever separated from those blessings?

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

G-otcha™: Shock, WV Resident Enters Plea to Methamphetamine Charge

A 37 year old Shock, West Virginia,  resident entered a plea of guilty on October 05, 2012, in United States District Court in Clarksburg before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that: DANIEL RAY KING entered a plea of guilty to Possession of Material used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine on February 01, 2012, in Gilmer County, West Virginia.

KING, who is on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum exposure of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner and was investigated by the West Virginia State Police.

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – PREDESTINATION   #191

God has willed eternal damnation for some and eternal life for others.  You and I have no choice in the matter.  Que Sera Sera!  Truth or Tradition?

Romans 8:29.

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”   Predestinate means to determine beforehand.  According to this verse, what has God determined beforehand?  Some people to go to heaven and others to hell?  Isn’t it the plan that has been predetermined, rather than the person?  If I want to go to heaven I must conform my life (as best I can) to the image of Christ.  That’s the plan. God does not take away my freedom of choice.

Ephesians 1:5.

”Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”   Does Paul say here that some have been predestinated to heaven and others to hell?  Again is it not the plan, rather than the man, that has been predestinated.  God has predetermined that those who go to heaven will be those who have been adopted into His family.  It’s up to me whether I want to be “born again” or not (John 3:1-7) .  That’s my choice, not God’s.

John 3:16.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”   Whosoever…. who does that leave out?

Acts 10:34-35.

“Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”   If God has already determined my eternal destiny, and I don’t really have any choice in the matter, wouldn’t that make Him a respecter of persons?  In every nation, he that feareth and worketh is accepted….who does that not include?

Mark 16:15.

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Why preach the gospel to every creature if God has already determined that many of those creatures are going to hell anyway, regardless of what they do or don’t do?  Why preach the gospel?  If God has already determined who is going to heaven and who isn’t, why worry about it?  What I do or don’t do with the gospel won’t change my destiny anyway…if God has already decided. Why not eat, drink, and be merry, if my eternal destiny has already been decided?

1 John 2:2.

“And he is the propitiation for our sins:  and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Why would Jesus shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world, if the majority of the world couldn’t have their sins cleansed anyway?  If predestination is true, then man does not have freedom of choice.

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org

TRUTH OR TRADITION?  – #190

When Christ comes again, He will set up a kingdom here on earth and reign on the throne of David for one thousand years.  Truth or Tradition?

At His First Coming.
“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.”  Mark 9:1.  If Jesus spoke the truth here, wouldn’t the kingdom have come during the lifetime of those living then?

Not Observable.
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  Neither shall they say, Lo here!  or, lo there!  for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”  Luke 17:20-21.  If Jesus were going to set up a kingdom here on earth and reign on David’s throne, wouldn’t it be observable?  How do you get a literal, earthly kingdom within folks?  Does He not already reign within the hearts of all those who submit their lives to Him?  Is His kingdom not spiritual in nature?

Not Of This World.
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:  if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:  but now is my kingdom not from hence.”  John 18:36.  If He were to reign on this earth on David’s throne in Jerusalem, wouldn’t His kingdom be of this world?

Came To Be King.
“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then?  Jesus answsered, Thou sayest that I am a king.  To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world…” John 18:37.  Did He accomplish His end…His goal in being born?  Did He finish His purpose in coming into the world?  In His prayer in the upper room He said:  “I have glorified thee on the earth:  I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”  John 17:4.  If He came to be king, and He finished the work He came to do, wouldn’t He already have a kingdom?

At His Coming.
Speaking of the resurrection at His second coming, Paul wrote:  “Then cometh the end,  when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;  when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”  1 Cor. 15:24-25.  Then cometh the end of what?  How could He deliver up a kingdom to God that didn’t exist?  Was He not already reigning when Paul wrote that?

Translated Into.
“Giving thanks unto the Father….Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”  Col. 1:12-13,
How could folks be translated into a kingdom that didn’t exist?    If you would like to discuss these Scriptures more fully, give me a call.  304.462.0384     “ghmiller@rtol.net”

Steer Creek Church of Christ,  3466 Rosedale Road,  Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone:  304.462.0384     E-Mail:  “ghmiller@rtol.net”  Web Site:  steercreekchurchofchrist.org