THE BEACON - Electronic Edition - 6/2/04 Setting Your Spiritual Clock Several years ago it was reported that the telephone operator in a town in Cape Cod received a call every morning asking for the correct time. Finally, overcome with curiosity, she asked the inquirer, "Would you mind telling me why you call about this time every day and ask for the correct time?" "Sure, I'll tell you," the man said. "I want to get the exact time because I'm the man who blows the whistle at twelve o'clock." Well, that's funny, that is," said the operator, "because every day at the stroke of noon I set our clock by your whistle." How often do we set standards for ourselves based on what others are doing -- without even considering what standard they are following? It is good to follow the examples of others ONLY IF those setting the examples are following the CORRECT standard themselves. This seems to be Paul's point in Philippians 3:16b-17 when he states, "let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." To follow the example of others without being aware of what standard they themselves are following is the height of folly. The Scriptures speak of those who, "measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12). Setting Your Watch Every individual has a personal standard which he takes with him everywhere. He may either choose to follow it or ignore it. This inner standard is the conscience. Like a wristwatch that we may check through the day to keep us "on time," the conscience can be used to keep us on the right track if it has been correctly set. But the conscience can be set by a false standard. Saul of Tarsus lived "in all good conscience" when he was a blasphemer and persecutor of Christians (Acts 23:1; 1 Timothy 1:13). The individual who sets his watch by asking a stranger on the street for "the correct time" is a lot like a man who sets his moral standards and religious beliefs by others. This careless conscience setting is seen, for example, in a Christian whose conscience allows him or her to wear immodest attire because "it is not as immodest as what others wear" or "other Christians dress like this." It is seen in the person who believes that they can be saved by "faith only," not because they ever read it in the Scriptures (see James 2:24), but because that's what their parents or grandparents believed. Setting the "Church Clock" Groups of people sometimes also set their collective conscience by an uncertain standard. In the days of the judges, Israel pled for a king; they wanted to be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). As a group of people, they had set their clock by the surrounding nations. In doing so, they rejected the Lord as their standard of authority (1 Samuel 8:7). Even so, many churches today set their programs of work according to what surrounding churches (denominations) are doing. Children's church, Easter observances, and "rallies" to entertain the young people are just a few of the practices adopted by some churches of Christ (so-called) which illustrate this point. Each of these things have been done among denominations for decades, and now some churches of Christ are setting their clocks accordingly. Not one of these practices can be found in Scripture, either by command, statement, apostolic example or necessary conclusion. These practices are of human origin. Jesus said, "in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). -by by Steve Klein _________________________________________________ Which Harvest? If my thoughts are only on the coming of the next harvest, I should plant grain. If my thoughts are on the next half century, I should plant trees. But, if I am wise enough to set my thoughts on eternity, I should plant truth - deep within my heart and the hearts of all who will heed. Except I plant truth, I labor in vain. - by Dwayne Laws __________________________________________________ Is Your Heart Right With God? We have a very simple question to ask: Is your heart right with God? As you think about your answer to this most important of all questions, we'd like you to consider these observations: 1) You might as well be honest about this, because "if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things" (1 John 3:20). So then, if you have never obeyed the gospel, or if you are unfaithful in your service as a Christian, you ought to own up to the reality of your dangerous spiritual condition -- after all, you can't hide these things from God. 2) Judgment is as certain as life itself. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). 3) In light of these facts, perhaps you should begin right now thinking about a good excuse that you can use on the judgment day. A few favorites will surely be: "I was too busy", "I didn't feel well", "I had family obligations", "My work demanded so much of my' time", "The people at church were unfriendly", "I didn't like the preacher, or the elders, or the teachers, or...." Feel free to pick one of these, or perhaps you can come up with one of your own that seems more appropriate to your own particular situation. 4) We must warn you, however, that the excuse you choose, no matter how good it seems, will not be good enough. (Read Matthew 7:21-23 and 25:31-46) The truth of the matter is that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). 5) So our best advise then is to get right with God. It is ultimately important, and excuses just won't get the job done - not now, and certainly not in judgment. - by Greg Gwin ____________________________________________ Trends . . . Most Americans do not expect to experience Hell first-hand: just one half of 1% expect to go to Hell upon their death . . . Among those who expect to go to Heaven, there were differences in how they anticipate such an end would be attained. Nearly half of those who say they are Heaven bound (43%) believe they will go to heaven because they have "confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior." Others felt they will get to Heaven because "they have tried to obey the 10 Commandments" (15%) or because "they are basically a good person" (15%). Another 6% believed their entrance to Heaven would be based upon the fact that "God loves all people and will not let them perish." - via Barna Research Online Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." _____________________________________________ Some quotes worth pondering . . . "It is better to be faithful than to be famous." "Motives are invisible, but they are the true test of character." "Some people fall for everything and stand for nothing." ______________________________________________ News from Collegevue . . . May 30, 2004 These are special times when we are granted the privilege of assembling together for study and worship. We are glad that you have joined us in this most precious activity. If you are visiting with us, we hope you will accept our invitation to come again real soon. Continue in prayers for those who are sick, including: Granville Taylor, Effie Abner, Ted Ring, Jerry Riggins, Dot Warf, Carolyn Stacy, Alvin Lunn, Dugin Kincaid, Joyce Calahan's mother, Roger & William Toombs' mother, Lucille Vick's brother, Joan Lindsey's father, and others. The elders are asking for a brief meeting with all the men of the congregations for just a few minutes immediately following the services this morning. Please meet near the front of the auditorium after the final prayer. This evening, as it is the 5th Sunday of the month, we will have a special service with some additional singing. These men will be leading us: a.. 5 songs - Phil Hunt b.. 1st speaker - Joe Richards c.. 1 song - Troy Smith d.. 1 song - Jeffery Vernon e.. 1 song - Jordan Toombs f.. 1 song - Kris Kasun g.. 1 song - Joshua Overton h.. 2nd speaker - Britt Hanes i.. invitation song - Phil Hunt New Members: We have some new member information for you to add to your directories. Please add Andy & Erin Lawrence, 2130 Denham Ave., Columbia, TN 38401, phone 490-4346. Also add Coelina Davis, 2534 Zion Road, Columbia, TN 38401, phone 381-8968. We also have updated information for Amber Johnson: 4836 Leipers Creek Rd., Williamsport, TN 38487, phone 215-2659. And you need to change Stan Kincaid's address to: 1800 Thompson Drive, Columbia, TN 38401. The elders have a meeting with the deacons at 4:30 this afternoon. Congratulations to Brandon & Erin Miller who were married yesterday in Birmingham, AL. They will be traveling this week and return here next Saturday. We pray that God will bless them richly in their new life together. Don't forget the Thursday morning Bible class at 10am for both women and men. Figures for the week of 5/23/04: Sun.: Bstudy, 134; AM, 149; PM, 112; Wed., 125; Contrib., $2561 ______________________________________________ "The Beacon - Electronic Edition" is sent out weekly from Columbia, TN, and contains articles and information taken from the most recent "paper" bulletin of the Collegevue Church of Christ. We hope you will use this material in any way you can that will glorify our Father. Please give proper credit to the respective authors. - Greg Gwin ggwin1@bellsouth.net