UnOfficial Christian Newsletter 5/30/02

Note: I am no longer a co-editor of this newsletter, but here is the newsletter that I put out as an editor.

CONTENTS
I. A Letter From The Editor
II. Bible Study
III. Interesting Websites
IV. Authors to Check Out

A Letter from the Editor

I'm Shaun (AKA Stallion) and I'll be one of the new co-editors of the newsletter. Please excuse me for being a little late in getting this edition of the The UnOfficial Christian Newsletter, but I’d to be up front with all of you about some things. I tend to be rather blunt in general, and this carries over into presenting the Gospel and the edition(s) of the newsletter that I will be in charge of. Also, if possible, I will incorporate links to either other items in Writing.Com or other websites that might contain some useful information about things the LORD wants me to discuss you here. In fact, I use one such link in this bible study as the basis for this week’s edition, so please refer to it as you read through the study. Plus, I will make every edition that I work on into a static item for your viewing pleasure; details on that soon… Well, on with the study…

Bible Study

I believe the LORD wants me to speak on obedience, because quite frankly, there's not a lot of it in today's church (the body of Christ to be exact). I have a post on my forum "Godly Words of Encouragement"  titled "Submission to spiritual authorities"   which speaks about obedience to spiritual authorities, and I would encourage all of you to view that post since that's the bread and butter of what I'll be talking about. I will simply add a few more things to that word.

A very critical part of obeying God is receiving godly rebuke (in short, a rebuke without condemnation, see Ephesians 4:15), which I know is not an easy or popular thing to discuss. But humbling yourself through accepting such reproof is a very essential part of your spiritual growth in Christ. (NAS) 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." We as brothers and sisters in Christ should thank God when another brother or sister rebukes us with a word of God in areas of our lives in which we struggle or possibly backslide. Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." It keeps us disciplined and focused on Christ. But a godly rebuke also reaffirms our place as sons and daughters of God.

Hebrews 12:5-9 "and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.' It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?"

I'm not a father myself, but I'm sure we'd all agree that obedience is a very desirable quality in a child. We're His children. There are MANY reasons given in the Word to obey the LORD and His commandments, too many to mention here. But they can be summed in Hebrews 12:10,11 "...but He {disciplines us} for good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Obedience to the LORD is something that we must all learn through trials, setbacks, and mistakes, but it's clearly worth it. Remember that obedience to God involves action, not just lip-service!

The key to true obedience is abiding in Christ. If you abide in Christ, then you'll obey the LORD naturally. John 15:7,10 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you...you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." God's made it easier for us to obey Him because of this: Philippians 2;5-9 "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name." Through obedience, through the blood of Jesus, we get to share in God's glory as His sons and daughters. Thank God He cares for His own.

That's all I have for now. Take care and God bless you...

Interesting Websites

http://www.biblemysteries.com/ This is a great website to check out for objective in-depth research by Christian scientists and scholars as to stuff like Sodom and Gomorrah. Using the Bible and archaeological discoveries, the site affirms the historical accuracy of the Word of God. So if you’re into the “how’s” and “why’s” of events and people in the Bible, this is a site you should check out.

http://bible.crosswalk.com/ Great reference tool for several translations of the Bible. Includes study tools for any verse(s) or words you look up. I use it any time on the Net when I’m working on something for the LORD.

Authors to Check Out

I know this is a shameless plug, but I’ve recently compiled several lists of works by Christian writers here at Writing.Com in my journal:

Spiritual Resources at Writing.Com  (ASR) An ongoing series of emotional/spiritual outlets for anyone who needs them #428138 by Stallion

I’ve done this because I believe there are so many words of God out there, but it’s a matter of bringing them together for your convenience. I believe that this will definitely help build each other up in Christ. So please feel free to check it out sometime. Who knows? Maybe some of your works are included!

And to go along with the theme of this bible study:

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"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, and acceptable, and perfect." -Romans 12:2

Application to subscribe to UCN  (E) If you want to receive the UnOfficial Christian Newsletter, please fill this out. #542586 by Stallion