Home Services Events & Calendars Espaņol Sermons
Mustard Seed September/October 2003
Letter From The Editor
Mustard Seed - September/October 2003
Hello Brethren,
The temperature is dropping and fall is approaching very rapidly. Thanks to our heavenly Father for the seasons and the beauty of each one of them. Each season brings the return of Jesus Christ closer and shortens the time we have to carry out our responsibilities as Ambassadors of the Kingdom. We expect to see excitement and anticipation pick up in the months of September and October, because of the fall festivals.
I did want to mention in this letter something about the approaching annual Holydays. The consistency of these days, and the objectives of them. Consistency and objectives are the mending fibers of society, family and Church. God's purpose wasn't to keep people from working when he instituted these days, he was bringing consistency to his people. We know this is the number one ingredient in business, health, family, sports, etc. A recent Columbia University study said that today's youth often desperately seeks consistent rules in their families, schools and communities. All of us need guidelines and a framework for our lives.
The days that our God has given to us, gives you and your children a steadfastness toward the word of God. To vacillate (two-spirited) produces unhappiness and it will drain your energy. In James, 1:18 it tells us " A double minded (two-spirited) man is unstable in all his ways." James is saying, don't expect what you need, if you are two-spirited.
There is a deep-seated yearning in youth and adults for something to live for in a decadent world, let's be honest with ourselves, we cry out daily, "show me the right way to go." The ten commandments of God and his holydays are some of the guidelines showing us the right way to go (live.) We need the consistency of following the words of God.
When will we wake up? When will we realize that God has given to us the reason for being here, and has given to His saints higher goals and purposes. Everyone of us has a responsibility to live this life and to help others along this path. we know that God teaches: "you reap what you have sown." (Read Gal. 6:1-10.) Sometimes the consistent saving and planning for the Holydays are a reward in themselves. When you take the time and the money ( two elements that are most important in this society) to observe certain days of the year, you are engraving into your heart, your sons and daughters heart , as well as your neighbor's the importance of these days. You are making a confession. Let's not think about what others may have done to us, instead let us think about what we can do for others. Brethren be a consistent follower of the word of God.
In Christ Service
--John shavers
Guard Your Mind
How many conversations have you had with the average person, Christian or non-Christian that didn't soon degenerate into a verbal cesspool? If you haven't noticed, almost all of our conversations can slip into double meanings very easily. In our everyday life we have to be careful about what we say and how we say it--why? Because someone will take your statement and pollute it with some dirty or profane meaning.
To pollute something, is To Spoil or To Taint. We understand polluted water, polluted air, and polluted food, these are not good for us are they? Cities and states are continually putting forth efforts and dollars to clean up pollution.
When we get to the issue of MIND POLLUTION, we hear statements like " that's their right to read and look at whatever they desire." That sounds like a good philosophy in life doesn't it?
Now I have a question about that statement, When Jesus Christ returns back to this earth to rule for 1,000 years, will there be X rated movies, pornography stores, kiddie porn , snuff movies, etc? If your answer is NO to my question, it has to be NO to the statement of people having the right to practice Mind Pollution. Just because someone has the freedom to do or say something, doesn't mean it is right. Jesus Christ is not here in person today, but true believers and followers of Christ are to look at things as he does
Our city leaders will go to the experts to find out how to clean up the water and air pollution, and they will take the advice from these experts. The expert that is needed for all mind pollution is the one that stated " As a man thinks in his heart, so is he". (Proverbs 23:7.)
The eternal God made that statement. Let's remember that we are walking video recorders through the five senses given to us by our creator , we record every day, everything we come in contact with. Pollution can go deeply into the mind and fester there. Look at Mark 7:21-23~~"for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness, ~~all these things come from within and defile the man." Not only does it defile the person that practices such, these people want to have you to go along with them. As we can see in I Cor. 15:33 "Be not deceived, evil conduct corrupts good manners." This is why we must be careful of the statements we make concerning mind pollution.
WASH YOUR MIND
" Husbands love your wives even as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Eph. 5:23.) We can go back to the Old Testament and see that God required the Priest to wash (be clean). In the New Testament we have baptism, Romans 12, "renewing of the mind " (heart) and many other scriptures on our heart being a new heart. God desires a clean heart, he has given us his word and his spirit to carry out this process. When we as true believers, and don't go along with the crowd, we might hear comments like: "they are out of it" or, " they don't talk or act like us, they're different, too straight laced." Accept that as a compliment, and give God all the credit for renewing your mind. Let's remember that these people think of us as being trustworthy, honest, dependable, even though they might not tell you that face to face, but in their quiet moments when they need someone that they can trust, your name will probably come to mind.
Also remember, they think that they are looking at you, but they are really looking at Christ in you. Wash your mind with God's word and you will be a refreshing breath of clean air, free of pollution.
-editor
Updated Audio Version