Author: Brandi With An I
•9:00 AM
Focused On The Man

taken from Wooddale Church of Christ

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to youHeb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Keep focused on THE man, and not A man. 

One of the major complaints of non-believers is that Christians are hypocrites. 

Those who don't even know the great stories of the Bible, can tell you in great detail the stories of Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, and the preacher down the street who ran off with his secretary. It is one of the most common objections of an unbeliever, that he would be a Christian, but those who claim to be a Christian don't act like Christians. 

I am sure there were many in the first days of the church who said, "I would be a Christian, but look at what Peter did. This man who claimed to be a follower of Jesus denied him. Not once, but THREE times." 

It is a valid point. 

Even though those of us who are saved, we are still frail, prone-to-sin creatures living in a sin-filled environment. That in no way excuses our sin, but it is the reality we live in.
The quickest way to fall away from the faith, is to put too much emphasis on a man of God. 

God uses human instruments to plant the seeds. 

He uses human instruments to help us grow in our new found faith. He uses human instruments to impact our spiritual lives at all levels. In a society that is prone to idolize others, such as entertainers, athletes, and successful people, we take that into our Christian lives as well. 

We place on pedestals our spiritual leaders. 
We normally only see them when they are "on", when they are doing what God has called them to do. 

Because of that, we almost tend to forget they are humans. 

Men who walk in the same frail clay bodies as we do. 
Prone to the same weaknesses that we are. 

Since we rarely see these spiritual leaders other than the times they are doing the Lord's work, we lose sight that it is only a part of their life. They have lives outside of their work for the Lord. 

Because they are in spotlight, when they fail, when they sin, it is often made known to the public. 
Our first reaction is "how can that be possible?"

Nobody is immune to sin. 

No matter who you are, your life flows from your relationship with Christ.

A minister, a spiritual leader is only as close to God as his daily walk. Like anyone, if they neglect their daily time with the Lord, they get farther away from God. It is only possible to minister to others from your own personal walk with Christ. As you neglect that daily time with the Lord, you start to be disconnected. You may have some spiritual gasoline left in your tank, but eventually you will use that up. Those spiritual leaders who fail, fail because they have neglected their time with God. Someone who is in the Lord's work, has to guard more than anyone else against neglecting their daily time with Christ. 

There is a very real enemy who is out to kill, steal, and destroy. 

The enemy is very wise in the art of warfare. 

Why waste time working on taking out people one by one, when if you can take out a leader, you can wipe out many people at once. 

The enemy knows that to take down the minister of a local church, he can take out many people at one time.

We well continue with this tomorrow, Lord willing.
Author: Brandi With An I
•10:19 AM
The Best Thing | The Soul Influence




Author: Brandi With An I
•12:47 PM

Is Jesus Christ A Liar?
by J. Raymond Pecoraro

Jesus Christ is a liar according to statements made by the self-appointed spokesperson for the Supreme God in heaven! 

It never ceases to amaze me the arrogance people have concerning these things. 

It is arrogance to speak for God when “God tells us His ways aren’t our ways, & His thoughts aren’t our thoughts.” (Jeremiah 55:8, 9). 

When people reject the “Inspiration of the Bible which contains the Will & Mind of God, this is what results! (II Timothy 3:16, 17). 

Mankind becomes his own god! 

Make no mistake about this, my friends. 

I am appalled at statements made by Oprah Winfrey and several of her cohorts who claim to know what is morally right and/or wrong. 

We know sometime in the past that this woman wrote her own set of moral codes because she doesn’t believe in the Holy Bible. We also know that when people write such, it is because they are living immorally and they must change their way of living or write their own set of codes in order to make justification! Some would rather write their own ticket to heaven than to repent and change. 

Jesus Christ said that “heaven and earth would pass away, but His word would last forever.” (Matthew 24:35). 

All the writing and rewriting will in no ways change God’s Words! 
We will all still be held accountable for what it teaches.

On one of Oprah’s recent airings on OWN network, she had several panelists and they were discussing various subjects, one of which was homosexuality. At least two of her five “religious” leaders of varying denominations made this appalling statement, “Being gay is certainly a gift from God, go out and enjoy yourself.” The other three panelists didn’t dispute this statement. Many in the audience applauded. When one courageous woman in the audience gave Scriptural teaching on this subject, she was booed and her voice was drowned out. 

This is what our society has now embraced … sin is ok! 
Go out and enjoy it!

This woman has her own agenda. 

She is heavily promoting a book called, “Conversations with God.” 

Friends, this book is devastating to say the least. 
Parents, grandparents, teachers, and churches please beware. 
We cannot let this slip through without objection. 

The other book she is pushing is called, “Conversations with God for Teens.” 

These books were written by Neale D. Walsh. 

Many schools are distributing this book to our children & grandchildren through the Scholastic Book Club! These books have been on the “Best Sellers” list for many weeks now. The titles seem harmless, but so does a sleeping snake. These books are venomous to our children and our society.

The author has the unmitigated gall to answer questions for God by using His voice. His answers go contrary to the Holy Spirit’s teaching. They are diametrically opposed to each other. 

I know Jesus isn’t a liar but all men are! 

Here are some answers this heretic gives to questions asked by young people:
1. A teenage girl asks the question, “Why am I a lesbian?” The answer he gives is, “You were born that way due to genetics.”
2. Another girl asks, “I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I am living in sin. Should I marry him” The book answers (in the voice of God), “Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong.”
3. Another person asks a question concerning God’s forgiveness of sin. His reply, “I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell people. The rule is “judge not lest ye be judged.” 

Satan just loves this! 
This is false teaching to its very core!

If God’s people are not appalled by all of this, then I beg of you to stop and take a moment to feel your pulse … you may not be breathing. Our children are under attack by so called “influential people in the media arena. May we all heed the words of God in I Peter 5:8, “Be sober and vigilant … because your adversary, the devil, roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” 

We owe this generation our sincere effort and protection from such godless people!

Our awesome God & Heavenly Father, we pray that this nation yield & kneel before you in genuine repentance. Father, please renew our fervor against those who willingly sow dishonor against you. Keep our children, young people, and grandchildren in your loving protective hands. We need thee more now than ever. This is perhaps the worst kind of terrorism. We know how much You love the children. In Jesus name, Amen!
 
Author: Brandi With An I
•11:14 AM
The following is a repost originally written by myself on 3.26.09. I wanted to share it once again because, right along through here, I feel it can help someone. Hope it touches and helps you. God Bless!

I am dying. 

No, I don't have a fatal disease or terminal illness, but it's true. 

I AM dying. 

I'm one step closer to death than I was yesterday. 

And if we stopped and thought for a moment, we all are. 

Life is soooo short, man. Death has no respect for age. It used to be at one time, all the older people would die off, but lately it seems as if the young ones are filling up those vacancies in those graveyards. 

One minute you're here, and the next you're gone..just like that. 

Some people don't like to think about it, or talk about it, but hey, that's reality. 
You're not here to stay. 

When you die, that's just the beginning of it all. 

I know some of us are in that mode "I'm young and i'm gonna do what I wanna do while I can do it" but that's not the mindset we should have. 

The devil wants us to think that we have all the time in the world...but in reality we don't. 

Don't you know if you die in your sins, your soul goes to him to be tortured for all eternity?

Since young people are dying as quickly as the older generation, don't you think we should be in good standing with God? 

When we die and judgment comes, we have to stand before Him and give an account of everything we did on earth. 

Some of us say "I'm a good person" or "I love God" but it takes more than just that. You can't live your life any old way and expect God to be pleased with you. You have to live according to His teachings. 

Sure, it might be hard and you'll have to give up a LOT
But look at the BIG PICTURE..if you live as He would have you to live and follow His word, you spend eternity with Him? 
Isn't that a wonderful thought? 

To know after all the hurt and pain and drama down here you had to deal with, you can rest in Heaven with him forever? 

Why would you wanna live a life full of hell here on earth and spend eternity in hell 'cause of how you were living? 

We need to take self examinations and change up the way we live if it's not measuring up to God's standards. 

Tomorrow is not promised...neither is the next second. 

We should stop saying "I'll worship God when I get older", who's to say you have that long left? 

You should do it NOW while there's still breath in your body and blood running warm in your veins. 

Sure you may lose some friends along the way, your family may even turn against you, but when you face God you have to answer for YOU and what you did or didn't do during your life. 

It's funny how we can talk about any and everything, but when God is brought up, there's cause for debate. 

Why can we talk hours and hours about the latest music, gossip about this and that person, but when something comes up about our soul and eternity we get defensive? 

God loves ALL OF US and doesn't want any of us to perish. 
But he destroyed the world once before and only eight survived, He has the right to do it again. 

Why take that chance? 
Don't you want to hear Him say "Well done" on that last and final day? 
Don't you want to see His face in peace instead of fear?

Some may think i'm crazy, or a "religious nut" but hey...
you think what you want. It used to bug me that people would
think I was weird for standing up and doing what was right
by telling others about God, but it doesn't bother me anymore.
I know i'm doing what God would have me to do;
and as long as He's pleased, that's all that matters to me.

Don't you want to be on someone's side who...
..will love you unconditionally?
..will be there for you all the time when others turn their backs?
..will forgive you when you do wrong instead of hanging it over your head?


Do what's right:
Live for Him♥
What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Hear the Gospel. "How shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).

Believe. "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Repent of past sins. "The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent" (Acts 17:30).

Confess Jesus as Lord. "Behold here is water; What doth hinder me to be baptized ? And Philip said, if thou believeth with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).

Be baptized for the remission of sins. "And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

Live a Christian life. "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Want to learn more?

http://church-of-christ.org/churches/

Visit that site,
click the area in which you reside,
find a congregation near you and pay a visit.
Author: Brandi With An I
•11:08 AM
If Jesus Couldn't, Why Do We Think We Can?
by Steve Higginbotha, 
Wooddale Church of Christ 



Expectations have much to do with our contentment. 

Those who place unrealistic expectations upon themselves are generally discouraged, and feel as though they are a failure. 

I’m convinced that if people had proper expectations, they would not be so soon moved to discouragement, depression, and despair. 

An obvious step to “reeling in” our expectations is to understand the fact that “if Jesus couldn’t do something, we need to stop believing we can.

Consider:

Jesus couldn’t make his own family believe that he was the Son of God (John 7:1-6), so why then do we beat ourselves up for sometimes failing to do the same?

Jesus couldn’t avoid sadness and sorrow (Isaiah 53:5), so why do we sometimes act as though we expect life to be a bed of roses?

Jesus couldn’t go without rest (Mark 6:31), so why do we feel guilty if we aren’t on the go 24/7?

Jesus couldn’t avoid making enemies (John 15:18), so why are we so surprised when people hate us for our faith?

Jesus couldn’t cause all men to repent (Matthew 23:37), so let’s be content with our best efforts. We can’t obey for others.

Jesus couldn’t even forgive all men of their sins though he was willing (John 8:24; Luke 17:3), so why do we think we can forgive those who will not repent?

Maybe the first step to contentment is in shedding the guilt that comes from the unrealistic expectations we place upon ourselves. 

After all, if Jesus couldn’t do it, why do we think we can?
Author: Brandi With An I
•12:42 PM

1 Corinthians 3:6

King James Version (KJV)

6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Just like back in Bible times, this still stands true today; God can't give the increase to anything unless we do our part. 


Many of us complain about how people aren't coming to worship anymore. We say how there aren't as many people coming and seeking Christ as there were back in the day.


Well, ask yourselves, have we done our part?


Have we reached out to those we haven't seen in a while?
Have we walked the neighborhoods spreading the good news of Christ and inviting people to worship?
Have we lived our lives as examples to those we are around?


We're expecting God to work a miracle but that's not going to happen.


He expects us to do our part, then in His own time and way He'll give the increase.


Look at it this way.


You want to plant a rose garden, so what do you do?
You buy the soil, seeds, and water like you're supposed to;
eventually, roses will bloom.


Do you think you'll get the same result if you just walk outside and say,
"Now look here, I wanna see some roses, so start blooming!"


Doesn't work that way.

If we want the Lord's church to grow by leaps and bounds, we need to do something.
If we want to reach more people, we have to go out and do the work.


You want God to move?


Step out on faith and watch Him show up and show out!


Think about it
- B.
Author: Brandi With An I
•8:15 AM
The Cross of Christ 
(Part Two)
By: J. Raymond Pecoraro, Wooddale Church of Christ


In Part One of this article on the cross of our Lord, I discussed the meaning of the cross to believers. I wrote that the cross means love and peace. I would like to continue this line of reasoning for your perusal. It is the sincere prayer of the Wooddale Church of Christ that all of our articles in some small way able to lift you to a higher plain, both in encouragement & in your spirituality! 

Let us continue:

3. The Cross means Life: The idea that life could come from death was reason for unbelievers to scoff at the cross. (I Cor. 15). Again Paul stated, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Rom. 1:4). The gospel brings us back to life from the dead. We were all dead to sin and it was God’s plan to redeem us from the “wages of sin’ via the cross. Paul is a great example of the change in his life that the cross made. He wrecked havoc upon the Lord’s church & placed Christians in prison for practicing their faith. (Acts 8:3; I Tim. 1:13). “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (I John 5:13). Paul suffered for the cause of Christ (II Tim. 1:12) but he did it proudly. He said, “For me to live is Christ, & to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21).

4. The Cross means Victory: The cross is the means for our victory over Satan. God told Satan, “He (Christ) shall bruise thy head (devil); thou (devil) shall bruise His (Christ’s) heel.” (Gen. 3:15). The devil bruised the heel of Christ by crucifying Him upon the cruel cross where Jesus gave His life for the sins of the world. But when Jesus broke the bonds of death through His resurrection from the dead, Satan was delivered a blow to his head that he cannot ever recover! The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), but by the grace of God He (Christ) “tasted death for every man.” (Heb. 2:9; See I Cor. 15:57). We have the victory in Christ Jesus. He tasted death for every person!

There are no “crown wearers” in heaven that were not “cross bearers’ here on earth! Make no mistake about this, friends. The problem is that most people want a padded, light weight, comfortable, and inconspicuous cross to bear! Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, Let him deny himself, & take up his cross daily & follow Me.” (Read Hebrews 10:29).

In conclusion, what does the cross mean to you? 
Does it mean foolishness to you? 
Or does it mean “Love of God, Peace with God & self, Life in the hereafter, & Victory through Christ?” 

The choice you make today will determine the answer to these questions. 
God is served in action; not mere words!

Footnote: 

What was the physical reason for Christ’s death? 

Recent medical studies have sought an answer to this age old question. 

When a person is suspended by his two hands, the blood sinks rapidly into the lower extremities of the body. Within six to twelve minutes blood pressure has dropped by 50 percent, while the rate of the pulse has doubled. The heart is deprived of blood & fainting follows. This leads to an orthorastic collapse through insufficient circulation. 

Death by crucifixion is due to heart failure. 

Victims of crucifixion did not generally succumb for two or three days. 

Death was hastened by the “crucifragium” or “the breaking of the legs.” 

When they came to Jesus & saw that He was dead “already, they break not his legs”(John 19:33). Sometimes a fire was built beneath the cross so that the fumes might suffocate the sufferer. Among the Jews, a stupefying potion was prepared by the merciful women of Jerusalem, a drink that Christ refused. (Mark 15:23). To such a death, the One who was Co-equal with God descended. (Phil. 2:5).

We know what Jesus the Christ did for you, now what will you do for Jesus the Christ? 

If you have not summited your will to the Will of the Father in heaven, then the question begs for the answer …why not, dear friends? 

Heaven is a prepared place (John 14:1-6) for a prepared people. (Gal. 3:26, 27). 

It is never too late to render obedience to the Lord! 
One day it will be too late!
Author: Brandi With An I
•8:15 AM
The Cross of Christ 
(Part One)
By: J. Raymond Pecoraro,
Wooddale Church of Christ

What does the Cross mean to you? 

To the people 2000 years ago, it meant shame! 

The cross was one of the cruelest forms of execution ever devised by mankind. 

The Greek word “STAUROS” means “A CROSS” or “THE CRUCIFIXION.” Another Greek word “SKOLOPS” means “A STAKE” or “A POLE.” We get our English word from the Latin word “CRUX.”

There are at least four different forms of the Cross:

1. Crux Immissa: (Matthew 27:37). This is the type of cross that the Saviour was crucified upon.
2. Crux Commissa: (T-shaped cross or also known as St. Anthony’s cross.
3. Crux Decussata: (X-shaped cross or also known as St. Andrew’s cross.
4. Greek Cross: The two pieces of wood are equal in length.

The use of the cross as a form of punishment was adopted by the Greeks & Romans from the Phoenicians, Persians, & Carthaginians. This was a barbarous form of death! The Romans used it for noted criminals because they thought the public display of torture would prevent insurrection & further crimes. The cross meant that “a criminal got just what he deserved!” 

In Gal. 3:13, Paul said, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, curseth is every one that hangeth upon a tree (cross). (See Deut. 21:22, 23 … all under the law are under condemnation for violating it). Before we can begin to understand what the cross means to us, we must first see what it meant for Jesus! (Remember that Jesus was labeled a malefactor & a blasphemer by His accusers although He was innocent).

The agony of the crucified victim was brought about by a number of factors:
1. The victim literally died a 1000 deaths while upon the cross!
2. The pain from the wounds inflicted by the metal spikes driven through the hands & feet was unbearable!
3. The abnormal position of the body would make the slightest movement excruciating!
4. Suspension upon the cross would cause high fever as well as the heat from the hot sun!
5. The blood would rapidly drop into the lower extremities of the body within 6 – 12 minutes by 50%!
6. The pulse rate doubles; the heart deprived of blood causes fainting & then death!
7. Death would come as a final result of severe heart failure. It normally took 2-3 days to die, so death by “crucifragium” i.e. “the breaking of the legs” was done on the individual!
8. In Mark 15:23 we read where Jesus refused to take any stupefying portions that could help in dulling His pain! In Matthew 27:23, Jesus cried: “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!”

The Hebrew writing stated, “Looking unto Jesus the author & finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, & is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2). When the apostles came preaching “Christ & Him crucified; the world considered it foolishness. (Cp. Luke 10:21). And that a dead man could save others when he couldn’t save himself would be ridiculous enough, but to preach that an executed criminal is really “God made flesh” would really be preposterous indeed! Therefore the unbeliever considers the preaching of the cross foolishness at best. The Jews detested it because how could one accused of God be their “Messiah.” But Paul said to the believer that it is ‘the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom. 1:16). 

Paul certainly wasn’t ashamed to preach it! 

Let us look at some characteristics for which the Cross means to believers:
1. The Cross means Love: In John 3:16, Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever beleiveth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Hallmark Card Company’s motto is “When you care enough, you send the very best.” This is exactly what our Heavenly Father did … He cared enough that He sent the very best gift He had to make the ultimate payment for our, not His, but our sins! John stated, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, & sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (I John 4:10; Cp. Eph. 5:2).

Illustration:
None ever came as far as He,
None ever bore such agony,
None ever gave as liberally,
As Christ who died for me.
No love so great has e’er been known,
No grace so vast was ever shown,
No blood for sin could e’er atone,
But Christ’s who died for me!

2. The Cross means Peace: Paul tells us that the Prince of Peace went to the cross that we might have peace “through the blood of His cross.” (Col. 1:20). The Jewish & Gentile races can now be at peace with each other because of the cross! “For He is our peace, who hath made both one … to make in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” (Eph. 2:14-16; See Isa. 59:1, 2). And mankind now has the same privileges concerning eternal life. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.’ (John 14:27).

Illustration:
The geographical heart of London is Charing Cross. All distances are measured by it. This spot is referred to simply “as the cross.” A lost child was picked up one day by the London police. The child was unable to tell them where she lived. Finally, in response to the repeated questions of the officers, & amid her sobs & tears, the little girl said, “If you will take me to the cross I can find my way from there.”
The cross is the point where mankind can become reconciled to God. If we find our way to God & our heavenly home we must first come to the cross! “I must needs go home by way of the cross, there’s no other way but this; I shall ne’er get sight of the gates of light if the way of the cross I miss.”
 
Author: Brandi With An I
•8:15 AM
The Lord Asks, 
“Do You Love Me?”

By: Bill Bryant, Wooddale Church of Christ 

Have you ever truly hurt someone so deeply that it caused tremendous anguish afterwards? 

If so, then you can perhaps identify somewhat with Peter following his denial of the Lord. 

The Lord had told an arrogant Peter that he would deny Him three times, but Peter would not believe Him. 
But he did (Matt. 26:69-75).

It would be hard for us to imagine the mental anguish that Peter had to endure as he witnessed the events surrounding the crucifixion of the Lord as a coward. When the initial report of the Lord’s resurrection came from Mary Magdalene to the disciples, the first response by the disciples was of disbelief (Luke 24:10-11)
But Peter wanted so very much to believe in her report (Luke 24:12).

Immediately following the resurrection, the disciples were given the message to go to Galilee (Matt. 28:1-10). But the Lord met most of the disciples that same evening and again eight days later (John 20:19ff.). Then the disciples left for Galilee to meet the Lord again (John 21:1-2).

Can you imagine Peter’s thoughts and concerns? 

I’m sure he went down “Memory Lane” often of his time with the Lord. 

There had been a lot of “highs and lows” in his time with the Lord. But the lingering thought in his mind was what the Lord was going to say and do with him. 

Did he have a future with the Lord in the coming kingdom? 
Would the Lord soon pull him over to the side and have the “talk” and let him know that he would be better off back in Galilee fishing and supporting the movement locally? 

What and when would “it” happen?

Most are aware of the amazing result. 

The Lord asked Peter a probing question about his true love for Him, but the end result was forgiveness and the charge to “tend to and feed His sheep” (John 21:15-17)

Peter would never forget this lesson on forgiveness.

Unlike the world, we are not demoted to a far lesser place, placed on a spiritual probation and consigned to medial work for years to come when the Savior forgives. 

We still have important work to do and the Lord knows that the tremendous gratitude that comes from this kind of forgiveness can be a tremendous motivation for us and those sinners down the road who hear our story who are also seeking desperately true forgiveness (I Tim. 1:12-17)

Are you seeking the kind and measure of forgiveness the Lord granted Peter? 
It remains there for you. 

Seek it, learn it, and then respond in loving obedience to the greatest kind of forgiveness the world could ever know – the one that Jesus, the Son of God offers. 

The Lord is still asking, "Do you love Me?" 
Do you?