1400 Troy Road
Collinsville, Illinois 62234
618-667-6708
secretary@ctcofc.net
Worship Service 9:30 AM
Bible Classes 11:00 AM
Special Activities 12:00 AM
Bible Class (Adult) 1:30 PM
Bible Classes (All Ages) 7:00 PM
In today's fast-paced world, convenience has become a significant aspect of our daily lives. The definition of convenience often involves little trouble or effort, and we tend to favor it because it allows us to avoid going out of our way and makes it easier to be lazy. However, convenience is not always beneficial.
While convenience can make our lives easier, it can also lead to negative consequences. For instance, it can cause us to overspend. Imagine needing something that costs $10, but you end up spending $50 to get free shipping, thinking you saved $4.99 in shipping fees. Additionally, convenience can lead to loneliness. With apps that allow us to order food and complete transactions without speaking to anyone, our electronic devices have made things easier but at what cost?
There was a time in the history of Israel when convenience became a significant problem. Solomon's sins, as mentioned in 1 Kings 11:29-33, led to the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah. Jeroboam took ten tribes to the North and, in an attempt to make worship easier for his subjects, he built and fortified a new capital city, Shechem, in the tribal area of Ephraim. He was more concerned about maintaining his power than the well-being of his subjects, fearing they would return to the house of David if they went to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices.
Jeroboam's solution was to make worship easy for his subjects by setting up two golden calves, with one in Bethel and one in Dan. This act was reminiscent of the golden calf incident in Exodus 32. The people, preferring the convenience, accepted this new form of worship. However, this was not the worship the Lord desired. It was in the wrong place, in the wrong manner, with the wrong priests, and directed towards the wrong subject.
Choosing convenience over what God wants can lead to dire consequences. Jeroboam's actions led to punishment in the days of Josiah, as prophesied in 1 Kings 13:1-2 and fulfilled in 2 Kings 23:15 -16. Amos was sent to Israel with a message that they would be led away captive, as mentioned in Amos 7:10-13. If we choose convenience over God's commands, our worship becomes vain and useless.
God desires what He wants, and it might not always be convenient for us. It may not be a convenient time or place, and there may be other things we would rather be doing. However, convenience does not please the Lord. Our heart and desire must be for Him, and we should want to do what pleases the Lord, even if it requires effort. Choosing convenience over God's commands can lead to consequences we do not want to face. Instead, we should desire to be with Him in eternity.
-Dale J. Babinsky preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN.
-Article obtained from bulletingold.com
Perseverance may be the most difficult aspect of the Christian life. Thus, Paul exhorted the church at Ephesus that along with God's armor, there was the need to be, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"(Ephesians 6:18). Interestingly, this is the only appearance of the English word "perseverance" in all of the King James Version of the Bible. However, the Greek root which bears out this meaning in the English can be found multiple times as a verb. Let us consider these Scriptural occasions in which we might receive exhortation to persevere.
Perhaps the sense of right and wrong is nothing more than the majority opinion within these civilized societies. Most people just think that these activities are the wrong thing to do. Is that it? If that is the basis for right and wrong, then what if a society decided by a vote that it was okay to kill off people from a certain race? Or that it was okay to enslave people who have a different skin color? Would the majority approval for such behavior make that behavior "right"?
Worship and Fellowship. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). "Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done" (Acts 8:13).
Evangelism and Fellowship. "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:46-47).
Prayer and Fellowship. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren" (Acts 1:14). "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4). "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer" (Romans 12:12). "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2). "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
Beginning anything in life is often much easier than continuing it. The Christian life is much "easier" to begin than to continue; therefore, may the need to be together with church and serving the Lord be impressed upon us that we might persevere.
-Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS.
-Article obtained from bulletingold.com
