Newkirk Church of Christ

Scott’s Thoughts

April 19, 2026

 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7–8, ESV)

I write this article each week, but I claim no originality. Most of what winds up on paper are bits and pieces of ideas, a thought here and a thought there, that I have gleaned from others. I read a lot of articles each week and every once in a while, a thought will break through that makes me think.

This week’s thought is about doors. I’m not sure I can transmit it perfectly but here goes. Doors are provided to allow access into a space. Many things could qualify in this respect. A library card is a door to many different things such as entertainment or education. The world of books can take us anywhere we want to go. They provide a revelation of the past and at the same time carry our minds into the future. They can also take us places that can harm us and damage our souls.

When closed, doors are barriers that provide protection and keep us from harm. A well-crafted door can keep the cold out and seal in the warmth in our homes. One of my daughter’s dogs scratched at our back door every time it wanted in. At the time, the outside temperature was close to our comfort level inside, so we didn’t pay much attention to it. But as fall turned into winter, we noticed a definite draft in the living room. The dog had damaged the weather strip on the door and left a gap that caused the door to be very ineffective as a barrier. All it took was a few minutes to repair that small, but vital part of the door for it to become effective once again.

A door that is not in good repair may be easy to open but almost impossible to close. Adam and Eve, being children who did not know sin, started life innocent, but they opened a door and ushered sin into the world. Their sin affected the remainder of their lives. It’s a shame that our world seems to be full of people who have opened that same door but are not even trying to close it. They are simply saying I’ll get to it later.

“Close the Door!” I heard that a million times as a child. We had window screens on all the windows, but the front door had no storm door or screen door. So, the door needed to be closed to keep the bugs and neighboring animals out. It seems children are not the only ones who need to learn that lesson.

Let’s all work together to keep the door open to Jesus but closed to Satan and his demons.

“And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27, ESV)

Thoughts generated from an article by Don Tate Vidalia, LA.

Thanks for listening and keep on shining.

—Scott

2020 Mission Trip to Kramatorsk, Ukraine

Day 1 & 2 | 10/12/20 | 10/13/20 | 10/14/20 10/16/20 | 10/17/20 | 10/18/20 | 10/18/20 10/19/20 | 10/20/20| 10/21/20 | 10/23/20  | 10/25/20 | Summary Report

 

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Drawn Away

Magnetism is a fascinating physical force of nature. To witness a magnet drawing items to itself or repelling some things away is like real-life magic. Magnets are found in electric motors, the hard drives of our computers, MRI machines, and many household items. As kids, we were fascinated with magnetic toys. Who can forget “Wooly Willy” and making magnetic whiskers with our magic wands? Perhaps one of the most impressive properties of very strong magnets is the ability to draw items from long distances, then hold on to them with great force.

Spiritually speaking, the cares, treasures, and pleasures of the world are like a mighty magnet. These temptations pull at us with what seems like a never-ending force. The bible has much to say about being “drawn away.”
• When tempted, we are drawn away by our own desires which lead to sinful behavior. (James 1:14)
• The temptation to fit in with society, conforming ourselves to the world can draw us away from the spiritual transformation found in Christ. (Romans 12:2)
• Those who teach a health, wealth, and feel-good gospel draw many disciples to themselves and away from the Lord. (Acts 20:30)
• The good things in life can distract us, drawing us away from serving God, the devil knows this and disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
• New converts who have received the word with joy can quickly be drawn away when temptation and difficulty come their way. (Luke 8:13)
• The draw of our worldly possessions can cause us to walk away from eternal life. (Matthew 19:22)
• Following Jesus can be difficult at times so many are drawn back to an easier lifestyle. (John 6:66) With such powerful forces drawing us, pulling us away from God, we may become discouraged asking, “Who then can be saved?” But we must remember the words of Jesus, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

—Jay Launius
Maud church of Christ
Maud, TX