Newkirk Church of Christ

Scott’s Thoughts

February 16, 2025

 

“I call heaven and earth to witnessagainst you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,” (Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV)

In all the years I have lived in Oklahoma, 14 in total, this has been the worst winter I can remember. We have had bitter cold days and nights and more snow than I have come to expect in Oklahoma. After living for almost twenty years on the Gulf Coast, anything below the freezing point of water is too cold for me. But God doesn’t check with me before He sets the weather patterns into effect. However, He does expect me to do the best I can with what He provides.
Winters with the wild swings like we have been having results in no definite pattern. That means that some days I work from home getting things organized for our Sunday and Wednesday services. Other days it means I can get out and visit with those of our congregation who are shut in and spend most of their days alone.

Each of us has our own best operating temperature. Mine happens to be somewhere around 80 degrees or even a little warmer. I’m looking forward to the days getting a little longer and warmer.

One of the things I really miss during the winter is working in my shop when the temperature is too cold to work comfortably because there’s no heat in the shop. I realize I could spend a little money and install some form of heat, but it seems like a large expense just to have heat for a few hours each month. Then I’m sure I would begin to think about adding A/C for the summer. But it would be the same thing, a big expense for not much return. We do this with every decision we have in life. We weigh the pros and cons and then act on what we think is in our best interest. That sounds good but in reality it normally depends on whether we have enough money to do it. Sometimes we get what we want even when we know it will overload us in the future.

When it comes to making seemingly good choices, Abraham’s nephew Lot comes to mind. When it became evident they needed to put some distance between their herds, Abraham told Lot to take his pick of the land and he could have it and Abraham would take what was left. Lot took the fertile, well-watered land, where it would be easy for his herds to grow. The problem was, that in time, it cost Lot his wife and put his daughters in great danger. I wonder if he had the chance to go back to the day of his choosing, would he do it over? Knowing the future, how would he choose?

What will we chase after in our lives today? Will we choose what will help us make it to eternity with God, or will what we choose put ourselves and our children at risk of eternal separation from God?

“Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.” (Job 34:4, ESV

Thanks for listening and keep on shining.

—Scott

The New Birth

As we continue to settle in to a new year, it seems appropriate to consider once again the concept of the new birth. The following is a portion of a conversation Jesus had with a teacher of the Jews.

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

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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Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’“(John 3:1-7).

Nicodemus did not understand. He asked, “How can this be? How is this possible?” With his limited vision and perspective, he had trouble seeing past the physical limitations of a new birth. Jesus wanted him (and us) to see things differently (cf. Matt. 16:23; Col. 3:2). Jesus needed him to see with spiritual eyes—to look with a vision toward eternity.

So, we approach the Lord with a similar question: Spiritually speaking, how is the new birth possible? The answer:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Evidently, there are three components to the new birth. In other words, there are three things that make the new birth possible:

1. The sacrifice of Jesus—We know we cannot save ourselves. We are sinners who deserve death (Rom. 6:23). However, thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus, we have hope (1 Peter 1:24)!

2. The love of God—We would be lost without the amazing and unending love of God. He chose to show us His love even though we were unlovable (Rom. 5:6-10; 1 John 4:19).

3. The faith of man—God loves us and provided a sacrificial lamb to take our place, but He still re- quires us to trust and obey Him (Heb. 11:6; John 14:15). We must be buried with Christ in baptism and continue walking with Him in faith (Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:7).

Jesus made it crystal clear that participation in the new birth is an absolute necessity. “You must be born again.” Are you thankful for the sacrifice of Jesus? Are you in awe of the matchless love of God? Have you demonstrated an obedient faith by being washed in the blood of the Lamb?

—Bart Warren
South Green Street Church of Christ
Glasgow, KY