DEVOTION, Nov. 20

My only sibling, Robert, died in 2016. His daughter recently sent me some papers my brother had written while attending a Bible College in Florida in 1991. Bob was a chemical engineer who didn’t talk much about his faith. I want to share with you some of his thoughts for our devotionals. I begin with my brother’s thoughts about Jesus. (I have done some minor editing but not changed the content).

I am the alpha, and the omega says the Lord God, who is, and who was. And who is to come, the Almighty (Rev. 1:8).

The apostle John heard these words while in exile on Patmos island for preaching the word of God. These were the first words he heard from Jesus. He received a vision concerning events which were, which are, and which are to come. This revelation assures us that in spite of the evil prevelant in this world, Christ is in control and ultimate victory is His. The only way Jesus could reveal events which were, which are, and which are to come would be that He Himself was, is, and is to come! Jesus, the eternal One, is God. He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the mighty creator, the loving redeemer, the Almighty, and the final victor. Who is Jesus? He is God incarnate.

I believe that Jesus is not only the eternal creative word, but He also gives us wisdom for today. The apostle Paul tells us Jesus “became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30b, NKJV). As we seek Him, we will find both eternal life and the wisdom for victorious living today!

Gracious God, I thank You for reminding me that you will finally triumph no matter how prevalent evil is. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me for eternity and giving me wisdom for each day. May Your name be praised forever, Amen.

DEVOTION, Nov. 18, The Church, #4

I also believe in the church because the church proclaims absolute truth in this relativistic age in which we live.  Allan Bloom, in his book The Closing of the American Mind begins with these words:  “There is one thing a professor can be absolutely certain of: almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative.”  He explains that “openness” is the new creed of the day, and the only heresy is committed by those who are not open, but who affirm dogmatic truth.  He writes, “There is no enemy other than the man who is not open to everything” (p.27).  I have my belief; you have yours.  I have my moral standards; you have yours.  I have my lifestyle; you have yours.  This attitude is totally contrary to our Christian faith. We believe the Bible contains absolute truth.

Do you grasp what this intellectual environment means for us as Christians?  We must either deny the basic truths of our faith and agree that religion is a matter of opinion, or we are enemies of society.  I am one of those dangerous persons who does not accept the relativity and openness of today’s society.  I am glad there are still some churches around who are not afraid to go against the grain of modern society and declare, “Thus saith the Lord.”  I’m glad there are still churches around who are not afraid to speak the truth.  I believe in the church.

The God of the Bible is a God who loves us, and in His love, tells us precisely what will please Him and what will provoke His wrath.  He certainly gives us the freedom to make our own choices, but He also makes it very clear that if our choice goes contrary to His will, life will not go well for us.  Since I believe the God of the Bible is the only God who exists, I appreciate the fact that there are still churches around who proclaim the absolute truth of God — and who do so without compromise. I thank God for the church.

Blessed Father, I thank You for the church. Thank You that You have entrusted Your church to preserve and proclaim the Sacred Scriptures. Thank You for churches that refuse to bow to modern society’s changing opinions and continue to declare the absolute truth found in Your Word. May our church in Warsaw always be such a church, fearlessly proclaiming the name of Jesus as the only hope of the world, in His name, Amen.

We continue our struggle against covid. So far, no one has gotten ill by attending church, thank God. Hopefully, a vaccine will soon be available. This has gone on far too long! Thank you all for the many ways you continue to support our church.

The sermon theme for Sunday is “Thanksgiving Thoughts, 2020.” Yes, in spite of everything we have much for which to be thankful. We are continuing to meet at 10:00 AM and Sunday School is still on hiatus. Marie works diligently to make sure the church is disinfected every Sunday.

Wednesday Bible study at 3:30 will continue our study on “discipleship” looking at the topic “self-control.”

Remember to support the FCW’s white elephant sale with your financial contributions, and remember to bring your gifts for “Christmas for kids.”

Grace, mercy, and peace to our church family. Pastor Bowman

DEVOTION, Nov. 17, Church #3

I believe in the church. Remove the influence of the church from my life, and there would be little left.  I grew up in the church, and the church has always been an integral part of my life.  Yes, the church has faults, but it is also a loving, caring community.  I believe in the church.

The work I did with Disciple Renewal brought me some national attention in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), not all of it positive.  If you were to go through my correspondence file for those years, you would find quite a few letters which attack and insult my integrity.  Not everyone approved of our efforts to move the denomination back to its Christ-centered, Bible-based roots.  When people misunderstand your motives, and you come under attack, that is painful.  I never got used to it.  I was able to cope partly through the love and support of family and the church. I believe in the church.

Have Christians ever disappointed me? Yes, that has happened. We are all imperfect human beings even though we trust in Jesus. Has Jesus ever disappointed me? Never! I will never abandon His church because the church is not perfect. I can put up with the church’s imperfections because, despite everything, the church brings me closer to Jesus. I believe in the church.

The fellowship of the church means everything to me.  The church has supported me with her love and prayers over the years. I could give many examples of how the church has sustained me through difficult days.  I believe in the church, and I hope you do too. 

Our Father and our God, may Your name be blessed and honored. You have been with me through all the years of my life. I have known Your love and presence in particular through the Church of Jesus Christ.  Thank You for surrounding my life with Christian brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

DEVOTION, Nov. 16, The Church, #2

What would happen in the world today if the influence of Christian missionaries were magically withdrawn from history?  Would the world today be a better place or a worse place if Christianity had not spread to every nation?  The world is certainly no utopia, and there is much need for progress, but think where we would be if Jesus had not established a church, and the church had not spread its influence around the world.  I believe in the church.

During the Dark Ages, almost one-third of the world’s population was killed by the Black plague during one twelve-year period.  It was a far worse pandemic than Covid. Who was it in those dark days who buried the dead, who cared for the sick?  More often than not, it was those who had made a vow to Christ to care for the sick and the needy, to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others.  I believe in the church.

Why are Gary and Judy Woods, and Lynn and Dori Cazier willing to spend themselves among the primitive Masaai tribes of Africa, seeking to lift them up in every way?  The love of Christ compels them to go.  The church of Jesus Christ provides the needed funding. There are other institutions and agencies around the world doing good, but I challenge you to name a single institution that has done more good for the human race than the church of Jesus Christ.  I believe in the church.

Father, again I give You thanks for the gift of Your church. I pray You will strengthen Your church around the world, and also our little church in Warsaw. Help us to be faithful to Jesus, to do what we can to spread His saving Gospel to others, devoting ourselves to doing good. In the blessed name of Jesus I pray, Amen.