Final Phase


From Carnal Consumer to Spiritual Producer

money.jpgby J. Randal Matheny, editor The announcement was unplanned. The employer went to the microphone and appealed to the congregation to help a poor employee who had lost her home and belongings in a flood.
By J. Randal Matheny (12 May 2008, 06:24 PM)
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Associate With Them

groups.jpg by J. Randal Matheny, editor We will put up with things in the world that we cannot tolerate in the church. We do it because we have been sent into the world to preach the gospel of salvation.
By Richard Mansel (05 May 2008, 02:31 PM)
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The King is Dead! Long Live the King!

Darwinism is dead. Evolution has expired. Not many will admit it. The cadaver is propped up on a throne, his eyelids taped open to his eyebrows. The scientists are chatting normally, jocundly, even, and glance his way as if to keep him in the conversation. ...

Darwinism is dead, but not many will admit it.

By J. Randal Matheny (28 April 2008, 01:33 AM)
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No Settling Down Here

walkingfeet.jpgThe decision was unanimous. We would vacate the rented building which for the last five years had served as our place to meet, study and fellowship. The building is spacious and of fairly easy access. But it came at a price. Both financial and spiritual.

We feel keenly what it means to be foreigners and exiles.

By J. Randal Matheny (21 April 2008, 03:54 AM)
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Take Your Pick

I have yet to hear a preacher get it right. I'm sure there's one out there who's on target, but every time a speaker uses the passage, he misses the point. Not that he's preaching false doctrine. By no means. The point he makes is valid, except that's not exactly what the passage is saying. ...

If we refuse God, we can take our pick: all the options fail.

By J. Randal Matheny (14 April 2008, 05:39 AM)
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Nibbling Their Way to Lostness

Straying happens almost by chance. Ignorance, inattention, distraction, drifting. It's the straying of the sheep (Ezekiel 34:6), who "simply nibble their way to lostness." ...

By increments Satan wins many who would resist blatant temptation.

By J. Randal Matheny (07 April 2008, 10:18 AM)
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Words During the Supper

If, as we often teach, the main purpose of the church's meeting together on the first day of the week is to eat the Lord's supper (Acts 20:7), then the brother does well who not only prays at the breaking of bread, but who reflects upon its meaning for the church.

Meditations given at the Lord's table enrich the moment.

By J. Randal Matheny (31 March 2008, 03:07 AM)
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Giving

In Scripture the most common subject of the verb "to give" is God. The greatest gift God ever gave was his only Son Jesus Christ. And the Son follows the example of his Father.

The concept of giving is one of the most used in Scripture -- and most applied to God.

By J. Randal Matheny (24 March 2008, 03:18 AM)
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God in the Jordan River

jordanriver.jpgFirst, the announcement. Joshua wants the people to know what is going to happen and by what power. The explanation of the event is as important as the event itself. Joshua's explanation merely highlights the message already contained in the miracle, but this preview is needed, not because of the miracle's ambiguity, but because of the people's slowness to comprehend. Three things Joshua says about God in these verses cry for our consideration. ...

In explaining the miracle of the crossing of the Jordan River before it happens, Joshua has much to say about God.

By J. Randal Matheny (10 March 2008, 01:18 AM)
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David Inquired of the Lord

Time and again, David inquired of the Lord. When he didn't, he wound up in trouble. Certainly, he would back up or repent. But when he inquired of the Lord as to his next steps, ...

David inquired of the Lord and always received the best guidance.

By J. Randal Matheny (03 March 2008, 07:50 AM)
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How to Get a Life

"I need to get a life!" People get frustrated with their lives or feel things are not going the way they should. They sometimes express their frustration with the above phrase. It suggests that one can go out and buy a new life. Or switch it out as you would replace a car part or a piece of equipment. ...

How you can get a real life that satisfies.

By J. Randal Matheny (25 February 2008, 07:30 AM)
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The Issue: Who Jesus Is

The problem was not that the Jews failed to understand Jesus' teaching. They understood him all to well. Indeed, Jesus' claims were preposterous for a mere man. Such claims demanded that he be greater than Abraham and the prophets. The Jews stumbled at Jesus' identity, not his teachings. ...

Jesus' identity is at the crux of discipleship.

By J. Randal Matheny (18 February 2008, 07:39 AM)
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He Showed the Love of God for All

It was a special trip, for one purpose only. I had driven down the Natchez Trace Parkway, from my mother-in-law's house in northeast Mississippi, to Winona just to visit him and his wife. For years I had read books he had published ...

We salute this servant of Christ with the heart of God's mission.

By J. Randal Matheny (04 February 2008, 01:44 AM)
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Purple Rubber Non-Complaints

I found the purple rubber bracelets on the Internet. A group promotes their use to help people learn not to complain. If you complain, you have to change the bracelet to the other wrist. By the changes and the presence of the bracelet, one should eventually learn to quit complaining. ...

Learning not to complain isn't sufficient. We must learn to give thanks.

By J. Randal Matheny (28 January 2008, 08:33 AM)
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When the World Crumbles Around You

The bomb fell on Sunday morning. The saints were confused, frightened and shocked. I was dazed. The announcement came from nowhere, and all our work would be affected. ...

When disaster strikes, here are some truths we need to re-affirm.

By J. Randal Matheny (21 January 2008, 05:47 AM)
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The New Year with Jesus

By January 31st seven out of 10 resolution makers will give up on their resolutions. Some people react by showing disdain for resolutions. But the new year does provide a special moment. God gave us the heavenly bodies to mark the seasons, days and years (Genesis 1:14 ESV). Hence, we do well to think of passing from the old year to the new as a new chance, a clean slate, another opportunity for growth and service. ...

We can have a blessed new year by starting as Jesus started his ministry -- through the both/and principle.

By J. Randal Matheny (31 December 2007, 03:29 AM)
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A Holiday Prayer

The editors and writers of Forthright Magazine wish you and your family a Christmas full of joy in Christ and replete with the blessings of God. As a token of our holiday prayers for you, the following poem is yours to enjoy and share. ...

This holiday poem is yours to enjoy and share.

By J. Randal Matheny (24 December 2007, 05:18 AM)
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Christmas and Christ

If an extraterrestrial were to observe many lawns where Frosty and Santa share space with a nativity scene, he might be confused when the home owners tried to explain that they believe Christ was born of a virgin, but that Santa and Frosty were, well, mythical characters.

So what about Christmas and Christ?

By J. Randal Matheny (17 December 2007, 05:55 AM)
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Christmas and the Family

Christmas is a time for family and friends.
By J. Randal Matheny (03 December 2007, 12:43 PM)
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Destined for Success

He said it as we were pulling out of the garage, headed for the second congregation's Sunday meeting. I almost stopped the car. Almost, not quite. But I did have him repeat it to me, because I wanted to remember it just as he said it. ...

The gospel is this kind of message.

By J. Randal Matheny (25 November 2007, 07:20 AM)
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What Confession Means

Confession means I declare that I'm a sinner and that I now repudiate my sin. It recognizes and acknowledges that God is right and I am wrong. Confession is uncovering the hideousness of what I have done. It is the opposite of covering up. ...

Confession means I won't leave things as they are.

By J. Randal Matheny (19 November 2007, 07:49 AM)
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A Day in the Life of Christ

Time-planners could take a cue from Christ. Jesus welcomed interruptions. The synagogue scene made him content to serve. A sick mother-in-law was for him an opportunity. Night-time queues of sick didn't catch him grumbling that his supper was getting cold. For Jesus, interruptions meant meeting people's needs and pointing them to the greatest need of all.

Jesus did so much in a single day; we can, too.

By J. Randal Matheny (12 November 2007, 07:19 AM)
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Be Perfect

Nobody's perfect. You'll hear this cliché on the lips of saints and sinners, excuse-makers and mature disciples. Our modern definition of perfect is to be without sin. And by that the phrase, "Nobody's perfect" is correct, even though the use of it often seeks to get people off the hook and excuse sin. In the Biblical sense, however, "perfect" does not mean to be without sin.

Perfect in the Biblical sense doesn't mean what we often think it does.

By J. Randal Matheny (05 November 2007, 01:43 AM)
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Love's Pursuit

I ask this, not of you, for I will love you with or without your permission, but of God, from whom comes the example, the overflowing and the power to love.

Love is not pursuing one's own interest, but the needs of the other.

By J. Randal Matheny (29 October 2007, 04:29 AM)
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Work, Responsibility not Right

We continue to treat the questions of a popular compendium of a catechism. Question no. 415, "Right to Work," asks, "To what type of work does every person have a right?"

The editor answers a question about work, from the compendium of a popular catechism.

By J. Randal Matheny (15 October 2007, 02:00 AM)
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Protect the Embryo ... and Human Life

Question 471 of the compendium asks, "Why must society protect every embryo?" Christians, more than pagans, have always valued human life, because they know that man, alone of all creatures, was created after God's likeness.

Biblical Answers to the Questions in a Religious Compendium.

By J. Randal Matheny (08 October 2007, 02:00 AM)
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One Fixed Stake

by J. Randal Matheny Yet, in the maddening maze of things, And tossed by storm and flood, To one fixed stake my spirit clings; I know that God is good. --John Greenleaf Whittier, "The Eternal Goodness" Life is a series...

When the storms of life rage, there is one fixed stake to cling to: the goodness of God.

By J. Randal Matheny (01 October 2007, 04:44 AM)
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Invent Your Own Jesus

by J. Randal Matheny Some years back Nestle's Brazilian product Neston (some sort of cereal product, I think), had this advertising: "There's a 1000 ways to prepare Neston -- invent your own." So in my seminar on "The Jesus that...

The world offers a thousand "versions" of Jesus -- or is happy to let you invent your own.

By J. Randal Matheny (24 September 2007, 09:13 AM)
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They Tied Him Up

by J. Randal Matheny "Then the squad of soldiers with their commanding officer and the officers of the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus and tied him up" (John 18:12 NET). They tied up the one who was the Agent of creation,...

They tied up Jesus before they led him out of the garden.

By J. Randal Matheny (17 September 2007, 09:19 AM)
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What Jesus Sees

He takes it all in. The pilgrims come from afar, to participate in the feast. The bleating and braying of the animals. The exchange tables set strategically in the temple precincts. The lines of worshipers for animal defect inspections. And he knows. This is not what my Father planned. He didn't mean for it to become a marketplace, a cheating stage, a public plaza for business, but a sacred meeting ground, the sandal-off, barefoot holiness of the presence of God. ...

Jesus sees all. And his observations are mere preliminaries to his cleansing action.

By J. Randal Matheny (03 September 2007, 03:46 AM)
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Faulty Memories

A week ago Saturday a gentleman died after an emergency surgery at Rhode Island Hospital to stop hemorrhaging on the brain. A nurse had omitted some necessary information on the chart, and instead of checking the exams, Dr. Frederick Harrington relied on his memory and began operating--on the wrong side of the patient's brain. ...

Read this Lord's Supper meditation given in a Brazilian church: Forgetting can be fatal.

By J. Randal Matheny (27 August 2007, 04:28 AM)
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My Gospel

Paul wasn't claiming ownership of the gospel, since he acknowledged his call and his separation by God for the gospel proclamation (Romans 1:1). The gospel didn't belong to him; he belonged to the God who created the gospel. What then did Paul mean when he said the gospel was his? In what sense could he say "my gospel"?

The apostle Paul called the message of Christ "my gospel." Here's what he meant by that.

By J. Randal Matheny (20 August 2007, 05:36 AM)
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God's Word in the Heart

by J. Randal Matheny A company is selling shoe inserts imprinted with Bible verses. The company slogan: "Stand on the Word." Apparently, the effort is to demonstrate graphically what should happen spiritually. The Bible should serve as our foundation for...

The best place to insert the Word of God is in the heart, to be lived and applied.

By J. Randal Matheny (13 August 2007, 07:57 AM)
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Free in Christ to Serve

Paula, a sister in Christ here in Sao Jose dos Campos, shared with my wife yesterday some challenges of ministering to the poor, as she works with other Christians in a sweater campaign. A few months back, at the beginning of winter (we live below the equator, remember), they contacted several care institutions with an offer to donate clothes. Most of these raised a number of requirements, such as meeting with a social worker, before they would consider accepting the donations. ...

Government or institutional bureaucracy inhibits actions for good; the gospel liberates one for service.

By J. Randal Matheny (06 August 2007, 03:11 AM)
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True by an Objective Standard

The pope provided a good illustration this month of believing in an objective standard of truth, as we spoke last week in a special study on "The True Biblical Baptism."

What is true in religion is not what you want it to be, but what God has said is true.

By J. Randal Matheny (30 July 2007, 01:50 AM)
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Home to Bless

Worship always prepares us for service. Praise and celebration before the Lord equips us to go back home and bless our families. The religion that has no impact on behavior at home is useless. The faith that lives with its head in the clouds needs its feet on the ground. ...

Worshiping God prepares us for service at home.

By J. Randal Matheny (16 July 2007, 03:35 AM)
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Keeping Up Your Courage

"But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he chased after the Israelites. Now the Israelites were going out defiantly." Exodus 14:8 NET Behind them, Egypt. Ahead, liberty. With the spoils of Egypt in their pockets,...

It's easy to march triumphantly when all is at peace.

By J. Randal Matheny (09 July 2007, 05:13 AM)
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Interested in History

The Christian studies history. Not so much human as divine history. Not dates, names, wars or inventions of men, but rather the movement, miracles, answers, rescues, words, and promises of God are what fascinate.

Divine history isn't old, it's still happening in lives today.

By J. Randal Matheny (02 July 2007, 03:59 AM)
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The Forces of Nature

Driving east on U.S. Highway 412, I'd hoped to scoot across the Missouri Bootheel and cross into Tennessee ahead of the storm. But well before I reached Hayti and I-55, I saw the winds coming up the Mississippi Valley from the south. It was hard to tell what were clouds and what was dust whipped up from the flat, open fields. I would not have been surprised to see a tornado dip down out of the darkness to my right. Whirls of topsoil danced and twisted as high straight-line winds swept northward across the highway, downing road signs and threatening to rip the the wipers from the windshield. ...

The forces of Nature are tokens of God's power.

By J. Randal Matheny (25 June 2007, 04:36 AM)
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Advice to a Friend

At some point a Fixation will take hold of your mind. It will tell you that This is what you must have to make you happy or secure. The more you think of it, the greater its positive qualities grow. It will assume an importance far beyond its true place in your life, if indeed, it should have a place at all. It may be any number of things, valid or not, licit or forbidden for the Christian. Money, relationships, sex, success, drugs, alcohol, gambling.

Fix your mind on Christ and you will be satisfied so that things of this world no longer attract you.

By J. Randal Matheny (18 June 2007, 03:42 AM)
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When at First You Don't Succeed ...

Today, I'm telling one on my wife, with her permission. Some years back, after long encouragement from me, Vicki accepted an invitation to speak at a women's retreat here in Brazil. She was comfortable with children's classes, one-on-one, and small groups. She did not like the idea of speaking to large audiences. ...

An initial stumble may not be a sign to give up pursuing a new area of service.

By J. Randal Matheny (11 June 2007, 04:44 AM)
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Differences Between Two Men

Jesus appeared before Pilate, ostensibly to be judged by him. Actually, it was Pilate who wound up being judged by Jesus. The encounter between the two showed the great difference between them. See the differences between these two men in three areas.

When Jesus appeared before Pilate, the difference between the two was stark.

By J. Randal Matheny (04 June 2007, 08:29 AM)
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More Striking

After last week's article, a number of readers asked for more things that struck me as I returned to the U.S. for a visit. Following, a few more items. * The enormity of fast-food beverage cups, of restaurant plates and...

More things that strike one when visiting or returning to the U.S. This time, with a point.

By J. Randal Matheny (28 May 2007, 04:38 AM)
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Striking

I’ve been back in the U.S. for a day. Here are some things that often strike me, a two-decade expatriate living in South America, when I return to American soil. * The beauties of the changing seasons. In tropical Brazil,...

What strikes a long-term missionary when he returns to his home country?

By J. Randal Matheny (21 May 2007, 04:27 AM)
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A Retreat of Global Progress

This past weekend I spent three days with 87 missionaries and mission-minded saints from the world over. In a few days, we'll link to more news of the event, but for now, I'd like to reflect on my impressions of...

This missionary retreat gave me a glimpse of encouraging forward progress.

By J. Randal Matheny (14 May 2007, 09:20 AM)
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To Love Their Husbands

In a Christian discussion list, a lady asked recently what type of love toward husbands Paul referred to in Titus 2:4. Considering what the world saw in the Mary Winkler trial, the question is very appropriate. In verses 3-5 Paul...

What does Paul mean in Titus 2:4, when he tells young wives "to love their husbands"?

By J. Randal Matheny (07 May 2007, 04:07 AM)
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The Purpose-Filled Prayer

prayinghands.jpgPaul not only talks about prayer (1 Thessalonians 3:10), he prays (v. 11-13). He prays not only in private and public, but in writing. I can imagine Paul's secretary writing furiously as he feverishly speaks his mind. Then, he pauses, opens his hands to heaven and prays this prayer: "Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you." ...

Intercessory prayer, as all prayer, will be strong on the Christian purpose, a purpose-driven prayer, to borrow one author's phrase.

By J. Randal Matheny (30 April 2007, 04:35 AM)
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The Root Problem Is Spiritual

heart.jpgWhether it's a preacher's wife shooting her husband in the back or a student venting his rage by killing 32 people on the campus of Virgina Tech, the root problem is spiritual. Police, investigators, juries, and reporters seek to answer questions, explore motives, see justice done. Legal, psychological, and social aspects can't and shouldn't be ignored. But the determining factor is still spiritual. What do I mean when I say that the root problem is spiritual? ...

The basic problem of society is spiritual, and its solution is also spiritual.

By J. Randal Matheny (23 April 2007, 03:00 AM)
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Mary Winkler, Fred Thompson, and Good News

MaryWinkler.jpgMary Winkler's trial began last week in Selmer, Tenn. Fred Thompson is a potential presidential candidate. Both have connections with the Lord's church. Because of them, the media is focusing on the church, and most of the attention is negative. But there is good news. ...

Good news about the brotherhood is out there, we just have to look for it.

By J. Randal Matheny (16 April 2007, 02:47 AM)
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Encouraged by the Power of God in You

I always mark the Friday and Saturday before Easter Sunday as reserved in my agenda. Every year this time is held the National Christian Men's Encounter at the Mt. of Olives Christian Camp, near Sao Paulo. Some 400-500 men come...

Lectureships and Christian encounters provide moments to be encouraged by others' stories.

By J. Randal Matheny (09 April 2007, 02:50 PM)
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To Which You Were Delivered

As we waited for some non-Christian friends to come to the house last night, I watched Roy Davison's seminar, "Can We Be the Church of the New Testament?"/1 Roy showed the pattern that existed in both the Old and New...

The phrase is unusual; the concept, essential to understanding the gospel.

By J. Randal Matheny (02 April 2007, 04:00 AM)
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Absent Fellowship

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, goes the saying. Paul said that separation intensified his desire to see the saints in Thessalonica. They had sent him and Silas off by night to Berea because of intense persecution. Possibly they had...

Satan may cut in on our fellowship, but he won't have the last word.

By J. Randal Matheny (26 March 2007, 03:04 AM)
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Fear's Strange Behaviors

Then Sarah lied, saying, "I did not laugh," because she was afraid. But the Lord said, "No! You did laugh." Genesis 18:15 NET Fear leads us to do the strangest things. It led Sarah to lie to the Lord when...

Fear causes us to do strange things.

By J. Randal Matheny (05 March 2007, 03:53 PM)
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How to Displease God

The Christian seeks to please God. He wants to be like Jesus who heard the Father speak over him, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17 NET). So he takes to heart Jesus' words,...

Knowing what displeases God instructs us to avoid those things and please him.

By J. Randal Matheny (26 February 2007, 04:34 PM)
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Through Ahaziah's Visit

Through Ahaziah's visit to Joram, God brought about Ahaziah's downfall. 2 Chronicles 22:7 NIV God doesn't need miracles in order to do his will and fulfill his purpose in the world. He uses common events and situations to walk history...

Through daily events, God works his will.

By J. Randal Matheny (18 February 2007, 03:46 PM)
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Better Than We Ask

"So when God destroyed the cities of the region, God honored Abraham’s request. He removed Lot from the midst of the destruction when he destroyed the cities Lot had lived in." Genesis 19:29, NET At first sight, Abraham did not...
By J. Randal Matheny (05 February 2007, 06:47 AM)
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The Questions We Ask Ourselves

I was backended this morning at a stop light in front of Colinas Mall, about 10 minutes from our house, and my car was thrown into the car in front of me. At the moment, I feel OK, except for...
By J. Randal Matheny (22 January 2007, 01:39 PM)
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Daring to Serve

"I had never done anything daring for the kingdom before." So said John as we sat at the table while the evening darkened the sky above us and the breeze from the ocean picked up. Vicki, Leila, and I listened...
By J. Randal Matheny (15 January 2007, 04:46 PM)
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The Essential Outline: Less Basic Not Unnecessary

Read the first two installments of "The Essential Outline:" (1) The Main Points, (2) The Bottom Line. After exploring its main points and considering what those mean to us, we acknowledge that Romans 1:2-4 is still a bare outline. If...

The existence of less important matters in religion does not mean they are non-essential.

By J. Randal Matheny (08 January 2007, 02:39 AM)
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That You Might Know God

"By this we know that we know him, if we obey his commandments" (1 John 2:3). For the year 2007, I have only one prayer for you: that you might know God. Some of our dear readers do not know...

For the year 2007, I have only one prayer for you: that you might know God.

By J. Randal Matheny (01 January 2007, 10:53 AM)
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The Essential Outline: The Bottom Line

Read the first installment, "The Essential Outline: The Main Points." If Barclay is right that Romans 1:2-4 is a "most essential outline" of the gospel, what do these main points have to say to us? 1. God is unwavering in...

What do the main points of the Romans 1:2-4 summary say to us?

By J. Randal Matheny (04 December 2006, 05:17 AM)
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The Essential Outline: The Main Points

"Give it to me in a 100 words or less." Considering the sound-bite post-modern that he was, I suppose it could have been worse. But how to reduce the gospel to a paragraph? Now that I think of it, the...

Paul begins the letter to the Romans (1:2-4) with a marvelous summary of the gospel.

By J. Randal Matheny (27 November 2006, 05:15 AM)
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Motives Matter

To prosecutors in the courtroom, motives matter. To the rich young heiress in search of love, motives matter. To the mate betrayed by infidelity, motives matter. The why behind the doing matters as much to God as to any human...

Motive matters most to God.

By J. Randal Matheny (20 November 2006, 11:35 AM)
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If It's Not One Thing, It's Another

Sunday morning, 12:30 a.m. The wife and I slumber soundly. Our two mutts, Wally and Mina, began barking wildly. Incessantly. Seems our neighbors are in their kitchen in a loud conversation. (Houses are close together here.) After the third attempt...

When the Word is in the heart, prayers of grace and gratitude slip softly from the lips.

By J. Randal Matheny (13 November 2006, 08:50 AM)
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Hard to Enter

"Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!'" (Mark 10:23, NET). He had just left. Saddened by Jesus' command to sell everything. To give his money...

Love of wealth bars the door to heaven. We are wealthy; do we love it?

By J. Randal Matheny (06 November 2006, 06:17 AM)
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Never Intended It

"If you here stop, and ask yourselves, why you are not as pious as the primitive Christians were, your own heart will tell you, that it is neither through ignorance nor through inability, but purely because you never thoroughly intended...

Why are we not as dedicated as the first-century Christians?

By J. Randal Matheny (30 October 2006, 12:41 PM)
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Getting Out the Vote

Run-off elections for Brazil's presidential race are set for October 27. President Lula, up for reelection, expected to sweep the country in the first round. Corruption scandals tightened the race, Lula refused to join a televised debate, and elections wound...

What would happen if we made, on behalf of souls, the same effort politicians make for votes?

By J. Randal Matheny (23 October 2006, 11:16 AM)
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COMING SOON TO A CHURCH NEAR YOU

I'm writing far from home, on a teaching trip in the northeast region of Brazil. I was privileged to be invited to a congregation concerned about strange developments in this area. As a subscriber of Forthright, you've noticed our commitment...
By J. Randal Matheny (16 October 2006, 06:02 PM)
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Not a Cause, but a Kingdom

crownthornsp.jpgSometimes we hear people -- and we ourselves -- talk about "the cause of Christ." But the faith is not a cause, but a kingdom. Used in this sense, a cause is "(a) a principle or movement militantly defended or supported (b) a charitable undertaking ."

The Bible doesn't talk about "the cause of Christ."

By J. Randal Matheny (09 October 2006, 01:16 PM)
Continue reading: Not a Cause, but a Kingdom

Mid-air Collision

gol_boeing.PNG On Friday a new Embraer Legacy jet took off from my city of São José dos Campos on its way to its new American owner. Over the thick Amazon jungle, it collided with a Boeing 737, Gol Airlines Flight 1907 from Manaus to Brasilia. While the new jet landed safely with its seven people aboard, the 155 passengers and crew of the Gol flight plummeted to their death.

The loss of souls in an accident like this causes great sadness.

By J. Randal Matheny (02 October 2006, 02:12 PM)
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Taking Our Place

In Broken Chains, Doug Batchelor wrote about Filipino identical twins, who made their living in Manila by driving jeepneys, the local taxi. One was married and had children; the other was single. One day, the married brother accidentally struck and...

An illustration makes us feel a bit of the wonder of redemption at the Cross.

By J. Randal Matheny (25 September 2006, 01:58 PM)
Continue reading: Taking Our Place

How You Turned

The earliest book of the New Testament, 1 Thessalonians, begins by celebrating the conversion of the recipients in glowing terms. Around A.D. 51, Paul reached Corinth, after he'd been chased from Thessalonica and Berea and passed through Athens. Having stayed...

Christians' stories about their conversion motivate us all to do the will of God.

By J. Randal Matheny (18 September 2006, 01:34 PM)
Continue reading: How You Turned

Religion of Relationship

"Would it be correct to say that Christianity is a relationship and not a religion?" So asks a sincere inquirer. Since James calls the faith religion, we cannot dump the word as a description of the Way. "Pure and undefiled...

Is Christianity best called a religion or a relationship? Yes!

By J. Randal Matheny (11 September 2006, 07:49 AM)
Continue reading: Religion of Relationship

Fixing a Situation

A baggage handler removing the luggage from the Sao Paulo-Rio flight picked up a passenger's pet carrier -- and saw the dog was dead./1 He quickly called his superior, who, recognizing the situation was ripe for a legal suit, paged...

When things go wrong, there is no substitute for honesty, confession, and transparency.

By J. Randal Matheny (04 September 2006, 03:00 AM)
Continue reading: Fixing a Situation

A Single Concern

We, the editors and writers of Forthright Magazine, share a single concern: the soul's salvation. We want more than anything to be saved, in order that we may enjoy God's presence, both now and eternally. We also want every single...

There is no subject more important, nor more twisted, among men, that that of the soul's salvation.

By J. Randal Matheny (14 August 2006, 12:21 PM)
Continue reading: A Single Concern

A Different Kind of Lectureship

People came from Ohio, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Arkansas. I traveled from Brazil specifically for the event. Besides the common faith they share, the participants had something else in common: though most had never met before, they are friends...

This gathering had it all: sermons and Bible lessons, fellowship, singing, prayers -- and food!

By J. Randal Matheny (31 July 2006, 08:00 AM)
Continue reading: A Different Kind of Lectureship

Leave

jesusdelicate.jpgArtists often present pictures of Jesus as an effeminate and delicate person. Nothing that would frighten anyone. But in the region of the Gerasenes, Jesus restores a wild man possessed by a legion of demons. "No one was strong enough to subdue him" (verse 4). But Jesus puts him right. And the Lord is indirectly responsible for the death of two thousand pigs when he permits the demons to leave the man and enter the animals.

When Jesus enters our life, he makes a mess.

By J. Randal Matheny (24 July 2006, 10:59 AM)
Continue reading: Leave

The Lord Needs You

twodisciplesdonkeyp.jpgJesus had sent two disciples into Bethany to get the colt for what we call today the triumphal entry. He told them where to find it and what to say to the owners: "The Lord needs it." In one sense, the Lord needs nothing of ours nor of us. To an Israel addicted to formal religion he declared: ...

It is appropriate to say that Jesus needs us.

By J. Randal Matheny (17 July 2006, 11:40 AM)
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Swiftly

sr-71p.jpgMy backseater Walt and I were screaming across Southern California 13 miles high in a SR-71. We were monitoring radio transmissions from other aircraft as we entered Los Angeles airspace. Though they didn't really control us, they did monitor our movement across their scope. I heard a Cessna ask for a readout of its groundspeed. "90 knots," Center replied. Moments later, a Twin Beech requested the same. "120 knots," Center answered.

The Creator of the universe is agile in what he does.

By J. Randal Matheny (10 July 2006, 11:35 AM)
Continue reading: Swiftly

Who Touched Me?

"And Jesus said, 'Who was it that touched me?' When all denied it, Peter said, 'Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!' (Luke 8:45, ESV). Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of people touched Jesus as he made his...

Jesus' question did not convey irritation or anger, but gladness.

By J. Randal Matheny (03 July 2006, 10:07 AM)
Continue reading: Who Touched Me?

Intimacy and Fathers

Saturday, the world's largest annual homosexual march took place in São Paulo. Over two million people converged on Avenida Paulista, the city's financial center, to chant the theme that "homophobia" should be considered a crime. Sunday, the U.S. celebrated Father's...

When the father cultivates godly intimacy with his children, he teaches them the true meaning of personhood.

By J. Randal Matheny (19 June 2006, 03:33 PM)
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Rules of the Road

Do you know the rules of the road? Not only to driving a car, but walking in the Way of the Lord? Some of the rules for motorists also serve well the saint in his walk with God. 1. Don't...

Know the rules of the road, not only for driving a vehicle, but for life and eternity.

By J. Randal Matheny (05 June 2006, 03:43 PM)
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Lord and Savior

"Jesus is Lord and Savior." It's a favorite phrase of certain religious groups where I live and work. But few really understand what the phrase means. It is Peter in his second letter who uses the whole phrase. And only...

We must obey Jesus as Lord in order to count him as our Savior.

By J. Randal Matheny (22 May 2006, 03:24 PM)
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State of Siege

Violence has spread in our state of São Paulo, the capital city of the same name, and even in our city of São José dos Campos. The authorities were moving some mafia-type gang leaders to a prison upstate, away from...

As violence frightens citizens of our city and state, Christians find renewed reason for joy in eternal hope and peace in walking with God.

By J. Randal Matheny (15 May 2006, 05:23 PM)
Continue reading: State of Siege

Groan

We all get them. Cute stories or jokes from well-meaning friends, who we afterwards wish weren't so friendly. One friend sent me ten puns, all in one email. He must have really been wanting to wrap up a long-time relationship....

Though happy and joyful, Christians groan as well. Find out why.

By J. Randal Matheny (08 May 2006, 04:16 PM)
Continue reading: Groan

From Entertaining Fiction to Accepted Reality

In the 1960s Frederik Pohl and Jack Williamson wrote "The Starchild Trilogy," three connected works of science fiction which presented a sentient universe and stars and planets that were alive. Today, people believe the earth is Gaia, a living entity....

Satan uses fiction and fantasy, first to entertain, then to convince.

By J. Randal Matheny (01 May 2006, 03:50 PM)
Continue reading: From Entertaining Fiction to Accepted Reality

Cling to God

"Problems should make us run TO God, not run FROM him." So I wrote to Darrin a few days ago. His wife has cancer. His mother-in-law, not the meekest of people, has been living with them for months, to lend...

Every experience should lead us to cling more closely to the Lord, rather than distance ourselves from him.

By J. Randal Matheny (24 April 2006, 08:37 AM)
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Concern for Loved Ones

As of this writing, the news reports say the town of Marmaduke, Arkansas, is half gone. The remaining structures have minor to moderate damage. One of yesterday's 63 tornados devastated the town. The photo on the Fox News website shows...

Real concern for loved ones and for the family of Christ has specific ingredients.

By J. Randal Matheny (03 April 2006, 03:27 PM)
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The Tragedy Among Us

Many of us have felt distraught as details emerged of Matthew Winkler's death in Selmer, Tennessee, and his wife's confession. Members of the Winkler family are known to many, and their ministries have blessed, and will continue to bless, multitudes....
By J. Randal Matheny (27 March 2006, 02:50 PM)
Continue reading: The Tragedy Among Us

My Second New Radiator

In January I had to put a new radiator in my car. Today I had to put another new radiator in my car. The mechanic had already called the parts store about the guarantee on the new radiator, thinking it...

We were reminded how God watches over his own.

By J. Randal Matheny (20 March 2006, 02:17 PM)
Continue reading: My Second New Radiator

Benedito

Benedito, a brother in the Lord, and Sr. Joaquim, a friend of his, have just left my office. He and I have had five studies with Joaquim, whom he has known for many years. Benedito is the best evangelist-inviter in...

All members of the body are important.

By J. Randal Matheny (13 March 2006, 02:35 PM)
Continue reading: Benedito

Difficulty as Discipline

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons" (Hebrews 12:7, NIV). No one likes to undergo hardship. We flee from problems and flinch from pain. But hardship can help us. The Hebrew Christians' brand of hardship was persecution....

If you want the cake without waiting for it to bake, you won't make a good Christian.

By J. Randal Matheny (06 March 2006, 03:45 PM)
Continue reading: Difficulty as Discipline

Restoring Marriage by God's Original Plan

[For the introduction to this article, see "Retroculture and Original Events."] Challenged by the Pharisees on divorce, Jesus uses the restoration concept to teach the original divine truth about marriage. He answered, "Have you not read that he who created...

Challenged on divorce, Jesus used the restoration concept to teach the original divine truth about marriage.

By J. Randal Matheny (06 February 2006, 12:38 PM)
Continue reading: Restoring Marriage by God's Original Plan

Retroculture and Original Events

In a cultural and political spoof, William Lind imagined a Retroculture Movement arising in the 1990s that revitalize and revolutionize American culture by 2050. The idea was to return to old values, especially those of the Victorian era, to restore...

Original events in biblical history demonstrate the divine intent of what we should believe and practice.

By J. Randal Matheny (30 January 2006, 12:42 PM)
Continue reading: Retroculture and Original Events

The Dam Breaks

Dan and Charlotte* belonged to a church they liked, where they had lots of friends. But Charlotte questioned some of the things her pastor said. The pastor, not about to have his authority challenged, called her to the front at...

Whatever hardship you must bear to find the truth, endure it gladly, for your soul's salvation.

By J. Randal Matheny (23 January 2006, 01:00 PM)
Continue reading: The Dam Breaks

Waves of Temptation

"The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan" (Mark 1:12-13a ESV). Waves of temptations often follow deeply spiritual moments and fall upon those who launch great works....

Temptations fall upon those who launch great works.

By J. Randal Matheny (02 January 2006, 02:41 PM)
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Real Resolutions

A year ago we were contemplating our resolutions for 2005. Some of us are now celebrating their completion. Others of us feel stuck in the same rut of good wishes gone sour. A few of us can't even remember what...

How to make good on your New Year's resolutions.

By J. Randal Matheny (26 December 2005, 12:08 PM)
Continue reading: Real Resolutions

Public and Private Pain

We sat in the dining area of Colinas Mall on Sunday afternoon. At a table at the edge of the area sat a family of four, dad, mom, daughter, and son. As we wound down our meal, the discussion at...

Each of us carries some sharp pain from past humiliations or crises.

By J. Randal Matheny (12 December 2005, 01:55 PM)
Continue reading: Public and Private Pain

There to Protect

It happened just across the square from my office. Last week two doormen from a security company kidnapped and killed 38-year-old Iara, a resident of the building they were hired to protect. They forced her to sign a check for...

False shepherds will insinuate themselves wherever people are half asleep.

By J. Randal Matheny (05 December 2005, 02:26 PM)
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Feelings of Joy

I've still got jetlag after getting home last week, and the good feelings from the Cold Harbor Road Lectureship still linger. Those good people invited me, without knowing me from Adam, to share three lessons with them on taking the...

Many churches and saints offer us joy by their example of hard work for the kingdom of God.

By J. Randal Matheny (21 November 2005, 01:25 PM)
Continue reading: Feelings of Joy

Optimistic Children

Martin Seligman, author of Learned Optimism, writes that when he and his wife divorced, his son David was five. Every explanation failed to get across to the child that the divorce was final. At length, Seligman told his son straight...

Be like a child; be optimistic!

By J. Randal Matheny (31 October 2005, 12:58 PM)
Continue reading: Optimistic Children

Requirements for World Peace

Our fifth answer in the