Bible Thoughts

May 20, 2001

The offering of prayers unto God is a privilege to be enjoyed and shared by all obedient believers in Christ. The individual disciple has the opportunity of lifting his voice to the Creator as He takes note of the needs of the supplicant. Under any, and all, occasions the Christian can pray to God for help, assistance, and care(see I Thessalonians 5:17).

A woman can lead others in prayers when it involves other women. They may also lead children who have not yet

reached the age of maturity and obeyed the gospel. Mothers should teach their children to pray, instruct other women in how to pray, and be willing to learn everything possible about prayer.

Leading a public prayer is a responsibility of a man. "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting"(I Timothy 2:8). We have no instruction, and no example in the New Testament, of a woman leading a public prayer. In fact, Paul's instruction is very plain in I Timothy 2:11-12, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." Women who take positions of leadership in public prayers, preaching, and other religious activities do so in direct violation of the instructions of God.

Friendship with Christ is conditioned upon one's attitude toward Christ's will. Because one considers himself to be the Lord's friend does not make him such. A follower of Buddha may view himself as a friend of Christ, but even a casual reader of the Bible can learn such is not true.

Jesus did not leave us without guidance in determining whether we are his friends. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you"(John 15:14). Nothing short of obedience to the commands of Christ can place one on a friendly basis with the Master.

When one refuses to obey the Son of God, he is not being Jesus' friend. When one obeys doctrines not commanded by Christ, he is not Jesus' friend. One who follows the teachings of great men of this world instead of the New Testament is not Jesus' friend. When the creedbooks of denominationalism take the place of the New Testament, one is not being Jesus' friend. One who accepts the instructions of an earthly pope instead of the instructions of Christ is not Jesus' friend. Is this being harsh? Perhaps in the eyes of some, but it is the truth!

Now you must face the question: Are you Christ's friend? Are you following his instructions(the New Testament)? You can know whether you do or do not.

Be a friend of Christ: obey him.

All healing is divine healing. When God, through Elijah, restored a boy to life(I Kings 17), we see divine healing. When the body heals itself without outside help, it is divine healing. When the physician, applying his knowledge, helps bring a cure, divine healing has occurred. If a person is healed, it can be said that God heals him.

God does not heal miraculously in the present day. Miracles were limited in their purpose. Signs/wonders proved the words spoken by inspired men(John 20:30-31). Paul said when the "perfect" was revealed miracles/signs would cease(I Corinthians 13:8-12). The "perfect"(complete) law of liberty has been revealed(James 1:25). With the completion of that revelation, the necessity of miracles ceased.

Miracles of the apostolic age were not limited to disease, but covered a rather large variety of manifestations(Jesus stilled the storm and Paul blinded a man). Everything from raising the dead to paying taxes with money found in the mouth of a fish evidenced the power. Not only do fake healers stumble when it comes to disease(a few years ago, a "healer" disappeared after a child died when the parents took away needed insulin, after the "healer" convinced them God had healed their son), such "healers" will not attempt to work miracles where inspired men had no difficulty.

God does heal through natural means; God does not heal by miracles today. This is evident when those who claim the power cannot use the power. Have you seen any dead people raised to life lately?

It is not the voice of the multitude, but the voice of truth, thathas power with the conscience-that can produce a rational conviction, and acceptable obedience. A conscience that awaits the decision of the multitude, that hangs in suspense for the casting vote of the majority, is a fit subject for the man of sin.-Thomas Campbell

Jesus stressed the importance of the kingdom of heaven by comparing it with a treasure hidden in a field and with a pearl of great price.

In describing the worth of the treasure, Christ stated that when a man found it he went and sold all that he had and bought the field(Matthew 13:44). The pearl of great price was so valuable that the merchant "went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

The kingdom of God was so essential in the teaching of Christ that he said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"(Matthew 6:33). One who seeks to live daily with Christ must put first things first. Certainly the kingdom of God must be paramount in the life of the Christian.