2012/01/26
by J. Randal
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Please note our new mailing address. Only now were we able to rent a new post office box. We’d given you our office address earlier, but it is not a good one, since the box is small and mail often gets wet.
Randal and Vicki Matheny
Caixa Postal 2031
São José dos Campos, SP
12243-970 — Brazil
This change is effective immediately.
2012/01/24
by J. Randal
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Elders, Sherman Avenue church, Denton TX, a supporter of the GoSpeak ministryThey don’t use special clothes or titles, nor do they receive veneration from others. There’s no way to identify them or distinguish them from other Christians.
From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. To all those in Philippi who are God’s people in Christ Jesus, along with your supervisors and servants.
Philippians 1:1 CEB
Even so, the supervisors and servants fulfill a distinct function within the community of Christians, for the proper functioning of the body of Christ. Differently from others, they have specific qualifications (Titus 1; 1 Timothy 3). Their tasks are also well defined. Continue Reading →
2012/01/21
by J. Randal
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The book of Acts is often called, rightly, the book of conversions. We might do well to ask ourselves if our congregation could be called “the church of conversions.”
2012/01/21
by J. Randal
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Your security is only as good as the people on the inside with you.
2012/01/21
by J. Randal
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Without a life dedicated to God, we lack certainty of his cause and the clarity of holiness. With such a life, we speak with confidence.
The LORD judges the nations.
Vindicate me, LORD, because I am innocent,
because I am blameless, O Exalted One!
May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end!
But make the innocent secure,
O righteous God,
you who examine inner thoughts and motives!
Psalm 7.8-9 NET Continue Reading →
2012/01/20
by J. Randal
2 Comments
With shudders, noise, and billowed smoke
The train shoots down the rails,
A blur with every steamy stroke,
This life of hills and vales.
2012/01/20
by J. Randal
5 Comments
A single sin does not remain alone, but leads to another. And yet another. Like the Jewish religious leaders. Envy led to murder, which led in turn to the release of a murderous rebel.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead.
Mark 15:11 NET
Know that a sin, as small as it may seem, opens the door for still more iniquity to take control of a person. Continue Reading →
2012/01/17
by J. Randal
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As was his custom, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem to teach. Perhaps in a moment of rest—for every teacher needs a sip of water—he began observing.
Then he sat down opposite the offering box, and watched the crowd putting coins into it.
Mark 12:41 NET
In Mark’s gospel, Jesus points to the poor widow as an example of the first commandment, about which he had taught just hours before (verses 26-31). Continue Reading →
2012/01/15
by J. Randal
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Many have abandoned the truth of the gospel. Others, upon learning of original Christianity according to the New Testament, have refused to follow Jesus and remained in their way of perdition. Even in the midst of suffering, Job maintained his commitment to God’s commandments.
I have not departed from the commands of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth
more than my daily food.
Job 23:12 HCSB Continue Reading →
2012/01/14 by J. Randal | 0 comments
Is the church ready for the mission of God?
“… be ready for every good work” (Titus 3.1).