Fake Money and Broken Airplanes

            When I was growing up back in Rollingbrook, we tried not to get all excited about Christmas.  If you did, it was likely that you would be disappointed come present unwrapping time. We had good gifts sometimes though, and my parents always did their best to somehow make it a great season around our home.

            Once when I was about 8 years old or so, I kept bugging my dad about a particular gift of mine.  He would only answer, “It’s a million dollars, son” no matter how many times I asked. Turns out, it was.  One million dollars in PLAY money.  If that wasn’t enough, the really good gift I got that year was a giant styrofoam airplane that my brother “had” to put together and “try first”.    He threw it one time and it crashed. The wing broke in half, I never touched it.

            The reason that I try not to focus on material gifts during the Holidays may be evident by the previous observations.  In reality, the reason lies more in the fact that as a Christian husband, father and an adult, my priorities are different than when I was a child.  The gift that I am more appreciative of now is the Greatest Gift of All, Jesus Christ!

            The gift of Grace in Christ is far more appealing than a million dollars, or even a real airplane.  It was much later in life before I enjoyed full appreciation for such a Glorious Gift.  It is a gift that fits any size, any type, any personality. 

            The Gift of Salvation is open to all who believe on Him (Jn. 3:16; Acts 16:31). Biblically, both belief and confession are inseparably linked with salvation (Rom 10:8-10; 1 Tim. 6:12). To those who believe in Christ, repentance and baptism for the remission of sins are both instructed (Acts 2:36-38, Luke 24:46-47). Baptism is prescribed as the way to call on the name of the Lord and have your sins washed away (Acts 22:16). 

            What an excellent Gift!  Let us not grow weary of proclaiming this message!

Should We Make Judgments?

     There are those who say, "Oh, you are judging".  But the one who says this is guilty of doing what he has just accused you of doing, judging.  Jesus does says, "Judge not that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1).  Judge here means to condemn with harsh and rash judgment when all the facts are not known.  It is bitter fault finding that Jesus is condemning.   We all must form opinions based on facts.  Jesus says, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24).  Jesus tells us we are to make righteous judgments.

     Saying that we are not to make righteous judgments is a doctrine of Satan and not of Christ.  Satan does not want us to make any kind of judgments.  We have to make judgments to prevent our being misled by false teachers.  Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:15-16).  Jesus is also telling us to be fruit inspectors, which requires that we make certain judgments about others.

     Satan also wants us to leave those alone who are lost in sin.  If we could not make judgments, we would not be able to know if a person is in need of being taught the gospel.  If we could not make judgments, we would not be able to know if a brother or sister "wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).  But the Bible says, "if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness" (Galatians 6:1).  We have to make judgments.  But as our Lord commands, let us not make rash and harsh judgments without knowing the facts, but let us make righteous judgments based on Truth, Love, and a desire to spread the Gospel of Christ.

preachertombowling@gmail.com

Who is Bringing the Turkey?

            I love the holidays as much as the next guy I guess.  I never have been fanatical about them either way.  One thing that has always intrigued me is how people rush around at the last minute to do everything, and to make sure they have everything necessary for the big day. My experience has been that there will be a group (usually the women folk) who coordinate the meal at Thanksgiving.  There will be discussion about who is bringing what, and one person will generally be “in charge” of the all-important check list of items: Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, etc.  I feel that the main focus has evolved over time from being thankful to being prepared.  I mean, just how bad would it be if Aunt Margaret forgot she was supposed to bring the turkey?  Or what if Cousin Linda brought her world famous yams instead of the rolls she promised? I know at our house, there would be trouble!

            With that in mind, is it not comforting to know that God in His infinite wisdom has given us a complete list of all things that we need (2Peter 1:3)?   There are those that feel that there is a need to supplement Gods Word with the works of men. This of course is a direct violation of Rev. 22:18-19.  Paul addresses the issue of the all sufficiency of Scripture in 2Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” –KJV 

            I am thankful that God has the foreknowledge to provide a plan for mankind to be reconciled to Him.  That foreknowledge prevents us from frantically scrambling at the last minute, wondering if we have all we need.  Take peace, Oh Christian, and know that God has provided us all things that we may know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (1Jn. 4:9).  Happy Holiday’s from the Bowling Family!

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

John 1:46

            The character of Nazareth was proverbially bad. To be a Galilean or a Nazarene was an expression of decided contempt. Nathanael asked therefore, whether it was possible that the Messiah should come from a place proverbially wicked. This was a not an uncommon mode of judging. It is not by examining evidence, but by prejudice. Many persons suffer their minds to be filled with prejudice against the Truth or a person professing the Truth, and then pronounce judgment at once without examination.  It matters not from where a teacher comes, provided he be authorized of God by speaking His Truth, and qualified for his work.

            I have often considered this verse as I make efforts to preach the Gospel. Although never attempting to literally compare myself to the Son of God, I can empathize with how He must have felt.  Jesus was doubted and criticized simply because of where he was raised and the reputation of the neighborhood and its inhabitants.

            I grew up in a neighborhood in Cleveland, TN called Rollingbrook. There were about 200 homes there.  I had a great childhood.  Yes, we had hard times like everyone else, but we were always fortunate to have food and a nice home.  Rollingbrook wasn’t the nicest neighborhood in town, but having not chosen to be born and live there, I had to make the best of it.  My dad was a painter and he helped build most of the homes in the subdivision. There was trouble there many nights, and you had to be tough to stay out past dark.  Wouldn’t it be a shame to have efforts to spread the Gospel hindered based on simply where one is from?   As sad as that seems, that is exactly what our Savior had to endure.

            “What good can come out of Rollingbrook?” you ask?  Well, when I was 12, my neighbors invited me to Eastside church of Christ.  Six months later I was baptized and obeyed the Gospel.  Thank God for Rollingbrook, and the Jackson’s, my evangelistic and hospitable neighbors.      

Is Heaven on Your Mind?

Is Heaven on Your Mind?

      Our number one priority in this life must be to go to Heaven.  Nothing else is as important.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."  Our soul is the most precious thing we have.  There is nothing that can equal its value.  We read in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" 

     It is easy in today’s materialistic society to get caught up in the pursuit of materialism if we are not careful.  Our Lord says in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is there will your heart be also."  Our bank account needs to be in heaven.  Every day we need to tell ourselves that the main thing in this life is to go to Heaven.  We read in Colossians 3:2; "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."  We should regularly think about going to Heaven.

     Heaven is a prepared place (John 14:2-3) for a prepared people.  It will be such a wonderful place, which is beyond our wildest dreams.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."  There is no way that Heaven can be described so we as mortal human beings can understand how wonderful it will be.

            Do YOU know God’s plan for man to get to heaven?  If not, or if you would like to learn more about the what the Bible says on this or any other issue, message me, we can study together. mailto:together.preachertombowling@gmail.com.

Gospel Plan of Salvation

Plan of Salvation Synopsis

How does God save lost people?  To answer such a question, we need to examine a few Bible basics.  Let us simply allow the Bible to speak for itself.  Toward that goal, let us consider the following:

·           All accountable people have done wrong, and thus fall short of God’s perfect glory (Rom. 3:23).

·           God’s love sent Jesus to bear the quilt and punishment for the sins that separate us from God (I Pet. 2:24-25).

·           Through faith in Jesus we can choose life rather than death (John 3:16).

·           The answer is grounded in God’s grace (an undeserved gift) and not from any response we could make to “earn” our salvation (Eph. 2:8-10).

Now we come to the question, “if we are going to be saved, what kind of response does God ask of our faith?” (Rom. 1:5, 16:26). Obedience to the faith is necessary!

·           To one that does not have faith, the first step toward salvation is to believe that Jesus is the Savior (Acts 16:31).

·           To those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, repentance (a change of thinking) and baptism for the remission of sins are both instructed (Acts 2:36-38, Luke 24:46-47).

·           Biblically, both belief and confession are inseparably linked with salvation (Rom 10:8-10; 1 Tim. 6:12).

·           To the believers who have repented, baptism is prescribed as the way to call on the name of the Lord and have their sins washed away (Acts 22:16).

·           Baptism (immersion) as a response of faith is clearly linked to entering into a saving relationship with Jesus (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3 26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21).

·           We are making a life-long commitment to walk in the new life of God’s light (Rom. 6:4; 1 John 1:7).

·           In all of these things, we must respond in faith to receive the gift of grace (James 2:26); any response, however, from an attitude of boasting, or of trying to earn our salvation, would not be acceptable (Rom. 3:27; 4:1-2).

Many religious people believe a response of some kind on the part of man is required for salvation, although they differ on the nature of the required response.  The real issue, however, is not what men teach or think (Jer. 10:23 “It is not in man to direct his own steps”)                                                                                                                it is about what the Bible teaches.  Jesus has been sent, the Bible reveals the way of forgiveness, the decision to act is yours and yours alone.  

Update Letter-October 2011

Oct. 31, 2011

Dearest Friends, Brethren and Supporters,

            It is with absolute joy that as I compose this update letter, Summer and I are entering our final quarter at the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions.  We are very excited to be near completion of what has certainly been a life changing endeavor for our family.  The last two years have been very challenging, as well as rewarding for our family.  The decision to enter into ministry for the Lord’s church has truly been the best decision of our lives.  Our time so far at school has been a complete blessing.  We have had the opportunity to grow spiritually in the knowledge of faith and service, and have learned how to better teach others the gospel of Christ.  We have also been blessed to make and develop friendships that will never be broken.            

            As a student at ETSPM, I have enjoyed the opportunity to study bible and ministry under the direct instruction of godly men who by many are considered legends in the brotherhood.  The wisdom imparted by these men go far beyond their bible knowledge, which is vast, and reaches into the training and development of men who will serve in the kingdom as ministers.  I appreciate the training I have received from these fine men, and Summer feels the same about the instructors’ wives and wives classes.

            With that being said, there are hardly words to express the appreciation that we have for all of those who have supported our efforts.  With the financial support of 9 congregations and 11 individual families, I have been able to focus on schoolwork without being stressed over providing financially for my family.  Summer has been my biggest supporter! She has worked full time, carried the wives class workload, and kept the home and kids the entire time without complaining one time, only praising God for the opportunity put before us.  I have submitted an application to move back home in January, I hope she approves it!

            Our intention is to visit each supporting congregation in the spring after I finish classes.  Please review your March, April, and May calendars and find a place to pencil us in for a Sunday to visit and preach so that we may personally thank your members.  We look forward to seeing all of you again!

            As for the budget, please consider for your budget meetings that our family support will be needed through the end of January.  Our full time pay from Dayton will begin in February. Thank you so much for the financial and moral support that you have helped us with during our stay at ETSPM.  We could not have done it without you! Our promise to you is to do our best to make sure that the investment you have made goes far to spread the gospel and to teach others about Jesus.  Currently, that focus will be on the lives of young people at Dayton.  As many of you know, upon completion of school I will begin full time work at Dayton church of Christ where we have been attending for a year now.  My primary focus will be youth work and associate ministry.  Our time at Dayton has been very fruitful already, and we are very happy there.  We look forward to getting started full time in February.  

           

            Once again, Thank You. Your love and contribution has changed our lives.  I will forever be indebted to you, and will never forget what each of you has done for us.

Sincerely in brotherly love,

Thomas L. Bowling and family