The Keys To A Peaceful Life

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Wouldn't our lives be so much easier, and so much less complicated if we just did what God tells us to do?

LEAD A QUIET LIFE.
Tranquil. Peaceful. Free from discussion. Silent. These are the English words connected to the Greek word used here by Paul. Do they describe the current day to day operations in your home, with your family? Getting my blood pressure up because of the way the neighbor parks his car is not a quiet life. Running the kids to so i many sporting and school activities that you can't remember who to pick up and where to pick them up is not a quiet life. Working so much that you don't have time to worship God and study his word is not a quiet life. Not having fifteen minutes to go on a walk with your wife may be a sign you don't live a very quiet life. Needing a drawn out discussion and explanation for every little word or look you get from others is not indicative of a quiet life. Some things are not worth talking about. It happened. Get over it, move on, and take the time to enjoy the simple,  peaceful moments in life.

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
The Greek text literally is "attend to the affairs of your own."
So it‘s not just that how your neighbor disciplines his children is none of your business, but more importantly, you need to be attending better to what your own children are doing! It‘s not only that how you manage your money is  none of my concern, I need to focus more on how I am managing my own money. That's the sad thing about folks who refuse to mind their own business -- their own business is usually a colossal mess!

WORK WITH YOUR HANDS.
This one will actually help you with the first two. Those who work earn the respect of others. Thus, the mind can be "quieted,” not having to be paranoid about what others are saying. And, working will help you appreciate and enjoy the quieter moments of life. Furthermore, those who work don't have time to mind everyone else's business.  Remember, God obviously wants us to make our own way in life, but you must find the good and reasonable middle -- work that eliminates time to be a good spouse, a good parent, and a good servant of the Lord and student of the Word is too much work.

— Charles Schultheisz, Woodsfield, Ohio

Who Knew?

In his book, 1001 Dumbest Things Ever Said, author Steven D. Price includes some of the more not-so-bright predictions that have been made regarding computers and technology. In 1943 Thomas Watson, then chairman of the board at IBM announced, " I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." Six years later, in 1949, a Popular Mechanics article stated that "in the future computers may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."

Ken Olson, founder of Digital Equipment Corp, said in 1972 that he believed "there is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." In 1982 someone suggested that IBM purchase Microsoft, to which an unidentified executive said, "One hundred million dollars is way too much to pay for Microsoft." By the way, the Seattle-based computer giant is now worth an estimated 230 billion dollars.

And these folks aren't the only ones to have shown a great deal of ignorance when speaking of the future. During the mid 1990's I visited a friend who had recently opened a cellular phone store. As we conversed, he revealed to me that his true desire was to begin a sporting goods business, to which I replied, "I would think there would be more of a future in that than in this cellular phone thing." Yea, that "cellular phone thing" just ended up being a temporary fad, didn't it?

Predicting the future of technology, the future of the nation, the future of our community, the future of our own lives, usually just shows us to be more fools than prophets. This world is just too fickle. Life is just too fragile. Who do we think we are to suggest that we know how things will be, and how life will go?

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "lf it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that? As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." James 4:13-17

How many times have we heard someone say, "When I retire, I'm going to get involved in the church. I‘m going spend quality time with my family." To us, these are innocent proclamations. We truly believe that we don't have the time now to do what we know we should do. However, James seems to be calling these assumptions about our future something other than "innocent." He reminds me that it is in fact a sin to assume that I will have tomorrow, and that it is sin to postpone the good I should be doing today assuming I will have tomorrow to do it.

How foolish it is to plan your whole life around the future. Two years ago I had no plans to be where I am now.  Years ago you didn't know you'd now be a widow. You never believed you'd be a widower. You didn't plan on your employer going out of business. You didn't predict that you would be a grieving parent or grandparent.

This is not to suggest that we shouldn't plan, that we shouldn't consider the possibilities of the future. This simply to say that whatever good we can do, and should do, let's do it today! 

~Charles Schultheisz

Care Center Visit

16 Teens had the privilege of visiting the Woodsfield Nursing and Rehab. Center on Wednesday, July 30th. The youth brought a touch of Jesus to the residents and I believe the teens went home with a touch of love from God and the patients at the center. Gods love can be shown thru all of us. We just need to open up hearts and let him in.

2014 Teen Lock-In

The Teens will be enjoying an all night Lock-In on August 11 at 7:00 P.M. Please sign you or your friend up in the foyer. Sign up sheet will come down August 6th. If you need a ride home place a star by your name and we will have someone to drive you home. Bring an extra set of clothes, a positive attitude, flashlight and Bible. The Woodsfield Church of Christ is hosting this event in order for the teens to be spiritually fed.  We are Blessed with a group of good teens who love the Lord and are willing to serve God on a daily basis. We want to thank Tiffany Jones and Whitney Zimmer for organizing this Lock·In and pray that the Word of God reaches the hearts of everyone.

The Magi Project

The Magi project is provided for us in the month of August. Fill a shoe box full of gifts and send them to a country to children at Christmas time. This act of God’s love is truly a blessing. Many poor children receive your love thru a box and Gods love is shared around the globe. The teens will be working on this project but if anyone wishes to join in contact the office at 472- 5321.

Thank You

Our thanks to the volunteers who helped with the July birthday celebration. The Bible Hour children alway appreciate the cup cakes and drinks.

YOU

Brady E. Smith

It never ceases to amaze me how the dictionary defines words down to the last degree especially the word you, and you, sharing Jesus. That’s about as brief as language allows.

The World Bible School watchword, our tag line, can still raise questions. For example, who are you?

By you we mean the Biblical you. As seen in the following passages: Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders: make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5

But you are chosen people, a royal priesthood that you may declare the praise of Him who called you out of darkness into the wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3: 15

Every Christian experiences light and hope. Therefore every Christian qualifies to share that light and that hope. Every Christian ought to share, and grow in how to share more effectively. In the context of the basic of the faith, Hebrews says "by this time you ought to be teachers”. Hebrews 5:12.

The theological basis and practicality of this "proclaiming priesthood" pervade the New Testament. Everyday Christians gossiped the gospel, even while suffering persecutions Acts 8:4. In Acts, Samaria was first reached not by an apostle, but by a table server (Acts 8:5 6:1-6).  Tentmakers launched new missions (Acts 18: 1-26 — Romans 16:3-5). Leaders exist to train and equip members “for the work ministry" that leads to church growth (Ephesians 4-12). Growth ceases when ever "you" the everyday member are missing from the ministry. When you share Jesus, New Testament-like growth surges.

But how can "you” share more effectively? Start with W.B.S. Seekers literally line up at W.B.S. asking to be taught.

See on such live list at worldbibleschool.org. When God creates amazing opportunities to share Jesus, caring Christians get involved. If they are wise.

Be very careful, then how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

When Mary Louise and I heard Kim Matthews father, Harold speak here at this church about W.B.S., 35 years ago we immediately appreciated it. It was free to who ever wanted to study the many lessons courses. The Bible courses have been a journey through the Bible from a very interesting perspective, I am very grateful to those who prepared them.

I’ll recommend these courses to every one. It’s not only a course, there is a hand of God leading you through it and he will change your life.

Doors will be open that you think were impossible to open, take advantage today, I did, it changed my life forever and at 89 I am still seeing doors being opened for me.

FOR WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL 

New Parking Lot

We truly thank the Building and Grounds deacons for their overseeing the work on paving the parking lot. This will serve as a great invitation to God's visitors and is a wonderful face lift to the old worn out lot. God has blessed this family and we truly appreciate it. 

Joy Bus News

On July 27th,  the Joy Buses will celebrate all the riders birthdays for this month. We appreciate the workers who knock doors, drive buses, secretaries, runners and maintenance, The new buses with air conditioning are a blessing this time of year. The children are enjoying the video series on the Bible and the volunteers who bake the cupcakes, organize the promotions and teach the Bible Hour and Puppet Ministry cannot be thanked enough. It takes a true love for this Ministry.  The time, patience andwork are done from the heart to glorify God.

After 35 years of bringing souls under the Gospel the Woodsfield Church of Christ is doing exactly what God commanded us to do. The Great Commission has been offered to the community thru Joy Bus Evangelism. Many have come and gone and workers have come and gone but one thing is for sure, souls need to be sought, brought and taught the good news of Jesus Christ.

I hope and pray you never get tired of doing good. The Joy Bus Ministry has always done good. These Bible School on wheels have worked for decades and still work today. God has blessed us with new buses, a great Bible Hour, and a wonderful church that supports this great Ministry.

We challenge the family to look into the areas that God's buses run and see if there are any prospects that might be interested in coming to worship God. Your phone call or visit to a neighbor, friend or relative might need transportation to come and worship God. Call the church or see Brother Keith Jones and we will do our best to seek and save the lost. God‘s buses are running in the villages of Woodsfield and Beallsville. Your special touch could be the answer in a soul being brought under the sound of the Gospel. Continue to pray that God's work be done.

A Friend Indeed

Sometimes I get to thinking that Jose Wales is one of my best friends. When I call him, he's at my side in seconds. He seems to really enjoy my presence. He likes to just sit and watch TV with me. He likes all the same shows that I do. He even cleans up food that I might spill around the house. Other friends have made fun of my old beat-up Dodge truck, but he loves it - even tried to drive it once on our way to town. He's been a great friend for eight years.

But now I’m starting to wonder.

Whenever he notices that other folks have food, he starts acting like they‘re best friends too. This really bugs me. He even went so far the other day as to allow a complete stranger to rub his belly. Not long ago, we had a little bit of an argument because I really needed him to come with me, but he was too busy eating hotdogs with another one of his so-called ”friends." I'm beginning to realize that our friendship is a little one-sided. He only seems to be in this for what he can get.

(By the way, in case you haven't figured this out by now, Jose Wales is a dog.) But he certainly has put me in mind of some of my human friends over the years. And, sadly I must admit, has reminded me of the way I have been a friend to others. A friend who is only in the relationship for what he can gain is not a friend at all. It is true that in our times of greatest need, we find out who our true friends are.

I struggle to wrap my mind around the kind of friend Jesus has been to me. I mean, what's he in this relationship to gain? What does he expect to get out of it for himself? Nothing more than my friendship, it appears. He already had it all. He didn't need me. He still doesn't need me. Not only does he already own the world, he made the world. There is nothing I can offer him materially that he doesn't already own. What does he want from me? Just my friendship, my loyalty, my obedience. Because of what it does for him? I don't think so. He already has eternal life. He's always going to have eternal life. He didn't die for himself, he died for me. He is my friend because of what it does for me. That's overwhelming. Talk about being the opposite of the friend who's only around when he needs something from you. You are indeed Lord the best friend we'll ever have. Thank you.

John 15:13-14

Charles Schultheisz