So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20  for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  (James 1:19,20) 

 Most of us can remember those times that we got angry and said something we later regretted.  James in encouraging us to listen and be slow to speak was telling us that our anger often results in saying hurtful words to another.  Therefore, anger can bring about harm, both to those we react to in a harmful way as well as to ourselves.  James tells us in verse 20 that our wrath or anger does not produce the righteous life that God desires. 

Anger must be controlled if we desire to live righteously.  Paul wrote "Be angry, and do not sin…”  (Eph 4:26)  Anger itself is not a sin but certainly the result of uncontrolled anger or wrath is.  What can we do when that anger occurs - LISTEN.  Be slow to react or say anything before we think of what we are saying.  Being slow and hesitating before we speak also gives us an opportunity to say a prayer to ask God’s help.  This is the righteous life that God desires.  Our Lord is the great example of this, when Christ was arrested, brought before Caiaphas the high priest and accused by false witnesses the scripture says Christ remained silent.   This is a wonderful example, even if the words spoken by another hurt, we need to be slow to speak and maybe even remain silent.  

 Solomon wrote, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Prov. 25:11) Historians tell us that at Solomon’s banquets the dinner settings would be an apple made of pure gold that was a present for the guest to keep.  Let us always be slow to react that our words will impart grace to those who hear and be as precious as an apple of pure gold.  

Grace and peace, Bill Holt 

Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

The virgin birth of Jesus has long been a source of debate. Some reject it outright, others downplay its significance, while others view it as important but oddly disconnected from all else that we know about Jesus. Each of those views is wrong.  

The virgin birth of Christ is central to the deity of Christ. We know that Jesus is both man and God. Not half man and half God, or man some of the time and God some of the time. Jesus is both man and God — 100% man and 100% God. 

How can that be explained? The only answer is the virgin birth. The only answer is that Mary was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18). The only answer is that “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman” (Galatians 4:4). Christ’s deity demands Christ’s virgin birth.  

The virgin birth explains the significance of the name Immanuel — God with us (Matthew 1:23). The virgin birth explains how Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16).  The virgin birth explains Jesus’ statement that “before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). The virgin birth explains how Jesus “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” by whom “all things were created, in heaven and on earth” (Colossians 1:15-16). The virgin birth explains how “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).  None of these things can be explained or understood apart from the virgin birth.  

The virgin birth of Christ was prophesied in Isaiah 7, it happened in Matthew 1, and the attributes and work of Christ absolutely and fundamentally require his virgin birth.  Let’s proclaim the virgin birth, and let’s thank God for the virgin birth!  

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) 

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) 

A traveler comes to the top of a dune and all that he can see is more dunes. As he walks further, finally, in the distance, he sees the shape of palm trees. As he nears the palms, it is what he hoped for, an oasis in the middle of this vast desert.

Life is very much this way. How many times do we feel that we are in the middle of the desert with no relief in sight? Where is the oasis?

For Christians, we have the opportunity to experience an oasis every day. God is our shield as we read in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The day doesn’t have to feel like trouble in order for us to not be at peace. Any part of the day that takes our focus away from God is time that we are not at the oasis.

The cause for our lack of peace can be self-inflicted such as we see with David as he pursued Bathsheba, Jonah when he fled from God and Nineveh, or Peter when he struggled with denying Christ. There can also be outside sources that negatively affect our peace. Coworkers, family, friends, and even the driver of the car that cut you off on the highway make peace harder to come by.

No matter the cause, we must work our way back to the oasis. A great way to do this is through fellowship with other Christians. Attending church services and other activities allows peace to be within grasp. It is always easier to achieve a goal with like-minded people than by ourselves.

Never stop striving for the oasis, and once you have it, hang on with all your might. But don’t forget the most important fact, you are not in this alone. As we read Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 14:27, the message is still relevant for us today.

“Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

-Brock Mayberry

I have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for our elders here at the Fulshear Church of Christ!  Our elders are doing a great job of shepherding us as we move forward in our faith.  They are such great examples in service, sacrifice, and selfless love.  

I’m excited about the positive plans they have in store for our spiritual family for 2021 and beyond.  I ask you to pray that we will make a BIG impact in our Fulshear community for our Lord.  I ask you not only to pray but also follow their example.

Please be an encouragement to our elders by sending them a card of appreciation or communicating your love for them verbally for their service to the Lord and His kingdom.  Think about ways you can be creative to show your love and appreciation for their diligence. They truly deserve it!

Let’s display the beautiful qualities of humility and submission, along with the desire to be unified and spiritual, as we serve the Lord under the oversight of our elders with enthusiasm and joy.  These qualities are definitely needed to be an active, healthy, vibrant, and growing church.  

My plea is for God to keep us…

1. Holy (1 Peter 1:15)

2. Hungry (Matthew 4:4)

3. Humble (Philippians 2:1-11)

God wants us to be successful!  Let’s be steadfast, immovable, and moving forward in our work for the Lord!

¹The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.  (1 Peter 5)                  

Joshua 24:15   “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

One of the most crucial components of the family that sets the direction spiritually for the family is the father. And for good reason … it  is God’s plan for the family. The magnitude of this cannot be understated. 

Luke 2:52 is often used to describe the growth of Jesus, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  We notice in that verse that Jesus grew intellectually, physically, and socially. My question is how did this happen?  It happened because Joseph decided that he and his house would serve the Lord. 

This decision to serve the Lord will set the direction for….

1. The priority of worship in your home.

2. The love that is the foundation in your home. 

3. The lessons learned spiritually from God’s Word in your home. 

4. The prayers that are offered to God in your home. 

5. The decisions for serving others that are planned in your home.

6. The allegiance and obedience that begins first in your home. 

The direction that fathers set for the family spiritually have eternal consequences personally and collectively.  It also affects the church and the community. 

I’m thankful for all fathers who have made this decision and I want to encourage those who have not to decide today to give God your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It will be a blessing in this life and the next.