Weekly Devotional

“For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understand-ing. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not” Jeremiah’ 4:22. I’ve seen it twice now, a WV license plate that says ‘Keuka1’ on it. That’s one of the Finger Lakes in NY where I grew up. It’s made me want to pull up next to them at a stop light and ask what their connection to that area is. Out of all the peoples of the earth, God took the Israelites to be His treasured possession. He gave them a mediator, a covenant, and a law. Yet they had separated themselves from Him by their pursuit of other things—and knew Him not. Scary words. That’s what the bridegroom told the foolish virgins who did not oil for their lamps in Matthew 25:12. It’s what those who were doing religious things but weren’t doing the Father’s will heard in Matthew 7:23. Those who do not know God are among those who will “suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord” in 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9. What a terrible way for God to describe those who believe themselves to be His people. To be familiar to the Lord, we must be as innocent as doves and do good to all. 

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“For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” Psalm 73:3. The wide path is certainly easier to walk … and everyone who is on it seems to be having a great time with very few con-sequences. Even those we love or work with, our neighbors or some of our brothers and sisters in Christ, they compromise with the world in many ways and insist that they are Christians in a right relationship with God. How easy it is for those who persist on the narrow path that is so hard to walk to become “envious of the arro-gant” and doubt whether the insistence in faithful living is necessary or is legalistic or hateful as so claim it is. But then the psalmist spends time in prayer in “the sanctuary of God” and “discern[s] their end”—an end that is not good. Their situation is vulnerable and visible to all but themselves. And whether their sins catch up with them here or not, God will destroy the wicked. The psalmist acknowledges that when he was envious, his soul was “embittered” but God did not leave him there but took him by the hand and guided him to where he need-ed to be. God is his strength, his portion, and refuge, and in the end he values the intimacy he has gained.

Remembering My Friend Tom Butterfield

Tom D. Butterfield, 1940-2024

Published by Mark Mason, LCOC on December 5th, 2024            

This week I must tell you about my friend.  I say he was my friend because he was, but also because he was truly a friend to all he met.  He liked collecting friends like some people collect trading cards, or automobiles, or any other kind of collectible.  Tom made friends, cherished friends, connected friends, and built friendships.            

I speak of my friend and mentor in local church ministry, Tom D. Butterfield, who passed away last Saturday at the age of 84 in West Virginia.  Tom, along with his late father Tom W., and brother Bill, and uncle George, constitute over 100 years of continuous faithful Gospel preaching by Butterfields in the Ohio Valley region.  With Tom’s passing, this important era has come to an end.            

Tom was a bridge-builder above all.  He built bridges, not walls.  His favorite definition of evangelism was “I build a bridge from my heart to yours and let Jesus walk across.”  His favorite definition of preaching was “God’s Word does surgery upon my heart and I let you look over my shoulder and watch me bleed.”  Indeed, Tom built bridges, and bled, faithfully, for Jesus, for over 60 years.            

My relationship with Tom began when he agreed to let me do a ministry internship with him at the great and growing 36th Street church of Christ in Vienna, West Virginia, in the early 1990’s.  I was a Bible student who knew a lot of Bible, and Bible-related subjects, but knew next to nothing about how to work with people, how to serve a local church, and how to love others well.  Those things I largely learned from walking beside Tom for nearly 20 years.  I wish every young preacher could have the experience I did of being training in local ministry by a master practitioner like Tom Butterfield.            

I learned how to build bridges, how to let people watch me bleed, and how to share Jesus’ love from my friend.  Many others did too, but I reflect this week on what Tom helped me see and understand.  I hope the churches and individuals I have served have benefited from the things I learned from one of the great ministers of our time, my friend and yours.            

Rest well, friend.  See you soon on glory's shore.

"In Search of the Lord's Way" December Topics

SEARCH PROGRAMS December 2024 Topics subject to change without notice

DECEMBER 1 – TRUE WORSHIP People often want to tell us how they feel about worship these days, but we want to ask the question, “What does God want from our worship?” Worship must take into account the desires of God who is being worshiped.

DECEMBER 8 – THE WAY TO PEACE In these uncertain and chaotic times, peace is important to us all. Peace with God, with others, and within our souls can be one of the greatest blessings of all. The Scriptures teach us how to find peace.

DECEMBER 15 – GRIEVING The loss of a loved one can truly be a traumatic event. The Scriptures describe many examples of grieving. Thankfully, God gives us hope when we grieve by reminding us of our resurrection and the second coming.

DECEMBER 22 – BECAUSE OF JESUS When Jesus came to this world, He brought peace and goodwill to all men. We can hardly number all the blessings Jesus brought to us by becoming flesh, forgiving our sins, and giving us eternal life with Him in heaven.

DECEMBER 29 – THE WAY The Lord Jesus declared in John 14:6 that He is “the way.” He is indeed the way we live, the way we treat others, and the only way to draw close to our Father in heaven. Living “my way” is not the same as following the one true way.

ONLINE GIVING IS NOW AVAILABLE (TITHE.LY)

We are now able to accept contributions and donations online. 

YOU CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OR DONATION HERE:

https://tithe.ly/give?c=1322070

DO YOU HAVE A MEMBER ACCOUNT?

Attention:  36th Street Members

Our website contains much useful information for you as a member of the 36th street congregation.  We are updating and improving www.36thstreetchurch.com on an ongoing basis.

In order for you to take advantage of the full (members-only) benefits of the site, you need to set up a personal account on the site.  It's easy to do - just go to the homepage of the website and click on the 'MEMBERS' tab and select 'REGISTER' from the drop-down menu.  You will need to complete the form there and set up a username and password.  Your request will be forwarded to a web administrator, who will review the form and set you up in the system.

We encourage you to access the website and see how it can benefit you.

Sunday, December 08, 2024