Let's Do Some Sharpening

 

This week’s thought is taken from the parable of the lad with a dull ax. Once upon a time, a long time ago, a young man approached a logging crew in the verdant and forested woodlands of British Columbia. He was looking for work. The foreman asked George, for that was his name, if he could fell a tree with an ax. He had never chopped down a tree before, but how hard could it be? With nary a syllable out of his mouth, he lumbered over to a nearby blue spruce and felled it like a pro. The foreman hired him on the spot.

On Monday, George outdid everyone else on the crew. But, each day after that, he got slower and slower until Friday, he could barely cut one tree down. He went through all the motions, swinging his ax, hitting the tree and repeating it, but it just didn’t work very well.

Finally, George laid down his ax, sat on a tree stump, his lungs heaving with exhaustion, wondering what was causing his declining productivity and energy.

The foreman came over to see why George was lollygagging. “Ye look like yer been chewed up, spit out and stepped on, lad. What’s itchin’ at ya?” The young man described his problem. “Ah,” said the foreman. “I know what’s wrong alright. Ye been so busy all week a-doing the things that a logger does fer sure, but ye ne’er ’membered to sharpen ye ax, didja now? Ye ax is dull, and ye may as well be warming up leftover snow as chopping wood with it.”

And this is how young George learned about the importance of sharpening his ax, as well as his other tools and skills. The foreman’s words helped him to appreciate important fundamental principles and values.

And as a God-fearing lad, he also remembered from that day forward to renew his strength in the Lord. “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men will utterly fall; But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31). George thought that verse was written just for him! Now he understood just as the logger needs to sharpen his ax, we, too, need to sharpen our spiritual lives through prayer, reading Scripture and faith in God. by Timothy Merrill

[2 Corinthians 10:3-6] Every Sunday, just about noon, families walk out of church, get in the car and begin to drive home. Crucial religious instruction could, and maybe should, take place then. Here are some of the positions a parent can take as these minutes tick away. * Act like you’ve never been to worship services. *Do not mention anything that happened during Bible study and worship. * The whole experience happened in another world; now you’re back in the real world. Play devil’s advocate: * Take the opposite side of the preacher; punch a few holes in the sermon. * Make fun of the song leader noting that he sang too slow, too fast; pitched the songs too low or too high; sang too many songs or not enough. * Make fun of the prayer content and the prayer leader. * Criticize the entire worship service and all the current public ministry.

Nothing’s perfect in this world because nobody in this world is perfect. How should the car-ride conversation sound? * Support the things that took place during the worship hour. There will be times when this is easier to introduce in conversation than at other times. But make an effort to always be supportive of the ministry you are involved in (or change)! * Speak kindly of the Elders, Deacons, and Ministers. * Display an attitude of appreciation and love; and above all – unity. *Remember the little ears that are listening and learning. * There is a teachable moment after each worship service. You can sharpen the dullness.

Practicing Reverence

 

Drivers who are meticulous about traveling the speed limit may do so for varied reasons. Some are conscientious about what they are doing. They believe that out of respect for the safety of themselves and other motorists that it is a wholly proper thing to do. Others will travel the speed limit out of fear. Some fear getting caught by the police. Teen drivers might fear getting caught by their parents. Still others travel the speed limit because they do not have a choice. Lack of horsepower or the mechanical condition of their vehicle takes away the option of traveling at a higher rate of speed. (Been there – done that!) Each is doing the same thing but for varied reasons.

The same can be said about worshipping God as we do today. We are each doing so but our motives may vary. I’m sure that most people who attend worship services are there because there is nowhere else they would rather be. But that cannot be said for all. I am confident that some attend out of fear – the fear of hell, the fear of parents, the fear of “how it might look” can cause some, who desire to be elsewhere, to join with God’s people on the Lord’s day. If we were able to go back through time, we would likely find that people really have not changed. Be it at Mt. Sinai, the dedication of the temple or the keeping of any of the feast days, the motivation of the worshippers likely varied. However, one thing that did not vary was the attitude of the worshippers. When it comes to the attitudes we present, He is quite demanding.

[Psalm 89:7] “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints. And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” When we assemble, we are to show God the respect He is due. Not only does He deserve it; He demands it. Consider manners of simple respect that we demand and follow: * At a memorial service for a fallen soldier, all in attendance are quiet and respectful. In Sunday morning worship we honor the Christ who died for us (1Thessalonians 5:9-10). * At a movie, we become frustrated over those who talk during the show and constantly move about the theatre. * A schoolteacher’s ability to maintain order and effectively work with each child in their class demands respect from each student. To accomplish order in the room requires each student to stop talking and remain in their seats. How much more is our God to be respected!? Even beyond respect, He is to be revered. The prophets had to reach people who certainly did not properly revere God. Many ignored Him in favor of idols and among those who did claim to worship Him there was a relaxed attitude. People felt that they could do what they wanted – when they wanted in matters of worship. In the midst of this period one made a very simple plea, “But the Lord is in His holy temple; Let all the earth keep silence before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20). It is a simple matter of respect for Him and our fellow worshippers.

I believe that the mighty planets circling in space loudly proclaim God’s existence; hence, I have no sympathy with the “God is dead” theology. I believe the God who made the world made me through my ancestors, Adam, and Eve – not through animals; hence, I have no sympathy with the theistic evolutionary theory. I believe God made me different from the animals; I have a responsibility to answer for my conduct on a special appointed day of judgment; hence, I have no sympathy with the idea that this life is all there is. I do not believe in the “new morality” which is not new at all. It was practiced before the great flood of Noah’s day and the apostasy caused that destruction (Genesis 6:5-8).

(Matthew 24:36-39) I believe the wicked people of today will bring about apostasy once again, and the destruction of the earth – with fire this time! (2 Peter 3:10-13). RU ready?

 

Dividing Sword

  

Many have tried to destroy the Bible. In A.D. 303, the Roman emperor Diocletian issued an edict to destroy Christians and their Bibles. Over a burned Bible, he built a monument on which he had inscribed, “Extinto momene Christianorum” (the name Christian is extinguished). Twenty years later, Diocletian was dead and the new, Emperor Constantine, commissioned fifty copies of the Bible to be prepared at government expense. In 1776, Voltaire, the French philosopher, announced, “One hundred years from my day, there will not be a Bible on the earth except the one that is looked upon by some antique seeker.” One hundred years later, Voltaire was dead and in his own house, presses were being used to print and store Bibles by the Geneva Bible Society. One hundred years from the day of Voltaire’s prediction, the first edition of his works sold for five cents in Paris, and the British government paid the Czar of Russia one half a million dollars for an ancient Bible manuscript. God’s Word shall stand forever. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

[Matthew 10:34-36] “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.” Christ describes Himself as being a sword which divides people. Most in today’s world will never allow themselves to see Christ in this way. For this reason, it becomes important for us to gain an understanding of this passage. After all, any description Christ offers of Himself will help us understand His role in our lives as we serve Him. How does Christ bring about division? Jesus divides people into two categories. Those who confess His name before men and those who deny Him before men (Matthew 10:32-33). Confession is a daily part of Christianity. We confess Jesus as our Lord by living our lives in service to Him. Many will never accept Jesus as their Lord. They may call Him friend or Savior but they refuse to allow Him to be in control of their lives (Matthew 7:21-23). Because of this, a line has been drawn in the sand. Christ has separated His followers from the rest of the world with a sword. Now we must ask ourselves what the dividing sword is. John described Jesus as having a “sharp two-edged sword” coming from His mouth (Revelation 1:16). In Hebrews, the Word of God is compared to a “two-edged sword” which is “piercing even to the division of soul and spirit” (Hebrews 4:12). In the gospel of John, Jesus is described as “the Word which became flesh (John 1:14). These passages help us to understand the idea of Jesus being a dividing sword. God’s Word (truth) forces a choice. We chose to obey or disregard the commandments of God. In choosing to obey God, we may alienate ourselves from friends and family that refuse to follow in Christ’s footsteps. This brings about that division described by Christ as recorded in the gospel of Matthew.

How should we show our love for Jesus (Matthew 10:37-39)? Jesus answers this question for us. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus has given us a reminder that He is to be placed above all things, including family, in the lives of Christians. Family is the most prized possession we have on earth. Yet Christ demands a higher place than family in the lives of Christians. We must not listen to anyone who attempts to reunite us with the world of sin that we left behind when we obeyed God’s commands. To do so shows God that we love someone on this earth more than we love Him. God demands to be first in our life. It is our duty to place Him as our Lord, no matter what it may cost us here on earth. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

 

If The Lord Wills

 

A store manager overheard a clerk saying to a customer, “No, ma’am, we haven’t had any for some weeks now, and it doesn’t look as if we’ll be getting any soon.” Alarmed, the manage rushed over to the customer who was walking out the door and said, “That isn’t true, ma’am. Of course we’ll have some soon. In fact, we placed an order for it a couple of weeks ago.” Then the manager drew the clerk aside and growled, “Never, never, never say we don’t have something! If we don’t have it, say we ordered it and it’s on the way. Now, what was it she wanted?” “Rain,” replied the clerk. As much as we’d like to think we can provide everything that others might need, truth is we cannot. There are some things that only God can provide.

[James 4:13-17] “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we should live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Notice the progression in planning: First, they plan a trip today or tomorrow – “Today or tomorrow we will go…” Second, they plan to arrive at a certain destination – “…go to such and such a city…” Third, they plan to spend a certain amount of time at their destination – “…and spend a year there…” Forth, they plan to engage in and carry through a plan of action while they are in that city – “…buy and sell…” Fifth, they plan for their business to have certain results – “…and make a profit.”

Is there harm in planning? Is there harm in intending to go places and once arriving doing things? NO! The point James is making is to go ahead and plan but do so having a realistic view of life and of God. “Why you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we should live and do this or that.”

A man is walking past a farmer's field with a cow tied to a rope. The farmer says, “Hey, mister, where you are going with that cow?” The man replies, “I’m taking it to town to sell it.” The farmer says, “You mean if it’s the Lord’s will you are.” The man says, “Well, it’s my cow and I reckon I can do anything I want with it. It ain’t any of the Lord’s business!” A short time later the farmer looks up from his work. He sees the man coming back from town – bloody and beaten up. “What happened to you?” the farmer asks. “Well, just down the road three guys jumped out of the bushes, beat me up, stole my cow and left me for dead.” The farmer says, “Oh no! What are you going to do now?” To this the man replied, “I’m going home to clean up – if it’s the Lord’s will.” The harsh reality is that life, in all its blessings and beauty, is uncertain. We do not know what will happen tomorrow, and each one of our lives is a vanishing vapor. Here today…gone tomorrow (gone today).

So, make plans. Set Goals. But remember that you were not placed on this planet simply to go shopping at Walmart, dining at Applebee’s, or walking/jogging at the Civic Center. You were placed on planet earth that, when you do these things, you do them with a realistic view of life and a realistic view of God. If it is the Lord’s will, we will do this or that every moment of our life. We never know when our life on earth will end.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:16). Are you ready to meet God?

Do Dogs Go To Heaven?

 

The children begged for a hamster, and after all the vows were given to take care of it, they got one. They named it “Danny.” Two months later, when mom found herself responsible for the creature, she found a prospective new home for it. The children took the imminent departure of Danny quit well, remarking, “He’s been around here a long time. We’ll miss him.” Mom replied, “Yes, but he’s too much work for one person, and since I’m that one person, I say he goes.” Another child said, “Well, maybe if he didn’t eat so much and wouldn’t be so messy, we could keep him.” But mom was firm. “It’s time to take Danny to his new home now,” she insisted. “Go get his cage.” With one voice and in tearful outrage the children shouted, “DANNY? We thought you said “DADDY!”

Every year on October 4, a growing number of churches involve themselves in a “blessing of the animals” service. This “blessing of the animals” is rooted in the Roman Catholic Church as a part of observing “Saint Francis of Assisi Day.” However, in more recent times, more and more protestant churches have picked up the practice of “blessing their pets.” A recent announcement of such “animal blessing” came about stating that “Pastor So-in-So” would bless your pets if you bring them to church on Sunday morning. And, if your pet has died, if you bring a picture of the deceased pet, he will also bless your dead pets as well. Of course, there much that could be said about this, but I want to restrict my comments to this question, “Do animals go to heaven when they die?” Consider this:

It was man who was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), and the rest of God’s creation was contrasted with the creation of man. Man differs from the rest of God’s creation in that he has been given an undying spirit that returns to God upon death (Acts 7:59). When an animal dies, there is no immortal part that survives the death of its body.

Think of the implications. When asking this question, we typically have in mind our beloved pets. But does God only give “pets” immortality, or does He give all animals immortality? If the former, what scripture teaches this – and if the latter, then all the mosquitoes, flies, leeches, and maggots that have ever lived, from the time of Adam until now, will be joining us in heaven as well. That’s just not what people are usually thinking about when they affirm animals will join us in heaven, but that’s the logical end.

More implications. If both men and animals are immortal, then why is man not allowed to kill his fellow man (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-22), but he is commanded to rise, kill, and eat animals (Acts 10:13)? Surely, it’s because man and animals are different. Man was created in the image of God, and animals were not.

[Hebrews 12:13-16] Heaven is a place of reward for faithful living (Matthew 5:11-12). It is a place of redemption for “just men made perfect”. Consequently, animals don’t qualify. Animals do not possess the ability to comprehend mortality, and if they do, well… does that mean some animals will be in Hell as well?

Personally, I’m an animal lover, and I’m thankful to God for creating animals, especially pets, to be our companions as we live here on earth. I’ve also suffered at the loss of several of my pets and know the hurt that can be associated with that. But as for any hope of seeing them again in Heaven, the Bible, which is the only source of information we have about Heaven, provides no evidence that animals will live forever, let alone, live in Heaven with us forever. I guess we’ll have to wait to see.

Whatever the trial, God sees; Whatever your struggle, God knows; Whatever your cry, God hears; Whatever your difficulty, God cares; Whatever your problem, He understands. Whatever your need, God provides.