Provoke One Another

 

When General H. Norman Schwarzkoph returned from Vietnam, his back had been severely damaged from numerous parachute jumps. Spinal surgery was all that could save him from paralysis. The surgery was successful, but the recovery was slow and painful. Schwarzkoph became depressed and contemplated retiring. Tom Bratton, an amputee in his hospital ward, shook him out of his depression. He asked, “Sir, if I can walk on one leg, how come you can’t walk on two?” In his book, “It Doesn’t Take A Hero,” Schwarzkopf relates how Bratton’s question affected him: “I was embarrassed because eventually I was going to have a normal life, while Bratton never would. He and his pals went in and out of my ward every day, joking, playing cards, and generally terrorizing the orderlies. I began to understand how (our ward) the Snake Pit, worked. Newcomers, just back from Vietnam were often bitter and consumed with self-pity. If a man didn’t ‘snap out of it,’ the doctors would assign him a bed down in the Snake Pit. Like Bratton, most of the guys had been there for months, even years, and were fighting to overcome terrible injuries. So, they were merciless when the newcomer started moaning. They’d yell, ‘You wimp! Shut up! What are you moaning about? There are a lot of guys here that are hurt worse than you are. We don’t want to here it.’ They’d often reduce a man to tears. But after that, he’d grind his teeth and fight back, which is precisely what they wanted all along. The guys in the Snake Pit were relentless, but they brought people back to life.”

[Hebrews 10:23-25] There is no denying that the church is facing some real problems today. Biblical authority is being undermined. Unscriptural practices are being introduced. False doctrine is being taught. Her purity is being compromised for the sake of personal preferences. Many have spoken up and spoken out. There are fine Christian men and women who have taken a stand. Some have written articles and books. Some have preached with vigor to protect the church. Others have used the internet, television, radio, and the newspaper to voice their concern. Be grateful for those Christians who stand for God and His truth and may they always do so with boldness and conviction. However, we cannot become so consumed with the negative that we lose sight of the positive. True, whether big things or small things, the Lord’s church is no stranger to problems. If asked, “What’s wrong with the Lord’s church?” most of us could probably come up with a pretty comprehensive list of things. So, what’s right with the Lord’s church? What’s right with the church is it’s MASTER. The church is Christ’s. It belongs to Him. He purchased it with His own blood (Colossians 1:18-20). What’s right is its MANDATE. The church’s purpose is to save souls. It is the agency by which the story of salvation is to be told (Ephesians 3:7-12). What’s right is its MANUAL. All of God’s word on any and every subject is pure and perfect because all of it is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17), therefore, we can trust our lives to its message. We can live by its teachings. It is our handbook for life. What’s right about the Lord’s church is its MEMBERS. You may be thinking to yourself, “I know a lot of members of the church that aren’t right.” The church is made up of imperfect people. A church can be right without being perfect as long as the members understand who they are and who they belong to - Jesus. We are living stones which make up the church (1 Peter 2:4-5). As you know it's easy for the children of God to become discouraged and drop out of service to the Lord. Therefore, we must provoke and exhort one another for we are the stewards of the church. It’s up to us to see that she exists as he designed her to be until he returns for her, His bride (Revelation 22:12-17).

Disturbing Preaching

 

Nowadays one never knows the truth of the matter until there’s an investigation. * A deputy responded to a report of a vehicle stopping at mailboxes on a rural road and opening them. It was the mail carrier. * A woman said her son had been attacked by a cat, and the cat wouldn’t allow her to take her son to the hospital (?). * A resident said someone had entered his home at night and taken five pounds of bacon from the fridge. Upon further investigation, police discovered his wife had gotten up for a late-night snack. * A man reported that a squirrel was running in circles on Davis Drive, and he wasn’t sure if it was sick or had been hit by a car. An officer responded, and as he drove on the street, the suspect squirrel scampered across the street right in front of the patrol car, “10-24”.

A man who had regularly attended worship assemblies of a certain congregation suddenly stopped and was seen no more. The preacher made a visit to his home to ask about his non-attendance. The man told the preacher, “I will not be back. Your preaching about Hell disturbs me. I am now attending another church where the preacher is not so narrow-minded as you are.” The preacher responded, “I’m sorry you feel this way. One time, I found a poor fellow half frozen in the snow. He was near death, yet he was drowsy and comfortable. I had to shake him violently to awaken him!” “So what?” the man rudely replied. “Just this,” said the preacher. “I preach to please God, and not to make people feel comfortable, or to lull them more soundly to sleep in their sins. Lovingly and earnestly, I warn sinners to flee from the coming wrath!” I’m reminded that someone once said, “Gospel preaching comforts the afflicted, and afflicts the comfortable.” It made Felix tremble (Acts 24:25), but it made the eunuch obey (Acts 8:27-39). What about you?

We’ve all heard the story of the preacher who was asked, “What are you preaching on this Sunday?” He responded, “Sin.” The querist retorted, “Well, are you fer it or agin it?” It seems sin is a taboo topic in our world today. The politically correct movement wants us to use words like “illness,” “mistakes,” “misguided,” or some other term that will not make someone feel guilty or responsible for their sin. However, sin is an important subject, and it is delt with throughout the Bible. We need to be warned of sin’s dangers. We need to understand its consequences. We should remind people the price the was paid for it. The entirety of Scripture surrounds God’s plan to redeem humanity from the penalty and problems of sin. Jesus gave His life because all accountable human beings have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:21-26). This problem comes at a high price and penalty – DEATH (Romans 5:6-8; Romans 6:20-23). It seems the devil spends all his energy and time tricking and tempting us to sin (1 Peter 5:8). Our advocate, Jesus, who helps us overcome the wicked one, gave His life as ransom and payment for the sins of every person who will accept that pardon (1 John 2:1-2).

One problem we face as human beings is the malfunctioning of our memory. We remember what we are supposed to forget, and we forget what we should remember. God said, “Your sins and iniquities I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13). Yet many Christians go through life shackled with the memory of sin God has forgotten. We need to ask God for a good memory concerning the help He has given us in the past. For some reason, we forget the mercies and blessings He delivered on our behalf in the past. Our God has cared for us thus far. Continue to trust Him. His care is sure and steadfast. “Yesterday God helped me. Today He will do the same. How long will this continue? Forever! – praise His name.” Jesus paid it all, for all, “10-24 Code 4”

Not What He May Seem To Be

 

A spider built a beautiful web. He kept it clean and whenever a flying insect would land on it; he’d take care of it quickly so others would not get suspicious. On one occasion, a young fly was enticed by the spider, “Come and land on my web and rest your wings for a while. It won’t hurt.” But the fly didn’t trust the spider since he didn’t see any other flies on the web. So, he flew elsewhere, and it wasn’t long before he saw a bunch of flies who appeared to be having the time of their lives! He felt safe in a large group and decided to join them. He was warned by another insect, “Turn around! Don’t land there! It’s flypaper and very dangerous!” The young fly didn’t believe him and snickering he replied, “All those flies look like their having a great time dancing around, there’s nothing to be afraid of!” He didn’t listen and lost his life stuck in the glue, but he didn’t die alone.

At Harding University, the mascot is the bison. Its statue seems powerful, aggressive, and intimidating. Some have described this animal’s temperament as unpredictable. It may appear peaceful, concerned, and even lazy. Yet, it may attack anything, often without warning or apparent reason. The bison’s head, with its massive skull, can be used as a battering ram, effectively using the momentum produced by 2,000 pounds moving at thirty miles per hour! When the bison ran wild, people rated it second only to the Alaskan brown bear as a potential killer, even more dangerous than the grizzly bear. To a casual observer, a grazing bison appears to be slow and clumsy, but it can outrun, out turn, and transverse rougher terrain than all but the fleetest horse. The bison can move at speeds up to thirty-five miles per hour, for as long as thirty minutes. One who hunts the bison might just find the bison hunting him!

[John 18:36] Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here.” A Roman cohort, likely consisting of 600 soldiers, went with Judas to Gethsemane. There they arrested Jesus, bound Him, and led Him to Annas. One of the officers dealt Jesus a severe blow, just because He suggested that the high priest seek firsthand testimony about His words from those who heard Him (John 18:19-22). They convicted Him even before they tried Him. Under Roman law the Jews were not permitted to execute anyone, so they needed the Roman’s help (John 18:31). Jesus had said that He would die by being “lifted up,” referring to the crucifixion (John 3:9-17). How could His accusers convince Pilate of Jesus’ guilt? They would call Him an “evildoer,” a blasphemer who claimed to be God’s Son and a king. But what kind of king? To Pontius Pilate, Jesus did not appear mighty, threatening, or dangerous. Silent and defenseless, He steadfastly and passively endured treatment that no Roman ruler would ever tolerate. They clothed Him in purple and crowned Him in thorns. They blindfolded, struck, spat upon, and mocked Him. “Hailed, King of the Jews!” they laughed (John 19:1-3). Like the bison, Jesus has frequently been misunderstood and underestimated. He is a King, but of another realm. That will be evident when His world’s kingdoms have all vanished. He is a King but does not allow His troops to defend Him with swords. He is a King, but He willingly surrenders to His enemies that He might die to free His subjects. How ironic that they chose the life-taker Barabbas instead of the life-giver Jesus. How strange that they preferred the Roman Caesar over the heaven-sent Savior. How amazing that He who seemed so defeated now sits on the throne at the right hand of God with all power (John 25:31-32). Obey Him; Love Him; But never underestimate the King of kings!

Run For Your Life

 

There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit but failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him. He retorted, “Remember, the rabbit was running for his life, but I was only running for the fun of it.” People play games for fun. In fact, the basic reason or playing them is just that, fun and amusement. Too many times we find that Christians are just playing the game and are not really serious about their soul’s salvation. Christianity is a game of life – eternal life. If we play it like a game, however, we will find ourselves losing – just like the dog that was running for the fun of it. The road to forever is not a game we can afford to lose.

A mother of one of Napoleon’s men was pleading for the life of her son who had deserted his post. It was a heartfelt plea. “Please spare my son,” she begged. Napoleon replied, “If justice is to be met, he must hang!” “But sir,” she pleaded, “I’m not asking for justice, I’m begging for mercy!” Every single one of us must be eager to cast ourselves at the mercy seat of the Almighty. None of us deserves the marvelous grace of God extended to us. We have been carnal, and selfish, and sinful, and obnoxious, and imperfect. So, we have been given a Savior who pleads our case before the Father of lights. “…I write this to you so you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).

[Acts 2:40] With many other words he (Peter) warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” In a period of loose, sagging morals, Satan provides many rationalizations for improper behavior. Those who would live faithful Christian lives must not be “…unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). * Wrong is Wrong even if one doesn’t get caught. The honorable purpose does not justify the dishonorable deed or action. The end never does justify the means. “…sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). * Wrong is Wrong even if others are doing worse things. It will be little comfort to you on the day of judgment, if you should be lost, that others you knew did things which you considered to be worse than your own sins. * Wrong is Wrong even if it doesn’t bother your conscience. The conscience can be trained or educated to accept wrongdoing, but even an honest sin or evil done in sincerity is still sinful in the sight of our holy God. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). * Wrong is Wrong even if it is commonly considered acceptable. “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd…” (Exodus 23:2). The Christian should, “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not walk on it; turn from it and go on your way” (Proverbs 4:15-14). “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 21-21). * Wrong is Wrong even if you did not know it was wrong or believe it not to be wrong at the time the act was done. Leviticus chapters four and five deal with what is called “unintentional” sins (NIV); (“unwitting” sins – American Standard Version); “If a soul shall sin through ignorance… (King James Version) (Leviticus 4:2). Peter, in teaching the Jews on Solomon’s porch about the death of Christ stated, “…I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and return to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:17-19).

Catching The Tongue

 

Several years ago, a man and his family were traveling to a nearby town to visit some relatives. The man had a new car and was having an exciting time driving fast on the twisting country roads. As they were zooming along the man noticed a three-legged chicken keeping pace with his speeding car. He slowed to get a better look at the chicken when it suddenly turned down a dirt road. The man stopped, turned around and followed the chicken. After a short distance, he came upon a house with an older couple sitting on the porch and dozens of three-legged chickens roaming about the yard. He asked them, “Are those your chickens? They’re the fastest I’ve ever seen!” The old man said, “Yep.” He then asked where they came from and the old man replied, “When the kids were younger, they were always fought over the chicken legs, so I decided to breed a three-legged chicken.” The man nodded and said, “Well, that sure made them fast, but what do they taste like?” The old man admitted, “Don’t rightly know; never could catch one.”

You probably know that every human being has a unique fingerprint, but did you realize that each person also has a unique tongue print? According to published reports, scientists have discovered that just as no two people have the same fingerprint, so each one of us can – theoretically – be identified by our own unique tongue print. The report didn’t say how the tongue prints were recorded but just imagining someone convincing me to lick an ink pad would deter me from participating.

That brings up a true experience involving his tongue as told by Dan Williams. “Back in 1979, when I was attending Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, I experienced a toothache. Since I didn’t know any of the local dentists, I dropped by the school’s medical office, which maintained a registry of reputable medical professionals who were willing to see students at a reduced rate. I was referred to a Korean dentist with the assurance that she was “one of the best.” As soon as I had climbed into her chair and settled back, the dentist abruptly ordered me to, ‘Stick out your tongue!’ Puzzled, I complied, only to be startled when she grasped my tongue and pulled it out of my mouth farther than I had previously known it could stretch. The dentist twisted and turned my poor tongue, examining it carefully. When I finally retrieved my tongue, I managed to sorely stammer, ‘What was that for?’ ‘Ah,’ she explained sagely, ‘the tongue is especially important – tells a lot about the health of the body. Anything wrong with your body, I tell it from your tongue.’ Thankfully, I have never suffered a repetition of that experience (perhaps because I have been allergic to Korean dentists ever since), but her words have always stuck with me as conveying a deeper truth than she may have realized.”

[Matthew 12:34-35] Jesus once said, “…For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Because our tongue says what our heart thinks, there is nothing more revealing than what we choose to talk about and how we choose to say it. Since Jesus taught that we can be identified by our tongue – or rather how we use it – we need to be extra careful in the words we choose. Elect words that are truthful (1 Peter 3:10); helpful (Ephesians 4:29); calming (Proverbs 15:1); and kind (Proverbs 15:4), for these are the kinds of words that bring glory to God (Colossians 4:6). Avoid words that are untruthful (Exodus 20:16); hurtful (Proverbs 26:18-20); vulgar, obscene, or irreverent (Ephesians 5:4, James 3:10-12). Every time we speak, we’re identifying our character, our choices, and even our association with Christ himself!