Overcoming Evil Wtih Goodness

 

An old man was walking through the land pulling a small, two-wheeled cart behind him. At last, he came upon a village. As he entered the little hamlet, the villagers moved toward their homes, locking doors and windows. The stranger smiled and asked, “Why are you all so frightened? I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal.” “There’s not a bite to eat in the whole province,” he was told. “We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on.” “I have everything I need,” he said. “In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you.” He pulled an iron cauldron from beneath a tarpaulin in his cart. He filled the huge pot with water and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water. By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes. As the stranger sniffed the “broth” and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome the villagers’ fear. “Ahh,” the stranger said to himself rather loudly, “I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage ––that’s hard to beat.” Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he’d retrieved from its hiding place. He added it to the pot. “Wonderful!” cried the stranger. “You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king!” The village butcher managed to find some salt beef. And so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms and other vegetables until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share. The village elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell it. As he was leaving the village, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to the group, “It was not the stone, but the villagers who performed the magic.” —Melanie Silva

[Romans 12:21] “Do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Several teens were posed the question: “If you were a superhero, what super-power would you want to have?” Answers range from extreme speed to flight, and from x-ray vision to great strength. Everyone wants to be in control and not beaten back by the villains of the world. So, on the surface, everyone agrees wholeheartedly that we shouldn’t be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good – like ‘good’ is some sort of super-power to wield.

But Jesus tells us that only God is good (Matthew 19:17). And yet, we are to add goodness to our faith (Galatians 6:9-10) in “increasing measure” to “receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom.” This shows the fruit of the spirit to be rare but certainly growable in our lives (Galatians 5:22-26).

The key to having goodness is found at the beginning of Romans chapter 12. We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, not conforming to the pattern of this world but being transformed by the renewing of our minds. Then we can be like God, who alone is good, to overcome evil with good. Spiritual super-powers don’t come as gifts to be given but as fruits to be grown. Don’t wait until you’re hungry to plant a garden. The seeds of faith and hope are found in the Word of God – Jesus’ parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-15). The seeds of life (Luke 8:11) can be planted from God’s Word into the heart of every living being to grow into the spiritual fruit God desires that we all produce in this life. If such a garden were growing in the hearts of everyone, we could be living in a spiritual Garden of Eden. Love and peace exist in the heart of those who love one another (1 Corinthians 13:4-13).

He Who Has Ears To Hear...

 

Mankind has al­ways wanted to play and have fun rather than work. We have always wanted to be entertained, more than to be serious about spiritual matters. This desire is worldliness at its core.

What we sometimes fail to realize is that this mindset was common long before mod­ern gadgets and playthings. Centuries before smart phones, cars, jets and cruise ships, peo­ple sought the pleasures of life. They wanted the best food, the nicest clothes, the most comfortable houses, and the most exciting forms of entertainment. This craving char­acterized people in Noah’s time, people in Jesus’ time, and people of today. In every case, this attitude always has the same effect: it leaves people with little interest in spiritual things. Whatever religion remains, is cold and lifeless. Religious leaders are expected to be shallow advisors instead of convicting preachers of the Word.

How little life has changed. A homeschooling history book describes the religious climate of New En­gland in the 1700’s (America: Land I Love, Beka, 1994, p.69). A Connecticut historian described the situation by saying that “…the forms of religion were kept, but there ap­peared but little of the power of it.” Preachers of the period “…contented themselves with preaching a cold, unprin­cipled and lifeless morality.” Even without temptations we consider to be modern and unique to our generation, these early Amer­icans were absorbed with worldly cares and pleasures and had little concern about their souls.

[Luke 8:14] “Now the ones (the seed – God’s Word) that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and plea­sures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” The world has always offered mankind pleasure. It has always suffo­cated spirituality because men love darkness rather than light (John 3:19). What a warning this case should be to us! The craving for worldly pleasures quickly stifles the power of the Word of God in our lives! We must make sure as individuals that we are spiritually minded. We must fight as the church to resist the trend to become an entertainment center. We must keep the fo­cus of the pulpit and classrooms on teaching the Word of God in all its power. Let us learn from the past instead of repeating it.

Many give lip service to the Bible and claim to believe that it is the Word of God. When Jesus was walking the earth, the Jews thought they were worshiping God when in reality they were just following the traditions and commands of men. Jesus said this wor­ship was vain or useless (Matthew 15:1-10). Do we really know what God has said in His Word? Do we believe what the Holy Spirit inspired writers recorded for us in the Bible? Are we following God in our worship or like the Jews, are we listening to what men (preachers, teachers, the world) say about our spiritual life? Jesus said that not every one that says, “Lord, Lord” will be saved (Matthew 7:21). In our every­day language, that means we can’t just “talk the talk”, we must also “walk the walk”!

Paul wrote “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus …and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). Je­sus “walked the walk” so that we could be saved. Should one not be willing to “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” to Him? (Romans 12:1)

The Jews of long ago didn’t have a “ready reference” as to what God commanded as we do today. Open your Bible and read it. Some day every ear will hear its words, and every knee will bow to Jesus. (Matthew 13:36-43) He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Christianity Is Good For You

 

A certain father was trying to teach his son the value of sacrificing for the things we really want in life. At the moment the boy could think of nothing grander than to own a BB gun. His father wanted to help, so he told the son that he would double anything that the boy saved. That sounded pretty generous and the boy began at once. Things went along pretty well for a while, and the funds grew rapidly. There was no mention of it as the funds grew to $10 saved. Not much by to­day’ s standards, but there are some children who would have a tough time saving $10 as they rarely see that kind of money. A month or so later the father happened to think of the proposal and asked his son how much mon­ey he had saved. Hesitantly, the boy told his father that he didn’t have the money he had saved up. “I spent it for something else,” is all he could mutter. All dad could see was that his lesson in saving and sacrifice had gone up in some frivolous moment.

The father pressed the son for an explana­tion, expecting to hear of some trivial and wasteful purchase. “Well, Son, it was your money and if you didn’t really want the gun…” “But, Daddy, I do want the gun. I’ve even dreamed about it, but I bought a Chinese boy instead.” The obvious question was forthcoming, “How in the world did you do that?” The little boy recounted how the Sun­day school teacher had informed them that they could contribute money to mission work and help save the souls of other young people just like themselves, so the little boy gave his $10 to help save another soul.

We all know who learned the greatest les­son in sacrifice that day. When a boy can teach a lesson such as this to a grown man, can we as Christians learn just such a great lesson in sacrificing? Not only our time and our money, but our very existence helps save this lost world.

It turns out that Christianity is good for you, and good for your kids. Aren’t I Captain Obvious? Well, I suppose if you have been listening too much to certain atheists it might not be obvious. Richard Dawkins has claimed that teaching children to accept their parent’s religion is a form of child abuse and suggests it’s even more damaging than sexual abuse. Interesting attention-grabbing statement—and completely wrong.

If you look at Christian families with unbiased eyes it is to see how beneficial practicing the Christian faith can be. If you need further proof, consider a 2018 Harvard Study. Researchers kept track of over five thousand youth for over a decade. Their findings? Young people who went to church and prayed were more likely to say they were happy, more likely to volunteer, and less likely to use drugs. The study’s author, Ying Chen, said “Many children are raised religiously, and our study shows that this can powerfully affect their behaviors, mental health, and overall happiness and well-being.” I didn’t need a Harvard professor to tell me that - but it’s nice when someone sees the truth.

[John 3:16; Romans 5:6-11] God sacrifices His Son for us. What are we sacrificing for Him? May we carry this same spirit over into an everyday attitude of “giving” of ourselves, and may we be encouraged to have the same diligence to show the sincerity of our love for God as we lay by in store each first day of the week.

(2 Corinthians 9:6-7) “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” The marvelous thing is that if we do this without a covetous desire, we’ll reap more than we sow. God’s shovel is just bigger than ours. Besides, all you possess belongs to God already – on lone to you.

Making The Right Choices

 

“The Choice” by unknown author. “I dreamed that it was Judgement Day, it hit me pretty hard. To meet my Maker face to face, and receive my reward. As I stood there before Him, He sadly shook His head. He turned the pages of the Book, and I was filled with dread! He looked me squarely in the eye; I knew I’d lost the race. Too many times I’d made the choice, and God took second place.”

A few years ago, I received a call from a lady at the hospital, presumably a staff nurse. She said a patient wanted to see a church of Christ preacher. I went to the hospital to see a man I had never seen before. He was near death and wanted me to say a prayer for him. He then related that he was a member of the Church but had not been in a church building for years. But now at the end of his life, he wanted to have a prayer. I took his hand and prayed as he requested. I’m not anyone’s judge, but I have a very difficult time with those who want to live apart from the Lord until the last minute of life. I truly fear for their soul. I know God forgives when we repent (1 John 1) and I pray that prayer is enough repentance.

But what about all the years away from the Body of Christ? What about those person’s he might have reached with the gospel? I can’t help but worder if a deathbed prayer is true repentance. We are told to “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:15-16). And surely this person I visited had not done so. Regardless, such a person’s soul is in the hands of God and God is the judge of us all (Acts 10:42). But it is wise not to wait; death may come unannounced.

[1 John 2:2] “And He Himself (Jesus) is the propitiation (our atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”  “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).

If Jesus is every lost person’s Savior, why isn’t every lost person saved? The answer to this question is very easy. The Lord Jesus saves only those who respond to His call to salvation, which is the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14). He saves only those who get into Him and put Him on in water baptism (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27). Baptism that puts one into Christ, and by which one puts on Christ has to be preceded by one’s faith in Christ as the Son of God, the Savior which came down from above (John 8:21-24). Baptism must also be preceded by repentance of sin, and by confession that Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10).

Today you have the power within your grasp to change this horrible nightmare of judgement into that blessed assurance of a home in heaven with God for eternity. Yes, you have the ability to change your destiny, your eternal home, heaven or hell, by the choices you choose to make – today and the rest of your life. In a hundred years it won’t matter what kind of car you drove, how big your house was, or even how well you could swing a golf club or throw a rope. What will matter is how true one has been to the Bible.

John 12:47-50 tells us that God’s Word, the Bible, will judge us. “And if anyone hears my words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father who sent Me gave Me command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

Be sure you’re making the right choices, for your choices will dictate your home for eternity.

Peer Pressure

 

At the climax of a graduating commencement ceremony in a certain Bible Institute in India, the entire graduation class rises to commit themselves to the Lord’s work with these words: “Today, I stand as a dead man. I declare that in Jesus Crist, I am saved by His blood, and thus I am dead to sin, and no longer dead in my sin. Today, I stand and declare that I surrender my will and my life to His will and His life. I shall go where He sends me, without asking questions. I shall go to whomever He sends me, without seeking fame. I shall preach to everyone, even if they hate me. I am an ambassador of the Cross and must deliver the message. I shall pour my life out to reach my family, my friends, my neighbors, and my city. I embrace the shame of the Cross, and I fear nothing but God. I welcome suffering, shame, persecution, beatings, imprisonment and death, but I will not be silenced. If I am killed, I pray that my blood should be a harvest for souls. This is my city. I dare not do less.” Following graduation, each student is given three items. 1. A new Bible. 2. A new Bicycle. 3. A one-way train ticket to their field of service. There is no Plan B, and neither should any Christian have such.

When the phrase “Peer Pressure” is mentioned, our minds often jump to scenes in a school yard where a group of bullies are tempting young children to try drugs for the first time. Unfortunately, peer pressure is still prominent in college and even in the professional world. People, whether explicitly or implicitly, always seem to influence the decisions we make – for good or ill.

[Genesis 6:8] “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” This favor that Noah found in God’s eyes made a big change on the earth and the human race. About 5000 years ago, Noah and his family lived in the midst of an estimated one billion evil, violent, corrupt people. Mothers – think of hard it would be to raise a family. Mrs. Noah evidently supported her husband as he preached to those evil neighbors. The ark he was building was as long as one-and-a-half football fields and one-hundred miles from the nearest large body of water. Mothers – imagine the abuse and laughter that this family endured. But even in this dark time of human history, Mrs. Noah’s sons found wives. Give credit to this family for having the patience to endure and strived to teach God’s will for 100-years. Noah’s primitive tools made work very slow. To tell him to “hurry-up” would have been very foolish. Do you suppose Mrs. Noah heard her children say, “Nobody else does this. Why do we have to be different?” and “Is daddy nearly finished?” Noah and his wife set the example for all fathers and mothers. They accomplished their greatest responsibility by seeing that their family was saved from the impending disaster God warned about.

Peter most certainly understood this influence on decisions of integrity and belief when he wrote 1 Peter to the Christians scattered about Asia Minor. While the direct cause of suffering is still debated it seems most likely the Christians Peter was addressing were suffering from social pressures, or “peer pressure”. They were being “persecuted” because they didn’t participate in the same things as other Roman citizens or worship the pantheon of gods in Roman religion. (1 Peter 4:1-6) “…they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.”

So, whether in your workplace, school, church, family, or vacation – remember that we must not succumb to peer pressure that leads us away from Christ. For Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Amen!!

Answer The Call

 

One night a teenage girl brought her new boyfriend home to meet her parents, and they were appalled by his appearance: leath­er jacket, motorcycle boots, tattoos, and a pierced nose. Later, the parents pulled their daughter aside and confessed their concern. “Dear,” said the mother diplomatically, “he doesn’t seem very nice.” “Oh please, Mom,” replied the daughter, “if he wasn’t nice, why would he be doing 500 hours of community service?”

Hulk Hogan, the famous wrestling star, missed a call from his agent about a possible endorsement deal. Now the story has shifted over the years, but basically, his agent had set up some potential sponsorship on some kitchen items. These companies felt a celebrity name on their product could rocket them to success. Hulk favored a meatball maker, but the agent had another product in mind. So, he rang up Hogan, but he never answered. The agent moved on to his next client to see if he wanted to put his name on a personal grilling machine. That client, ex-boxer George Forman, took the call and the offer. Over 100 million George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machines have been sold worldwide. It is estimated that Forman has made over 500 million dollars from that deal, more than he made in his entire boxing career. I bet the Hulk wishes he had answered his phone.

A merchant sat at his desk, and all around him were letters, bills and other evidence that he was much absorbed in the details of his business. A gospel preacher entered his office and said, “I have come to you to try to interest you in a matter of great importance. I would like to talk to you about the destiny of your soul, and the gospel of Christ.”

“Sorry, not now. You must excuse me preacher,” said the merchant. “I am very busy,” was his reply. The preacher excused himself and with a sad and heavy heart, left. The merchant turned again to his papers.

Just a few days after this incident, a dis­agreeable stranger stepped into the mer­chant’s office and laid a cold moist hand upon his brow and said, “Come home with me,” and the merchant laid down his pen and closed his books and went home. He felt diz­zy, faint and sick. A cold chill settled on the merchant’s heart, specters of ships, notes, ledgers, houses and lands flitted through his excited brain. His pulse beat slower; his heart heaved, a thick film gathered over his eyes; his tongue refused to speak, and death’s clammy damp­ness was on his brow. He knew the name of the strange visitor was “Death.” He was too busy to attend to spiritu­al matters and the salvation of his soul, but he wasn’t too busy to die.

We don’t always see an opportunity for what it is. What may change our life might be seen initially as an annoyance or a hassle. We have different ideas about what is best. Yet later we can see how an opportunity slipped away.

[James 4: 13-14] God warns, “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 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.’”

Right now, you have an opportunity to change your life for the better. You have access to ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ’ (Ephesians 3:8). He wants to put his name on YOU! (1 John 3:1-3). The Gospel call is ringing out to all of us (Romans 1:16-17; Acts 2:38-39). How are you going to respond? Ignore the call? Choose something else that won’t be as valuable? Or do you take the offer that grants far more than you ever hope to have in this life?

“…now is the accepted time; …now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Well Known Roads

 

As the stranger enters the country store, he spots a sign: “Danger! Beware of Dog!” Down one aisle he spots a harmless old hound asleep in the middle of the floor. “Is that the dog we’re supposed to be aware of?” he asked the store owner. “That’s him,” comes the reply in an old slow southern drawl. “Well, he doesn’t look dangerous to me. Why would you post that sign for such a harmless old dog?” The store owner looked down at his beloved dog, then up at the stranger and said, “It’s more for the safety of the dog than the people. Before I posted that sign, folks kept tripping over him.”

One blade at a time. That’s how the last remaining Inca rope bridge is rebuilt every year. The Q´eswackaka bridge spans the Apurimac River in the Cusco region of Peru. For 600 years, communities from both sides of the bridge have been assembling to cut down the old bridge and rebuild with a new one – totally out of local Ichu grass. Women of all ages participate in the gathering of the grass and using it to brad into ropes, which the men of the communities will take and twist into strong cables. The braver of the men will use the cables to build a strong enough bridge to support travelers across the gorge for the next year. The total process of bridging the gap takes only three days, and the completion of the bridge requires total cooperation from both sides of the gorge.

This world is full of roads that may remind us of, or symbolize, many things. Perhaps the mention of “The Yellow Brick Road” brings to mind the exciting adventure to see the “Wizard of Oz.” “Abbey Road” will remind some of the Beatles. The “Burma Road” will remind a much older generation of a 717-mile-long road through mountainous country of China that was built by 200,000 Chinese laborers from 1937 to 1938 and later used by the British to transport war material during World War II.

Then there are roads noted in the Scriptures. The “Jericho Road” mentioned by Jesus in the parable of the “Good Samaritan” that might symbolize a ROAD TO SERVICE (Luke 10:33-35). The “Road to Gaza” where Philip met up with the Ethiopian treasurer might be noted as a ROAD TO DISCOVERY as Philip helped this man understand the One of whom Isaiah wrote was Jesus, the Messiah (Acts 9:1-8, 17-18). Then there was “The Road to Emmaus” on which Jesus walked with two disciples who were pondering the Lord’s death, burial, and the report of an empty tomb (Luke 24:13-35). Perhaps that road could be called “THE ROAD FROM SORROWING TO SEEING”.

[Matthew 7:13-14] “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” What makes roads significant and memorable is what occurs on them and to where they lead. On what road are you traveling throughout this life? Is it a well-traveled highway or faint path less traveled. What is occurring along the way? Where is it ultimately leading?

Jesus implied the choice boils down to two ways leading in opposite directions. One road leads to disappointment and death (spiritually), while the other to hope and Heaven (spiritual everlasting life). Though the road on which we would follow the Lord may be difficult at times, it will be worth the challenges, since it is the one leading to everlasting life in Heaven with God. (Jeremiah 6:16) “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls…’” Though it may not be a well-worn path of the many, keeping our eyes on Jesus who is “THE WAY” (John 14:6), we won’t get lost on THE KING’S HIGHWAY.

Feeling A Debt To Sinners

 

A $1 bill met an old friend, the $20 bill, and said, “Hey, what’s up? I haven’t seen you around here lately.” The $20 bill said, “I’ve been hanging out at the casinos, went a cruise, saw a couple of baseball games, that kind of thing. How about you?” The dollar bill said, “Oh, you know, the same old thing; church, church, church.”

What would you think of a person who was deeply in debt to someone else and all the time this person had the ability to pay off the debt but didn’t? What if the person to whom the money was owed was naïve, poor, and ignorant, so that the debtor could avoid paying off the debt? What would your opinion be of the debtor? You would probably be outraged of the lack of moral integrity, would you not?

During the Civil Wars in England a man on the Isle of Man was accused of treason and sentenced to death. The king eventually granted him a pardon. The pardon fell into the hands of a bitter enemy of the condemned man, and it was never delivered to the jailer. The man from the Isle of Man was executed. What do you think of someone who possesses a pardon which could have saved another person’s life, but he fails to deliver it, whether intentionally or by neglect? Again, would you not be outraged at the insensitivity and inhumanity of this person?

The story is told of a man who carried a small can of oil with him everywhere he went. If he passed through a door that squeaked, he’d put a drop or two of oil on the hinges, and if a gate were too hard to open, he’d oil the latch. So, he passed through life lubricating all the squeaky places, making it a little more pleasant for those who followed him. There is no telling how many lives you and I could keep from rusting and squeaking and how many gates we could open to happiness, if only we would apply a little oil of human kindness and brotherly love to those we encounter throughout our day. Let us use it wherever we go, for there are many lives hardened and rusting away in sin.

[Romans 1:14-15] The apostle Paul wrote, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and unwise. So as much is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.” Paul said that he was a debtor to the people of the world. Of course, Paul was in debt to God for His marvelous grace. Paul was in debt to Jesus Christ for His substitution sacrifice of atonement at Calvary. Why should Paul feel a debt to the sinners of the world - most of them he never met, many of whom were his enemies? Paul felt the obligation because God called him to be an apostle. Paul was “separated to the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). Paul possessed the payment to save others from spiritual bankruptcy. He possesses the pardon from the King to save them from being executed. He had the gospel, the good news of Jesus. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

We possess this very same gospel today which has the identical saving power as it did in the first century. The needs of people today for salvation are just as pressing as those of Paul’s world were. Should we not feel the same debt of obligation to others to share the good news of Jesus Christ?

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength; and whosoever loves much, can accomplish much; and what is done in love is well done” Vincent Van Gogh.

“Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too” Will Smith.

Having A Kind Of Godliness

 

In the woird we lvie in tehre are tihngs thai smoetiems jsut dno’t seem rihgt. Tehre are otehr teems when things are blatantly wrnog, and stcik out lkie a sroe thmub. Hvae you eevre ntoiecd that wehn you are porof redaing soemthnig taht you hvae written, taht yuor eye deos not cacth an erorr? Geiv it 10 somoene else to raed and tehy sopt it rihgt aawy. Why is tihs? Colud it be taht we are too colse to the sitaution?

Okay, enough with the fun. However, I hope you do see what I’m trying to convey with the overemphasizing of the misspellings.

It’s widespread practice for most states to issue examines to high school students who are nearing graduation. These pupils are given more than one chance to pass this test before they can participate in a graduation ceremony. Are some students passing along just because administrators do not know what else to do with them? Perhaps some children don’t understand what it means to have structure, yet they expect to perform miracles at the eleventh hour, so to speak. A test of a child’s knowledge is based on how much they have learned and how well they retain the information fed to them by teachers and textbook data. Their future hinges upon whether or not they go to college based on their test results.

Likewise, teachers are given competency tests and are given more than one chance to pass, and with an overall passing score they may become certified to teach. Prospective teachers are evaluated for their knowledge, which is based on how much they remember and how well prepared they are to instruct our children. Teachers must pass the tests because their future depends upon their dream job. Some students cannot pass the exams and ironically some teachers cannot pass their exams – this is an enigmatic problem.

[Acts 17:22-23] … “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an alter with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD…”

In any sizeable community one will find the building of various denominational groups. Nearly all professing a different doctrine from the other. The apostle Paul noticed something similar in Athens. Now, if I’m looking at this in a logical way, I would say that not all the denominations can be right in their doctrine. Something is wrong somewhere. Most of them, I will admit, have a form of Godliness, just like the misspellings above. There is enough of the words spelled correctly (their teaching) that one can make it out, yet they are not totally truthful and correct. In John 4:23-24, Jesus reminds us that God is Spirit and said that true worshippers must worship Him in spirit and in truth. This is a command to the believer. How do we know if we are true worshippers – the kind that God wants? The answer is really simple – by studying. God wants His people to know the Scriptures. 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

“When We All Get To Heaven” makes me think of death as a graduation ceremony. Like a classroom, we already know that we will have an exit exam. John 12:44-50 plainly states that God will examine us in the end by His every word and our belief in Him.

Did I do my part to help others? Was I courteous even when I wasn’t in the mood? Did I honor my responsibility to the church? Did I respect the rights of others? Did I make righteous choices? This is one exam that we don’t get to retake until we receive a passing grade. Are you sure you’ve been taught the truth? Can you say unequivocally you are worshipping God the way He wants to be worshipped? 1 John 5:13 – Eternal life awaits.

Independence Is Dependent

 

One cold, rainy night, in a small mid-western town, the telephone rang in the house of a doctor. The caller identified himself and said his wife needed urgent medical attention. The doctor was understanding and said he was willing to come and attend to her needs but explained that his car was being repaired and asked that the man come and pick him up. The man angrily responded, “What! In this weather?” Oh, aren’t we selfish silly people?

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

This is the last line of the Declaration of Independence, and it shows us two things in particular about the patriots who signed it: They depended on God and they depended on each other. That last bit sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it - how they depended on God and each other? How is that independence? How can you depend on someone or something, and at the same time declare your independence? We like to think that Independence Day - that grand 250^th anniversary just celebrated - is all about allowing every American to stand alone, as a rugged individual - forgetting that Independence Day is about the independence of a nation, not of a bunch of people looking after their own interests. It’s terribly easy, in our contemporary culture, to forget that hard-earned lesson: that we are inevitably dependent. The pioneers on the frontier knew: • how, if you had to raise a barn, you couldn’t do it without your neighbors; • how, if you fell sick, you could depend on the people in the next cabin to fetch the doctor; • how you could look across the valley through a snowstorm and see from the lantern in the window that you were not alone. The founders of our country knew you couldn’t have a declaration of independence without a corresponding declaration of dependence - that we are dependent on God, and we depend on our neighbors to help us. Let us give thanks today for our nation’s independence. But let us also give thanks that we are blessed with so many people who help us. They help us with visits, with health care, with our daily meals and so much more. We are blessed in so many ways! (Carlos Wilton and Timothy Merrill)

[Psalm 131] “Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely, I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, (O America) hope in the Lord; From this time forth and forever.”

In my mind, one of the things that proves to me the Bible is the Word of God, is it’s view of life and death. It gives an honest approach to living. There are no myths, no fairy tales, and in many cases no happy endings. God’s Word deals with the greatness and the failures of the lives of God’s people. The Bible shows us how to live and the results of not living that way. It speaks of salvation and condemnation; it presents joy and great sorrow. It deals with real life in a brief statement of fact and then goes on with the story. Think how our news media would deal with some story in the Bible like Adam and Eve being forced out of the garden. It would be on the five o’clock news, the ten o’clock news, and the story would for at least or more about how harshly they had been treated. But in God’s Holy Word its briefness is a sign of its divine nature.

The Bible remains a number one best seller and the least read book in the world. If every household in America, and the world, would dare to read God’s Word and follow its precepts there would be peace and wisdom in every land. That would be so pleasing to God.

Commitment

 

John Claypool shares this story in “Leadership” Vol. 12, No.1 – “Winston Churchill had planned his funeral, which took place in St. Paul’s Cathedral. He included many of the great hymns of the Catholic church and used the eloquent Anglican liturgy. At his direction, a bugler, positioned high in the dome of St, Paul’s, intoned, after the benediction, the sound of ‘Taps’ – the universal signal that says the day is over. But then came the most dramatic turn. As Churchill instructed, as soon as ‘Taps’ was finished, another bugler, placed on the other side of the great dome, played the notes of ‘Reveille.’ ‘It’s time to get up; It’s time to get up; It’s time to get up in the morning.’ That was Churchill’s testimony that at the end of history, the last note will not be ‘Taps,’ it will be ‘Reveille’.”

Death surrounds us, we cannot escape it and we can’t escape constantly hearing about it. Turn on any TV news program and the lead story will almost always be about some violent death. Pick up any newspaper and usually somewhere on the front page will be a story that deals with someone’s death. Some are uncomfortable with this constant reminder of our mortality. Death is something we will all face someday. No matter how religious one is; no matter how good one is; someday all will face death and face the maker of all things. How do you view death? How have you prepared for this eventuality? Do you face our mortality with confidence or fear?

[1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] Churchill’s understanding is straight from the scriptures. Paul’s writing is encouraging concerning death. The key to these verses is found in the first verse, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” The word ‘brethren’ directs Paul’s address to ‘Christians” in Thessalonica. “Christian” is a descriptive word that is given to those who are obedient disciples of Jesus Christ. For those who serve God it is not a matter of life or death, it’s a matter of life and continuing life in a new location. Maybe it’s time to consider if you are ready for that day. Eternal life with God or eternal suffering in hell.

Commitment is the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself. It is regarded as a pledge or a promise. When we became Christians, we committed ourselves to take up our cross and follow Christ daily. This commitment is for a lifetime. In Christianity there is no such thing as a temporary commitment or a partial commitment.

When the pilot of a giant airliner is speeding down the runway, there is a certain point where he cannot decide to remain on the ground. When he crosses that line, he has to commit to the air. If he doesn’t, the plane will run out of runway and crash disastrously. That pilot cannot change his mind when the plane is two-thirds of the way down the runway. He must make his decision from the beginning and stay with it to become airborne.

Many members of the church have obeyed the gospel, leaving the old man of sin; but they seem to sit at the beginning of the runway revving their engines – but never moving. They have been saved but have never gotten engaged in their faith. Christianity is not a spectator sport Everyone must compete against an enemy who is out to get their soul (Ephesians 6:10-13; 1 Peter 5:8). This is not a competition where winning or losing does not matter. It is a competition with eternal consequences. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Our faith in Christ is a commitment with no end. Let’s not spend our time gunning our engines on the runway. Let’s take off!

Fathers Day

 

·         My dad used to carry around a frayed knot in his pocket just an old tied up piece of rope. Then any time someone asked him something and the answer was, “no", he would just pull out the frayed knot and say, “fraid not!” and he would burst out laughing. Nobody else thought it was funny.

·         Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.

·         Dear Dad, $chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can’t think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you. Love, Your $on

Dear Son, I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh. Love, Dad

When Peter was 16, he finally got his driver's license. To celebrate the special day, the whole family went out to the driveway and climbed into the car to enjoy his first official drive. However, dad went to the back seat, where he sat right behind his boy. When Peter saw his dad he said, "Dad, you must be fed up with the front seat after teaching me how to drive all these days, right?” "Nope!", came the quick reply from the dad. "I'm going to sit back here and kick the back of your seat while you drive, just like you've been doing to me for the last sixteen years!"

Father’s Day Perspective by Brandon Britton

Father's Day - what does it mean to you? Its meaning has changed for me over the years. When I was young it was a day to wear a red rose to church. It was a day to say, "Thanks Dad for all the things you do." Later, when I became a dad, it took on a deeper meaning as I began to realize all the responsibilities that go with the title. Now, being a father and a grandfather, it takes on a special meaning. I look back at the memory of my own father with warm thoughts and understand him better.

I look to the future by looking in the eyes of my son. I see the strength of young manhood and hope and pray that I have been, and am being, the kind of example he needs to see and know what being a Christian father is all about. I look into the eyes of my grandson and see the wonder of new things as he learns to explore his world in which there are new discoveries every day. Again, I hope and pray that I am being the example that he needs to see and to know what being a Christian grandfather is all about.

Father's Day is a wonderful day to stop and reflect on being a father. It is a time to think of the great privilege that God has granted men to become fathers, and to help shape and mold a young mind and soul. It is a time to think that with this privilege comes great responsibilities, as the apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:4, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition the Lord.”

Fathers, notice there are two parts to this verse. One is a negative, "do not provoke.” This provoking is done by making too many demands, undue severity when disciplining our children. The other part is a positive, "bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." This requires instruction, spiritual and moral nurture as well as physical (Matthew 4:4). As the children grow older, then we need to give them admonition, that reasoning for which they should or should not do certain things (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Fathers, there will be no greater reward than getting to heaven and being surrounded by our families!

Flag Day

 

In May of every year, Australians submit themselves to a national experience of repentance. Sounds unusual, but it’s true. First, there’s National Sorry Day (this year it’s May 26), which is followed by National Reconciliation Week, which this year is May 27-June 3. According to one source, National Sorry Day, also known as National Day of Healing, is “an annual event that has been held in Australia on May 26 since 1998, to remember and commemorate the mistreatment of the country’s indigenous peoples, as part of an ongoing process of reconciliation between the indigenous peoples and the settler population.” The week of reconciliation which follows is intended “to celebrate the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, and foster reconciliation, discussion and activities.” This is a great idea, and I wish the United States had such a week-long period of national repentance. We have so much of which to repent; slavery, the treatment of Native Americans and ongoing racism for starters. I know there are some who may disagree about the need to do this at a national level, but I believe it would be a good thing. But, having a pastoral heart as I do, I also think it would be good for every church in America to have a Sorry Sunday, and a Week of Reconciliation. Sorry Sunday would be a day in which we fervently repent for our sins on a personal level. We draw up plans to make amends. We approach those whom we have wronged. We make right the wrongs we have committed. Perhaps Lent would be a good time to designate one Sunday as Sorry Sunday. This could be followed by a church-wide Week of Reconciliation. Devotional messages, reconciling activities, worship and prayer, vesper services, and more. Such a week could be a time of renewal and a refreshing of the Holy Spirit in the church. But what about us? Perhaps we should think about having a Sorry Day once a month or once a week. But only if we find it hard to say, “I’m sorry,” and offer an apology. We don’t need a special Sorry Day, do we, if we already make it a habit to correct an injustice when it is done, or to apologize when a harsh word is uttered, or to offer the hand of friendship to the friendless? Let’s not forget how to say, “I’m sorry,” and let’s not forget how to swallow our pride and make things right when things go wrong. —Timothy Merrill

[Isaiah 9:6-7] “…Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…” The government of the United States and its Constitution were established under the ideals and morals of God’s Word. Flag Day marks the anniversary of the official adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777. Unfortunately, flags have become like magazines and web sites – everybody’s got one. The U.S. flag has been given a back seat to many of them as its history fades in ignorance along with our public Pledge of Allegiance because it contains the phrase, “…under God…” On June 14, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill to insert the phrase “under God” into the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance that children recited every morning in school. American’s lived by the morals of God Almighty every day.

While searching through my references I came across an Editorial in our local newspaper, the Wilson County News, of October 5, 2005. A political cartoon was exhibiting the thoughts of the time.                                                                                                                                                           

The State of Texas was “defending the Pledge as an entirely Constitutional acknowledgement of God and our heritage.” God save America. Our only hope and stay. 

Lift Your Cross and Follow Me

 

A Maine potato farmer and a Texas Rancher were engaged in conversation at a political rally. The man from the Lone Star State asked, “How much land do you tend?” The Mainer replied, “About a hundred acres.” “I manage about a thousand myself” said the Texan in a slow drawl. The man from Maine was not overly impressed, so the Texan continued, “I know where there’s a much bigger ranch south of San Antonio. To give you an idea of its size, the owner can start off in the morning in his pick-up, and he ain’t barely crossed his place by noon.” The man from Maine said, “Yup, I had a truck like that once.”

Life is full of ups and downs. If we made a list of all of the positive things in our life, all of the blessings, that list would almost certainly far exceed a similar list of all of the negative things in our life. Despite that fact, we tend to focus more on the downs than on the ups, more on the negatives than on the positives. It would be a good exercise in self-examination to try to figure out why this is the case. One fundamental reason for being so consumed with the difficulties, challenges and troubles of life is the mindset that we carry into life on a daily basis. Our mindset can be understood as the lenses through which we look at life. It is the general framework of how we view life, of what happens to us and around us. If our mindset tends toward the negative, then we will naturally see life from a more negative perspective. Our mindset is of our own making. It is the result of how we set our mind. We make the choice as to how we will take on the day. The most productive mindset is one that is guided by godliness.

[Colossians 3:2] The apostle Paul advised: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” A faithful Christian knows who he is, what he is, and where he is going. As a result, he sees life from a different perspective than most people. He recognizes that this world, and all that goes on herein, is temporary. The faithful Christian is looking, ultimately, to eternity. He can stay basically positive even in the face of seemingly negative circumstances. An instructive, and comforting, passage of scripture along this line reads as follows: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). This verse does not say that all things that happen are necessarily good. It says that the faithful Christian, “those who love God...who are the called according to His purpose,” can face each day with the expectation that God can cause good to come from even the bad things that happen to them in life. Such a mindset enables a faithful Christian to see life, even with its difficulties, challenges, and troubles, through lenses of hope, expectation, and assurance rather than of hopelessness, despair, and depression. The faithful Christian’s mindset enables him to enjoy life more abundantly (John 10:10) and far less superficially than a person who can’t see past the matters of this world.

“…I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me…” This is a portion of the words to the song “Follow Me” by Ira F. Stanphill. The song continues where Jesus replies and tells how heavy the cross was to bear and says, “Be faithful… Just lift your cross and follow close to Me.”

What is your mindset? What do you do when things go bad? Trust God to watch over and care for you, whatever may come (Matthew 6:33-34). Your Heavenly Father sent His Son to be your Savior. Through Him you can find abiding peace to see you through the trials and troubles of this life (Philippians 4:4-7). Through Him you will be able to do all things that truly need to be done (Philippians 4:11-13). Be always mindful of eternity.

His Power Is All In Your Mind

 

The newly constructed tracks of the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railways were first linked at Promontory Point, Utah, on May 10, 1869. In celebration, Leland Stanford, the president of Central Pacific, drove a golden spike symbolically completing the job. On his first swing, he missed the spike, drawing gales of laughter from the experienced railroad workers looking on. This misfire was embarrassing, but ultimately harmless. But when it comes to moral issues, a swing and a miss can be deadly. Sin is “missing the mark” that God has set for us, and it is no laughing matter!

[Job 1:4-5] “And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, ‘It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ Thus Job did regularly.” Did you catch that? Job was as concerned about the things that might have been done wrong as much as what was done wrong. Job wasn’t just counting up to what he had to offer to cover up his and his son's sins. He wanted to be extra careful to make sure that nothing could have been done that might have been against the Lord.

Sometimes as humans, we tend to give more credit to our enemies than they actually deserve. I know that in my personal life, I struggle with making Satan much more powerful than he already is. Sometimes we tend to think of Satan as an all-powerful being, when in reality - he isn’t. This is demonstrated in the book of Job several times when we see Satan going to God and having to ask His permission to be able to get to Job. Not only was he forced to ask for authority, but he was still limited to what he could and couldn’t do.

“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.’ So, Satan departed from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12). We see that Satan cannot do anything that God doesn’t want him to do. This shows that he is not omnipotent, and certainly not more powerful than God. We can also see from Job chapter one that Satan is not omnipresent. “The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.’” (Job 1:7). We see here that Satan cannot be everywhere at once. We also see in all of this that Satan still answers to God. Satan and God are not on the same level when it comes to power. It isn’t like in the movies where the “gods” are all powerful and there is a constant battle between them. God has Satan in his place, and Satan couldn’t overstep the power God has given him, as he always wants to.

What a Christian can take from this is that we shouldn’t give more credit to Satan than he is worth. Yes, he is an enemy, and a powerful one, but we shouldn’t give him more power in our heads than he has. We should take comfort in this, remembering that we serve an all - powerful God who Satan has no control or chance against. God is in control, and that is how it will remain.

“I beg of you, my dear brother, to live among these books [Scriptures], to meditate upon them, to know nothing else, to seek nothing else.” – Jerome

“The Word of God and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select just a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than the whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” – A.W. Tozier

“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

Memorial Day

 

When the remains of a fallen soldier arrive from overseas, a dignified transfer of the body takes place — usually — at Dover Air Force Base, the primary port mortuary for U.S. military personnel killed in action. Perhaps you’ve seen a ceremony or two on television. It is a tearful and tragic event, a solemn and choreographed moment undertaken by military carry teams who transfer flag-draped caskets from planes to awaiting families.

You may remember, for example, when the bodies of three U.S. service members who were killed in a drone attack in Jordan about 15 months ago were received at Dover Air Force Base with military honors. President Biden attended the ceremony, reflecting the ongoing tradition of dignified transfers to help provide meaning and closure to grieving families.

If you have served in the military or have had family members in the service, you can understand how gut-wrenching these ceremonies can be. I had a close high school classmate who, shortly after graduation, was shipped to Vietnam. His name is now etched in the marble wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., along with the names of more than 58,000 other service personnel who died in that war. Tomorrow is Memorial Day. We will pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.

Their sacrifice reminds us of the high cost of freedom and reflects a principle that lies at the heart of the Christian faith: sacrificial love. Just as these brave individuals set aside their own safety to serve a greater good, Christ laid down his life on the cross so that we might experience freedom — freedom from sin, fear, and death (Romans 5:8).

―Timothy Merrill

[1 Corinthians 13:8] Love never fails. Love is one of the most loosely used words in the English language. This creates a lot of confusion about what true love really is. Most people think of love as a strong, warm feeling of affection for someone or something. Certainly, there is a strong emotional aspect to love. In the Bible, love is not just something one feels, it is the decision of the will to help others, even if one must sacrifice one’s self to do so. That’s how God and Christ love us and that’s how we should love others.

(1 John 3:16-18) “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth.” So, it is not enough to say, “I love you” (although we certainly should say that to our loved ones). We must back those words up with genuine, loving actions.

As we reflect on the sacrifice of these soldiers, we remember that death is not the final word for those who belong to Christ. Memorial Day is not just a day of mourning; it is also a day to celebrate hope — the twin hope that first, light does shine in the darkness, and second, that love is stronger than death.

Prayer: Compassionate God, on this Memorial Day, we thank you for the men and women who gave their lives for the sake of freedom. We honor their courage and remember their sacrifice with gratitude. Help us to follow their example by living lives of service and love. We also thank you for the ultimate sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life so that we might live. May his resurrection fill our hearts with hope, even in times of loss. Amen. Are you willing to give your life for God and country?

Trials Are Good For You

 

The Christian life has been described as “heading into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm.” The question for the believer is not if trials will come, but what to do when they do come.

In the early morning hours of May 8^th my cell phone rang awaking me from a great sleep. The parental panic instantly runs through a thousand scenarios confusing the brain as one is coming to, sitting up and grabbing the ringing phone. Then I see one of the children’s name on the caller ID. Instantly, one visualizes the grandchildren and great-grandchildren with sadness developing. One takes a deep breath and answers with gentleness, knowing this phone call at four in the morning isn’t going to be cheerful. Our daughter informed me she discovered her husband of 36 years died in his sleep lying next to her. My wife is already crying and mourning but yet doesn’t know what has happened. After I got some concrete information from our daughter, I then had to tell my wife.

A shock is putting it lightly, but because we all share in the deep faith of God’s providence and authority the whole family could accept the tragedy without prejudice. God is still love and there is no doubt in my mind our son-in-law is in the presence of God.

[Acts 14:22] The apostle Paul said, “…We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Paraphrased into today’s language, Jesus might say we have a “rough row to hoe” before we enter into God’s presence. Accepting the blunt reality of trial and hardship is the first step to dealing with adversity. The Christian is no more immune to cancer or hurricanes than the non-Christian. The ruin of the fall and the entrance of sin into the universe adversely affects both man and creation. Romans 8:22 states, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

We must realize that the primary purpose of adversity is to expose our weakness and drive us to fresh trust and dependence on Jesus Christ. Jesus wants us to trust Him with each burden, each problem, each setback. 1 Peter 5:5-7 states, “…all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

God knows that if we trust Him as our faith is tested, we will discover His strength – we will grow stronger. In our weakness, we can discover His strength. The winds of financial misfortune, illness, divorce, or death, may be too much for us to handle, but nothing is too complicated or burdensome for God!

James 1:2-4 NKJV; “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work and complete, lacking nothing.”

Phillips Modern English Version states: “When all kinds if trials and temptations crowd into your lives, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until the endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. And if, in the process, if any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem, he has only to ask God – who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty – and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him.” Are you ready to meet God?

The Meanest Mother in the World

 

Today is Mother’s Day. Not all mothers are the same, and our experiences vary greatly. That’s why the following story is so interesting. Perhaps you had a mother like this one. I don’t know where this story comes from or who the author is.

“We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And what our mother fixed for us for dinner was a whole lot different from what other kids had, too. Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were convicts in a prison. She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She had the nerve to break the child labor laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, and do all sorts of cruel jobs. By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds. Then, life was really tough! Mother wouldn’t let our friends just honk the horn when they drove by. They had to come to the door so she could meet them. Whilst everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16. Because of our mother, we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us has even been caught shoplifting or vandalizing property and none of us has ever been arrested for any crime. It was all her fault. We never got drunk, never took up smoking or drugs, never stayed out all night, and never did a million other things that got us in trouble like other kids. Sundays were reserved for church and we never missed once. We knew better than to ask to spend the night with a friend on Saturdays. Now that we have left home, we are all God-fearing, educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents, just like Mom was. From what I see, today’s moms are pretty awesome. Some of them are single, some are stay at-home moms and others are out there in the job force. And surprisingly, many moms I see are just like my mom was. They’re pretty mean. And that’s a good thing!” - Timothy Merrill

[Matthew 19:4-6] “And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’” We are in a time where the lines of morality are blurred. The Bible is plain when it comes to who is to marry (one man to one woman), how children are to be parented (by both parents), and how children are to respond to their parents (reflecting Godly parenting). We should be thankful for days set aside to honor and give thanks for Godly mothers.

Where does a mother’s influence (parenting) begin? 2 Timothy 1:5 says, “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and you mother Eunice and I am persuaded is in you also.” The mother (and grandmother) provide faith’s foundation from the home. This influence is far reaching and never ceases!

How do children respond to Godly parenting (mother)? Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Honoring our mother begins with obedience. This allows us to be aware of the blessings in our family and in His family! O God, thank you for our earthly mothers who have taught us to be a person of integrity and faithfulness that we may be of service to You.

Let's Be Honest

 

In 1999 a number of Turkish villages were destroyed by a massive earthquake. Sadly, this could have been avoided. Thirty years prior, the villagers had been warned by sci­entists that certain towns were situated on top of a major fault line. They were instructed to relocate as soon as possible. An earthquake could occur at any time.

The leaders convened to discuss the situa­tion. Their decision was shocking. They did not demand (or even encourage) the ­townspeople to move. Instead, they redrew the geological map and moved the fault line so that their villages would no longer be in dan­ger. Nobody needed to be bothered with the inconveniences and hassles associated with moving.

For 30 years the people had peace of mind. But then a powerful earthquake hit and vil­lages were destroyed. They were told the day was coming but they did not want to believe it - they did not want to be inconvenienced. They paid a heavy price.

May we never be like this! If we get news we do not like, we must change! We must move! We cannot just “move the line.” If we compare our lives to the Gospel and discover that we are not living in harmony with the will of God, we must change.

Billy Ray Harris was a homeless man in Kansas City, Missouri who, each day, would sit out his cup for folks to deposit their coins of charity. One day a lady, Sarah Darling, put some money into the cup and when she did her engagement ring fell off into the cup. Mr. Harris didn’t know that until he found it later that evening when he emptied his cup. He took the ring to a jeweler and discovered it was worth $4000. He held onto the ring and a few days later Ms. Darling came by, and Harris returned the ring to her. Because of his honesty, Billy Ray Harris’ life has greatly improved. It’s true, “Honesty is the best policy.”

[2 Corinthians 13:5] We tend to be honest with others, day by day, in our physical life, but how honest are we with ourselves about our spiritual life? “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.” Many tend to blame others for our poor relationship with God. Such a relationship can only be between you and God with nobody standing in the way. It’s been said – “The trouble with you is the one you groom daily.”

To be an honest Christian, one must be honest with the church. Don’t play “Hide and Seek” with the elders and the congregation. Elders have the responsibility to watch for the soul of each member (Hebrews 13:17). Members are to love one another and watch for one another. Yet some members forsake the assembly and not let anyone know (Hebrews 10:25). Are you sick and in need of prayer? Do you have to be somewhere else? Don’t develop “lock jaw” and have folks worrying and others scurrying around to find a replacement for your assigned duties. Life is fluid and we need to deal with it honestly.

We need to be honest with God. No matter what we may tell others, God knows the real truth behind our flimsy excuses. “The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile” (Psalm 94: 11). Wouldn’t one be more honest to confess their selfishness to God and ask His help in overcoming it? “God, I am sorry for not seeking your kingdom first in my life” (Matthew 6:33). Honesty is the best policy, and it will relieve a lot of stress.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:26-27). No one can “kick the can down the road” or move the line of eternity to be saved some day. “…Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Eternity is only a heartbeat away.

Pitch Your Tent With God

 

We all appreciate a good seat. I spoke with a man who recently attended a basketball game and had the misfortune of sitting beside the aisle, and many times he could not see the game because people kept passing in front of him. It surely wasn’t the best seat in the arena. Parents arrive hours early to find a seat near the front so they can witness their child receiving their graduation diploma and enabling them to take quality photographs of the occasion. Folks will pay top dollar for concert tickets so they can lay eyes on the performer, not just his silhouette from a distance. Yes, sometimes a good seat is highly desired.

There are other times, however, where one sits doesn’t make a difference. One doesn’t have to be near the front – just being present is sufficient enough. A Presidential inauguration is a prime example. I remember one where nearly two million people turned out to attend the historical event. The majority knew they would never get very close to the President and would most likely only see him on the jumbotrons. Those present commented, “We just wanted to be here!” One man said, “I can tell my grandchildren that I was here!”

Abraham’s nephew Lot is a very interesting study in many areas. One of those areas can show us how sin can work its evil in our life. It can be seen in various places Lot finds himself and how his condition worsens each time. When Abraham gave him a choice of which way he and his herdsmen would go, “Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord …Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east…” From this point on it is interesting to note the places where Lot settles. From them we can learn the progressive nature of temptation and sin.

First, we see Lot pitching his tent “toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12). This meant he set up camp in the direction of Sodom. Every day he went about his business. Sodom may well have been insight, and Lot may well have been tempted to move ever closer to Sodom’s wickedness. Next, we see Lot dwelling in Sodom (Genesis 14:12). Lot had moved into Sodom and was likely being influenced by the citizens’ wickedness in ever greater proportions, since he was living amongst them. Finally, we see Lot sitting at the gate of Sodom (Genesis 19:1). No longer is he simply a resident of that wicked city, he was apparently involved in its leadership. The city gates are where the elders and city officials sat and conducted business. Through it all, Lot remained righteous in the eyes of God (2 Peter 2:7-8). We certainly don’t know everything about Lot’s intentions or what was in his heart – but God did. And I do know this – the closer we dwell to sin, the easier it becomes to commit sin. And it all begins with where one pitches his tent. (James 1:14-16)

[Revelation 21:3] “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” The best seat, the most desired and prized seat, will be found in the presence of God. It won’t matter if we are near or far, there will be joy just being in His midst, and singing praises of His wonderful grace and love. In supreme gratitude we will cry out, “Blessed be God!” who created us and has given us every spiritual blessing in His Son. It is by His abundant mercy that He allows His fallen creation to dwell with Him eternally. Oh, what joy it will be just to be with Him! Our longing to be with our Father will be a reality. We will never be separated from Him. A good seat is any seat in the presence of our great God! So, even in the midst of a sinful world, we can pitch our tent in God’s word of love - and abide in it.

Become A Guide

 

He hasn’t done it all, but he’s done a lot. Erik Weihenmayer has summated Mount Everest as well as becoming one of the 150 climbers in the world who had, at the time, climbed the other 6 highest peaks in the world. He has kayaked 277 miles through the treacherous white waters of the Grand Canyon as well as ascending the 3,000-foot nose of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. Besides having appeared on the cover of Time magazine, three documentaries have been made about Erik’s accomplishments.

Why would so much attention be given to Erik Weihenmayer’s accomplishments? Because he’s blind. And, while so much focus has been on Weihenmayer’s achievements, he has made sure to give credit to whom credit is due. Erik has easily acknowledged that he couldn’t have completed any of his feats without the help of his many guides. Rob Baker, Eric Alexander, Luis Benitez, and Jeff Evans are just a few of the people who have willingly and ably guided Erik to his many successes.

[Jeremiah 6:16] Twenty-five hundred years ago, through Jeremiah, God said to the southern kingdom of Judah, “Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it” God has never left his people without guidance. In the Hebrew Scriptures, through Moses, God gave the Israelites the Law. Throughout Israel’s history, the prophets repeatedly tried to get God’s people back to the Law. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled both the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17-20). In a Moses-like persona, Jesus went up the Mount and gave his disciples a new type of Law (or Torah; Matthew 5-7). This Law is not one that he would carve into tables of stone, but one that he would etch into their minds and on their hearts (Hebrews 8:10-12). In our world of religious confusion, people take many paths to find the good way, but God said we could only find the good way in the ancient paths. God pleaded to Judah to find the ancient paths and follow his Law, but they refused to do so, and this decision led to their destruction.

Today, Jesus is the Way to the Father (John 14:6) and we need to be followers of that Way (Acts 19:2). That is, we need to get back to Jesus’ teachings and follow his precepts, and only then can we become followers of that Way. We need to get back to the Bible. We need to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent and call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways. We need to restore the church as it was in the days of the apostles.  While there is no explanation for why people forsake the ancient paths today, their destination is the same as the ancient Jews. Their god is their own appetites and will lead to destruction. While some mind only earthly things, we should remember that we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:18-20a). When our god is our own appetites, we leave the ancient paths and find new, perverse paths. There are spiritually blind unbelievers all throughout the world (2 Corinthians 4:4), and Christians are called to guide them to the knowledge of the gospel of Christ (Mark 16:15-16).

Similar to Erik Weihenmayer’s guides, Christians must be willing to take the responsibility of guiding the spiritually blind to Christ. * Guides must be more than able to lead the spiritually blind. * Guides must be in better shape spiritually. * Guides must be connected to those they are guiding. * Christian guides must themselves be familiar with the way to get to Christ. Even for the sighted Christian, the narrow way to salvation is treacherous and difficult to stay on (Matthew 7:14). Blind unbelievers aren’t very likely to find their way to salvation without being guided (Romans 10:14).

Become a guide to the lost.