Doubt and Disbelief

 

Deep down, most of us have, at one time or another, questioned the existence of God. That should not be surprising as even the greatest minds in history have also struggled with that question. Consider Albert Einstein, for example. While Einstein didn’t believe in the God of the Bible, he did believe in some creative force behind the cosmos that he called “God.” In 2008, a letter he wrote about a year before he died, was auctioned off for over $400,000.00 in which the greatest scientist questioned the existence of God. In the letter, Einstein wrote, “…the word of God for me is nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.” This statement simple contradicts what Einstein had earlier believed about God and may reflect the confusion that all of us feel at times about His existence. But is it not amazing how such a genius could be so wrong about so important a book as the Bible? Are the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount “pretty childish?” In light of its fulfilled prophecies, scientific foreknowledge, historical accuracy, and total lack of contradictions, is it fair to dismiss the Bible as “a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends?” In 1 Corinthians 1:20, Paul asked, “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” There is a mountain of evidence that God exists, the Bible is His inspired Word, and Jesus Christ is his Son who rose from the dead to offer mankind eternal life. Let us never seriously doubt it!

[James 1:5-6] To the average college football fan, last year was filled with much drama and surprise. It seems almost every Saturday afternoon nationally ranked and favored powerhouses were being defeated by unranked and often unheard-of teams. At the finish of several games during the regular season there was looks of defeat on the faces of some players as they walked off the field that can only be described as – Disbelief! So, how many picked TCU to play in the championship game?

So it will be for many on the day of judgment! Countless souls, who assume they are safe, secure, and invincible, will be utterly surprised to hear they’re eternally lost. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23). One can surely perform in the name of Jesus, but if one does it to their own glory, Jesus has never heard of your good works and does not know you. Imagine the looks of disbelief by the masses on that great and final Day when they are separated by His mighty angels and cast into eternal separation from God! What misery and defeat! Fortunately, we can approach the Lord in Judgment having assurance of victory! “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58). One day the game will be over for each and every one of us upon this earth, no doubt. So, what about you? As you leave the field of battle, will your head be bowed low in defeat and disbelief, or will you hold it high in victory?

It's not what we read, but what we remember, that makes us learned. It’s not what we profess, but what we practice, that makes us Christians. Do it for Christ and live forever.

Know My Habits; Know My Heart

 

One afternoon a man arrived at home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife’s car was open, as was the front door to the house. Proceeding through the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and a throw rug was wadded up against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon and the family room was cluttered with toys and assorted items of clothing. In the kitchen dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothing, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He found her lounging in the bedroom, curled up in the bed, still in her pajamas, reading a book. She casually looked up at him and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, “What happened here today?” She again smiled and answered, “You know every day when you come home from work and ask me what in the world did I do today?” “Yes,” was his incredulous reply. She continued, “Well, today I didn’t do it.”

Billy had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer. “Fine,” said the pleased mother. “If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you.” Boldly the boy stated, “Oh, I didn’t ask Him to help me not misbehave – I asked him to help you put up with me.”

[Luke 4:16-21] Know my habits; Know my heart! I recently heard a nationally renowned speaker say that he could discern the values that any person holds dear if he had access to only two documents. And what are these two documents that hold the secrets of anyone’s heart? According to the speaker, they are the checkbook and the daily planner. From these two sources he could determine how one spends money and how a person spends one’s time. In that sense, I concluded that the speaker was correct. Everything that is truly important to me, is reflected in my checkbook and daily planner.

Jesus had habits just like everyone else. By carefully noting the text cited above, we gain some insight into the values that Jesus held dear. Note that He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day “as was His custom.” The obvious importance of this passage is that Jesus had, over a lengthy process of time, developed the habit of going into the synagogue for the express purpose of worship on the Sabbath. His custom was one developed of His own volition and not by force of another. In the synagogue He could associate with others who respected God’s laws and shared His view of their importance. He could read from the inspired Scriptures, God’s Divine source of wisdom. He could discuss how the Scriptures applied to His own life and to the lives of those about Him. The fact that Jesus habitually visited the synagogue on a weekly basis reveals much about the character of Jesus. I have heard people argue, “I can be a Christian without going to church every Sunday!” Usually, I have heard this line in defense of one’s habit of not attending church services. With Jesus’ custom of attending the synagogue in view, I wonder if an informed person would make this argument to Jesus? I hardly think so! Why not? Because everyone knows – Know my habits; Know my heart! Add to your New Year “to-do-list” - Develop a new habit of worship and giving thanks to God every Sunday.

Of Sheep and People

 

A story is told of a lamb and its mother. It seems the lamb passed by the pig pen each morning on the way to pasture with its mother. Watching the pigs wallow in the mud seemed like fun and on an especially hot day the lamb asked its mother if he could jump the fence and wallow in the cool mud. “No,” she replied. Then the lamb asked the usual question, “Why?” The mother just said, “Sheep don’t wallow.” This did not satisfy the lamb. He felt she had “put him down” – exercised force she shouldn’t have, etc. So, as soon as his mother was out of sight the lamb ran to the pig pen and jumped the fence. He was soon feeling the cool mud on his feet, then his legs and then his stomach. After a short while he decided he had better get back to his mother, but he couldn’t move! He was stuck! Mud and wool don’t mix. His pleasure had become his prison. He was hopelessly bound by his own folly. He cried out and was rescued by the kindly farmer. When cleaned and returned to the fold, his mother said, “Remember what I said? Sheep don’t wallow.”

[Psalm 23] Ever notice how many times Scripture compares us to sheep, or actually calls us sheep? The 23^rd Psalm is all about a shepherd and sheep. Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) who is willing to give his life for his sheep. He said he was sent to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Lessons can be learned simply by thinking about this comparison. For instance, a sheep loses its way really easy. And unlike a dog or cat, it has no built-in sense of direction to navigate its way back home. A sheep has to be shown the way, led, not driven. A sheep cannot do much fighting and is not a good runner. If lost, a sheep must either be found and rescued or become the victim of predators. Sound familiar?

Sheep need other sheep. I don’t ever remember seeing lone sheep in a pasture. They seem to thrive in bunches – flocks if you please. When threatened by danger, sheep will just naturally gravitate together for security. God knows us and He knows we need each other, especially when we are threatened by illness, disease, suffering, sin, death, or by the pressures thrown at us by an unbelieving culture.

Sheep are hard to train. When was the last time you saw a sheep preforming in a circus or a fair, or on stage? What a sheep does best is simply follow. It needs a leader – a shepherd – who can show the way. A sheep will follow someone. That is why God has ordained elders to show the way for the sheep. We need guidance, leadership. You can turn a dog or a cat loose and they can catch a squirrel or a mouse. But sheep need daily personal care. We are that much like sheep. * Sheep cannot hide. Some animals and birds seem to blend into their environment; not sheep. A sheep is easy to spot.

So, you see, sheep can’t run very fast, fight very well, or hide. And Christians are a lot like that. We are not here to run, fight, or hide. A sheep is not violent by nature. Neither is a Christian. A sheep constantly gives of itself (wool). So does a Christian.

In Matthew 25:32, Jesus tells how it will be on the Day of Judgement. “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”

Is your name written in the Lambs Book of Life? Why should it be? (Revelation 21:27)

Remember - sheep don’t wallow. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15-17).

A World Turned Gray

 

New Year’s resolutions have almost become a thing of the past. The promises we used to commit ourselves to change or improve a part of our life has lost its positive possibilities in this world gone gray in nearly every facet of living. Words and phrases have become lipstick and mascara on what used to be thought of as shameful behavior. Adultery and fornication are now looked upon as recreational extra-marital affairs and sexual experimentation. Promiscuity is nothing more than “hooking up” and hopefully engaging in “safe sex”. The LGBTQIA+ has become so confusingly inclusive to itself as an organization, a plus has been added less they offend someone’s unknown “alternative lifestyle”. Their relationships are no longer described as perverse or deviant but are rather touted as “free expressions of an alternative lifestyle” that everyone else must celebrate. No one steals anymore. But there are those misguided souls involved in petty larceny, suffering from kleptomania, or perhaps overcome by embezzlement, creative bookkeeping, or the misappropriation of funds. People don’t lie – they shade the truth. Politicians don’t lie – they spin the facts. Governments don’t lie – they fuel massive disinformation campaigns. Drunkards have become alcoholics. Drug addicts have become substance dependent. The story is told that Confucius, when asked what his first deed would be if he were to be made Emperor of China, replied, “I would re-establish the precise meaning of words.” Much could be said for this idea. Stripped of accuracy, language becomes impotent. When the world goes gray, and vagueness engulfs the land, confusion takes hold. No one is quite sure what is right and what is wrong; or, indeed, if anything is wrong, except the bigotry of suggesting that some things may be wrong. Truth is easily hedged, and responsibility avoided when words lose their meaning (vaccination) and become so elasticized so as to mean almost anything, and/or nothing.

In the movie, “The Alamo,” starring none other than John Wayne, the Duke’s character was that great hero of Texas, Davey Crockett. Although from Tennessee, Crockett has been revered by Texans and they even named a county after him because of his heroic stand at the Alamo. In the movie, the Duke as Crockett said, “There’s right and there’s wrong. If you do right, you are really living; and if you do wrong, you are as dead as a beaver hat.” Possible words to live by – don’t you think?

[James 4:17] James, the half-brother of Jesus said basically the same thing: “Therefore, to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Satan is hard at work to influence us to do the wrong thing in every circumstance. Sometimes he even attempts to get us to do the right thing, but for the wrong reason. For example, Jesus warned, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward form your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). He mentioned the way we pray: “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward” (Matthew 6:5). Whether it is doing the wrong things for the wrong reasons, or the right things for the wrong reasons …it is still wrong. In every situation, there is right and there is wrong. We make the choice of which direction we go with our actions. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were experts at creating legal loopholes. Jesus said, “But let your “Yes” be “Yes”, and your “No”, “No”. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). Remember, truth is truth regardless of what men may say or how they may say it.

Do You Hear Wisdom's Cry?

 

2023 is upon us. The world seems to be confused in the concepts of science, gender, business, family, education, and on and on, as to what their end product ought to be – that of truth and wisdom. Without truth and wisdom this world is going to fall apart.

Remember: * One is only as good as what one loves. * All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action. * One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them only exist in our imaginations. * To err is human – to blame it on someone else is really human. * Too many people are praying for mountains of difficulty to be removed when what they really need is courage to climb them. * Everyone has the right to criticize – who has the heart to help? * If you want to get even with someone, start with someone who has helped you. * Remember not only to say the right thing at the right time and place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. * We have no one to blame but ourselves when our enthusiasm and zeal are gone because we have failed to feed them. * When you speak, remember God is one of your listeners. * If some lies for you, how do you know they won’t lie to you? * Leaving in a huff is some folks favorite form of transportation.

[Proverbs 1:20-33] Wisdom is all around begging for someone to listen. It cries out in the street, in the markets, at the head of the noisy streets, and at the entrance of the city gates (v. 20-21). Solomon’s point is that wisdom can be found if we will simply open our eyes and ears. If we truly want wisdom, we will stop loving to be “simple” and stop delighting in scoffing because “…fools hate knowledge” (V. 22). It is comforting to know that God reveals himself to those who seek Him. God does not hide out in a dark corner as seekers pass by, but Solomon assures us that He “makes His words known” to us, He calls us, and He stretches out His hand for us (v. 23-24). We do not have to worry about missing God. He makes himself known to those who pay attention, but “…will laugh at your calamity” if you ignore Him and “…will mock when your terror comes” (v. 25-27).

Why is it that people who do not have a relationship with God seem to go to Him when things get bad in life? They either go to Him seeking comfort or they point to Him with blame in their heart. If there was no prior relationship or seeking of God’s wisdom before such tragedies, “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they will have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies” (v. 28-31). God is very blunt about our timing in seeking Him. If our relationship with God is lacking before disaster strikes, what reason do we have to hope for help?

Words of encouragement are written for those who hear wisdom’s cry. Justice and mercy are for those on both sides of this discussion, “For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will dwell safely and will be secure without fear of evil” (v.32-33). Let us seek the wisdom of God and seek a relationship with Him constantly in good times as well as bad. God does not ration out wisdom, but “…gives to all liberally and without reproach” (James 1:5). Wisdom is crying aloud. If you haven’t observed it or have not heard it, open your eyes and ears, and do not ignore it. If you were to step into eternity this day, I guarantee your relationship with God, or the lack there of, is going to decide your eternal destiny.

Mary Had A Little Lamb

 

“Long ago, in a country far away, some shepherds watched their flocks during the night.” Often this line comes somewhere at the beginning of any children’s Christmas production given each year around the time the world has attributed December 25^th to Jesus’ birth date. But Jesus was probably born during the Spring of 4 B.C. because history records in that year the death of Herod the Great, the king who sought to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:13-20). So, where did that date come from? Well, somewhere in the sixth century, a monk named Dionysius Exiguus decided to develop a calendar (that led to the modern Gregorian calendar) for the Christian world by using the known date of the resurrection of Christ and he used the birth of Christ (a doctrine adopted in A.D. 336) as the dividing point of history, thus giving us “Before Christ” and Anno Domini, or “the year of the Lord.” It was a simple mistake in calculation by the monk of not paying close enough attention to secular historical facts – one that no one is going to mess with.

Well, as confusing as that could be, and I’m not sure I’ve got it completely correct, the “Christmas” holiday has become a bitter pill to swallow the older I get. Overheard in the store, “I just dread the Christmas season!” and “Why do people insist upon religion having to be a part of the “Holiday Season?” What? It’s hard to believe we’ve become so detached and commercialized that the reason for the season has been lost by many.

So, in the spirit of the “holiday” I’ll share a new twist on an old secular poem that might bring attention to the lost reason. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” by Marv and Marbeth Rosendahl.

Mary had the little Lamb, who lived before His birth; Self-existent Son of God, from Heaven He came to Earth. (Micah 5:2)

Mary had the little Lamb; see Him in yonder stall - Virgin-born Son of God, to save man from the Fall. (Isaiah 7:14)

Mary had the little Lamb, obedient Son of God; Everywhere the Father led, His feet were sure to trod. (John 6:38)

Mary had the little Lamb, crucified on the tree The rejected Son of God, He died to set men free. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Mary had the little Lamb—men placed Him in the grave, Thinking they were done with Him; to death He was no slave! (Matthew 28:5-7)

Mary had the little Lamb, ascended now is He; All work on Earth is ended, our Advocate to be. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Mary had the little Lame—mystery to behold! From the Lamb of Calvary, a Lion will unfold. (Revelation 5: 5,6)

When the Day Star comes again, of this be very sure: It won’t be Lamb-like silence, but with the Lion’s roar. (Psalm 2:10-12; Revelation 19:11-16)

[Matthew 1:18-25] Our giving to others during this special time of year begins with Thanksgiving. Are we truly thankful for all God has given us? This country is the most blessed in the world, yet it has become increasingly troubled as it drifts away from the God of its blessings. Our giving to one another in peace and happiness reflects the gift given to mankind by God, that of His one and only Son, Jesus. It is through Jesus we are forgiven of our sins reconciling us and bringing peace between us and our God. Jesus is peace on earth and has brought good will to men. The Bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus was born, but we do know He was born. To be born of the spirit is now in your corner.

Shall or May?

       In the line of duty, “shall” and “may” are important words to a police officer. Certain laws require an arrest or a ticket to be issued. These laws use the word “shall” to indicate the requirement. Other laws use the word “may.” These laws allow discretion on the part of the officer. When the officer “shall” there is no choice in the matter. “May” allows the officer to make a decision based on the circumstances in the case. For example, if I am caught speeding I “may” be given a ticket. But, if I attempt to flee from the police I “shall” be ticketed for speeding and evading and reckless driving, maybe even arrested.

Recently I was walking across a parking lot to my vehicle when I noticed a bumper snicker that read, “Obey The Ten Commandments!” I realize that our current culture is in dire need of moral direction and I also now that the Ten Commandments could provide some of that moral direction. However, I believe that such advice, if heeded, would not produce what the owner of the sticker desired. While the rules would be guides for moral direction, they could not force change upon us. In addition, many would rebel simply because of the almost programmed response to anything that smacks of religion.

We must understand that the moral direction of a person, and ultimately of a nation, can only be changed one heart at a time. While the principles set forth in the Ten Commandments are good, one must also realize they were for the nation of Israel and were not meant to save those people, but to guide them in godly living, and to ultimately guide them to Christ (Galatians 3:23-25). Besides, many of our current laws are already based on the principles in the Ten Commandments – Murder, theft, perjurer’s still stand condemned: even in secular law. Adultery was once illegal, and punishable by death.

One must understand that if we obey the Ten Commandments as secular law, we would have to observe Saturday as the day of worship and rest. Since the old covenant has passed away, those commandments are not binding upon us (Ephesians 2:14-16). The principles underlying the Ten Commandments, however, are brought forth in the new covenant and are written on the hearts of Christians (Hebrews 8:8-13). The Sabbath, for example, as such is not binding upon Christians, but the principle of worship is.

[Matthew 22:37-39] Rather than “obey” the Ten Commandments it would be far better for all to remember the two greatest commands and their principles for living today. When asked, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus “cut to the chase” and provided the foundation for righteous living when he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” We cannot make all religious law secular law, but if these goals are in a person’s mind, love will be in the heart and can direct one’s life. Ideally, all would give their hearts and lives to Jesus and thus be saved (John 15:9-14; 1 Timothy 2:1-4), but to the extent that people would first think of God and others, everyone would be better off.

     God does not have a police force, but He does express his desires for mankind’s righteous living that will please him. Jesus stated that God desires to be worshipped and goes on to say that true worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). There is a difference between God’s desire and God’s demand. God desires for mankind to worship Him and He demands that those who enter into worship do so “in spirit and in truth.” Is your worship acceptable to God? Are you living the righteous life required for eternal life with God? No tickets “shall” be issued – but eternal punishment "may."

Foolish Questions

 

After Thanksgiving dinner, the adults gathered in the living room to exchange reminisces, while the children went into the family room to play. Suddenly our hostess noticed that an elderly relative was missing. “Where’s Aunt Florence?” she asked. From across the room came a masculine drawl, “Oh, she’s with the kids, attempting to bridge the generation gap.” Did you know December is the only month with a “D” in it?

I remember a song titled "Foolish Questions” by Johnny Cash (Tall Man Album – 1979) in part says: ‘…And you all know the story of the man you meet on the way, You say to him, “Hey how's Trix?” and you'll listen to him while he says, Says he's just been to the funeral of poor old uncle Ned, And the next question he's gonna ask is, “Is Ned dead?” Foolish questions, you might as well reply, “No Ned thought he'd have a funeral and later on some time he’ll die; You know he is so original that he wanted it that way; Foolish questions, you'll hear them every day…’

Then there’s the carpet salesperson who calls the customer at their place of employment to inform them that their carpet installation at their home has been completed. The homeowner asked, “When I get home will it hurt it if I walk on it?” Don’t you know the salesperson would love to reply, “Of course it will! You’ll have to stay off that carpet for at least six months!” Yeh, foolish questions – bit your tongue – carry on.

[Titus 3:3-7] With the winter holidays just around the corner, we will all be seeing items and hearing stories related to the season. As such, I just read about the fact that there is a website known as emailsanta.com where young ones may write an electronic letter to the North Pole. Several letters from these innocent children were funny, but one stood out to me. Wesley, age seven, wrote: “Mommy and Daddy say I have not been very good these past few days. How bad can I be before I lose my presents?”

This letter reflects an attitude often displayed by “religious” adults. We ask, “How bad can I be before I lose my salvation?” Clearly, the Bible teaches that it is possible for one, who has really and truly been saved, to sin in such a way as to forfeit their salvation. “...You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:1-4 NKJV). “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6). In light of this, why is it that so many seek to do “as little as possible” or “just enough to get by” when it comes to spiritual matters? Have you asked: “Do Wednesday nights really count?” “Can’t I use these words if I’m really mad or scared?” “What is the smallest amount I can drop in the collection plate?” “How bad can I be and stay on God’s good side?”

May I suggest that it all boils down to lack of love? It is a lack of love felt for our God. It is a lack of understanding just how deeply and sincerely our God loves us. Consider the attitude of Paul: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV). If we truly understood how much God loves us, we would, like Paul, be motivated to a life of loving and positive action! We would never dream of asking, “How bad can I be?” What a foolish question when thinking about eternal life.

You Make A Difference

 

The principal decided to honor all of the high school seniors by telling them the difference they had made. Each student was called to the front of the assembly, one at a time, and told how he or she had made a difference to the school and the senior class. Then they were each presented with a blue ribbon, pinned, and prominently displayed on their clothing, imprinted with gold letters which read, “Who I Am Makes A Difference.”

As a class project, an annual tradition, the seniors decided to see what kind of impact this same recognition would have on the community. Each student retained three ribbons with the instruction to repeat the same ceremony of acknowledgement that they had received with someone who had impacted their life. They were to report back in three weeks on who was honored and what the results were. The following is one such report.

One young man went to a junior executive in a nearby company to honor him for helping him with career planning. He pinned the ribbon on his shirt, explaining the class project, then gave him the other two ribbons to pass on. He was also instructed to report back to the student the results of his encounter of recognition.

The junior executive went to see his boss, who had been kind of a grouch lately. He told his boss that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed overly surprised by the gesture but allowed the junior executive to pin the blue ribbon on his suit coat, above his heart. After explaining the class project, he then gave his boss the remaining ribbon saying, “Take this and pass it on by honoring someone else.”

That night the boss sat his fourteen-year-old son down and said, “The most incredible thing happened to me today. A junior executive visited me and told me he admired me for being a creative genius. He presented me with this ribbon that reads, “Who I Am Makes A Difference.” He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find someone else to honor. I started thinking of who I wanted to honor, and I thought of you. I want to honor you! My hectic days too often keep us separated. I sometimes scream at you for your poor grades and your messy room. But tonight, I just want to let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You’re a great kid and I love you.” The startled boy began to sob. He couldn’t stop crying. His whole body shook. Through his tears he said, “Dad, I’ve been sitting in my room writing a letter to you and mom explaining why I killed myself. And I asked you to forgive me. I just didn’t think that you cared at all.” The father pinned the ribbon on his son’s shirt then went to his son’s bedroom to read the heartfelt letter full of anguish and pain.

The next day the boss went back to work a changed man, no longer a grouch, but constantly let his employees know that they make a difference. The junior executive helped more students with career planning, including the boss’s son, and never forgot to let them know that they can make a difference in other people’s lives. The senior class learned a valuable lesson, “Who you are DOES make a difference.”

[Hebrews 3:12-13] It’s not easy: to apologize; to begin over; to admit error; to keep trying; to take advise; to be unselfish; to be charitable; to face a sneer; to avoid mistakes; to keep out of a rut; to endure success; to profit by mistakes; to forgive and forget; to think and then act; to make the best of little; to subdue an unruly temper; to recognize the silver lining; to shoulder the deserved blame – but it always pays off in the long run! So, don’t think you’re the “only one” getting pushed around by life. Honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for He “Makes A Difference” to everyone who believes in His Word.

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!

The Potter's Wheel

 

On the Gulf Coast of Mississippi there lived an older gentleman who throughout his life was a professional potter. He and his wife owned a pottery store in the small town of Ocean Springs where many artisans lived and worked. One night a church group of young people were invited to their home for a devotional. When they arrived, the potter took the teens into his shop where he sat down at his potter’s wheel. He began his talk by placing a piece of clay on the moving wheel. It was just a lump of clay with no shape at all. As he worked the clay he talked of Jesus and how He is our potter, and we are the clay. He said that Jesus looks at us the same way he looks at the clay on his wheel. He anticipates what will emerge and hopes for a beautiful piece to come together but he can never tell until it is finished. He took his hands and encircled the clay then began very gently to mold it. He worked the bottom then the sides and the top never forgetting to have his hand on the inside of the pottery to help hold it up and shape it. Always adding water as his hands and the clay dried out, he again worked from the bottom as he moved his skillful hands up the sides once more. Soon one could begin to see the result of his patient work. He explained to the young people how our Savior does the same thing when we love and obey Him. He patiently molds us and shapes us inside and out into a Christian, pure and undefiled by the world. Soon a beautiful piece of pottery came into being right before their eyes, perfectly formed and useful to its owner. As the completed piece sat on the rotating potter’s wheel, he asked the teens to call out some words that depicted sin. From the group came words such as: drugs, sex, drinking, using bad language, immodest dressing, and smoking. With every word that was called out the potter took a small piece of wet clay and threw it at the vessel on the wheel making it misshapen and ugly and finally useless as it fell apart. Everyone watched intently as the pottery collapsed and fell in on itself. He explained that this is what sin will do to the Potter’s work. He quietly retrieved the broken piece of pottery and with water and his hands worked it all together to form the original lump of clay and placed it on the wheel once again. Without a word the potter formed another perfect piece of pottery and removed from the wheel.

[Isaiah 64:8] “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay; you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Jesus lovingly molds us but if we let sin reign in our life it will destroy everything the Potter intends for us. Jesus our Savior wants us to live for Him and be useful in His Kingdom. Is sin creeping in and destroying you from within? No matter how sinful one becomes and no matter how far from God one has drifted away, repentance and forgiveness is yours if one is willing to return to God and confess Him as Lord (1 Peter 5:5-11). If one submits to Jesus, He is willing to restore the sinner’s life and again work it into a beautiful, useful life (Titus 2:11-14). Is your heart right with God? “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Where will your home be after this life is over? Look for the shape the Potter made you. Are you still that shape or has sin collapsed the Potter’s creation? “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “…Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart… Peter said to them, ‘Repent …be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins’…” (Acts 2:38). Does your life reflect the Potter’s intent for you?

Ring Your Bell

 

There sure is a lot of noise in the world today. These noises demand our attention. “Hey! Pay attention to the election!” “No! Pay attention to the Olympics!” “What about these riots?” “No, listen to these headlines!” In the world we live in there are constant distractions. That is no news, but are we as Christians making noise to demand similar attention? “Keep ringing your bell. Eventually people pay attention,” said Conan O’Brien in reference to becoming a comedic voice and talk show host. I think the same thing can be said as encouragement to us as Christians. In a world raging with noise, we must have a consistent and constant message. Jesus is Lord. What He says goes. In order for our bell to be heard we all have to do a few things every day. We must love each other. No matter our race, gender, background, economic status, we must love one another and act like it. We must love our enemies and live that out. Above all, we must love our God, live like it, fall in love with His words, and be obedient to His commands. God loves us despite our inconsistencies, but for the sake of souls, we must be a consistent ringing in the ears of unbelievers. We must be examples of righteous living to the sinful lost souls of today.

Barton W. Stone was born in 1772. In his autobiography he wrote, “My father, John Stone died when I was very young. I have no recollection of him in life.” He grew up without his father, but he never used his loss as an excuse to rebel or quit. When soldiers returned after the war cussing, drinking, and gambling, he refused to be like them. In spite of an overbearing teacher, he excelled in school. He went on to be baptized and become one of the most influential preachers in his time. * When Moses Lard was twelve his father died of smallpox. His widowed mother lost their home and found it very difficult to provide for six children. When he was seventeen, she told him and his brother, that they would have to go out and make it on their own. He never saw her again. The only thing she had to give him was a New Testament. At the time Moses couldn’t read or write. Some young men would have become bitter and mean, but not Moses. He learned to read and taught himself to write, studied God’s Word, obeyed the gospel, and became one of the most eloquent authors and preachers of his generation. * J.W. McGarvey’s father died when he was four. His mother later remarried, but his stepfather died when McGarvey was twenty-two. In spite of the afflictions he suffered, he was never resentful toward friends and families with better fortune in life. He is known to this day for his good nature and kindness. McGarvey rose above the disadvantages of life and became one of the most effective of all the writers, teachers, and preachers in the history of the American Restoration.

These stories encourage us, but we should not be surprised. Even the Bible contains many examples of those who rose above the adversity and influence of their young years. * Abraham’s father served other God’s (Joshua 24:2), but Abraham followed the Lord. * Moses was the adopted grand-son of a pagan king, but he chose to worship God (Hebrews 11:24-26). * Hezekiah’s father was an idolater, but Hezekiah feared the Lord unlike any king before or after him (2 Kings 16:2-4; 18:1-7). * Josiah was eight when his father was murdered, but he became a king who sought God with all of his heart (2 Kings 22-23). * Daniel was taken from his home when he was a young man and made a eunuch, but he had an “excellent spirit” (Daniel 6:3). * Joseph was taken from the father he loved when he was seventeen, but who could think of a better young man (Genesis 37-50)? We don’t choose many of the circumstances of our life, but we have to decide what to do with them. I pray it be your will to seek and find God – then ring your bell with joy.

Our Amazing Creator

 

Did you know that an eagle senses when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, the eagle sets its wings so that the wind will literally pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm is ragging below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm, it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life come upon us, and all of us will experience them, we can rise above them by setting our minds and belief toward God. The storms of life do not have to overcome us. We can allow God’s power to lift us above them.

The Australian Coat of Arms pictures two creatures, the emu (a flightless bird) and the kangaroo. The two animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to the Australian citizens. Both the emu and the kangaroo can move only forward, not backward. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it attempts to move backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail.

There was a little boy who returned home from a Bible study very excited about the lesson on creation he was taught, so he told his parents about all he had learned concerning Adam and Eve. A few days later he came home from school apparently distressed about something. When his mother asked what was bothering him, he said, “Mom, my side hurts; I think I’m going to have a wife!” I’ve heard a lot of funny stories stemming from the Bible’s account of creation, and by fall that one is the best.

[Romans 1:18-25] Life is an amazing thing. The earth is an amazing place. The universe is an amazing space. God is an amazing Creator. From the billions of plants and animals to the billions of people and on up to the billions of stars that are always out there, God has shown us His handiwork. Today, more than ever before, God can be seen in all these things due to the increase of our technology. We can see the inner workings of plants and see the heavens up close with our amazing microscopes and telescopes. One would think that the amazing intricacies of life that we have discovered would convince more people of the existence of a Grand Designer of life. Sadly, this is not the case. Like the Bible says of generations of old, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools…”

The “big bang” theory still has to have something to go bang before it becomes viable – so where did the something come from? “In the beginning, God…” (Genesis 1:1). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3). “And the Word became flesh (Jesus) and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14). There is one God, one man, one woman, one Book, and one answer. God’s creation cannot be altered. Doesn’t sound too confusing to me.

Life is not easy at times, and we don’t have to know everything to be successful and live righteously except Jesus and the love of God. God enables us to ride the winds of the storms that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above the storm. Remember, it’s not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it’s how we handle them (Isaiah 40:31). “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30). Those who truly choose to follow Jesus should try to be like the emu and the kangaroo, moving only forward (Luke 9:62; Philippians 3:12-14). Do not be deceived or confused. When one strays away from God as our Creator we stray away from God as our Ruler and Savior, wandering about in a lost condition.

Time To Abandon The Bible?

 

Most of us cannot abide thieves. Borrowing is one thing; stealing is something else. All moral codes and governmental laws condemn stealing, and all just societies punish those who engage in such. And rightly so! There is an insidious worldwide thievery going on, of which many are totally unaware: Bible Stealing! There are persons whose aim is the theft of God’s Word. They are robbers of truth, stealers of Scriptures, thieves of Divine revelation. “Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who steal My words every one from his neighbor” (Jeremiah 23:30).

Let’s turn the clock back to 2009 when the headlines read: “President Patronizes Bible-Believers: ‘Give up your worn arguments and old attitudes.’” At a recent White House celebration of Gay Pride Month, our President told a group of homosexual activists he hopes to persuade those of us who believe homosexuality is immoral to give up our antiquated views and accept their agenda (an agenda which includes redefining marriage and criminalizing speech which condemns homosexuality). Mr. Obama said, “There are good and decent people in the country who don’t yet fully embrace their gay brothers and sisters – not yet” adding, “There are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors and friends or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes.” He also said Congress should repeal what he referred to as “the-so-called” Defense of Marriage Act. Past Presidents of our great nation extolled Biblical morality and unabashedly regarded respect for that moral code as essential to the wellbeing of our Republic. But the current occupant of the Oval Office (2009 & 2022) – who once contemptuously characterized his opponents as irrational, frustrated, jingoistic racists who “cling to religion” – now openly patronizes all who take the Bible seriously. Obama has stated he believed Jesus endorsed homosexuality in the Sermon on the Mount and the Bible texts condemning homosexual behavior are “obscure” and irrelevant.

Almost without exception, Hollywood portrays Christians as weird or uneducated people on television and in the movies. But history tells a very different story. When one recalls the “Who’s Who” of history and science, the vast majority believed in God and that the Bible is God’s Word. These include Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, Lord Kelvin, Johannes Kepler, Galileo, Copernicus, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington Carver, Louis Pasteur, Daniel Webster, General George Patton, and Ronald Reagan, among many others that could be listed. President George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible…He is worse than an infidel who does not read his Bible and acknowledge his obligation to God.”

To the ignorance and denial of our past and present Presidents, and many others notwithstanding, the Bible unequivocally teaches marriage is a Divine institution, the union of one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6), and that homosexual behavior is shameful (Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). While we are all sinners in need of God’s grace and should treat all with love and compassion, we cannot “fully embrace” an evil and destructive agenda which denies God’s plan. Times have changed, and in the names of “tolerance” and “progress” many want to cast the Bible aside as dated and passe. But one does so at their own peril. I for one am not ashamed to be among those who “hold fast” to God’s Word. Old? Yes. Outdated? Never. Nations rise and fall; Presidents come and go; but “the Word of God abides forever” (Isaiah 40:6-8; 1 Peter 1:25).

Unlikely Heros

 

One June day in a quiet suburb on the west side of Chicago, Jim Partridge was enjoying a relaxing afternoon. Then, out of the blue, he heard a series of hair-raising screams. Jim and his wife Sue knew instantly that someone was in serious need. The screams were coming from a neighboring house on the other side of an open lot and a row of trees that separated their houses. They barely knew the people who lived there but they responded to help. Sue got there first and shouted back, “Hurry Jim! It’s the baby!” After Jim made his way up the stairs and onto the deck he found his neighbor, Tammy Kroll, kneeling over the lifeless body of her one-year-old daughter. Tammy had moments earlier found her daughter floating face down in the family backyard pool. The Partridge’s rushed into action. While Sue called 911, Jim began administering first aid. He cleared the little girl’s airway and began CPR. He observed she was not breathing at all, she had no pulse, her eyes were rolled back, and she was blue all over. As Jim worked the minutes felt like hours. Nearly ten minutes had passed when he heard the encouraging sound of sirens in the distance. Then he heard a more encouraging sound as he put his ear to the little girl’s chest – a heartbeat. Little Jennifer Kroll was rushed to a local hospital where she made a full recovery and was back home in just a few days. Jim Partridge certainly acted heroically that day, but what is most impressive is how unlikely a hero he was. Decades earlier, as an eighteen-year-old Marine in Vietnam, Jim stepped on a land mine which detonated. The explosion blew off both of his legs above the knees and left him nearly blind. That day, Jim fumbled his way through the thick empty lot on his wheelchair. When he got to the trees, he had to abandon his chair to crawl on his hands. As he made his way to the backyard, he had to pull himself up each step of the deck that surrounded the pool. One of the things that exemplifies Jim’s heroism was his willingness to yield to the temptation to excuse himself. It would have been easy and tempting for him to say, “Let somebody else do it. I’m legally blind, and I don’t have any legs!” How often do you and I excuse ourselves from recuing people who are drowning in a sea of sin? There are people all around us who are spiritually dead, but they can be brought back to life through the hope of the gospel (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:11-14). Are you making excuses for not saving those around you? “…save with fear, pulling them out of the fire…” (Jude 23).

[James 4:7-8] “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Some of us have tried to have a daily quiet time and have not been successful. Others of us have a tough time concentrating. And all of us are busy. So rather than spend time with God, listening for His voice, and meditating on His Word, we let others spend time with Him, then benefit from their experiences – let them tell us what God is saying. After all, isn’t that why we pay preachers? If that is your approach, if your spiritual experiences are just second-hand and not your own, I’d like to challenge you to this thought: Do you do that with any other part of your life? You don’t have others take your vacation trips and then tell you about them, do you? You don’t rely on someone else to romance your spouse, do you? Does anyone eat your meals on your behalf? There are certain things that no one else can do for you. One of them is spending time with God. You need spiritual nourishment, and nobody can fill up on His Word for you. You must consume that yourself. Don’t rely on second-hand spirituality – that is no spirituality at all. Jesus came to our rescue – He has saved us from hell (Romans 5:6-11).

People Can Change

 

In the 1100s, in an effort to protect travelers going from northern Spain over the Pyrenees Mountain Range to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Noted in the book “Dogs of God” by James Reston Jr., p50), a military force known as the hermandad’s (Spanish: “the brotherhood”) was organized. Soon, these vigilantes spread across Spain and offered themselves as protectors of roads and merchants. Eventually appointed as a national police force who could collect taxes and prevent insurrection in every municipality, they would go on to exterminate untold numbers of Muslims, Jews, and other “enemies of the state” during the Middle Ages. Reston mentions an unsettling “right” granted to the hermandad’s in the 15th Century, during the famous reign of Isabella and Ferdinand. He writes, “In a curious turnabout, executions took place first, and trials were held afterwards” (p51).

Given our country’s constitutional concept of “innocent until proven guilty,” this practice seems both backward and barbaric. How useful is a trial to present facts about a case after the defendant has been executed? What if the deceased was found innocent? What if there was no proof of guilt? Of course, the “facts” of every case incredibly supported the punitive action that preceded it. While we may find such a practice appalling, how often do we do the same with our tongues? Through rash anger, reckless gossip, and rabid prejudice, we can serve as judge, jury, and executioner of the reputation and actions of another. “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way” (James 3:8-10). How often do we jump to conclusions and assassinate another’s character, but later revelations prove our actions both premature and unjustifiable? Unfortunately, the damage having been done, nothing produced by way of reparation can fully undo the effects upon the victim. Be careful! Even when we think we have the facts about another, let us post a guard outside the door of our lips (cf. Psalm 141:3). What we need to see is the spiritual danger we face who “execute” before “trial.” “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Proverbs 18:13). Better to deliberate and reserve judgment than to execute before the trial has been held!

[Romans 1:16] Jesus Christ introduced into the world the greatest power to change men the world has ever known. That power is the gospel: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” It is sometimes said of those in sin, “They will never change.” While it is true that sin can have a death grip on anyone, it is also possible, if one’s heart be willing, to make a complete transforming change in their way of living – turn their life around.

An elderly man spent years of vanity in the nothingness of ungodly living and looking back with tear-filled eyes over the mountains of heartaches and acres of regrets cried, “I’m so tired of sin. Can someone help me?” A drunkard became disgusted with himself and said, “I want to change.” He did. You can too. Yes, people can change. Peter changed from a coward into an intrepid proclaimer of God’s word (Matthew 26:74; Acts 2:1-42). An up-and-coming young Pharisee named Saul first persecuted the church, but he changed and began “…preaching the faith which once he destroyed” (Galatians 1:23). What great hope the gospel brings! Do you need to make a change? The change begins in obedience to the gospel, the good news of salvation. (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:1-14).

Building Back Better 2.0

 

Filters of all kinds perform a great service as unsung heroes in our lives. They help keep us healthy and prolong the life of nearly every machine we use. Air, oil, fuel, water, and many more filters keep equipment clean and operating as they were designed to do. Of course, filters have to be maintained and cleaned as they get dirty. The most important filter in life is God’s Word. Unfortunately, more and more folks are simply throwing their filter away instead of allowing God to maintain its cleanliness through His Word. The world is dying for the lack of truth, wisdom, integrity, and Godly love. The end is near.

[Psalm 19:14] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer. Building a better world begins with me. I must be willing to give my time, talents, money, and energies to make the world in which I live a better place. I truly believe that the only real way to make this world better is for me to be a faithful and dedicated child of God. A faithful and dedicated child of God will proclaim the good news of salvation. Jesus said, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The word "gospel" means good news. We have good news to tell the world. The news of salvation and forgiveness. The news of God's wonderful love and offer of pardon. Are we working to build a better world by preaching Christ? We can build a better world by being positive about life. So many are filled with the critical spirit. They see very little good anywhere. There is so much that is good in our world that we should be thankful for. I don't want to waste my life looking only at the ugly and bad. God has given me so much that is good, and it would be sinful for me to fail to recognize that. In Philippians 4:8 Paul said that the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report are the things I should dwell on. This does not mean that I will refuse to recognize false doctrine and condemn that which is evil. It does mean that my overall life will be one of a positive and happy nature. Only in tears and a broken heart will I point out the devil. I will do so "in meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15b). We can build a better world by prayer. The great force of prayer has in many ways been neglected by many of God's people. The Bible says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16b). I think of the great prayers of Moses who on several occasions saved the people of Israel by his steadfast prayers. I think of the prayers of David that delivered him time and time again from his enemies. I am reminded of the great prayers of Elijah and that God worked through Elijah to proclaim to the world His great power. God’s people can use prayer to make this world better. Finally, we can build a better world by keeping our heart in heaven! The Bible says, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). This may sound rather strange, but it is the truth. Often, it is the case that people get so caught up in the here and now that they fail to really contribute to the welfare of mankind. By keeping our eyes on heaven, we will be a better people. We will be able to see what is really important and what is of minor consequence. Many are majoring in minors and minoring in majors. We can build a better world by keeping our hearts in heaven! We can build a better world if we will only become partners with God. As our beloved brother Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV). Think God.

Are You Driven or Drawn?

 

“The Buffoon and the Countryman” a fable of Aesop: At a country fair there was a Buffoon who made all the people laugh by imitating the cries of various animals. He finished off by squeaking so like a pig that the spectators thought that he had a porker concealed about him. But a Countryman who stood by said: "Call that a pig's squeak! Nothing like it. You give me till tomorrow, and I will show you what it's like." The audience laughed, but next day, sure enough, the Countryman appeared on the stage, and putting his head down squealed so hideously that the spectators hissed and threw stones at him to make him stop. "You fools!" he cried, "see what you have been hissing," and held up a little pig whose ear he had been pinching to make him utter the squeals. Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.

Several years ago, long before children were required to be in car seats, a mother was having trouble with her young daughter staying seated and in her seat belt. The little girl, like most children of that time, wanted to stand up and see where she was going. The mother repeatedly told her daughter to “sit down and buckle up!” The daughter became rebellious and continued to stand up in the seat while her mom was driving. Finally, the mother pulled over and threatened the little girl with something she could not resist. But, as she reluctantly sat down, the little girl defiantly said, “I may be sitting down, but in my mind, I’m still standing!”

[Luke 22:39-42] I’m afraid many Christians are like the little girl. They feel forced to do God’s will, when in their hearts, if they had their way, they would do something else. They feel compelled; they feel obligated; they feel it’s their duty to obey God. In other words, they feel driven to do God’s will because of the guilt of their sin and the desire for forgiveness instead of being drawn to do God’s will as a response to His love and grace. They are obedient but not surrendered. Think of the difference between cowboys driving cattle and a shepherd leading his sheep (John 10). While there are times, we will need to obey God’s will even when our hearts are not in it, being drawn to follow God’s way is always better than being driven to follow God. Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32). That’s exactly what happened in Acts 2. The preaching of the cross (2:22-24) so stirred the hearts of the crowd that they had to ask how they could be saved (2:36-37). Their hearts were pierced by the preaching of the cross, and they were drawn to surrender to Jesus as Lord and Christ. Yes, they wanted the forgiveness that came through baptism (Acts 2:38), but they wanted more than that. They were drawn by Jesus into changing their whole lives, as evidenced by being devoted to following God (Acts 2:42) and being devoted to each other (Acts 2:43-47). There is a world of difference between being driven by fear and guilt and being drawn by love and grace. Fear of consequences may force a little girl to sit down in her seat, and it may drive a person to seek forgiveness from God but responding to fear and guilt alone rarely changes the rebellion in a person’s heart. That may be a necessary place for some to start, but somewhere in our spiritual journey our hearts need to grow deeper than the external pressures of conformity into the transformational draw of a renewed mind (Romans 12:2). A spiritually mature Christian grows beyond duty to desire, beyond obligation to longing, beyond strict obedience to total surrender. It is difficult to remain faithful to God if our hearts are driven only by fear; it’s difficult to fall away if our hearts are drawn by Jesus’ love. …God is love… (1 John 4:8, 16); therefore, love God.

This World Is Not My Home

 

The following article was found in Bulletin Digest July 2015 titled, “This World Is Not My Home” written by Michael Gilbert –

It just makes sense that the Lord’s people should discuss their future destination. It also makes sense that we talk about heaven because of the terrible things that happen in our world which remind us that life is short. As a favorite song says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through…my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door…and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” Heaven is truly “delayed gratification.” As Christians, we are constantly tempted by the world to focus on the here and now – “instant gratification”. We live in a society of instant gratification, a society where people want to delay and defer absolutely nothing. They certainly don’t want to defer the gratification of self-indulgence - they just want to defer the pain that goes along with it. Take, for example, the credit card…oh how folks want what they want, when they want it, so they use the plastic to get it! It’s reflective of the attitude that says, “I want what I want, and I want it now.” Folks are not into anything being put off into the future and we are glad to “sacrifice the future on the altar of the immediate.” We don’t want to wait for anything…the pleasure must be instant, immediate. As a result of living in such a society – a society of materialistic indulgence – sometimes we Christians fall prey to that and we no longer have our affections set on things above, as Colossians 3:1-2 tells us. Rather, we set our affections on instant sinful pleasure. It has become difficult for us to focus on a “hard to understand future home in the afterlife.” As a result, sometimes we become less committed to laying up our treasure in heaven (delayed gratification), and more committed to laying up our treasure here (instant gratification). Let’s fight that temptation!

Everything that is precious to us as Christians is in heaven. For example: Our Father (Matthew 6:9) Our Savior (1 Peter 3:20-21) Our Brothers & Sisters in the Faith (Hebrews 12:22-23) Our Names (Luke 10:20) Our Inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-4) Our Citizenship (Philippians 3:20) Our Eternal Reward (Matthew 5:10-12) Our Master (Ephesians 6:9) Our Treasure (Matthew 6:19-21). If we expect to go to heaven, we must delay earthly gratification for the heavenly reward.

Back in 2008, country music artist Kenny Chesney painted a picture in the song, “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” of the desire for “instant gratification” that will cause many to miss heaven. Chesney sang:

“Preacher told me last Sunday mornin’/Son, you better start livin’ right/You need to quit the women and whiskey/And carryin’ on all night/Don’t you wanna hear Him call your name/When you’re standin’ at the pearly gates?/I told the preacher, “Yes I do”/But I hope they don’t call today/I ain’t ready/Everybody wanna go to heaven/Have a mansion high above the clouds/Everybody wanna go to heaven/But nobody wanna go now.”

[Romans 1:18-2:16] We are witnessing more and more of the self-gratifying population of the world being duped by the evil one into “going along to get along”. I believe God is turning them over to their own evil desires letting them run amuck, no longer making any sense, as they govern with their pseudo-sciences of life. In the end, God is not going to judge the world on what it has accomplished, but on what He has established from the very beginning. (Genesis 1) God created the heavens and the earth; every living creature; every plant and seed; man and woman; natures law; and it was good.