IN ANGOLA, WOMEN had an opportunity to enter a very different kind of beauty pageant…
Contestants had to have been injured by land mines. In that African country, 80,000 people are amputees because of land mines, so it wasn’t a stretch to find eligible contestants for the awareness-raising event. The women wore evening gowns and showed off their artificial limbs. The winner received a custom-made artificial limb and $2,500 in prize money. “This event provides encouragement for all of those who have become invalids,” said Candida Celeste, the Minister for Family Affairs.
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised” ( Prov. 31:30).
-Mike Benson
Beauty pageant poll – take this “beauty pageant survey”:
Beauty pageant poll – take this “beauty pageant survey”:
By the main warehouses that are down by the river in a particular town there is a daily operation that occurs. In order for the barges to be able to come in and out, the channel has to be dredged often. When the sand is dredged from the bottom of the river and is dumped on the riverbank, huge sand hills are created upon which children love to play. However, these mounds can be very dangerous. When the sand comes out of the river bottom, it’s wet and it creates a crust on the top of the hills. A person can climb to the top of one of these mounds and it will collapse causing the person to sink down inside the mound and be covered instantly by the sand.
Several years ago two brothers didn’t come home for dinner and their bikes were found outside the fence where the dredging had taken place. The brothers’ family and other rescue workers began to search frantically for the two brothers. They finally found one of them. He was buried up to his chin in the sand. Because of the pressure of the wet sand and muck around him, he was not breathing; so they began to dig frantically. When they uncovered him down to his waist he regained consciousness and the family, in hysterics, began to say, “Where’s your brother? Where’s your brother? Where’s your brother?”
The boy replied, “I’m standing on his shoulders.” *
The one brother had given his life so that the other might be saved! Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Jesus demonstrated this “greater love” by giving His life for you and for me. When we were sinking into the depths of sin, Jesus bore the weight of our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24) providing the means of our salvation. He invites each of us to “stand on His shoulders” so that you and I can be saved.
We can be saved by the merits of Christ’s death on the cross if we believe in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). And, if we will continue to follow Him faithfully, He will receive us into an eternal home (1 John 1:7; John 14:1-6).
“I Was Sinking Deep In Sin, Far From The Peaceful Shore,
Very Deeply Stained Within, Sinking To Rise No More;
But The Master Of The Sea, Heard My Despairing Cry,
From The Waters Lifted Me, Now Safe Am I”
“Love lifted me….” *
Won’t you allow the love of Jesus to lift YOU from the deadly depths of sin?
The book “Doctrines of the Bible” by Daniel Kauffman is still in print, at least as of this writing. If you own a copy of this book or you have used this book, please take a moment to review this book. Have you used Daniel Kauffman’s book to preach some sermons? Have you used Kauffman’s book on the doctrines of the Bible for Bible class preparation? You feedback about Daniel Kuffman’s book or other information about him can help fellow Internet users.
Do you own or have you used Whedon’s comentary on the Gospels or any of his other commentaries? I just received the “Whedon’s Commentary Revised” on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and my first impression of it is WOW! His though process seems to be a bit like John A. Bengel (see “Bengel’s New Testament Commmentary”).
Take my “survey on Bible commentaries” to help others who are interested in knowing more about the Bible:
Bible commentary survey for Whedeon’s commentaries:
Have you ever wondered how many people read the Bible and how often people read it? Take a moment to participate in my “Bible reading survey” – let others know how often you read the word of God.
The story is told of a man who was sued by a woman for defamation of character. She charged that he had called her a pig. The man was found guilty and fined.
After the trial he asked the judge, “Does this mean that I cannot call Mrs. Johnson a pig?” The judge said that was true.
“Does this mean I cannot call a pig Mrs. Johnson?” the man asked. The judge replied that he could indeed call a pig Mrs. Johnson with no fear of legal action.
The man looked directly at Mrs. Johnson and said, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Johnson.”
Such name-calling is obviously wrong, but Jesus told us there are some people who are “pigs” (and not in the sense of eating too much). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)
There are some people who are “dogs” and “pigs” in the sense that they have no appreciation for things of a spiritual nature. Just as a pig has no appreciation for precious jewelry, so it is that some people have no appreciation for the precious truths of God’s Word.
John MacArthur has written, “There will be times when the gospel we present is absolutely rejected and ridiculed and we will make the judgment to turn away and speak no more, deciding that we should ’shake off the dust of [our] feet’ (Matt. 10:14) and begin ministering somewhere else.” (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Matthew 1-7)
I agree. There are times when those I speak to show such a lack of appreciation for God’s Word. My greater concern, though, is making sure that I don’t have that same attitude.
“Father, I pray that my heart may always be tender and open to the valuable lessons you want to teach me. May I never ‘trample underfoot’ those things which are truly important. In Jesus’ name, amen.” Alan Smith
Lawsuit survey – take a moment to participate in my “lawsuit poll”:
Reasons to sue someone – take my “why sue someone” poll:
Eric Aderholt can speak as an expert about the ramifications of a locked fire hydrant. His suburban Fort Worth, Texas, house burned down this past August, not because fire fighters took so long to arrive but because they did not have the key to unlock the hydrant. In response to Homeland Security measures in the wake of 9/11, many rural neighborhoods’ hydrants were outfitted with a locking device meant to prevent vandalism and especially terrorism. When there was no fire, that hydrant in Aderholt’s Alexander Ranch community may have provided some sense of security and confidence just by being there. But when the need existed, the very substance that could make the difference was not even introduced. There was no water when water was most needed.
A great fire will come at a time no one expects (2 Th. 1;7-9). God has provided a means to keep us from suffering total loss when this occurs. The “key” to proper preparation rests in one of the most neglected “tools” of all time-the Bible. How do we know about the fire? How do we know about eternal loss prevention? How do we know about the only true and living water (cf. John 4:10-11)? How do we know Who the fire escape is? Yet, so many who think everything is OK are unprepared. Even more tragic are those who should know better, who have even been shown the “key.” They throw it away or refuse to take it. They chose not to be protected. The fact of Jesus’ sacrifice and grace is wonderful, but that fact will not save.
We must unlock the benefit of God’s grace by faith-filled obedience (cf. Heb. 5:9). Simply acknowledging His existence or even His identity is insufficient. There is a “key of knowledge” (Luke 11:52). Let us use it and show others how to use it, too! –Neal Pollard
Speaking of fire hydrants, does your home have a smoke alarm? Take a moment to participate in the “smoke alarm poll.”
Mrs. Billie Cannon-a Knoxville, Tennessee homemaker-was preparing to paint her back porch. In order to protect the floor, she very carefully placed around the edges a strip of Scotch tape-the kind with adhesive on both sides. It was her plan to place a drop cloth over the floor and secure it with the tape. Having succeeded in placing the tape around the entire surface, she went back inside the house to get a drop cloth.
Returning to the porch sometime later, she found that all of her carefully placed tape was gone. She was completely mystified. Where could it be? Who would possibly have taken the time to pull up that tape and why? As she was surveying the situation and mulling over her puzzling predicament, she noticed something moving in her back yard. Looking closer she discovered that it was a snake. It was a rather large creature of its species, but it was no threat to her. It was hopelessly immobilized by being totally enmeshed in a large ball of Scotch tape.
Evidently while Mrs. Cannon was in the house the snake had crawled up on the back porch and had eased itself onto that tape with the adhesive on both sides. Sensing that the tape was sticking to its skin, the snake obviously put up a terrible struggle. In doing so it pulled every bit of tape from the floor. The harder it fought, however, the more hopelessly it became entangled in its cellophane prison until now it was totally captive.
That poor snake reminds me of many people I have known. Somewhere along the way they have made a serious mistake. Then, rather than calmly
analyzing their situation and correcting their course, they have reacted impulsively. Soon their lives are like that snake. The more they struggle, the more entangled they have become until eventually they are totally immobilized psychologically, emotionally and spiritually.
IN HIS BOOK “The Purpose and Power of Love & Marriage,” Myles Munroe says:
. When a male demands, a female reacts; she doesn’t respond.
. When a male gives, a female responds.
. When a male commits, a female submits. Nothing is more precious to a female than a committed male. Nothing is more depressing to a female than an uncommitted male.
. When a male abuses, a female refuses. Whenever a man abuses a woman, she refuses to respond.
. When a male shares, a female cares. If you find a man who is willing to share with the woman in his life, you will find a woman who is willing to care for her man.
. When a male leads, a female follows. When a man carries out his God-given responsibility for leadership, a woman responds by following his lead. Leadership does not mean being bossy, always telling others what to do. Good leaders lead by example, not by decree. Jesus led by example, and so did Moses, Peter, Paul, and all the other great leaders in the Bible. Leading by example means doing ourselves the things we wish others to do.
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:22 – 33
In fact, it is not a even a weapon—not a physical weapon, anyway. I experienced the power of an R.A.K. this past week during a routine part of my day. I believe the combination of many of them would have an awesome impact on our world. Let me show you what I mean . . . .
I was driving to my office on a Monday morning and just happened to have my radio tuned to a station in Clarksville, TN. It is normal for the hosts to run a trivia contest at about that time of morning. On that particular morning, the contest was between a man and a woman. I cannot remember the man’s name, but I will call him “Roger.” The woman’s name was Melissa. Melissa just happened to mention during the segment that she had a two-week-old baby.
The contest began with, of all things, a question about the average weight of a newborn baby. Of course, Melissa answered that question well and received several points because of it. Roger laughingly commented on how that question “just happened to come up.” The next question was given and it was about the average cost of a fast food meal. Roger was more attuned to this type of question and quickly suggested “$5.00.” That was the number one answer and pushed Roger well ahead of Melissa.
Then Roger did a completely unexpected thing. He passed and told the hosts that he was going to do somethingprobably no one else had ever done: He was going to forfeit the game to Melissa because he thought she, as a new mother, could use the prize (a free massage from a local spa). The hosts (a man and a woman), were stunned. Theywent on and on about how nice Roger was and about how his kind act was such a good thing. They decided, on the spur of the moment, to give “Roger” a gift certificate to a local restaurant. A positive atmosphere prevailed on the set following the contest. That act of kindness stayed with me all day—and I was seventy miles away.
You have probably guessedthe meaning of R.A.K. by now: a “random act of kindness.” You probably also heard that terminology a few years ago when people were trying to counter the random acts of violence (road rage, for example) in our world. I think,however, it is time to begin weaving “R.A.K.’s” into the fabric of our lives. Those acts will enrich our lives as well as the lives of others around us. (Lance Cordle)
“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor” (Prov. 21:21, ESV).
There’s a flower that grows in South America and it’s called the touching flower. You can touch the petals and it will immediately close, and after little while it will slowly open back up. You can touch it again and it will close just a little slower, and then after a while it will open back up. You can touch it again and the more you touch it the slower it closes, and the slower it opens. You can touch it to death. In just a matter of minutes that flower will wilt on the stem and die because you touched it to death.
The touching flower is like sin: Touch in long enough and “you will die” (”the wages of sin is death,” Rom. 6:23).
A man recently described his visit to a Charity auto auction in this way.
“The Vehicles were classified as either “Running” or “No Start. I watched
the auction as it made its way through the many cars in the parking lot.
Then a particular vehicle was reached on the parking lot on the block was a
No Starter. It had a shattered windshield, two missing tires, a sagging
front bumper, and a cockeyed grille, a hood that was sprung up at an angle,
and dings and dents all over the body.
Before he started the bidding, the auctioneer announced the car’s year,
make, and model, and then read the previous owner’s comments: ‘Please note –
the radio does not work.’”
Humm, I don’t think I would have listed the “radio” as the most important
non working part on that car, but perhaps it had belonged to a teenager!
I realize, as I hope you do, someone’s priorities were out of balance. But
we tend to look at things in a pretty out of balance way concerning our
lives also, don’t we? The things that should be of real importance get
shoved to the back of our lives by the next urgent thing that falls in our
lap.
I was asked recently, “How do you know that you are really putting God first
in your life?” I guess I would say it was when you stop letting him be
pushed to the back of your life by the urgent as a matter of course.
We tend to get into the habit of dealing with the urgent and not the
important. We need to get a handle on prioritizing our life and making sure
that God is at the top of the list in everything we do. You are more than
likely familiar with the saying “What would Jesus do?”, this asked the
question of us concerning how we will respond to everyday events in our
lives. Perhaps we also need to ask ourselves, “If God is first in my life,
where will this thing, event or action fit into my life as a priority?”
It’s like this: What’s more important to your car, a working engine or a
working radio? Or perhaps like this, “What is more important in your life,
whatever you are doing or what you should be doing for God?” A couple of
scriptures come to mind regarding this. In Matthew 6:21 Jesus said, “For
where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” And James adds this
thought, “But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your
faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do,” (James
2:18).
So the bottom line just may be this: Your actions speak just as loudly as
your words regarding what is really your top priority. Jesus said it this
way in Matthew 5:15-16, “Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put
it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds
shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly
Father.”
Your life may have, “a shattered windshield, two missing tires, a sagging
front bumper, a cockeyed grille, a hood that is sprung up at an angle, and
dings and dents all over your body and your radio may not work, but if your
engine still runs (if you have a heart that serves God) that’s all that
really matters. You can tell your priorities by your actions. So, what is
most important to you? Hopefully it is your relationship with our God!
Jesus loved them. John says so. He loved all three of
them — Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:3, 5).
And that’s why he waited.
The sisters sent urgent news to the Lord. It was a sort
of first-century 911 call for medical assistance. And
they didn’t say, “Lazarus is sick,” but “he whom You
love is sick.” Jesus not only knew the identity of the
one who was ailing, but he recognized him as his dear
friend.
Jesus wasn’t that far away, either. He could rush to to
Lazarus’ side and heal him. All would be well, the
sickness would be over, and their lives would continue
as normal.
But oddly enough, Jesus didn’t make the trip. He didn’t
hasten to Bethany and “treat” Lazarus’ condition. There
was no hurried journey to see his beloved companion. In
fact, just the opposite. Not only did Jesus not go to
Lazarus (not that he needed to “go” at all — cf. Luke
7:1-10) as the sister’s anticipated, but he waited two
more days!
In a sense, the Great Physician failed to make a house-
call and, in-so-doing, lost his first and only patient.
Think about it. He waited. Hours. Days. Yes, knowing
Lazarus’ precarious condition, Jesus waited.
For a long time, I didn’t understand that. Evidently
Mary and Martha didn’t make sense of it either. They
both rebuked the Lord for His slow response (vv. 21,
32). “If You had only been here earlier…”
It was Jesus’ fault. He shouldn’t have waited; He
should have come immediately. He had wasted precious
time. If he really loved the family as they believed,
he would have virtually run to see about Lazarus’
welfare. Maybe he didn’t love them as they thought.
So, why did Jesus wait?
It wasn’t a matter of lethargy, lack of love, or
apathy, dear reader, it was a matter of faith. You see,
Jesus could have made his way to Bethany and healed
Lazarus, and Mary and Martha’s faith would have been
enhanced. Instead, Christ chose to wait until Lazarus
was dead, buried, and in the tomb (a total of four
days) and THEN raise him up.
Because he loved them, and because he was concerned
with the sister’s spiritual maturation, Jesus waited
until after Lazarus was dead and buried to show that
not even a crypt and a corpse could impede his wonder-
working power!
Rush to Lazarus’ bedside and effect a cure, or wait
until after he was dead and buried and then call him
forth? Jesus chose the latter because he really did
love (Greek — agapao) Mary and Martha and he wanted to
see their faith grow to an even higher degree (John
11:23-27).
I don’t want the doctor to wait when I’m in the
emergency room. I’m the emergency! I want the physician
at my bedside, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, with prompt and
accurate therapeutic care.
I’m the same way when hurting emotionally or
spiritually. “Lord, I need youNOW…!” “Come to
Bethany!” “I’m very sick!” And sometimes…because he
loves me…he waits.
DOES MY PREACHER preach some of God’s Word of the Sum of God’s Word…?
When preachers preach on first principles but fail to preach on moral issues, they are preaching some, but not the sum of God’s Word. When preachers preach on the love, grace, and mercy of God, while never bothering to mention His holiness and severity (Rom. 11:22), they are preaching some of God’s Word but not the sum of God’s Word. Likewise, when preacher’s focus exclusively on “doctrinal” preaching while failing to address the subjects of brotherly love, grief, overcoming discouragement, joy in Christ, security in Christ and forgiveness, etc., they are preachers of some of God’s Word, but not the sum of God’s Word. And finally, when Church leaders muzzle the preacher from preaching on certain controversial issues they are showing respect for some of God’s Word, but not the sum of God’s Word.
Paul did not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27; 2 Tim. 4:2-4). We are to do no less! Are you embracing just some of the Word, or the sum of God’s Word? (BJ Clarke)
“The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psm. 119:160 ESV).
What do you think of the preacher for the place where you attend worship? Do you like your minister? Do you dislike your minister? Take the “preacher survey poll” below!
I have been asked on occasions if I “celebrate” Christmas. I must admit that this time of the year has a special warmth about it. There is something special about the lights, busy shoppers, and the “holiday music.” Before you brand me as a heretic let me assure you that I do not believe the Jesus was born on Christmas Day, and even if He was born in the depth of winter (which He was not), there is nothing in the Scriptures that even hints that we should “celebrate” His birthday.
It has been more than ten years since I first came across the following article. I thought it worth sharing with our readers. Unfortunately I do not have the name of the author.
WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS?
The spirit of Christmas is kindness, tolerance for an unpleasant relative, allowing someone else to turn first at a busy intersection. It is smiling and saying something nice to a hurried clerk who has just been chewed out by an irate customer.
The spirit of Christmas is compassion, fod for hungry people, secret gifts for needy children, and spending part of your holiday time with a lonely person in a nursing home.
The spirit of Christmas is understanding, feeling the emptiness of someone who is spending her first Christmas without a husband who died recently. It is listening to the mixed-up musings of a teen-ager who has gotten into trouble or reaching out to someone whose personal anguish over a lost job or divorce has him on the brink of suicide.
The spirit of Christmas is sacrifice. It is children breaking piggy banks to buy gifts for their parents. It is someone missing a party to be with the rest of the family on Christmas Eve, or someone refusing to pass an unkind judgment or choosing to forgive an insult.
The spirit of Christmas is love, paying special attention to children, and still being thoughtful during the most hectic days of the year. It is doing something for someone who cannot repay you. It is kindness and compassion, understanding and sacrifice, and love. Not one of these is a “secular” virtue which arises naturally from humankind. They are primary spiritual qualities which have been exhibited best in this world by Jesus of Nazareth.
With all due respect to Santa Claus, he is not the one who brought us these gifts. Santa is reindeer and elves, snow and red cheeks, pretty packages and stockings from the mantle. Jesus is much, much more. Jesus was kind enough to befriend the people everyone else avoided. His compassion made him weep with Mary and Martha when the sisters’ brother had died. He understood fickle Peter and questioning Thomas. He sacrificed all personal ambition and eventually his life for the sake of others. His very name is synonymous with love.
The “spirit of Christmas” did not originate with Charles Dickens or Jimmy Stewart. They merely wrote and performed the Christmas spirit in artistic settings. This special sentiment is rooted in a religious tradition which changed the world. It is produced by our imitation of the Son of God. Whatever it is you like most about this season of the year cannot be perpetuated by carrying the wallet you get under the tree or wearing the cologne someone gives you. It will endure only for those who remember the Babe of Bethlehem year round and allow him to live in their hearts.
I hope you enjoyed the article as much as I did. Let me close this week’s “Tom’s Pen” with a sincere wish for a Happy Holiday Season and best wishes for a Wonderful New Year.
A WELL-KNOWN preacher once gave the following advice to a group of churches concerning their approach to evangelism:
“Don’t tell people about the cross, it doesn’t work. Too many evangelistic efforts fail because they focus too much on the cross. Just tell them God loves them and has a plan for them.” He continued, “The message of a crucified Jew is ridiculous to the modern mind. So move onto something better. A crucified Messiah is stupid, but promise them prosperity, give them emotional experiences, provide them with self-esteem and then you’ll fill the pews.”
THOUGHTS: Avoiding the cross and catering to people’s external needs might “fill the pews,” but they will be pews filled with people still dying in their sins. Without the cross, the Bible is just another neat story book. Without the cross, Christianity is no more than a self-help seminar. It was the cross that God displayed His wisdom and power. (Mitchell Skelton)
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).
“Shall the voters for the City and County of Denver adopt an initiated
Ordinance to require the creation of an extraterrestrial affairs commission
to help ensure the health, safety, and cultural awareness of Denver
residents and visitors in relation to potential encounters or interactions
with extraterrestrial intelligent beings or their vehicles, and fund such
commissions from grants, gifts, and donations?” Yes___ No ___
Jeff Peckman, a Denver resident, was able to secure ten thousand signatures and get this ballot title drawn for next year’s elections. Peckman created the Extra Terrestrial Commission to be a “welcome wagon” when the aliens show up in the Mile High city.
This is not a joke. At least, I am not joking with you.
This raises a question that is intriguing. How many people in this nation believe there are extraterrestrial beings out there and/or down here? What is the basis for their faith? We have seen TV specials or magazines or photos of alleged space ships or aliens. People claim to have been abducted or to have had close encounters with them. Some even suggest that aliens are responsible for the creation and design of this planet and its inhabitants (dodging, though not artfully, the tough question of how the aliens came into being). Some, though I dearly hope a scant minority, earnestly believe there are “extraterrestrial intelligent beings” out there.
A growing number seem strident in their denial of what the Bible proposes. The Word of God gives a simple, logical explanation for our origins. It explains the purpose of mankind on this earth. It speaks of a God in heaven and an eternal future either with Him or separated from Him. People scoff away such a possibility, ridiculing the intelligence and sanity of those who trust this to be true. They can be the butt of jokes.
The proposed alternative to special creation by an uncaused, eternal, and intelligent being is uncaused, eternal matter giving rise to design, intelligence, morality, procreative abilities, and much more. How did that dust get here? How did it grow more complicated? How did some of it gradually become a fern or a hippopotamus or a barnacle or a rock or a human being? How did an octillion more things happen to get us from that power-packed, uncaused mass of stuff to the boundless, ordered universe in which we now live, breathe, and comprehend?
The most reasonable explanation involves a loving God who created man in His own image, who created for mankind a world fit to be inhabited–complete with food and water and the other essentials to make life perpetuated from generation to generation. Not only does it best explain design, the cosmos, morality, intelligence, and the like, it makes reasonable the idea that such a Being, God, could communicate His thoughts, intentions, and will through scripture and superintend the process of revelation that gives us, even today, precisely what He wanted us to know.
Mindless chance, aliens, or a loving, limitless God. What seems most reasonable?
There has been a rash of “sightings” lately with which unbelievers have been having a field day. I refer to “Jesus sightings” people are claiming in such things as clouds, Cheetos, dental X-rays, cooking utensils, windows, walls, and trees. Wikipedia even has an entry for it (”Perceptions of religious imagery in natural phenomena”). People vehemently defend the idea that these are intentional, divinely sent images. Meanwhile, secular and agnostic witnesses to such claims gather up baby and bathwater together, using such superstitiousness to show how deluded those in Christendom really are. Yet, while responding to superstition in religion would be a fitting use of time, another thing comes to mind when hearing these sad stories. It is a reminder that people are looking for Jesus in all the wrong places.
They want some heavenly sign, some overwhelming feeling, some sensory sensation, and some sort of religious fireworks to create or validate their faith. While God has embedded plenty of these in the marvels of nature and creation, through the product of answered prayer that defies logic or explanation, and by the amazing process of transformation that occurs when people follow Christ, He calls on us to seek for Him in a much less electrifying and cataclysmic place.
When we pick up God’s Word and regularly, intently read, meditate, and study (cf. Psalm 1) it, we see Jesus come alive in powerful, sustaining ways! When we walk with the Lord each day, the resulting relationship built on His character and our trust in Him is powerful! When we actively serve Him and others and put into practice what He teaches us through the Bible, we see Jesus in a vivid way. Daily Christian living, the longer we practice it, brings Jesus into unmistakable, clear focus. Maybe that is what these “seers” truly desire, and what they need is our help to truly find Him. Let us take that as a challenge and help people really “see Jesus” (cf. John 12:21; Heb. 2:9).
Tragedy A local policeman had just finished his shift one cold November evening and was at home with his wife. “You just won’t believe what happened this evening. In all my years on the force I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“What happened?”
“I came across two guys down by the canal, one of them was drinking battery acid and the other was eating fireworks.”
“Drinking battery acid and eating fireworks!! What did you do with them?”
“I charged one and let the other one off.”
Spiritually speaking, those of us who are Christians have been both “charged” and “let off.” We are charged with sin (and rightfully so, for we are guilty). “For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.” (Rom. 3:9)
But, those of us who are Christians who have put on Christ have also been “let off” because Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins. We have been justified, “just as if I’d” never sinned. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39)
To be charged is a frightful thing (those of you who have received tickets can vouch for that). To have a judge say, “I find you guilty, but I’m going to pay the fine for you” is inconceivable. Yet, that’s exactly what has happened! May our lives demonstrate the gratitude we feel.
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A young Christian rationalizes his cursing, expressing his “need” to fit in with his peers. Someone habitually falls asleep during Bible study or worship. A Christian woman tends to talk bad to her friend about their mutual companion. A middle-aged couple forms the habit of missing evening assemblies to be with friends or pursue others interests. Several Christians silently fret over their inability to focus while partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Some of the brethren seem indifferent to the work of the church. What is happening with these precious children of God?
Several scenarios have been portrayed, but there is in them but a single issue. Why do people, even Christians, slip away from the Lord? The first several words of George Bennard’s famous hymn are, “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.” So, what does one do when it seems that Christ died on a hill too far away?
The most dangerous thing that can happen to anyone is for the cross of Christ to lose its meaning. It CAN lose its meaning for people. Paul said, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (1 Cor. 1:17).
Does the cross have much meaning for the Christian’s friends and colleagues whose words and actions assault that for which the cross stands? Willful sin is against the cross (cf. Heb. 6:4-6). People hurt Christ all over again because the cross means, if their actions accurately reflect their hearts, little more to them than does a fairy tale or ancient history. Because of a desire to please the world, the Christian can develop such an attitude toward the cross. In this moral quandary, he can choose to be close to the enemies of the cross instead of the One who died there. But, when one chooses the world over Christ, HE becomes God’s enemy, too (cf. Ecc. 8:11; Js. 4:4).
Perhaps a few brief facts will help children of God, especially when the hill far away seems too far away.
REMEMBER THAT THE CROSS IS REAL. Paul taught this without equivocation (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-4). Contemporaries of the cross attest to its historicity. Atheists and skeptics only have blind eyes for the plain facts because they know that acceptance of them means they must obey the doctrine of Christ (cf. Rom. 6:17). But the fact, according to Paul, are simple; namely, Christ really died, He was buried, and He arose! What the Bible teaches that Christ did for humanity as a whole and the individual in particular is true! The cross is real!
REMEMBER THAT THE CROSS IS REALLY IMPORTANT!
–Christ died for everyone’s sins on the cross (Rom. 8:8). He died for the seemingly insignificant, seemingly minor sins. He also died for the big, ugly, embarrassing, shameful sins!
–Christ died to bring man back to God on the cross (Rom. 8:34). Because of his sins, man was rejected by God. God wanted nothing to do with any vile person (note: Rom. 3:23). But, because of Christ, anyone can come back to God who obeys Him.
–Christ died to be the ruler of the human heart on the cross (Rom. 14:19; Gal. 2:20).
–Christ died to show the individual how much He loves him on the cross (2 Cor. 5:14-15; John 14:23).
–Christ died to open the door to heaven, shut by the separating power of sin, on the cross (1 Thes. 4:14; Isa. 59:1-2). Thus, in its importance the cross exceeds all else!
REMEMBER THAT THE CROSS IS REALLY SPECIAL. Only Christ could have hung there. No one else was qualified. Only the blood of Christ was right in God’s sight for cleansing man from his ugly sins. Only His love, as shown by the cross, is strong enough to bring one’s love of this world.
REMEMBER THAT THE CROSS WAS REALLY NECESSARY. Christ had to die to satisfy God’s perfect justice. Though all sin, no sinner, of himself, has anything to offer God to satisfy His just requirements. Everyone needs what Christ gave on that hill far away (cf. Eph. 2:8-9). There’s no good news to obey without the cross (cf. Rom. 1:16; 5:5-9). If no cross, then no hope, no joy and no heaven!!
What can we do when the cross seems so distant from us in our spiritual lives? Understanding the reality, the importance, the uniqueness and the necessity thereof, we will be prompted to renew our zeal and dedication to the suffering servant who died there for us (Heb. 5:8-9). Matchless love led God to Calvary. It is love that leads us back to Calvary!
It is always exciting to sit and chapel, seeing and hearing the reports from our student campaigns. Today was no exception, as Chuck Ramseur shared the results of one such recent effort. While we had students travel to Washington, Montana, and Utah, a good-sized group stayed here in the Denver area and knocked doors and campaigned in Wheat Ridge. These homes lay just a few miles north and west of the church building. The thing that struck me about this campaign in a major U.S. city’s suburbs are the types of people our students encountered.
In addition to the expected atheists, there were others you might not expect to be met. One man showed no interest in the creation seminar hosted by the Miller Street congregation because his gods were Thor and Oden. Before the students left, it so happened that the man’s high priest arrived. That apparently made for a memorable experience. Another couple of students met a woman who was a practicing Wiccan. She had black and white stones set up around the perimeter of her house, a superstition that was apparently designed to bring balance and stability to her home and life. Duality is an important element found throughout this neopagan religion. Another pair of student campaigners ran across a “Jewish Christian” whose beliefs must surely be unorthodox. He believes in reading Tarot cards as well as the idea of reincarnation. He also claimed to be able to read Aramaic through his “mind’s eye.”
Why do I point these experiences out to you? This is not the heart of the jungles of South America or Southeast Asia. This is not among the tribes of Africa. This is the urban corridor of Colorado, in America. How is this possible? Many answers might be offered: the embracing of pluralism, political correctness, relativism, eroding moral values, and the like. Yet, it all comes down to a rejection of Divine knowledge. The Bible has, in many corners, ceased to be revered by the average person in our culture. The Bible warns about what follows such changes. In Romans one, Paul writes, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (28-32). Read through that list again. In them, there are allusions to the very things witnessed by our students. The sobering thought is that when we reject biblical knowledge, God rejects us (Hos. 4:6). We have much work to be done, not only on foreign soil, but also in our own back yard!
A young guy in a two-engine fighter was flying escort for a B-52 and generally being a nuisance, acting like a hotdog, flying rolls around the lumbering old bomber.
The hotdog said over the air, “Anything you can do, I can do better.”
The veteran bomber pilot answered, “Try this hot-shot.” The B-52 continued its flight, straight and level.
Perplexed, the hotdog asked, “So? What did you do?”
“I just shut down two engines, kid.”
Virtually every day, we are reminded when we turn on the television or pick up the newspaper that there is a war going on in Iraq. These are
difficult times, and we all feel the urgent need to spend more time with God in prayer. We pray for the safety of our troops. We pray for a quick end to the conflict. But, beyond that, what should we pray for?
In 2003, Ron Hutchcraft sent out an e-mail entitled “10 Ways to Pray in Times Like These.” His suggestions are still good ones. Here are 7 of his points:
1. “Lord, do something that will show people Your glory over all the earth.”
This is a moment for God to do something that no diplomat, no world leader, no army could possibly do – so all will know that “the Lord He is
God.”
2. “Lord, use these anxious and uncertain times to bring many to Christ.”
God can use this fearful time to reach the hearts of many – in Iraq, in America, across the Middle East, among the young men and women of the military.
3. “Lord, guide our leaders to be instruments of Your will on earth.”
“I urge … that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)
4. “Lord, protect the innocent.”
5. “Pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27)
Jesus has charged us to represent even our enemies before His Throne of
Grace.
6. “Lord, help Your people model peace in these troubled times, pointing the people around them to Jesus – at a time when hearts are soft.”
This uncertain time is a life-saving moment – when those who belong to Jesus have an unusual window to introduce Him to those who don’t. But the window may not be open for long.
7. “Lord, bring peace out of all that’s happening.”
God has told us that the result He desires in answer to our prayers for our leaders is a climate where peace and righteousness can flourish (I Tim.
2:2).
My appreciation goes out to Ron Hutchcraft for his article, and I hope that his prayers will be yours as well. We live in troubled times that
serve as a reminder of just how much we need God.
No, not Enid, Kenya, or Enid, India. Enid, Oklahoma. The story slipped by me, as I was recuperating from the return trip from Cambodia. On November 4, a Wednesday night, Bill and Deena Carpenter were returning to their home from church services. Driving down the highway in their SUV, Bill at only the last second saw the 4,500 pound animal standing in the middle of the road. He attempted to evade the pachyderm, but the eight foot Asian elephant was too big to miss. The good news is that neither the humans nor the elephant were seriously injured. The massive mammal had escaped earlier that day from a circus set up at a nearby fairgrounds. It seems to me that there are a few important reminders to consider from this bizarre incident.
IT IS A REMINDER THAT SOME THINGS ARE OUT OF PLACE. Enid is an unusual place to (literally) run into an elephant. Elephants just do not roam our countryside in America. Some things are incongruous and not just elephants running free in Oklahoma. Worldly Christians, aimless shepherds, inactive deacons, scriptureless preachers, warring brethren, and the like are more out of place than an elephant on the lam in Enid!
IT IS A REMINDER THAT SOME THINGS ARE TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. When is the last time your friend or loved one warned you to be on the lookout for elephants on the loose as you drove home? You just do not anticipate the need for such a warning. Some things cannot be foreseen, can they? How many of our trials and difficulties came with clear, sufficient warning? Certainly some do, but many more do not! Furthermore, what a reminder that the second coming of Christ will not come with signs or prescient warnings (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10; Matt. 24:35). The problems and adversities of this life often cannot be prepared for, but that coming, great, and unexpected day can and must be anticipated.
IT IS A REMINDER THAT EVEN THE BIGGEST ISSUES CAN BE MANAGEABLE. No doubt, Bill’s life flashed before his eyes. As he yelled “elephant” at the last second, he might have had time to think that this would be his last word. Mercifully, all parties escaped serious problems. What at first appeared catastrophic now makes for the story to end all dinner-party stories! How often do our looming problems seem overwhelming and utterly devastating only to pass like a storm with dark clouds and thunder but no damaging winds, rains, or hail? Too many times, we are so paralyzed by fear and worry over our personal challenges that we miss opportunities for spiritual growth and development (cf. 1 Pet. 5:7; 1 Cor. 10:13). We do not face a difficulty too hard for the Lord to handle.
No, you almost certainly will never hit an elephant driving down the highway this side of an African safari. Yet, you will be called to be salt and light in this world, a challenge that may make you awkwardly stand out at times. You will face the unexpected, both now and ultimately. You will also face supersized but surmountable issues in life. Do what you can to prepare, then leave the rest of it in the omnipotent hands of God!
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This Thursday we enter what is traditionally called the “holiday season.” Likely our busy schedules will become even more busy, and our hurry up pace will likely become a dead run for the duration of the year. But still, all in all, this is a most pleasant season of enjoyment. The reunion with loved ones, the abundance of food and the expression of thanksgiving during the holiday season bring joy and happiness to the truly appreciative. How grateful we should be for the blessings God has given us.
May I suggest two things for your consideration this holiday season? (1) Consider what you have, not what you lack. Most of us enjoy material possessions far and above that of the average world. Be grateful for God’s provisions, and even more thankful for those little “extras” that make life enjoyable. (2) Spend some time this week to meditate upon God’s goodness to you. Get off by yourself and say a little prayer to Him from Whom all blessings flow, and that in rich abundance. (3) Finally, realize that with increased blessings come increased responsibility. Read Luke 16:19-27, Matthew 25 and Luke 12:45-48. Then ask yourself if you are properly sharing what you have with those who have not.
I’ll close with this thought provoking analysis of how blessed many of us truly are:
If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of the world does not have access to even one.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people around the world.
If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest or torture of death, you are more blessed that almost three billion people in the world.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, even in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch.
If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you believe in God’s willingness to hear and answer prayer.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.
A student of Amherst College, soon after entering, put over the door of his dormitory room the letter “V.” Because of this he endured all sorts of ridicule and withstood frequent questioning. But he paid no attention to either, nor would he disclose the secret of the letter.
When he completed four years of education and graduation day came, the student was appointed to deliver the valedictory. Then the mystery of that letter V was revealed: it stood for valedictorian. That letter on the door held before him during his four years the ideal that he had set for himself.
Not every one of us places an actual letter over the door of our college room or over the door of our house. But nevertheless, somewhere, if only in our minds, there is a “letter” that we hold before us as an ideal.
Some put up the letter “M” that stands for MONEY.
Others put up “F” for FAME.
Others put up “S” which simply stands for SELF. *
The letter that we NEED to place before us is the letter “C” which stands for CHRIST. Why is He so important?
Christ addresses our greatest need: salvation from sin. Sin condemns, but Christ saves (Romans 6:23)! He died on the cross so that we might have the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7). We receive His forgiveness when we submit our lives to Him in faith (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Christ gives us our greatest purpose:to live for Him and urge others to do the same. “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
Christ provides our greatest aspiration: eternal life with Him in heaven. This is that for which the Apostle Paul looked forward: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Step outside the door of your heart and look at the letter you have placed there. What letter is it?
The right letter is “C” for Christ. And, if we will place Him as the focus of our lives, then the letter “V” will also be OURS to own throughout eternity: “V” for VICTORY!
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Won’t YOU place the letter “C” above the door of your heart through your trusting obedience?
Parrots can be a noisy nuisance sometimes, but there is at least one Muncie, Indiana family that may never complain about that noise again.
Shannon Conwell and his nine-year-old son awoke about 3 a.m. last Friday to find their home on fire after hearing their Amazon parrot, Peanut, imitating a fire alarm. The smoke alarm was functioning properly and had activated, but it was the bird’s matching call that awoke Conwell. Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, Conwell grabbed his son and the bird on his way out of the house.
Paul’s God-breathed words to the church in first century Corinth were as follows:
For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you then, be imitators of me.
1 Corinthians 4:15-16, ESV
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1, ESV
When you follow the example of a true-hearted Christian, you are following Paul. When you follow the Godly example of a Christian who is following the lead of Paul, you are following Christ. Your words stake claim to being in the light of Christ. When people imitate your faith and manner of life, are they (by connection) following Christ?
The Conwells of Muncie, Indiana learned how crucial an effective imitation can be. Men and women outside the body of Christ need an accurate imitation of Christ — sounding the warning cry, and leading others to safety.
When people imitate your faith and manner of life (and they will), will they be led toward or away from safety?
1. DO keep visual reminders of your marriage contracts. Always wear your wedding ring when in public. Keep pictures of your spouse in your wallet, in your workspace, etc. When you placed that ring on your mate’s finger, you promised your heart, affections, loyalty, and faithfulness until death.
2. DON’T be overconfident. Recognize your weak points (1 Cor. 10:12). One is vulnerable after a major letdown or major success. Those who are depressed or having marital problems can easily fall into illlicit relationships.
3. DO avoid flirty people. If a flirtatious woman or man is in the break room, go elsewhere. A wise person avoids evil (Prov. 22:3).
4. DON’T send mixed messages. Avoid prolonged stares, lingering touches, or joking that may be construed as flirting.
5. DO be on guard when out of your normal routine. Business trips, vacations, new jobs, new memberships at gyms, sports teams, etc. When away overnight, call home and talk to your spouse and children. Block out the TV sex channels, or leave it off altogether.
6. DON’T let friendships cross the line. Never do anything when your mate is absent that you would not do in his/her presence. If things are heading toward adultery, it is important to put emotional and physical distance between you and this person — right now. Avoid them.
7. DO be aware of the power that immodest dress has on you. Don’t pick up the magazine; don’t click the web link; sit with your back toward indecently dressed women in a restaurant or office. Don’t wear a garment that sends a message you don’t want received.
8. DON’T let a person of the opposite sex confide in you about marriage problems.
9. DO take drastic action if a line has been crossed. Quit a hobby, change jobs, break a friendship, change congregations, move to a new city. Completely avoid seeing this person.
10. CELEBRATE your 25th and 50th anniversaries, you’ll be glad you kept your vows. (Banner of Truth)
A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband.
Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen.
“Careful,” he said, “CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh no! You’re
cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need
more butter. Oh no! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They’re going
to STICK! Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me
when you’re cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have
you LOST your mind? Don’t forget to salt them. You know you always forget
to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!”
The wife stared at him. “What in the world is wrong with you? You
think I don’t know how to fry a couple of eggs?”
The husband calmly replied, “I just wanted to show you what it feels
like when I’m driving.”
Criticism. We’ve all experienced it. Sometimes it is justified,
sometimes it is not. But none of us like it. No one enjoys being told they
are doing something wrong.
Guy Woods has written, “Inasmuch as criticism is inevitable, we must,
in order to be happy, acquire an ability to rise above it. He who is overly
sensitive to the opinions of others is at the mercy of every gossiper of his
acquaintance. Some folks purr like a kitten when stroked by praise; but
when criticized, they become resentful, discouraged, and quit. It is highly
essential that everyone discover a technique for dealing with the adverse
opinions of others, and use it regularly and effectively.”
Let me offer several brief bits of advice when you are criticized:
(1) Expect criticism.
Realize that the more active you are, the more criticism you will
receive. There’s an eminent British cabinet officer’s wife who is said to
have kept this embroidered motto on their living room wall: “To escape
criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” Who catches the criticism?
It’s the ones who are out there in the middle of things with their sleeves
rolled up.
(2) Criticism can serve a useful purpose. Learn from it.
Recognize that some criticisms are certainly deserved. Even when
critics are unkind and when they exaggerate our failures, there may still be
some truth in what they say. So, when faced with criticism, we need to look
at the situation honestly and ask these questions: Is it true? If so, how
can I overcome the condition that caused it? If not, is there something I
can do to eliminate future criticism of the same type?
“The ear that hears the reproof of life will abide among the wise. He
who disdains instructions despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof
gets understanding.” (Proverbs 15:31-32)
(3) Having gotten any benefit we can from criticism, we need to forget it.
There are times when people will criticize you and the best thing you
can do is just to keep on serving God. We’ve got to accept the fact there
is no way that unfair criticism can be dealt with. In a lot of situations,
the more you may attempt to answer criticism, the worse the criticism
becomes.
Paul said, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be
judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but he
who judges me is the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
As we receive criticism in our lives, may God help us to be honest
enough and humble enough to look into our hearts and make changes that are
necessary, and gracious enough to ignore that criticism which is unfair.
–Alan Smith
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One of the worst train disasters in history occurred in the El Toro Tunnel in Leon, Spain, on January 3, 1944. Over five hundred people died.
The train was a long passenger train with an engine on both ends. As the train entered the El Toro Tunnel, the engine on the front end stalled. When the front engine stopped, the engineer on the back engine started up his engine to back the train out of the tunnel. As he proceeded, however, the front engineer managed to get the front engine started again and attempted to continue the journey in the opposing direction. Neither engineer had any way of communicating with the other. Both engineers thought they simply needed more power. They continued to pull in opposite directions for several minutes. Hundreds of passengers on the train in the tunnel died of carbon monoxide poisoning because the train was stuck in the tunnel because it was being pulled in two different directions! *
This tragic incident illustrates what can happen in our lives when we are pulled in different directions, following the lead of different “engineers”…
Many of US struggle as to which way to go with our lives. We often give in to different “engineers” like our friends, our society, our families, and our selves, even though they may be pulling in opposite directions!
Long ago, the inspired prophet Jeremiah said, “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). In other words, we need direction – we need a wise engineer – to help direct our steps.
In short, we need Jesus to be our Savior AND our Lord (Master, Ruler, “Engineer”).
In fact, Jesus cannot be our SAVIOR unless He is our LORD!
Hank Hanegraaff has written: “Christ died to be our Savior and lives to be our Lord.”
Christ died on the cross to pay the price for our sins (Ephesians 1:7). We are saved from our past sins when we believe and trust Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). We continue to be cleansed from our sins as we continue to acknowledge Him as the Lord of our lives through our trusting obedience to His Word (1 John 1:7). Jesus asked, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
There are MANY engineers in the world that desire to control our lives, but there is only ONE Loving Lord.
Won’t YOU submit your life to Him so He can lead you to an eternal home?
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HOW OFTEN DO you let other people’s nonsense change your mood…?
Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? The mark of a successful person is how quickly she can get back her focus on what’s important.
I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly.
So, I said, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!” And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck.” Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, “I’m not going to do it anymore.”
One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best. Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:43-48).
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev used to tell of a time when there was a wave of petty theft in the Soviet Union . To curtail this problem, the authorities posted guards around the factories. At one timber works in Leningrad the guard knew the workers in the factory very well. The first evening, out came Pyotr Petrovich pushing a wheelbarrow and, on the wheelbarrow, a great bulky sack with a suspicious-looking object inside.
“All right, Petrovich,” said the guard, “what have you got there?” “Oh, just sawdust and shavings,” Petrovich replied.
“Come on,” the guard said, “I wasn’t born yesterday. Tip it out.” And out came nothing but sawdust and shavings. So he was allowed to put it all back again and go home. When the same thing happened every night of the week the guard became frustrated. Finally, his curiosity overcame his frustration.
“Petrovich,” he said, “I know you. Tell me what you’re smuggling out of here, and I’ll let you go.” “Wheelbarrows, my friend,” said Petrovich, “wheelbarrows.”
The wheelbarrow incident reminds us of how easily YOU and I can become easily distracted by things that are trivial and lose things of tremendous value. This is one of Satan’s greatest weapons against us. He tempts us to focus on those things that are temporary and sensual (the things of the world, 1 John 2:15-16), so that we will neglect the eternal and spiritual (the things of God, 1 John 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:18).
While we are examining the worthless sack of wood chips and shavings, the devil is smuggling wheelbarrows!
What Satan seeks most to “rob” from us is a saving relationship with God. This relationship has been made possible through the Gift of God’s Son who died on the cross to save us from our sins (Ephesians 1:7). God has promised to redeem those who believe in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). And, those who continue to follow the Heavenly Father faithfully will be given an eternal home with Him in heaven (Revelation 2:10).
Don’t let Satan rob YOU of your opportunity of eternal salvation through Christ.
Don’t be distracted…. Give attention to those things that are eternal! Submit to the Savior today!
What do you plan to eat this coming Thanksgiving? Will you eat turkey, goose, duck, or some other meat? What will you have for side dishes? Will it be cranberry sauce, gravy and stuffing? Will it be dressing? Will it be sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes? What about rice or “corn on the cob?” Maybe deviled eggs and green beans are your prefernece with pumpkin pie for dessert.
Is it right to turn another’s misfortune into our gain?
The days of 38-cents-per-gallon gas are long gone.
Customers at a San Antonio convenience store found
Tuesday, however, that the good old days had returned.
It was too good to be true, and that may explain why no
one told store manager Jim Duke about the price on his
premium gasoline.
Duke became suspicious when he saw larger-than-usual
crowds at the premium pump. When he went out to
investigate, he realized an error had been committed.
The price should have read $3.89 per gallon. By the
time the pump was turned off, a substantial amount of
money had been lost to opportunistic customers.
On Monday of this week a motorcyclist suffered
misfortune when a bag he was carrying ripped. Money
began spilling out on Interstate 10 near Los Angeles.
In the midst of speeding traffic, many people stopped.
They didn’t stop to help the motorcyclist, though;
they were helping themselves to the cash. Most of them
sped off when the highway patrol arrived.
“Too bad,” many will say about such incidents. “They
should have been more careful with their property.”
But is that the response God wants His people to make?
Deuteronomy 22:1,2 addresses such a situation:
“You shall not see your brother’s
ox or his sheep going astray, and
hide yourself from them; you shall
certainly bring them back to your
brother. And if your brother is not
near you, or if you do not know him,
then you shall bring it to your own
house, and it shall remain with you
until your brother seeks it; then
you shall restore it to him” (NKJV).
We all suffer misfortunes and losses. Sometimes the loss
occurs because of our own negligence. Irresponsibility
doesn’t change God’s expectations, though. If we see that
another has suffered loss, we should not declare open
season on the misplaced loot.
The ultimate measure of our actions in any situation is
found in Luke 6:31: “And just as you want men to do to
you, you also do to them likewise.” Jesus’ Golden Rule
is an easy standard to apply. If we would not want others
to do something to us, then we should not do the same to
them.
Instead of an opportunity to stuff our pockets, maybe this
is an opportunity to help a person recover or minimize
their loss. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all, especially to those who are of the household
of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
You have seen the advertising, I am sure: www.Ditech.com Fast & Friendly Service. Apply Online and Start Saving Today. Have you ever called Ditech? Have you ever used Ditech.com? Help others by offering a review of Ditech for other Internet users.
Ditech offers this number – “1-800-DITECH-3″ and says “Reach a Mortgage Consultant 24/7″ – have you tried this?
Do you remember what your greatest fear was when you were a kid? Maybe it still is your greatest fear today. Thirty years ago, researchers at John Hopkins University reported that the five greatest fears of grade school children at that time were:
(1) Animals. (2) Being in a dark room. (3) High places. (4) Strangers. (5) Loud noises.
As we all know, many aspects have changed over the past thirty years. However, what children are afraid of today is very disturbing. Compared to what kids were afraid of thirty years ago, today’s kids are afraid of the following:
(1) Divorce. (2) Nuclear war. (3) Cancer. (4) Pollution. (5) Being mugged.
What a drastic change over this time period. I was shocked that kids in grade school even knew what some of these are; much less know enough about them to be their greatest fears. However, when we take a step back and take a look at our culture, what do we see? We see the media hounding subjects like murder, war, cancer, pollution, crimes, politics, and other similar topics. We see video games where the person playing the game has the freedom to run around streets and mug people, steal cars/possessions, kill police officers/other people, and other similar actions (Example – games like Grand Theft Auto). We see movies, TV shows, and even some video games that are characterized by topics like divorce, cheating, war, cancer, and are exceedingly gory and violent. We have also seen divorce happen so often that it has become ordinary. It is no wonder our children are afraid of these types of situations.
While it is not necessarily wrong for children to have some basic level of knowledge about these subjects, most of these should by no means be prevalent in their lives, especially during grade school. This raises the question about what we are allowing to enter into our homes, our children, and ourselves. Let’s re-familiarize ourselves with the following verses:
“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” - Deuteronomy 6:7
“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15
We simply cannot afford to let our households be filled with some of the sinful aspects of this world. Let’s make sure we are controlling what our families and our children are experiencing from TV, video games, music, media, etc. as well as guard what they are filling their minds and hearts with. Let’s bring more righteous and spiritual aspects into our lives and keep the sinful ones out (Romans 6:12-13).
Are you “afraid” of something? Do you fear spiders, snakes, water, or night? Are you a “fearless” person? Are you afraid of being alone? Are you afraid of cancer? Are you afraid of unemployment? Are you afraid of heights? Are you afraid of fire?
Use the comments box to describe your fears or what you think of as a “silly fear.” Why not take the “fear survey poll?”
USA Today ran a front page story about a brain study related to Alzheimer’s Disease. The caption reads, “Over thinking can be good for us.” The subheading continues, “Dementia appears less likely to creep into thought-filled brains.” The brain is extremely complex, so much so that conditions like Alzheimer’s remain largely a mystery as to cause and predisposition. The focus of this study, more than 9,000 middle-aged men, were asked to rate the degree to which they “ruminate” over family and work difficulties. Those who tended to “over think” or “ruminate” were 40% less likely to suffer dementia than their more carefree counterparts.
It seems that “over think” or “ruminate” is a sophisticated way of saying “worrying.” While worrying might be thought to be good for the brain, it’s not good for the soul. It may be awfully tempting to worry about health, finance, relationships, family, occupation, enemies, friends, time, and the future, but it can also be sinful (cf. Matt. 6:24-33). A repeated principle of scripture is to “trust in the Lord and do not lean on your own understanding” (cf. Prov. 3:5-6). When our hearts fully trust and believe that God is in control of our lives and will ultimately save our souls, where is there room left there for worry? If you want a healthy brain, read more, do crossword puzzles, drink green tea, and, best of all, fill your mind with God’s Word! Don’t worry. — Neal Pollard
Are you thinking about a reverse osmosis system for your house? I have used one and LOVED it. They are not cheap, but they do make for TASTY water. If you have been if “a reverse osmosis system is worth it,” the answer may be found in just how important “good water” is to you.
Here is your chance to participate in a “reverse osmosis survey.”
Whedon’s Commentary on the four Gospels
January 29th, 2010Do you own or have you used Whedon’s comentary on the Gospels or any of his other commentaries? I just received the “Whedon’s Commentary Revised” on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and my first impression of it is WOW! His though process seems to be a bit like John A. Bengel (see “Bengel’s New Testament Commmentary”).
Take my “survey on Bible commentaries” to help others who are interested in knowing more about the Bible:
Bible commentary survey for Whedeon’s commentaries:
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