A Quarterly Journal

 

 

 

"LIGHT FOR OUR AGE"

 

 

October, 2017

Volume 9

Issue #4

 

 

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Psalm 119:105

 

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Feature One: Editorial

 

 

 

Robert T. Oliver

         

Your Life is Like a Vapor

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14

 

         We are all aware that, unless the Lord returns first, death awaits us all. This is a thought on which many do not want to dwell. Thinking about our own death might seem to be depressing, but not if we approach it as does James. In the book of James, we find that our focus needs to always be "God's will". In the next verse James writes:

"For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Our entire lives must be based on the Lord's will."

         While we are alive we need to be a sacrifice to the Lord.  In Romans 12:1 Paul wrote that: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

         Our entire focus in this life ought to be to do God's will. We live in a time when society teaches we should do what we want. Yet, as Jesus was a sacrifice to the death and died a horribly painful death; we are to live a sacrifice for the Lord. We are to sacrifice our will for that of our Father's will. It is not what we want, it is what He wants. It is not what we like, it is what He wants. It is not what others expect, it is what He wants.

         This life will be over shortly. As an adult, you know how fast time seems to go. Death, however, is not the end. Death is the beginning. It is the beginning of an endless day. This is the day for which all of our energies should be focused. This is the day for which we must prepare. This life is just a vapor.

 

 

 

Feature Two: an article by R. C. Oliver

 

 

R C Oliver

 

CRITICISM

Light, May, 1956

 

[Note: I believe this to be a good article because we often do not understand the value of criticism. It is true that some use criticism to hurt others, but even if that is the intention, you can listen to what is said and evaluate it. Whether it was intended to harm or help, you can decide if it is good advice or not.  RTO]

 

 

         Few people have learned to value criticism at its real worth; however, much of what I am and hope to be I owe to criticism. We are, more than we realize, the products of criticism. Criticism has her dominion, and we should be willing to let her reign over it.

         In my judgment, the true purpose of criticism is neither to praise nor to blame; rather, it is to discriminate justly, stablish firmly, prescribe wisely and award honestly.

         Criticism when seen in its true light can hurt no man; rather, as Bently once wrote: "It is a maxim with me, that no man was ever written out of a reputation but by himself."

         However, while I recognize the worth of criticism, and while I always welcome it, it is surprising how few criticisms I have received since publishing Light. I cannot recall more than five criticisms in some year and a half, despite the fact that literally thousands of copies of Light have gone out. This does not mean, of course, that only five people have criticized Light, and me through Light; but only five have expressed themselves in such a manner as to allow me the benefit of their criticism. And after weighing what they have had to say, I feel that the criticism of but one man merits attention.

         This criticism came from one of my closest friends in Michigan, and concerns what I have previously said about elders and deacons. And though I do not yet agree with what he has had to say, yet I do recognize his unquestioned ability as a critic; and I admire his use of this art: he did not attack me, but he was severe in his attack upon the views I entertain. He has rightly used the art, a thing which others have not let learned to do so well.

 

Feature Three: Sandy's Women's Corner

 

Sandra Oliver

Editor's Note: You can read weekly articles from Sandy at the following Web site:  abiblecommentary.com  "Blog for Christian Women"

        

SHOWING HOSPITALITY

 

 

         When our children were young, maybe 3rd and 6th grades, we were asked by the elders of our home congregation to provide transportation for a group of preachers who were in our city for a week-long lectureship.

         It was our responsibility to get them to all of their appointed classes, back to their motels, and to the monthly preachers' luncheon. We kept the church van at home to accommodate their needs.

         The morning of the preachers' luncheon, we were preparing to leave to pick up the visitors. My husband went out to the van to get something, and much to his surprised a man was asleep on one of the seats.

         When my husband opened the door, it woke the man up. Both of them were startled; and my husband said what anyone would say, "Who are you, and what are you doing in this van?"

The man barked his reply, "Who are you?"

         After both of them got their composure, Bob inquired as to how the man ended up in our van. The man told him that he had been hitchhiking on the interstate, and his ride let him out close to our street. It was after midnight, and he was tired. When he saw the van with the church's name on the side, he reasoned that surely whoever lived there was religious and would give him a chance to explain before calling the police.

         Bob brought him into the house, showed him where the bathroom was so he could clean up; and he instructed me to cook him some breakfast.

         While all of this was going on, our children were outside telling my mother about this "bum" that was having breakfast in our kitchen. Mother lived next door to us, and she had been outside working in the yard as this scene unfolded.

         My mother was not known for trusting people, and she was on the phone to me in a flash encouraging me to either call the police or allow her to do so. Her reasoning was that he could return later and hold us at gunpoint, rob us, or murder us; you can imagine all the things she thought he might have in mind for us!

         I cooked the man some eggs and toast and made him some coffee. While he was eating, a terrible thought went through my mind. I had left a necklace on the bathroom sink, and I was terrified that he might have taken it.

         I immediately went into the bathroom, and there lay my necklace just as I had left it. Nothing had been disturbed except the towel and washcloth Bob had given him to use.

          When I got back to the kitchen, the man had finished his breakfast and washed his dishes. Nothing else had been disturbed.   

         The man thanked us and walked out the door and continued his journey not looking back. Of course, we never saw him again.

         That incident has been an interesting story to relate, but it ended very differently than another incident that happened about 2 years before.

         Our family was in Atlanta for the day, visiting the zoo and picnicking in a park. I had packed just enough food for the four of us.

         As we were eating, a homeless man came to our table and asked us for something to eat. I explained that I had prepared just enough for our family, and I didn't have any extra. He nodded and walked on through the park.

         We watched as he approached another family. They were kind enough to provide him with something to eat. Needless to say, I felt embarrassed.

         Both stories stick in my mind anytime I read the story of the Good Samaritan or when I read Hebrews 13:1-2. The writer of Hebrews says, "Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares".

         The good thing about these stories is that I learned some valuable lessons.

  • I can't teach children the story of the Good Samaritan and not live it.
  • I can't teach hospitality and not show it.
  • I can't love my neighbor as myself and not be a good neighbor.

I think I will forever regret not feeding the man in the park, and I hope I never let something like that happen again.

         I hope your fall is filled with happiness and opportunities to show hospitality to others!

 

        

 

Feature Four: Our Communication

 

 

From my experience, I have learned that most children are anxious to speak when they are in elementary school. There are exceptions, but this is generally true. However, as they move into junior high, or middle school, they tend to become more self-conscious and will want to avoid speaking to a group.

Because of this it is good to have younger children give reports to their Bible class, or find opportunities for them to speak. Once they learn they can, they are more likely to continue speaking as they grow.

 

Feature Five:      Bible Question

 

 

        

What does it mean to desire the office of bishop, or the eldership, as a qualification to be an elder? Would wanting that office be a bad attitude?

I believe many miss the point of this passage in 1 Timothy 3:1, which reads, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." This is not stated as a qualification, Paul is simply making a statement. Paul is saying that it is a good thing to serve as an elder, or bishop, for you are accepting a work the Lord wants you to do.

         To desire this position is to desire to be a servant. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 20:27. "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:" Jesus views things differently that many do today. Serving as an elder in the Lord's church is a difficult task, and it is purely a servant's position. They are to be servants of Christ and to His will in everything. If you are qualified to serve and are asked by the congregation you attend, then it is the same as Jesus asking you if you will be his servant and do this work.

 

 

 

Humor

 

My granddaughter was visiting me one day when she asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and replied, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both old she replied.

 

In Closing 

 

     

Another year is coming to a close. This issue concludes our ninth year. I have enjoyed the opportunity of sharing my father's articles with you. They are as important now as they were when he wrote them fifty or sixty years ago. I trust you will have a good season ahead. May God bless you. Remember, you may find back issues of this publication at this website: 

Abiblecomentary.com/Lightforourage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Light For Our Age, 585 Winding Ridge Road, Rock Spring, GA 30739