Did you know that there can be union without having unity? A union is an association or group formed by people with a common interest or purpose, while unity is the state of being united or joined together as a whole. There can be union without unity. For example, you can tie two cats together by their tails and throw them over a clothes line. By doing so you have created a union, but there won’t be unity between these two cats, only fighting and chaos.

The church formed by Christ is a union, but that doesn’t mean there will always be unity. God understood this when He created the church. He knew that we wouldn’t always get along, so He gave us His word to help us in this matter. Paul spends a few chapters in the book of Romans discussing Christians and their relationships. In 12:17-13:14 he writes about our relationship with the world. In Romans 14:1-16:27,  his focus is on getting along with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Beginning in chapter 15, Paul spends a few verses talking about the responsibility of those who are strong in faith. Romans 15:1-3 says, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

Paul commands the strong in faith to bear the weakness of those without strength (be patient), not be pleasers of self (Phil. 2:3-4), do that which is for the weaker ones’ good, and follow the example of Christ. Paul then spends a moment talking about the power and importance of the Old Testament in verse four.. It was written to teach us (there’s value in studying the O.T.), it was written to encourage us (by reading of faithful people, as in Heb. 11), and it also helps us achieve unity through its teachings. The rest of this chapter is focused on unity. We are given many commands on how to grow our relationship with each other.

Why should we follow these commands? It brings about unity in Christ. Have you ever driven a car that backfires? Or that isn’t firing on all cylinders? It is usually caused by an engine that is out of timing, faulty wiring, or fouled spark plugs. A church that isn’t unified in Christ, runs like a car that is mechanically unstable. Without unity and timing in the cylinders, you experience a lack of horse power and worsened gas mileage. It fails to function the way it was designed to run. The Lord’s body needs maintenance and work in order to function properly.

Our relationship with one another helps us to achieve this perfect unity and efficient operation. A great example of unity is a snowflake. While it is a rare sighting in Alabama, we know what they look like. Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together. The church is made up of fragile and imperfect people, but through unity we can accomplish so much more for Christ.

Carl Pollard

“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9 NKJV).

At the elephant breeding center near Chitwan National Park in Nepal, we were fortunate to see and photograph their latest arrival, a three-day-old baby female elephant. Though tiny (and seriously cute) she was already “all elephant” as the picture above demonstrates. Not only was she just like her mother in biological detail, she also mimicked the adult in posture, actions and other behavior. Our party was enthralled with her performance.

Mimicry is a key concept in conversion and Christian living. Believers in Ephesus were exhorted to “be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). As cited above, he commanded the Philippians to do as they had heard, seen and learned from him.

Peter showed how an unbelieving husband might be converted to Christ by the example of a faithful, submissive wife (1 Peter 3:1-2), even though he was resistant to the preached gospel. Note that such conversions occur when the husband “observes” his wife’s chaste conduct and reverent attitude.

Finally, John wrote, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life . . . that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us” (1 John 1:1, 3).

Christianity is a learned faith (Ephesians 4:20-21). It is not inherited from birth. It cannot be coerced or enticed materially. One is a Christian because he or she has heard the gospel, received it in faith and obeyed it (Romans 10:13-17; 6:17). Contrary to the teaching of some, one is not miraculously impressed by the Spirit of God so that salvation is imputed without or even against his own will. The believer is led by the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) when the Word of God is heard, believed, and followed submissively (Matthew 7:21).

Like the baby elephant, a young Christian needs the example of mature and faithful followers of Jesus so that appropriate behavior may be learned. When each one contributes from his or her own abilities and resources, all will grow up to “the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13-15).

Our fellowship with other Christians is a partnership in the task of serving God and seeking eternal life. The young disciple seeks older patterns that enable him to grow in the right ways. Older, spiritually mature Christians should seek out the spiritually young or weak in order to mentor them. All is to the glory of God and the benefit of his Church (Ephesians 4:16).

Michael Brooks

“What are we supposed to do now, huh, Moses?” You can almost hear the sarcasm that must have crossed the minds of at least some of the cynical among the Israelites. It had been a hectic few weeks. First, Moses shows up after forty years and told them Jehovah had remembered them and would set them free. That got everyone excited. Pharaoh, on the other hand, had a different plan. He made them work harder. Thanks, Moses! In the end, after a monumental struggle of wills, Pharaoh was beaten, and the children of Israel marched out of Egypt leaving that country in ruins. The only thing the Egyptians had left was the most powerful army on the planet. And now, that army was hot on their trail and had them pinned against the Red Sea with nowhere to run. You know there was sarcasm because of what they said: “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bring us out of Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11).

Listen to how Moses answered the fear of the people: “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:13, 14). Did you catch that? Here is the formula for their deliverance: (1) Do not be afraid; (2) Stand by; (3) See the salvation of the Lord; and (4) Keep silent!

At times like these, we would do well to apply this formula to our lives. First, do not be afraid! The battle is not yours, but the Lord’s (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Second, stand still! Don’t run. Don’t panic. Don’t lose your faith. The battle may not be ours, but we cannot run in the face of the enemy. We must trust in the Lord, even when we do not see the salvation yet.

Third, see the salvation! The apostle Paul promised that God will provide a way of escape from temptation, including the temptation to run; to abandon our faith (1 Corinthians 10:13); but we have to look for it, to “see” it. When our backs are against the wall and the whole world (it seems) is against us, God will take care of us, but it takes spiritual eyes to see it. In other words, your salvation may not come in physical form; it may not even come in this life, but if you are faithful unto death, He will give you a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Do you see (understand) that God is in control?

Fourth, keep silent! I don’t know about you (actually, I kinda do), but my ears work better when my mouth is shut. Scripture tells us the tongue is amazingly destructive when misused (James 3:5), but, amazingly, it causes no damage when kept behind the bars of a clenched jaw. Do not challenge God! Do not complain that your (our) suffering is unfair. We are God’s children and that outweighs all suffering (Romans 8:18).

Remember those Egyptians? You know the story of their deliverance from a hopeless situation. Notice Exodus 14:31: When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.

We live in fearful times, but let me encourage you to not be afraid, to stand still, to see the salvation of the Lord, and to keep silent. If you do this in faithful submission to His will as outlined in Scripture, you and He are one unbeatable combination!

Donnie Bates

The following piece came to me (author unknown) with Texas mentioned, but after moving from the mountains of Boone to middle Tennessee and temperatures in August much higher than I’m used to, I’m tempted to change the state!

You know you’re in Texas when:

— You no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water.

— You can say 110 degrees without fainting.

— You can make instant sun tea.

— You learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.

— The temperature drops below 95, you feel a bit chilly.

— You discover that in July, it takes only two fingers to drive your car.

— You discover that you can get a sunburn through your car window.

— You notice the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

— Hot water now comes out of both taps.

— It’s noon in July, kids are on summer vacation, and not one person is out on the streets.

— You actually burn your hand opening the car door.

— You break a sweat the instant you step outside…at 7:30 a.m. before work.

— Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, “What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?”

— You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

Now that’s hot!  I found interesting the similarity between the first line above and Job’s description of an unfaithful friend (and he spoke from experience):

“But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow, but that cease to flow in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels.” (Job 6:15-17)

“Fair-weather friends” are like those dry rivers in Texas.  Sometimes they’re there, and sometimes they’re not.  In fact, they’re not there during the times when they are most needed.

None of us like to have fair-weather friends, and we need to make sure that we aren’t that kind of friend.  May God help us to be true friends to those around us, especially in their times of need.  Is there anyone around you who especially needs a friend today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Everyone wants a cell phone. In 2019 there were an estimated 1.52 billion smartphones sold worldwide (Statista). All for good reason. Who wouldn’t want one? They are incredibly handy and helpful. We use them all the time. Life is much more convenient with them. But this spawns a thought: What would our world be like if we treated our Bibles like we do our cell phones?

• Imagine if everyone was desperate to have one.
• Imagine if people waited in long lines just to get the newest Bible.
• Imagine if so many people wanted one, there was often a massive backorder.
• Imagine if people were willing to pay hundreds of dollars just to have one.
• Imagine if people bought insurance for it, just in case the unthinkable happened.
• Imagine if we enthusiastically wanted to show it off to others and tell them about it.
• Imagine if we never left home without it.
• Imagine if we were willing to turn back home when we forgot it.
• Imagine if we always carried it with us in our pockets, purses, and bags.
• Imagine if we frantically searched for it when we lost it.
• Imagine if we used it when we traveled.
• Imagine if we used it while waiting in line at the groceries store, the DMV, and the bank.
• Imagine if we used it at the game, at work, at the gym, and at home.
• Imagine if we always wanted it around in case of an emergency.
• Imagine if we felt very uncomfortable without it.
• Imagine if our children constantly begged to use it.
• Imagine if it was almost always able to keep our kids occupied so mom could cook and clean, or so dad could fix things around the house.
• Imagine if it was the #1 item on our teens’ Christmas lists.
• Imagine if we were always spending time with it.
• Imagine if we constantly used it to search for answers and information.

If people treated their Bibles like they do their cell phones, this world would be a much, much better place (Psalm 119:11). This isn’t a knock on cell phones; it’s a reminder to spend time with the most important item in our possession. Our Bibles are a precious gift from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Let’s treasure them!

Brett Petrillo

The various writers of the New Testament spent a significant amount of their time discussing this idea of a “resurrection.” This is interesting because the Old Testament doesn’t directly say much about a resurrection. Verses like Daniel 12:2 are hard to come by when reading through the Hebrew scriptures. Yet on the contrary, nearly every book of the New Testament has something written related to the resurrection. Why is it that such an event was so commonly found on the minds of the inspired writers?

The resurrection is historically significant (1 Cor. 15:4-8) — Not only did the NT speak of this miraculous event, but historical figures such as Tacitus the Roman also made note of it. This was not just a religious moment, it was a historical impact. In verse 6 of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul notes how the resurrected Jesus was witnessed by over 500 people. This event changed the course of history forever.

The resurrection is personally relevant (1 Cor. 15:9-11) — Since the resurrection is a historical fact, it changes everything in how we live our lives. When reading through the verses of 9-11, we can see how the resurrection changed Paul, comforted his thoughts, and convicted those he preached to. This event matters because it is a prelude to our future.

The resurrection is spiritually important (1 Cor. 15:12-20) — There are many areas of spirituality that remain important in our lives, but the focus of the resurrection was undoubtedly imperative to the gospel writers and the following authors of the NT. The resurrection is what gave them hope in the hard times (15:18-20), a future to look forward to (15:40), and a confidence in their belief (15:52).

Few things are as thematic as the resurrection when looking at the inspired writing of the New Testament. It is simply due to the fact that this world is not the final chapter of God’s plan. This isn’t the end, and it’s not our final home. Our temporal bodies are fading, the world is collapsing, and evil is temporarily victorious. However, that is all momentary until the day of our resurrection, where a permanent victory will be had and all evil and pain will be dismissed. Jesus was the fulfillment of our glorious future.

Tyler King

No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins-and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.

Mark 2:21-22 (ESV)

To modern Americans these illustrations may seem a bit strange. However, the first century audiences understood them clearly. It is impractical and unhelpful to mesh something brand new with something that is worn out because the new substance will destroy the old. They are incompatible with one another.

These stories speak volumes to the nature of Jesus’ ministry. The Pharisees believe he is simply trying to bring a new perspective to their understanding of Mosaic faith (hence their question about fasting that starts the conversation). However, Jesus wants them to know, “he is not an attachment, addition, or appendage to the status quo. He cannot be integrated into or contained by preexisting structures, even Judaism, Torah, and synagogue.” [1] Jesus’ ministry goal is to redefine the status quo, to transform the understanding and existences of those who put their faith in him. Their existing structure is not compatible with the “newness” that Jesus brings.

In today’s world we might better understand Jesus’ point by comparing it to a computer’s operating system. Imagine trying to install your favorite app on a first-generation iPad, or Office 365 on Windows Vista! (OUCH!) They simply would not work. The newest programs require a different operating system to accomplish what they are supposed to accomplish. What would we say to the person who refused to acknowledge this need and insisted on cramming the new programs into the old systems?

Yet, some of us today are doing just that with our faith. We see what Jesus is doing and we want to participate, but we want to plug him in like an update to fix a few bugs…like a patch on worn out pants…like new wine in a dry-rotted wineskin. Our goal is to keep our old habits, vices, and ways of thinking, while simultaneously getting the benefits of Christ.

That is not how Jesus works, though. You cannot put new life into an old lifestyle. Embracing Jesus means that we must embrace the “newness” he brings through repentance. Repentance means changing and purging our hearts of anything that is not compatible with Jesus.

Think about your life. Are there things you are trying to hold on to that just do not work with Christ’s ministry? If so, then you need to throw out the old garments and wineskins. You need to ditch the outdated operating system and upgrade to new thinking and actions which are compatible with Jesus’ goals. Sure, it takes time to learn it and become proficient at it, but the final product is far better than anything you are getting now.

Cory Waddell

[1] Pillar Commentary on Mark by James R. Edwards

A couple was driving down the road when they came upon an unusual sight. A blank sign. Even though they recognized the shape of the sign, they were unsure if they should continue. Was there danger ahead? What kind of danger? Was it safe to continue? There were way too many unanswered questions. It left them confused and concerned. In the end, the sign was completely useless.

How often do we encounter “blank signs”? I don’t mean on the road, I mean in Christian form. Too often Christians keep their convictions and faith secret. People do not see us point out the “one way” to the Lord (John 14:6). We do not warn others when they are going the “wrong way” (Acts 3:19). We do not encourage people to “stop” sinning (Romans 6:12-13). We do not help members of the church to “yield” to each other in love (1 Corinthians 1:10). Too many Christians do not communicate any information about God at all in their lives. The spiritual signs are effectively blank. They are blank Christians.

Followers of Christ have been given an enormous responsibility. It isn’t large because it’s impossible, but because it’s important. True Christians are the only lights in the world (Matthew 5:14-16), the only salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), and the only harvest workers (Matthew 9:37-38).  If people can’t find the Lord through us, then we need to take a look at what message we have on our “signs.” We might find them to be blank.

Let’s never be blank. Let’s never hide who we are. Let’s boldly, and lovingly, proclaim the truth about God!

Brett Petrillo

Some form of the word rest is used around sixty times in the NT. Many times it’s use is theologically insignificant, such as when it is used of an object coming to a stop, or as it refers to other people (like, “the rest of them.”). However, several times the use of the word is profound and relevant to our lives, especially as it pertains to the rest that God’s children can experience after this earthly life is completed. Let’s make a few important observations.

First, we notice that although physical rest is a necessary part of life (even recommended by Jesus – see Mk. 6:31), it is secondary to spiritual needs and priorities, as was the case when Jesus told His disciples to “take their rest later on” (Mt. 26:45). Physical rest can wait when one has need of obeying the Gospel, as was the case with the jailor and his household (see Acts 16:25-34).

Lacking rest is not inherently a virtue, but can be when one is deprived for the cause of Christ, as is seen with Paul when he stated: “For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn” (2 Cor. 7:5). Suffering for living faithfully to the Lord is a virtue and privilege (see 1 Pt. 4:13-14; Mt. 5:10-12).

The most frequently and significant use of the word “rest” though is in regard to the rest coming at the conclusion of the Christian’s life. This is especially noted in the book of Hebrews as the author likens it to the rest that God had promised the Israelites in Canaan’s land.

However, the inspired writer describes the rest as one that disobedient Israel would not be permitted to enter because of her sin (3:18-19). How tragic! This concept is used powerfully to warn Christians of the possibility of missing out on the rest in eternity that God promises His faithful people. Though Israel’s time has past, Christians should fear lest they fail to reach their rest (4:1). That fear involves being serious about spiritual things and learning from those who were not permitted to enter into Canaan’s land.

A similar comparison, and warning, is made by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10. He tells his brethren that the Israelites serve as an example that they may be motivated to possess more control over evil in their lives (see v. 6). God was not pleased with most of them (v. 5), especially because of their idolatry, sexual immorality and grumbling (vv. 7-10). Though he sternly warns them, he also gives them assurance that “God is faithful… and will provide a way of escape” (v. 13).

The rest that will be enjoyed in heaven is not an “eternal sleep” but a rest from trials, sickness, temptation, evil, weariness and persecution (see Rev. 14:13; 21:4). That sounds better and better to me each day! Remember, our “momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison” (2 Cor. 4:15).

So, “Let us strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience” (Heb. 4:11).

Daren Schroeder

Some things just stay with you. I heard General Norman Schwarzkopf speak not long after the first Gulf War. He told a story about his first command and its early failure that eventually became success. The point to remember was, “when put in command, take charge”. Years later I was fortunate enough to sit in the U.S. Supreme Court Chamber and hear an impromptu lecture by Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice Scalia, leaning on the rail in casual attire, but still quite a powerful presence, said quietly at one point, “I am a teacher at heart, I have always been a teacher”. A man that had such an impact saw himself in a humble way that others likely did not. In my day timer I keep a quote from one of the most influential people of the last century. Henry Ford was asked how and why he came to develop the automobile despite no understanding of or demand for it.  He replied, “if I had asked them what they wanted, they would have said, ‘faster horses’”. The vision to see what others cannot, is rare and impacting.

You have your own list of impacting things said, moments lived, and experiences shared. They live in your head, in a quiet place, but play a role in your thinking. I learned from the General, the Justice and the Visionary, things that have never left. That is sort of how life is don’t you think? Life consists of a lot of time filled with things that matter little and are remembered less, along with a handful of impacting moments like watching my soon to be wife walk down the aisle in October of 1989. Or being in the room when my kids took breath one as they entered this life.

In a recent conversation, an old colleague mentioned a comment that I made to him quite some time ago that he still remembers today, and that helped shape his thinking. That was initially a nice moment followed by the terror of thinking about the responsibility of something I said, impacting someone else. Interestingly enough, as Christians, that is EXACTLY what we are called to do: make an impact!

• Matthew 5:13-16says we are salt and light. We influence, we impact! Our Godly behavior provides an opportunity for others to glorify God.
• Romans 12:2explains that we must influence for good and not be influenced by the world. To be unusual in a monolithic world dominated by sin is our challenge.
• Colossians 4:5emphasizes the importance of the conversations we have with people in our lives, including the critical nature of the words we use and the way they are delivered.

Today, you will almost certainly have an opportunity to impact someone’s life. That opportunity is unique. The people you interact with today, will be in a specific place in their lives, one that will change quickly. The mix of circumstances and influences that provide shape to the mindset of those you will interact with today, offer an opportunity that is unlike yesterday and differs from tomorrow. Be mindful of the impact you can have by offering a well-placed word, displaying a humble attitude, and acting with a servant’s heart.

If you are curious about how to make an impact, modeling Jesus is a great place to start. The most impacting words ever spoken, were spoken by Jesus Christ. His teaching is timeless, transforming and trajectory changing. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). His most humble attitude was displayed on an unjust cross, as God’s Son chose to allow his own humiliating death (Philippians 2:8). He came to serve not to be served and backed it up with his actions (John 13:12-15).

Dean Murphy

Jesus and his followers were in an area known as the ‘Decapolis’ (literally ‘ten cities’). This was the area to the east of the Sea of Galilee and was not part of Galilee or Judea, but is described as the center of Greek and Roman culture – most of it is located in the nation of Jordan today. Jesus seems to have been on one of the hills overlooking the lake, as he immediately got into a boat at the end of his time there.

When people heard that Jesus was there a crowd flocked to him. At the end of Mark 7 Jesus healed a man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking. It would appear that crowds were coming and going with Jesus and his followers, staying where they were. At the beginning of Mark 8 another large crowd gathered and stayed for a few days.

“During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.’ His disciples answered, ‘But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?’” (Mark 8:1-4 NIV)

A crowd of people in a sparsely populated area. They had been there for three days. Undoubtedly they had brought food with them but that now seems to be gone. What were they to do?

Jesus was reluctant to send them home without something to eat first. Many had come from a distance and needed food to make the journey home. As they would be on foot, they had best part of a day of travel ahead of them to get to the other side of the lake.

When I read the response of the disciples to Jesus statement, I could wonder if they even remembered what had happened a few months earlier in a similar situation when Jesus fed over 5000 with a boy’s lunch. But they did remember, as we can see later in this chapter. But they don’t seem to have learned the lesson – with Jesus there, a lack of food was not a real problem. They needed to trust Jesus.

“‘How many loaves do you have?’ Jesus asked. ‘Seven,’ they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterwards the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present.” (Mark 8:5-9)

This is so similar to what happened earlier – you wonder if the disciples thought they were experiencing deja vu! This time there were seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. Jesus again gave thanks and had the disciples pass the food out to the people. They people ate and were satisfied – they had an excellent sufficiency even thought there were around 4000 people there. They started with seven loaves and ended up with seven large baskets full of broken pieces!

We, like the disciples, need to learn to trust Jesus and not to doubt him. He is with us and he will continue to be with us. He supplies what we need and will continue to do this. The Hebrew writer described him this way: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

May we learn to trust and rely on Jesus every day.

Photo looking toward eastern side of Galilee from Tiberias by Jon Galloway, November 2019.

Jon Galloway

“The rich and the poor have this in common, the LORD is the maker of them all” (Proverbs 22:2, NKJV).

We all belong in the same class. The blue bloods just don’t exist. The rich and famous have nothing on anybody else.

Somebody once said that the great leveler is the truth that we all have to sit on the toilet. Somebody else thought it was that we all must die one day.

Solomon says it’s because the Lord made us all. Add to that that Jesus Christ died for all, and you have a double blade to level the human playing field.

Peel back the hoopla, and find a human being. Wash off the makeup, and see plain folk. President and peon, we’re all alike.

Since the Lord is maker of us all, we are creatures of need, dependent on his care. I cannot look at another human being without seeing my equal — equally in need of God’s presence and blessing.

That the Lord is maker of us all endows us with both dignity and humility. We understand our privileged place in the divine scheme of things, as well as our lowliness before the divine Magnificence.

With one voice, then, we may praise his name; with one mind, we may seek his will; with one heart, we may live together in his Kingdom.

I’m thankful for that!

1. A. Neale

A 12-year-old boy in Marysville, Washington, was enjoying recess when suddenly his life was in danger.  He was standing on the concrete lid of a well when the concrete crumbled beneath him, and he fell 20 feet into the well.  Firefighters from the Marysville Fire District were called in for the rescue.  They found the boy clinging to a plastic pipe which kept him above the water line.

The firefighters removed the remaining concrete and lowered a long ladder into the well.  The boy was able to climb up the ladder to safety.  He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for lacerations on his head.  He is expected to recover fully. *

Because of our sins, we are a lot like that boy in the well with no hope of surviving unless there is outside intervention.  Our salvation from sin requires divine intervention, for only He can save us from our predicament.

Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but God loves us anyway.  He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to rescue us (John 3:16).  To save us from sin, Jesus had to die on the cross for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).  “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18 ESV).  “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Jesus is the Ladder to heaven.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).  We must be willing to “cling to the Ladder” in trusting obedience in order to be saved.  Won’t YOU?

— David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “Washington state firefighters rescue 12-year-old boy who fell 20 feet down well” by Stephen Sorace of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

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Devoted to the Apostles’ Teaching
David Owens

A. The Bible says that the early church “devoted themselves…” (NIV)
1. Some of the other translations express it slightly differently.
a. KJV: And they continued steadfastly
b. NASV: They were continually devoting themselves
2. Their devotion wasn’t a past-tense type devotion, but an ongoing continual type of devotion.
3. What does it mean to be devoted?
a. Dictionary definitions describe it like this: love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.
b. The act of devoting or the quality of being devoted. : strong love, affection, or dedication.

B. Devotion is a good and powerful thing.
1. When we think of devotion, we often think of a devoted mother or father, or a devoted lover, or a devoted fan, or being devoted to a company or a cause.
2. I like the story told about Albert Einstein who attended a dinner party one evening.
a. A young, college student was seated beside him.
b. The student didn’t know who Einstein was.
c. In the course of their conversation the young student asked the white-haired scientist, “What are you actually by profession?”
d. Einstein replied: “I devote myself to the study of physics.”
e. The student looked at him in astonishment and said, “You study physics at your age? I finished my study of physics a year ago.”
f. There’s a big difference in taking a course in physics and being devoted to the study of physics.
g. And as we will see, there’s a difference between studying the apostles’ teaching and being devoted to the apostles’ teaching.
3. I’ve always been amazed at the devotion of Olympic athletes because there are four years between Olympics and that’s a long time in between to keep training for an event that is four years away.
a. Sanya Richards-Ross is a Jamaican-American track and field athlete.
b. In 2008, Sanya Richards-Ross competed in the 400 Meter in Beijing.
1. She started the race strong and built a substantial lead before locking up on the home stretch.
2. She finished third for the Bronze.
c. Four years later, in 2012, she competed and won the gold medal in the 400 Meter in London.
1. Four long years, Sanya Richards-Ross waited.
2. Four years she waited with the hunger pangs of unfinished business and the sense of an uncompleted mission.
3. When they introduced her before the 400 meters in London, she blew a kiss to the camera, went out and got the gold medal she had worked tirelessly for since Beijing.

C. Just as Sanya Richards-Ross and Albert Einstein were devoted to their pursuits, the early Christians in Acts 2 modeled devotion to Christ.
1. Those early Christians were intentional and disciplined about the process of be devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
2. They were steadfast or single minded in purpose and so they devoted themselves.
3. God is pleased when disciples of Jesus are devoted in the same ways as the early disciples.

D. Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on how early Acts 2 was in the history of Christianity.
1. Jesus died during the Jewish Passover on or around the year of AD 33.
2. Jesus arose on the 3rd day and then made appearances to the apostles and His followers for the next 40 days.
3. Ten days after Jesus ascended back to heaven, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles on the Day of Pentecost and Peter preached the first Gospel sermon and 3000 people responded to the invitation and were baptized into Christ and the church began.
4. How much time do you think took place between Acts 2:41 and Acts 2:42? Probably not much.
5. What we see reflected in Acts 2:42 is likely a reflection of what immediately took place in the life of the early church – this is what those first Christians did…they devoted themselves.
6. Speaking of how early in Christianity this was, keep mind that Saul of Tarsus, better known as the apostle Paul, hadn’t yet become a persecutor of the church which would then later lead to his conversion to Christ.

E. Let’s now turn our focus to the first on the things that those early Christians were continually devoting themselves to and it was the apostles’ teaching or apostles doctrine.
1. They devoted themselves to the truths that the apostles were teaching.
2. So, in other words, the early Christians were studying their New Testaments every day, right?
3. Wrong! The New Testament had not yet been written.
4. So, if this was 33 AD, the first New Testament book wouldn’t be written for 15 or so years.
5. Many believe that Galatians was the first letter of Paul and was written 48 or 49 AD.
6. The rest of Paul’s letters were likely written in the decades of the AD 50s and 60s.
7. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were probably written in the late 50s or early 60s.
8. John’s Gospel and letters were written in the 70s-90s, with Revelation being around 95AD.
9. Then even after those documents were written, it would be centuries before they were canonized and readily available to church leaders.
10. But it wouldn’t be until the invention of the printing press in 1436 that mass production and circulation of the Bible would be possible.
11. Can you see how blessed we are today to have the Bible so accessible to us – all of us likely have many printed copies and we have easy access to as many electronic copies and translations that we want.
12. Can you imagine how envious those early Christians would be of us if they knew what we had?

F. So, if those early Christians didn’t have copies of the New Testament, then what was the apostles’ teaching that they were so devoted to?
1. The apostles’ teaching was the instruction that the apostles were delivering to the early church on a daily basis as they daily met in the temple courts and in their homes.
2. The apostles were the conduit of the teachings of Jesus and the will of God conveyed through the Holy Spirit.
3. It’s interesting to me that they phrase isn’t “they devoted themselves to the teachings of Jesus” rather it is “they devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles.”
4. In reality, the teachings of the apostles are the teachings of Jesus and so much more.
5. On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He told His disciples: 12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.” (Jn. 16:12-15)

G. To say that those early Christians were devoted to the apostles’ teaching indicates that they understood the authority and the inspiration of the apostles.
1. They understood that the church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. (Eph. 2:20)
2. Today, we have easy access to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles through the New Testament.
3. The New Testament is made up of the writings of the apostles or by those who were closely associated with the apostles.
a. Matthew was written by Matthew, who was an apostle.
b. Mark was written by Mark, a disciple associated with the apostle Peter.
c. Luke and Acts were written by Luke, a disciple associated with the apostle Paul.
d. John was written by John, who was an apostle, who also wrote the letters of 1st , 2nd , and 3rd John, and Revelation.
e. The apostle Paul wrote the bulk the rest of the New Testament (Romans, 1 &2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and probably Hebrews.
f. The apostle Peter wrote 1 & 2 Peter.
g. Jude and James were written by the half-brothers of Jesus and the letter bears their name.
4. All the writings of these men contain the truths that God wanted communicated and preserved for the benefit of the church.

H. Just like those early Christians, it is our duty and honor to receive the apostles’ teaching and be devoted to it.
1. It is not our job to stand in judgment of it or to pick and choose which doctrines we like or don’t like.
2. It is our job to believe it and to obey it.
3. Have you ever heard of the Jefferson Bible?
a. Thomas Jefferson was a fan of the life and morals of Jesus, but he was not a fan of anything miraculous or supernatural.
b. So, using a razor and some glue, Jefferson cut and pasted his arrangement of selected verses of the New Testament into his personal “Bible.”
c. One of Jefferson’s “Bibles” was called “The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth” and was completed in 1804, but no copies exist today.
d. His second work, called “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” was completed in 1820 and is commonly referred to as the “Jefferson Bible” and is owned by the Smithsonian Museum.
4. Few people have been so bold as Jefferson to create their own personal Bible by cutting and pasting what they like and discarding what they don’t like, but many people exhibit the same kind of attitude.
a. They approach the Bible like it is a cafeteria style buffet – and they pick and choose what they like and dislike.
b. I have heard about “Red Letter” Christians who like and follow only the teachings of Jesus and discard everything else in the Bible.
c. I have heard others say that the Bible contains the Word of God, but the whole Bible isn’t from God, and so they judge what parts of the Bible they think is from God.
d. Other people come with the attitude of judgment that says, “I can’t believe in a God who would… “create man before woman”… or “destroy Sodom and Gomorrah” or “send people to hell.”
e. I heard someone else say recently about the letters of Paul, “Well, those are just letters he wrote to someone else, and they don’t have anything to do with us.”
f. The apostle Peter referred to Paul’s letters as Scripture (2 Pt. 3:15-16), and Paul instructed that his letters be shared among the churches because they contained God’s instructions (Col. 4:16).
5. Other people don’t deny what the Bible says, but just excuse themselves from following it.
a. I had a Lutheran preacher who took me to lunch to discuss what our church taught.
b. One of his church members was dating one of our church members and they were studying together and he wanted to know if what my member was teaching was what we believed.
c. He described what my member was teaching and I said that is what we believe and teach.
d. He then said, “Of course, you guys are right about the word for baptism meaning immersion, anyone who studies Greek knows it means to dip, or immerse, but we are Lutherans and we don’t do it that way.”
e. I was taken back by how easily he could say, “That’s what the Bible says and means, but we are going to do it differently.”

I. So, how can we be devoted to the apostles’ teaching?
1. We can read, study, and obey the apostles’ teachings.
2. We can do what Paul told Timothy to do:
a. Give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. (1 Tim. 4:13)
b. What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2)
c. Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)
3. We can do what Peter told us to do: 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, 3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Pt. 2:2-3)
4. We can do what Paul said and put on the whole armor of God: 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:13-17)
a. The Bible is so important to guarantee our survival and victory in the spiritual battle.
5. We can do what Jude said: I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. (Jude 1:3)
a. There are many false teachers and false teachings that can lead us astray, so we must be on guard.
6. We can be sure we stick with the true Gospel of Christ as Paul admonished us: 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! 9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! (Gal. 1:6-9)
7. We can be sure we don’t add anything to God’s Word or take anything away from it: 18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, which are written about in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)
a. That is a suitable ending to the book of Revelation and the last book of the Bible.
b. We must not add anything or take anything away from the Word of God.
c. Anything anyone says about the Word of God is not equal with the Word of God.
d. What God’s Word says is the truth, but what anyone says about the Word of God may or may not be the truth!
e. I hope we will continue to practice the “back to the Bible” principles of the Restoration Movement:
1. “No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible.”
2. “Do Bible things in Bible ways; call Bible things by Bible names.”
3. “Where the Scripture speak we speak; where the Scripture are silent, we are silent.”
4. “In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion liberty; in all things, love.”
f. I love the fact that as churches of Christ we have sought to have Scriptural authority for everything we teach and practice in our churches and in our lives.
h. I heard the story of a young Christian man who had been dating a sweet young lady for some time.
1. He really wanted to kiss her, but he couldn’t find any Scripture that authorized such action.
2. He told the young woman of his predicament, and they poured over the Bible, searching for a reference that would authorize their first kiss.
3. Finally, one night after a date, as he took the young woman to her door, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a big long kiss on the lips.
4. When the young man came up for air, he sputtered, “Where’s your Scripture for this? Where’s your Scripture for this?”
5. She sweetly replied, “Matthew 7:12 – In everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
6. Sounds Scriptural to me, what do you think?

J. So, let’s be like the early church and devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching.
1. Let’s believe it.
2. Let’s stand on it and be willing to die for it.
3. Let’s put it into practice – not be hearers only, but be doers” (James 1:22)
4. Let’s share it with others – it is the word of life, it is a light for our path, it is food for our souls, and it can keep us from destruction.
5. And the Word of God is one of the only things that will last forever.
a. Isaiah 40:8 says: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
b. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mt. 24:35)
c. Peter wrote: But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Pt. 1:25)

K. Let me end with a poem called “The Anvil and the Hammer” by John Clifford.
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
When looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he; then with a twinkling eye,
“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages, skeptics blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed – the hammers gone.

We have joined the happy horde of dog owners. We adopted a sweet and crafty Mini Aussie named Penny. She is a puppy and she acts like a puppy. She chews on toys and on items that are not toys. She digs along the fence and has escaped into a neighbor’s yard on two occasions. With love, training, and patience, she will grow beyond some of the typical puppy behavior. But right now, we cannot expect her to be something she is not. We need to have reasonable expectations.

We are not so different. Children should not be expected to behave as adults. We expect them to be respectful, but we expect them to be children. We give love, training, and patience as they grow. With God’s grace and parental dedication they will move beyond their childhood, into adolescence, and eventually become mature, godly adults.

Christians experience a similar growth pattern. From infancy to adulthood, a healthy disciple will grow!

Growth should characterize the life of a Christian. We have a personal obligation to grow, but also to give grace to those who are growing.

From Abraham to Moses, from Peter to John, God’s grace can be seen in the midst of man’s growth. Abraham grew in his faith, and while he sinned, he did not waver (Romans 4:20), and neither did God. Peter and John were two volatile disciples who sinned in their service to God. Jesus did not condone the sin, but patiently guided them in their growth toward maturity.

None of us are where we want to be. More importantly, none of us are where God wants us to be. When confronted with the need to grow, we do not condone sin, but through love, discipline, and patience we encourage growth.

“My little children, for whom I am in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (Galatians 4:19 ESV).

It is unfortunate when we gauge someone’s faithfulness by our own standards and our own understandings rather than the gospel’s standards.

Some of us have taken years or decades to reach certain truths that we previously did not grasp. How just is it to demand of others that they immediately join us? Instead, we should uncompromisingly teach the truth and at the same time be prepared to patiently wait for our fellow sojourners to reach their destination.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

In my growth I am challenged that I am not what I should be, but I am also encouraged that God loves me and wants me to succeed. He wants me to improve, he wants me to grow.

The gospel demands growth, but it provides grace to those who are growing.

Let us “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and give him the glory “both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

Lee Parish

Studying what the Bible has to say about eternal life is one of my favorite things to do. There are few things more encouraging than to read what scripture alludes to for our timeless resting place. I love seeing some of the imagery (Rev. 21:2-5), hearing some of the words spoken (Matt 225:23), and even listening to the great sounds (Ezek. 1:24).

This past week, I was engulfed in some school work that I had been putting off for quite some time. One of the assignments was to take 100 hymns found in our song books, attribute five categories for each hymn, and give a brief summary for every song. This may not sound like a lot, but it took me nearly six hours to complete. In my work, I found a parallel to my “side” study of eternal life. We don’t know all the details as to what our life will look like in the world to come, but we do know some of the things we’ll be doing; one of which is singing.

Revelation 4, Isaiah 6, and Ezekiel 1 and 10, all have a portrayal of the heavenly throne where God sits. Before that throne there is unique imagery of seas of crystal/glass, numerous hosts and living creatures, elders, and those who are saved. In Revelation 14:3, the saints are singing before the throne a new song. Singing is one activity that we do in this life that carries on into the next life.

In my six hours of going through the assignment, I noticed that I couldn’t help but sing a couple verses of each hymn. Some were out loud (bless my neighbors hearts), and some were in my head. I can’t recall a single time in that study that I worried about politics, covid, sports, or anything else. Nearly six hours were spent worry free. I believe we see this very instance take place in scripture. Paul, when he and Silas were in prison sang (Acts 16:25). Jesus, moments before His arrest, sang a song with His apostles (Matthew 26:30). Singing has a way of manually disengaging our mind from the world around. Next time you just need a break from life, find a hymn and sing out.

Tyler King

Henry Ruggs is 24 years old. He was born in Montgomery, AL and signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide to be a receiver. He played some as a freshman, but he hit his stride as a sophomore, with 741 receiving yards, averaging 16.1 yards per catch and 11 TD. As a junior, he had 746 yards, averaging 18.7 yards per catch with 7 TDs.

After his junior year, Ruggs signed with the LA Raiders with a 4-year contract, with a $9, 684,820 signing bonus and $16,671,626 guaranteed salary. His annual average salary would have been $4,167,907.

I say “would have been” because Henry Ruggs is in jail. He will spend 3-10 years in jail for vehicular manslaughter. Tina Tintor was a 23-year old who was traveling in her car with her dog; they were going home from a dog park when Henry Ruggs with a blood alcohol content of .161 at the time of the crash. Ruggs was driving an estimated 150 mph!

I think we all can agree that God’s definition of drunkenness is not determined by man’s laws and how many drinks it takes to raise your blood alcohol content. We are not interested in Michigan’s laws. We are interested in living a holy and righteous life that honors Jesus Christ.

What does the Bible say? It has often been said that the Bible only condemns drunkenness – such as in Galatians 5:21. While it is true that the Bible condemns drunkenness, that statement comes close to committing a logical fallacy called “oversimplification.” In other words, there is more to consider relative to the use of modern alcoholic drinks than just “the Bible condemns drunkenness.” Let me share with you some things…

BIBLICAL “WINE” IS NOT MODERN “WINE:”

Distillation of alcohol was invented by the Arabs in the 8th century in order to strengthen the alcoholic content of drinks and to strengthen the impact it would have over the minds of drinkers. Distilled alcohol was not available in Bible times.

According to Biblical scholars, the strongest alcoholic beverage available in biblical times was natural wine with a content of 11-12%, before it was diluted. That is equivalent to about 5 ounces of wine. But that was before it was diluted.

But even at that ancient wine – the 5 ounces of wine – was normally diluted by respectable people. Even pagans believed that drinking such straight wine was barbaric. Usually, people who were cultured would dilute their 5 ounces of natural wine with 3 parts water to 1 part wine.

NADAB AND ABIHU – Leviticus 10:1-3, 8-11:

We do not know if Nadab and Abihu’s sin was motivated by “WUI” – worshipping under the influence. But clearly God intended to set a precedent that worship should not be guided by the influence of alcohol.

As Christians, we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1-2), which argues that we need to keep our minds under strict control at all times.

Under the Law of Moses (Deut. 21:20-21), Henry Ruggs would not have lived long enough to kill someone driving under the influence. His parents would have had him stoned to death after the first or second bout of intoxication.

THE WARNING OF THE WISE MAN:

Proverbs 23:29-35. Solomon is clearly warning his son about the danger of – not just drunkenness – but of wine itself.

THE NEW TESTAMENT WARNS OF THE SAME IMPACT:

2 Timothy 1:7; Acts 26:25; 1 Cor. 15:34; 1 Thessalonians, 5:6, 8. The word “sober” means “clear thinking” but it came to be used for “non-intoxication” because the influence of alcohol on one’s thinking makes you not “sober.” The connection between sobriety and “clear thinking” is specifically made in 1 Peter 1:13.

If drinking alcohol hinders our prayers (1 Peter 4:7), as alcohol hindered Nadab and Abihu, we need to stay away from it.

I do not know what Henry Ruggs is spiritually. But every single person who puts an alcoholic drink to their mouth effectively asks this question: “Is this drink going to make me sin against God? Well, I’m going to take my chances because I like the possibility of what it will do to me.” That shows that our highest desire is not to please God, but to please self.

Two more points I wish to make…

Someone always introduces alcoholic beverages to someone else. Sin does not happen in a vacuum. Jesus raises the level of expectation for His disciples in Luke 17:2. If someone leads another person to sin against God, then that person deserves destruction, Jesus says. That’s harsh and Jesus doesn’t take lightly the influence that we have on other people.

And one more point… in 1 Peter 4:3, Peter writes that Christians no longer live like Gentiles and they have left that lifestyle. Notice that Peter distinguishes “drunkenness” from “drinking parties.” Peter says that Christians do not participate in “drinking parties.” You don’t go to drinking parties and you don’t sponsor drinking parties!

Avoid alcoholic drinks and drugs which make you ill-prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Paul Holland

I was six or seven, in the first or second grade and always walked up the alley to and from school. It was only five blocks and as I walked along other kids would be heading to the same place, and by the time I got there about ten or so was in the group. On the way home, the group grew smaller, the closer I got to home.

Now one day, while walking along in the alley, I discovered a few boxes of flowers and in pretty good shape too. So, it did not take me long to put a few together in a bunch for my mom. I just chose the colors I liked and took them home. She put them in a vase, I was happy, and she was happy.

A few days later the vase was empty, so, on my way home I put together another bunch. It seemed there were always boxes of flowers in the alley. I wasn’t sure why, but I was glad they were there.

As before, when I took them home mom put them in a vase and they would last a few days, then they were gone. Of course, when the vase was empty, I would bring in new ones. Looking back, I am not sure how long this went on, but long enough that other kids noticed and began to make fun of me.

Now, while the flowers were still the same, and my mom was happy each time I brought a new bunch home, I quit bringing them to her.

The reason I stopped bringing the flowers home, was not because the kids made fun of me, but because they started saying, they were, “Dead people flowers.” Now of course, I didn’t want my mom to be dead, so I stopped bringing her the flowers.

Naturally, when I was older and knew what they really meant it had nothing to do with “making” someone die, it was that the flowers were from the funeral of people that had died. You see, the place I was getting the flowers in the alley, was from the trash bin of the funeral home.

A child’s misunderstanding over words caused me to quit bringing the flowers to my mom. Looking back, in the overall scheme of things it was no big deal.

So, what’s the point? Before you make your decision, of what you will or will not do, make sure you know and understand “all” the facts. There could be a misunderstanding on your part, or on the part of the others.

Dick Brant

The word “repent” is used 27 times in the New Testament and the word “repentance” is found 20 times. The concept is found many additional times. Here are some important teachings we see concerning the concept of repentance.

1. The word “repent” refers to a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. The Bible almost exclusively uses it of turning away from sin and submitting to the will of God.
2. Repentance was an integral part of the message of John the baptizer (Mk. 1:4), Jesus (Mt. 4:17), as well as the apostles (Lk. 24:47).
3. Repentance, very clearly, entails more than being sorry or remorseful of sin. Judas repented of what he had done (see Mt. 27:3-5), but he did not deal rightly with his sin. Paul says that “godly grief produces repentance” (2 Cor. 7:10). Jesus indicated that one should “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Mt. 3:8). When one recognizes that he has transgressed the will of the Almighty, that sorrow ought to produce wholesome change.
4. The prominent message of repentance in the New Testament demands there be a standard of some sort that man is held accountable to, otherwise what would one transgress and what would one need to repent unto? Sin is the transgression of the law of Christ (1 Jn. 3:4) and leaving undone what the Lord intends for us to do (James 4:17). The word of Christ is the standard for repentance (see Jn. 12:48). It is critically important to understand that our repentance really cannot be any better than our study of God’s Word!
5. Repentance is an essential aspect of obtaining salvation. Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed the apostles to preach this message of repentance to the world (Lk. 24:47). He also said in Luke 13:3, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Repentance is no less essential than baptism and is a prerequisite for baptism (see Acts 2:38). The concept of repentance is also far more demanding than simply allowing someone to immerse you under water!
6. Repentance is not only something that one does on the way to becoming a Christian, but it is a practice of the Christian as he continues to fight sin in his own life. Simon, who was formerly a sorcerer, after becoming a Christian, fell back to his old ways and was told in Acts 8:22, “Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven.” Assurance is given in 1 John 1 that if the Christian turns from his sin and confesses it, the blood of Christ will continue to cleanse him (see 1 Jn. 1:6-10).

Not only is repentance essential to the salvation of the soul, the Bible teaching on this subject encourages him to live on a high plane that is a great blessing to him as well as those around him. Truly, repentance is unto life! (see Acts 11:18).

Daren Schroeder

Thus the Lord said to me: ‘Go and get yourself a linen sash, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water’” (Jeremiah 13:1, NKJV).

I am often amazed at how many modern Christians seem to consider their religion to be non-demanding. This is often reflected in the denial that God would require any inconvenience or excessive demands from them. They also assume that God wants them to have a prosperous and enjoyable life, whatever may be required to make that happen.

Whenever I am confronted with such attitudes I almost unfailingly think of the lives of the prophets of Israel as related to us in the Old Testament. Jeremiah, often called “The Weeping Prophet,” is a particular example of God’s extreme requirements of those who would serve him.

In chapter 13 of the book bearing the prophet’s name a story begins with the simple request from God for the young prophet to purchase a new sash made of linen. Such a sash, used as a form of belt to secure a robe at the waist, would have been a relatively expensive item, since the cloth from which it was made was more costly that simple cotton or wool. Still, it was not of great cost and we would not expect that Jeremiah would have hesitated to obey.

Next, however, Jeremiah was told to take his belt to the Euphrates river and there to bury it in a hole in the ground (verses 3-4). Now the expense and trouble which the prophet must encounter begin to mount up. Not only was it a several day’s journey to the Euphrates, it was also into “enemy territory” occupied by Syria, Assyria, and Babylonia – all historic enemies of Israel. The Assyrian empire was in its last days and Babylonia was rising to threaten and eventually destroy it. For a Jew to travel alone in that region was risky.

Many days after Jeremiah had fulfilled this strange request, God sent him back to recover his buried sash (verses 6-7). Not surprisingly when he did the sash was “ruined, profitable for nothing.” Another hard trip was required with the same expenses and dangers already faced once before. And all to reclaim a piece of fabric which would be of no use to him.

At this point Jeremiah learns that his belt has been used by God as an allegory. It represented Israel, whom God would cause to be carried to the Euphrates river in only a few more years where their pride and sinful arrogance would be destroyed through 70 years of captivity (verses 9-11). Just as the linen sash was ruined by exposure to the dirt of the Euphrates valley, so would Israel’s idolatrous prosperity be taken from them, to be replaced with proper humility and faith in the one true God.

Couldn’t God have delivered his message in a much more convenient and less expensive and risky manner? Did Jeremiah have to buy something which he would never get any use from, and then make two difficult, costly, and dangerous journeys with it? Possibly, but the fact is that God sent his messages to Jeremiah for something like 40 years, in many forms and Israel ignored them all. Jeremiah was faithful to deliver God’s word, regardless of the difficulty and danger of so doing. And God never apologized.

At the very beginning of Jeremiah’s work as a prophet God had prepared him for a difficult and fruitless ministry:

“Therefore prepare yourself and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, lest I dismay you before them. … They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:17, 19).

In the New Testament Paul promised, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). How can we read the stories of the apostles and other Christian evangelists, not to mention the prophets and faithful from Old Testament times, observing their sacrifices, suffering, and extreme labors in God’s service, and still expect to avoid any real cost of our own discipleship?

Have we forgotten the words of Jesus?

“If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

God has given us the most precious gift ever received by mankind – his own son (John 3:16). How can we refuse to give him our devotion and service?

by Michael Brooks