In Judges 11 we read that Jephthah was a mighty man who was asked by the elders of Gilead to lead the people in a fight against the Ammonites, but who also attracted the company of worthless men (11:3-5). Prior to the battle, Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. He prays, “If you will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

HE IS VICTORIOUS AND RETURNS

The victory would be short lived, however, as we read, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low! You are among those who trouble me! For I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot go back on it” (11:35)

There has been a lot of debate concerning the end of this account. Did he sacrifice his daughter? Did he go through with this horrible thing?

The account seems to indicate that he did indeed sacrifice his daughter, but if that is the case it wouldn’t have been approved by Him. Jepthah’s character hints to his own spiritual life. Not all of the men and women God raised up to fulfill His will were righteous. If Jepthah went through with the sacrifice it would have been out of ignorance. If he knew the God of Israel, he would have known that God would have never asked him to do such a thing.

The question we should ask when we read this account is not whether or not Jepthah murdered his daughter, but rather, how well do we know God?

Dale Pollard

The first-century church in Philadelphia caught the attention of Jesus in a good way. While speaking to several other congregations, the Lord found it necessary to address Philadelphia’s particular situation and their overall outlook on life. This was one of the few assemblies that Jesus didn’t condemn, but instead, He commended them.

Jesus was rather fond of their “patient endurance” in those strange and difficult times of the Roman persecution (Revelation 3:10). This word “endurance” is found 32 times throughout the New Testament, with the highest density found in John’s Revelation (7x) and the second highest rate (6x) in Paul’s words to the Roman church. Very briefly, here’s what we can learn about enduring times of opposition from the letter of Revelation:

• Endurance is something that can be shared (Revelation 1:9)
• Endurance is something that Jesus notices (Revelation 2:2)
• Endurance is something that can help your faith be more… well… faithful (Revelation 2:3)
• Endurance is something that opens doors of opportunity to minister (Revelation 2:19)
• Endurance is something that will ultimately lead us to victory over this earth (Revelation 3:10)
• Endurance is something that helps our understanding of true life (Revelation 13:10)
• Endurance is something that Jesus expects from His people (Revelation 14:12).

The church in Philadelphia was seemingly great at this practice of perseverance. In verse 10, Jesus notes, “because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” In reflecting on this verse, Warren Wilcox noted, “Keep God’s word and you shall be kept by God’s power.” Endurance is a significant blessing to the faithful Christian who lives in a harsh and cruel world. We abandon our spiritual blessings if we neglect the power and development of perseverance.

Tyler King

When my wife leaves her purse in the car, she locks the car. Most people keep their money in a bank. Those with influence or fame are often guarded closely while in public. If it has value or potential risk, it is locked up or otherwise guarded. We understand this concept.

The New Testament talks about guarded stuff quite a bit. What follows is an abridged list of ways τηρεω (tereo) is translated, in a very informal word study format. Specific definitions come from BDAG (a fantastic lexicon).

1. Prisoner/Person in Custody – It is used of Jesus (Matt. 27.36ff), Paul and Silas (Acts 16.23), Angels Who Sinned (II Peter 2.4), and Peter (Acts 12.5).
2. To Preserve or Hold Someone or Something – It is used of the “good wine that was kept until after the bad wine was consumed” (John 2). It is used to describe our inheritance, which is being held and is waiting for those who die in Christ (I Peter 2.4). It is used to describe the universe and the earth, which is being preserved because its destruction will be caused by God at the end of time (II Peter 3.7; Cf. Romans 8.22-24). For the Christian, this seems to resolve the climate change issue since God is keeping the earth intact until the last day.
3. To Not Give Up Something – Paul uses it urging Christians to persist in being united (Eph. 4.3). He also used it to tell Timothy that he had held onto his faith, even up to his imminent death (II Timothy 4.7). John uses it to describe our spiritual protection from being lost if we’re trying to live faithfully (I John 5.8).

For the sake of brevity, we’ll stop there. How cool is that our eternal home is being held by God, or that our record is kept clean by Jesus if we’re trying to be faithful? The two most important assets a Christian has is their eternal home and spiritual state. The first can never be taken away, and the second can only be lost if we give it up willingly and intentionally. God is good.

Gary Pollard

Michael J. Fox is quoted as saying, “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” Mr. Fox is not alone; this is a common refrain among many.

Family is important. Some disregard, ignore, or abuse their family. Many give themselves over to their work, their hobbies, or their friends at the expense of their children or spouse. Many of the most successful people have chosen business over family.

It is admirable when one honors one’s family. The Bible speaks of our responsibility to our family. Husbands are to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Fathers are to bring up their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Children are to honor their father and mother (Ephesians 6:1-3). Husbands are to dispense not only discipline and instruction but also provide financially for their family (1 Timothy 5:8).

Blood is and should be thicker than water. But the blood of Jesus is thicker than that of physical family. The bonds of Christ should be stronger than the bonds of birth and marriage.

In the midst of Jesus’ ministry, his family came to visit. When told of his mother and brothers’ desire to speak with him, Jesus responded “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” (Matthew 12:48). Then he stretched his hand out to his disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50).

While we share important characteristics with our physical family, the blood of Jesus redeemed us from sin.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

While we are joined tightly to our physical family, the blood of Jesus justifies us before the Father.

“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God” (Romans 5:9).

Many Jews who wished to follow Jesus were given a choice: family or Jesus. Some who decided to follow Jesus were cut off from the synagogue, the community, and their own family. Jesus advised his hearers of the importance of this decision. “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37).

How we treat our family is important in our walk with God. We must love and cherish our family. But the blood of Jesus brings us into a much more important family.

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

This church of God consists of those who by grace through faith have become children of God (Galatians 3:26, 27; 1 John 3:2). In this way we are all brothers and sisters (1 Timothy 5:1, 2).

While some may neglect their flesh and blood, and still others cling too closely, the Christian needs to see the blood of Jesus as the key binding agent for relationships. Let us strive to become like the one who died for us. Let us follow him above all others.

Family is important, but isn’t everything. Jesus is.

by Lee Parish

On the morning of October 2, 2006, Charles Carl Roberts barricaded himself inside West Nickel Mines Amish School. After murdering five young girls and wounding six others, Roberts committed suicide. It was a dark day for the Amish community of West Nickel Mines, but it was also a dark day for Marie Roberts, the wife of the gunman, and her two young children.

On the following Saturday, Marie went to her husband’s funeral. She and her children watched in amazement as Amish families—about half of the seventy-five mourners present—came and stood alongside them in the midst of their blinding grief. Despite the horrific crimes the man had committed against them, the Amish came to mourn Charles Carl Roberts as a husband and daddy.

Bruce Porter, a fire department chaplain who attended the service, was profoundly moved: “It’s the love, the heartfelt forgiveness they have toward the family. I broke down and cried seeing it displayed.” He said Marie Roberts was also touched. “She was absolutely, deeply moved by the love shown.”

Sometimes the “Power of Serving” is in just extending forgiveness and compassion.

GOD COMMANDED THE WIDOW TO PROVIDE FOR ELIJAH – 17:8-11:

We should understand here in the days of Elijah that Sidon is not on the best of terms with Israel. But, God sends Elijah to this widow in Zarephath to have his needs provided.

Observe that Elijah does not demand the widow to serve him.

As the widow was going, Elijah then calls out to her: “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” It appears from the ensuing dialogue that this was intended to test the widow’s faith.

THE WIDOW’S FAITH IS TESTED – 17:12-16:

The widow emphasizes that she has no bread. All she has is a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in a jar. In fact, she says she is gathering sticks to prepare something to eat which she assumes is going to be her last meal.

Elijah then furthers the test of faith: “Do not fear” (an expression used 58 times in the OT). He says, “do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son.”

The promise of blessing, which motivates to faith, is given in verse 14: “For thus says the Lord God of Israel” (an expression used 14 times, in a different expression – “thus says the Lord” – found 419 times).

God promises that the famine is going to be over – the flour will not be exhausted nor will the oil be empty until God sends more rain. Will the widow trust God, serving His messenger first?

She did… Verse 15: “She went and did according to the word of Elijah,” and she and he and her household ate for many days.”

God’s message came true. Will you believe it?

JESUS PROMISES BLESSINGS FOR THOSE WHO SERVE:

Matthew 10:41–42; 19:30; 20:16.

“If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:33). Do you want to be “great?” Be a servant. Jesus took a child and set him in front of these adult men and hugged the boy and said, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”

The power of service is the power of living like Christ. It’s the power to reflect the nature of Christ into the lives of others.

Paul Holland

During our first months in Brazil, aeons ago, two of our Portuguese teachers discussed, rather heatedly, whether or not Brazilians were by nature lazy. One believed it zealously, while the other noted how much time Brazilians spent getting to and from work, as well as how long their work week was.

Years later, a Brazilian brother shared his dream of retirement: living on the beach and spending his days in a hammock. That sounds pretty lazy to me. But then it’s retirement, right? I doubt, however, that many people would buy into his dream.

We’ll leave these arguments aside in order to recognize that some ethnic groups do share common characteristics. The apostle Paul recognized some among the Cretans. He wrote,

A certain one of them, in fact, one of their own prophets, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. Such testimony is true” Titus 1.12-13.

Proverbs has much to say about laziness, sometimes even making fun of the habits and excuses of the lazy (how politically incorrect!), so that we’ll see the folly of it. Here’s just one example:

The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” Proverbs 22.13 NLT.

Of course, laziness is a serious thing. One can even use spiritual justifications for it, such as Jesus coming back at any time. (There are supposedly some lazy preachers out there who only work Sunday morning and night for a few hours, but I’ve not seen one yet.)

Here’s what the workaholic apostle Paul said about that,

We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat” 2 Thessalonians 3.7-10 NIV.

That sounds hard-hearted, does it not? But the church (and society) does people a favor who refuse to work by not supporting their aversion to work.

Refusal comes in many forms. One of the most popular is to feign sickness. Plenty of doctors will write you a prescription. There are sick people, for sure. But our modern social systems (speaking internationally) encourage sickness and idleness. It’s just true. Cretans aren’t the only lazy ones to inhabit the earth.

Where to go with this?

1. Don’t be lazy. Look first to your own work habits (or lack of them). Work hard and work smart. Diligence will take you far. Give the example.
2. Don’t encourage laziness. Don’t accept it. Don’t reward it. Teach against it — Scripture has plenty of material on it. Proverbs is a great start.
3. Understand that work is a gift from God. Man was made to work. God works and put that need into the fiber of humans.
4. Put your work in God’s hands so that he may be glorified through it and the Kingdom may reach others.

Jesus condemned a lazy servant, Matthew 25.26. Let not that condemnation fall on you, and help keep others from it as well. After all, laziness is a sin, and like all the others, the Lord can save us from it.

1. Randal Matheny |

It has been observed that Christians in increasing numbers are using the New International Version of the Bible as their primary translation. While the NIV provides a very ‘readable’ copy of the Scriptures, users should be informed about several significant difficulties.

Most notably, the NIV promotes the false doctrines of Calvinism by inaccurately translating several key verses. For instance, Psalm 51: 5 in the NIV reads, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”. Obviously, this teaches the Calvinistic notion of inherited sin which is plainly denied in many other Bible texts. The KJV and ASV read, “in sin did my mother conceive me”. There is quite a difference in being conceived in sin (describing the spiritual condition of the world into which the author was born) and in being personally sinful from the point of conception.

Additionally, the NIV frequently refers to man’s “sinful nature” (see Rom. 8:3ff, Eph. 2:3, Col. 2:11, & many other passages). This teaches another tenet of Calvinism, namely total depravity – the idea that man must sin – it is in his very nature to do so.  Again, this is denied elsewhere in the Scriptures. Other versions simply refer to the “flesh” in these important verses.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO? Considering these and other objections to the NIV, we suggest that Christians should exercise great caution in using this translation as their principle study Bible. Other versions are much more reliable, and several are equal to the NIV in ‘readability’. Choose the NKJV or the NASV if you want a trustworthy translation without the old English of the KJV. It would be best to reserve the NIV as a study aid in providing comparative readings.

– by Greg Gwin

Sexual immorality is a terrible sin. It has always carried a stigma with it.

Jesus dined with a Pharisee named Simon one evening, and a woman with a reputation of immoral conduct entered the Pharisee’s home standing behind Jesus weeping. Why was she crying? This woman needed something only Jesus could give her. We don’t know how she found out about the Lord. She may have listened to one of his sermons or saw him heal someone.

Jesus knew her sins (Luke 7:47), and he knew her need. Simon didn’t care why the woman was there. It is clear he just wanted her to leave. Her presence repulsed him because she had unbound her hair and was washing Jesus’ feet with her tears (Luke 7:38).

Think of the contrast. Simon was just as much a sinner as anyone else though he didn’t think so. He looked at this woman with contempt, but he was as plagued by sin as she was. With Simon, there was no love, no need, no forgiveness.

The woman cried with grief for her sins. She expressed her love of Jesus by washing his feet with her tears (something Simon didn’t think to do for his guest, the son of God).

I wonder. Which person, do you think, was closer to salvation? The woman was, wasn’t she? Yet for Simon, forgiveness was the furthest thing from his mind. He wanted that sinner out of his house.

Is it possible that we can, dare I say, identify more with Simon than with the woman? Both of them were lost in sin and needed a savior. They needed Jesus to forgive them. We need Jesus to forgive us of our sins.

Just as Jesus was kind to this woman, he is ready to forgive us. We must, however, obey the gospel and start living for him. If we will, forgiveness and joy can be ours, and one day heaven can be our home.

John Henson

We owned and raised Belgian draft horses for a few years when the boys were smaller. These “gentle giants” are some of the most massive horses in the world. When Garrett and Gordon were little bitty rascals, they could lead, drive, and show them with the greatest ease. Obviously, this was not the case because the boys were stronger than our 2000 pound horses. Day after day of practice and training had been invested in each of our mares. When a new colt was born, almost immediately, the training process went into effect. The boys and I spent every day out in the pasture working with those colts. Otherwise, when they were older (and much stronger), there would have been no way we could have controlled them.

The Lord paints the same picture through the wise man of the Proverbs. The verse under consideration (Prov. 22:6) is often used to shame parents who already feel guilty (we will discuss this later). However, it is a verse that shows what the commitment of a parent must be. As fathers, we too often take a “hands-off” approach to parenting. We bounce in and give some advice, then get busy with our careers and hobbies. Later, we will pop back into the father’s role to levy some punishment. Just as it took training those colts every day, it takes fathers who are committed to fatherhood if we are going to influence our children toward the right way. Notice

1. WHAT WE ARE TO DO: train up a child. The word used here means “to train up, dedicate, make experienced, submissive, etc. (as one does a horse by a rope in its mouth).” With a horse, this process begins shortly after birth and continues daily until it is matured. The same must be true with our children. We must be committed to teaching them, guiding them, disciplining them, and discipling them. We must do so consistently and continuously.

2. WITH WHAT WE ARE TO DO IT: in the way he should go. Get them used to living the Godly life. The old saying is, “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.” Well, this verse says it isn’t our job to make them drink. It is our job to make them thirsty! We do so by being committed to setting the right habits and patterns in their life: Bible study, prayer, attending services, honesty, service, humility, and so forth. Get them comfortable living a Godly life!

3. THE RESULT OF WHAT WE DO: even when he is old he will not depart from it. If we get them used to practicing righteousness, when they are old they will practice righteousness. Now, that is not to say that some horses won’t act up or be wild at times – that happens. It happens with our children too. After all, they are “free moral agents” just as much as you are. Nevertheless, all things being equal, when you raise a child in a way that is committed to the process of parenting, a life of righteousness, and a desire to honor the Lord, the vast majority of children will grow up to serve Him.

What if I was committed to parenting my boys as I am to perfecting the crafts of my career? What if I was as committed to teaching righteousness to my boys as I am to my favorite sports team? What if I was as committed to training the three G’s to love and serve Jesus as I am to duck hunting, my golf game, or whatever hobby you enjoy? The book of Proverbs says if we were that committed to fatherhood, our children would be raised to walk after Him. May we be as committed to fatherhood as our Father in Heaven is to us!

Corey Sawyers

The following is a “top ten” list of silliest questions asked on a cruise ship.  They were collected in 1998 by Paul Grayson, cruise director for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

10. Do these steps go up or down?

9. What do you do with the beautiful ice carvings after they melt?

8. Which elevator do I take to get to the front of the ship?

7. Does the crew sleep on the ship?

6. Is this island completely surrounded by water?

5. Does the ship make its own electricity?

4. Is it salt water in the toilets?

3. What elevation are we at?

2. There’s a photographer on board who takes photos and displays them

the next day.  The question asked:  If the pictures aren’t marked,

how will I know which ones are mine?

1. What time is the Midnight Buffet being served?

They say there’s no such thing as a foolish question, but the Bible would disagree.  Now, any question asked in order to learn something is never foolish, but some questions are asked simply for the purpose of starting an argument.  Many of the questions the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus fell into this category (see Matthew 21 for several examples).  Jesus was the master at being able to handle those kinds of questions, throwing them back at the questioner without getting embroiled in their debate.

For us, though, the best response to such a question is usually to ignore it.  The apostle Paul instructed Timothy:

“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient…” (2 Timothy 2:23-24).

Have a great day and a great weekend!

Alan Smith

As a Daddy, it’s a job that is mine,

I think of it often between the lines.

It is my unique duty, when home bound,

To get my family home, both safe and sound.

So I protect them from dangers and threats,

Keep up with conditions: snow, dry, or wet.

I keep driving on while they sleep and rest,

I study the map for the route that is best.

Across many rivers both wide and deep,

Thought the Ozarks climbing hills that are steep,

Across the open spaces of the plains,

Through the barren fields of harvested grain.

Until we ascend the mountain, what a thrill,

We reach the city set into the hill.

My family didn’t from the proper course roam,

Daddy’s Duty: I led my family home.

As a Daddy, a greater job is mine,

It is declared in many Bible lines.

It is my unique duty, when Heav’n bound,

Get my family Home; spiritually safe and sound.

I protect their souls from dangers and threats,

Ensure Godliness in our home is kept.

I teach the family of Heavenly rest,

We study God’s word, the map that is best.

I lead o’er rivers of worldliness deep,

Over the temptation mountains so steep,

Across paralyzing, complacent plains,

Through fields of worries as numerous as grain.

Until we ascend the Mountain, what a thrill,

When we all reach the City on a Hill.

My family shan’t from the proper Course roam,

Daddy’s Duty: to lead my family Home.

“Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them…. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.” (Col. 3:19, 21)

Corey Sawyers

She lived alone in a remote location, and on a stormy October night Ella Mae Reimers fell outside her garage to the rocky ground of the Texas Hill Country. She had broken her hip and there was no one near to hear her cries of pain. After struggling in vain to reach the ignition of her running automobile, she managed to pull her body along the ground and into the cold, damp garage located several yards on the downhill slope away from her house. With her bruised and bleeding arms she pulled together some empty feed sacks and an old shirt to cover her weakening body.  The lightning from the raging thunderstorm had caused her electrical power to fail and left her isolated in the darkness and solitude of the night.  Her intermittent cries for help went unheard by human ears until morning, when she was finally discovered by a friend.  “How did you make through the night, all by yourself?” her friend asked. Ella Mae said, “I wasn’t alone, my cries were not unheard.  I spent the night in prayer.”  Through pain she found comfort, and in her solitude, she discovered strength.

Our Lord once suffered alone through the night as well. He prayed in agony that the cup of suffering about to befall Him might pass away. With strong crying and tears He petitioned his father, and the angles came and strengthened him (Hebrews. 5:7; Luke 22:43). It was in a dark and isolated place that God provided for His son and prepared him for the awful misery that lay ahead.  Through prayer we likewise can become strong and find the peace needed to sustain us through the most challenging and painful of circumstances (Philippians 4:6-7) that might lie ahead. Truly, the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry (Psalm 34:15), even when we are alone, crying, and no one else can hear. God does. And if we, as His children, where to ever spend the night in prayer, He would most certainly be there as well.

John Moore

Being a follower of God has never been easy. Abraham was afraid for his life because of how beautiful his wife was, and so, he lied about their relationship (Genesis 20). Joseph maintained his integrity and resisted temptation but still wound up in prison and was left there for two years after he should have been released (Genesis 41:1). Job was faithful and righteous, but Satan was allowed to test him to the max, and then, he was accused of evil and unrepentant sin. Israel escaped Egyptian bondage, and after three days found no water (Exodus 15:22-23). The prophets of God were hidden in caves during the time of Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 18:4). The people Jesus came to save betrayed Him, and one of His close followers betrayed Him, too. The book of Acts details a number of times Christians were arrested, beaten, threatened and even martyred. The apostle Paul had his own list of times he experienced various dangers (2 Corinthians 11:24ff). Life is not always going to be fair or easy, so when the tough times come, how much are we willing to trust God (Romans 8:18)?

[Editor’s Note: The statement and sentiment of the three Jewish youths facing a fiery furnace ought to be demonstrated in the lives of Christians today. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar… our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up’” (Daniel 3:16-18 NKJV). ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]

Thomas Baxley

There are many good people in the world who are honestly mistaken, but when a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, one of two things must happen: he will cease to be mistaken or, he will cease to be honest. If he does not obey it, he will no longer be honest. If he does obey it, he will no longer be mistaken. Honesty and error must separate when truth comes along. No man can be honestly mistaken if he has heard the truth.

– by Eugene Britnell

“Paul Gustave Doré, a renowned artist, lost his passport while traveling in Europe. When he came to a border crossing, he explained his predicament to one of the guards. Giving his name to the official, Doré hoped he would be recognized and allowed to pass. The guard, however, said that many people attempted to cross the border by claiming to be persons they were not. Dore’ insisted that he was the man he claimed to be. ‘All right,’ said the official, ‘we’ll give you a test, and if you pass it we’ll allow you to go through.’ Handing him a pencil and a sheet of paper, he told the artist to sketch several peasants standing nearby. Doré did it so quickly and skillfully that the guard was convinced that he was indeed who he claimed to be” (Tim Shen Illustrations).

People can claim to be whatever and whomever they want, but at some point, they will have to prove it. Doré’s artistic work proved his word. Today, there are an estimated 2.43 billion claiming to be “Christians” (CSGC). Oddly enough, the vast majority of these people’s works do not match their words. In fact, the evidence they present is typically in clear opposition to Christ’s teachings.

Consider what Christ said about this, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus’ message is both clear and bold — few people are actually on the right path. Sadly, 1.8 billion are claiming to walk on this narrow way, but the reality is much different from their claim.

Jesus continues to identify true Christians by saying, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Many religious people are praise God (“Lord, Lord”) but are walking on the broad path leading to destruction. The clear identifier of those who are true Christians is found in the phrase, “he who does the will of My Father.” If a person follows God’s word, this person is a true Christian. If a person doesn’t follow God’s word, this person isn’t a follower of Christ.

It is an incredible tragedy how few true Christians there are. However, we can make sure that we are different. We can make sure we are true and authentic followers of Christ. But we must make sure we are “doing the will of the Father.”

The question is, have we been? Are we who we say we are?

If so, keep walking the right path! If not, there is time to change.

Heaven hangs in the balance.

Brett Petrillo

I found an old commercial promoting kudzu for groundcover while researching my family’s history on Newspapers.com, an Ancestry.com extension. Given the plant’s current status as an invasive species plaguing the southeastern United States, this revelation made me laugh. This year, particularly, has seen a remarkable increase in the kudzu crop.

Looking through historical documents, I discovered that kudzu first appeared on American soil in 1876 during the Centennial International Exhibition. This exotic vine proudly displayed in the Japanese pavilion at the World’s Fair in Philadelphia, captivated spectators so much that it was quickly renamed the “Jack and the Beanstalk vine.”

Early twentieth-century newspapers like The Boston Globe recommended kudzu for backyard gardeners, praising its rapid growth, pleasant aroma, and low maintenance requirements. By the 1950s, however, the federal government was forced to acknowledge the drawbacks of kudzu’s rampant spread, a species they had promoted for decades for erosion control. The USDA designated kudzu as a weed in 1970 and was redesignated as a “noxious weed” in 1997.

This story of kudzu—initially celebrated, then reviled—resembles the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which appears in Matthew 13.31–32, Mark 4.30–32, and Luke 13.18–19. Jesus uses The mustard seed in this parable to demonstrate the profound potential that can emerge from humble beginnings.

In the parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven, God’s divine rule, to a mustard seed. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, when planted, it grows into the largest of garden plants, even becoming a tree. This tree then becomes a haven for birds, providing shade and a place for them to nest in its branches.

The mustard seed’s growth, from small to great, signifies how God’s kingdom begins as a tiny seed in our hearts and develops into a powerful influence. Similarly, kudzu started as a tiny seed in the United States and grew into a major ecological force. Instead of providing a haven, it became an uncontrollable pest, engulfing large areas of the southern United States.

So, what can we learn from the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the story of kudzu? Both teach us about the potential consequences of small beginnings and remind us to consider the possible long-term impact of our actions. We have the free will to choose our efforts. Let’s aim to plant excellent seeds that enrich our environment through activities that align with the divine and benefit the world (as taught in Luke 8.11).

Brent Pollard

On Tuesday I learned of the death of one of our beloved 15-year-old youth group boys back in Tennessee. This news is tragic on so many levels and it is really difficult to wrap my mind around. Death is one of those realities we avoid or take for granted until it hits us square in the nose. While I understand that reality, I am presently and acutely aware that it is good to purposefully think about the uncomfortable things (like death) from time to time so that we are not caught completely off-guard when we cross it. With that in mind, here are a few thoughts in light of the tragedy of death.

1) Life is indeed a vapor (James 4:14). We all have those great plans of what our future is going to be like. We dream of vacations, long careers, family dinners, and great adventures. Simultaneously we have a tendency to procrastinate on various duties of life because, “I will have time to get to that later.” The truth is that we do not even know if we have tomorrow. Should that knowledge affect how we live today?

2) “This was in God’s plan” is not a wise thing to say to the grieving. The sudden tragedy of death leaves us searching for something to say, ideally something that comforts and acknowledges God. However, one of the biggest mistakes we can make is telling a grieving family, “It was just part of God’s plan.” For starters, we cannot possibly know that to be true. Such insight has not been given to us and we should not claim to have it. Perhaps more importantly, it seems to me that scripture paints a different picture concerning the will of God. While it is true that he has called servants throughout history to very specific jobs (i.e. Moses or Isaiah), the bulk of humanity falls under the bigger picture. God’s will is to reclaim humanity, restore his creation, and unite all things together in Christ. Our role in that is to trust and follow him as long as we have breath. When we walk every day and make our decisions rooted in faith, then we know that God is working in all things to bring about the good of his ultimate will (Rom 8:28).

3) The hope of resurrection is so much more than a fantasy. One of my professors recently remarked, “When we say we believe in the resurrection, it causes us to say and do things that are contrary to the rest of the world.” This would include the way we think about death. This fleshly, fallen life cannot be seen as the pinnacle of our existence! Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we confidently know that it is not (1 Cor. 15). Our expectation is that, after death, we will stand again, be clothed in a new and better body, and live forever in the presence of our God. I cannot tell all of what that means or what it will look like, but I know it is far better than the existence I have here. I know THAT will be the pinnacle of my existence. Armed with that conviction, I can look death in the eye and say, “Do your worst! Because your worst is nothing compared to the power of my God!”

Death is a hard thing to cope with, but especially when it comes on suddenly and tragically. Please, take the time to reflect on it before the tragedy strikes. I know it is awkward and uncomfortable. I also know that such reflection will not remove the pain if (and when) you are forced to face it. What is will do is prepare you better to cope and endure so that you can say with Paul…

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

1 Corinthians 15:55

Cory Waddell

This short series of lessons is not only for the purpose of learning what the Scripture says about different topics, but also how we can do honest Bible study to insure we understand it correctly. With that in mind, please give attention to the following.

KEY WORDS AND PHRASES: 

Here are some of the key words that can be searched in a concordance to see what is said about our subject for today: miracles, signs, hands, prophecies, tongues, Holy Spirit, gifts, cease, perfect.  Incidentally, the more familiar you are with the NT, the easier it will be to come up with key words and phrases pertaining to this or any other subject.

GOOGLE “HAVE MIRACLES CEASED?”

Doing such a search will bring up articles on this subject that you can use to help identify other relevant passages. (I do this all the time. I rarely take the time to see what they say about the subject, but simply use it to identify passages I have forgotten to include.) Using this procedure, here is what we find…

WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS

1. Mark 16:20 – “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”
2. John 20:30-31 – “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
3. Acts 2:4 – “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
4. Acts 2:22 – “while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
5. Acts 8:18 – “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,”
6. Acts 19:6 – “And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.”
7. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 – “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
8. Ephesians 4:7-13 – “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’ (In saying, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth.  He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
9. Hebrews 2:4 – “while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
10. James 1:25 – “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
11. Jude 3 – “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”

OBSERVATIONS:

1. The main purpose of God using miracles was to create belief and confirm His message (see Mk. 16:20; Jn. 20:30-31; Acts 2:22; Heb. 2:4).
2. These miracles began with the apostles being filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.
3. The apostles could pass this ability on to others through the laying on of their hands (see Acts 8:18; 19:6), yet we have no indication that anyone else could do that.
4. It is clear that God’s design for miracles was not for them to be a continuing part of the church but to cease after the entirety of God’s will was revealed and confirmed (see 1 Cor. 13:8-12; Eph. 4:7-13; Jam. 1:25; Jude 3).

1. These miracles would have naturally come to an end after the death of the apostles, as they would not be able to be passed on any further.

It is amazing how Bible study is simplified by using the right procedures!

Daren Schroeder

I am unaware of the original source of the following story:

As a sergeant in a parachute regiment I took part in several night time exercises. Once, I was seated next to a Lieutenant fresh from Jump School.

He was quiet, sad, and looked a bit pale so I struck up a conversation.  “Scared, Lieutenant?”, I asked.  He replied, “No, just a bit apprehensive.”

I asked, “What’s the difference?”

He replied, “That means I’m scared with a university education.”

It really doesn’t matter what word you prefer to use; we’ve all been there at some point. Afraid of what might happen. Afraid of what might not happen. Afraid of what the future holds.

Jesus lets us know that the remedy for “fear” is “faith.” Listen again to this familiar Bible story:

“Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.  And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves.  But He was asleep.  Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us!  We are perishing!’  But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” (Matt. 8:23-26)

There was a calm not only in the wind and the waves, but also in the hearts of the apostles.  Fear will drive out faith, but faith will drive out fear.

Whatever it is that frightens you today, may you find a “great calm” in knowing that your Savior is near.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

    “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” (1:3-5).

    The substance of Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving is their participation in his efforts to spread the gospel. This participation is a Greek word you might have heard before: koinonia which means “co-operation” or “joint participation.” 

    Paul likely has in mind their financial support; look at 4:15-18: “You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”

    This phrase “giving and receiving” is an accounting term and very likely refers to receiving financial help from other churches and funneling those funds to Paul to support his mission efforts. Paul refers to their gifts as “a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”

    When Rachel and I received “care packages” on the mission field, it was a joyful time. Rachel received a box with hand lotions and perfumes from the South Green Street congregation in Glasgow, KY that every woman would enjoy. Whenever I received a package slip that we had a package at the customs office, I would go to the customs office with my passport, pick up the package, and bring it home before I opened it. The girls called it a “happy package.” It thrilled them to receive “happy packages.”

    Once, I picked up a box from a family in Walnut Grove, KY that felt so light, I wondered if there was anything in it. All the way home, about a 30-minute walk, I wondered what was in that box that was so light! Someone spent $13-14 to get that box to us; but it felt like nothing was inside. When I got home and we opened the box… someone had spent $13 to send us a $3.50 bag of Ruffles brand potato chips! That was a special gift! It was not quite a “fragrant aroma,” but we enjoyed our potato chips! Rachel bought some pork and we slow cooked it in BBQ sauce; we had a package of Ranch dry mix that Rachel made into a dip and we bought a 2-liter of Coke and we had a little picnic with that very expensive bag of potato chips!

    That is, in its own way, participation in the gospel. Paul says that what he did with the funds sent by the Christians in Philippi was a “profit” for them, increasing to their account.

    Their participation also included suffering for the sake of the gospel, along with Paul. Take a look at 4:14: “Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”

    It included them praying for Paul; see 1:19: “I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”

    Whomever you support on the mission field, participate with them in any way you can. The encouragement they receive is immeasurable.

Paul Holland