Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries and they both wrote about the rebuilding of Jerusalem, which occurred many years after its destruction by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. Ezra wrote about the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel, while Nehemiah wrote concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall.

God did amazing things in 52 days through Nehemiah and Ezra, who took it upon themselves to rebuild the crumbled walls of Jerusalem. They embraced the challenge with a resolute faith despite unbelievable obstacles, fully convinced that the hand of the Lord was with them. God acted!

So, what can God do for us in 52 days? What are the crumbled walls God can rebuild in our lives?  The Heart of Nehemiah. I love Nehemiah. I love his determination, his ability to lead, and most of all, Nehemiah has the heart of Jesus. His spirit was burned by those living in brokenness. This burden will lead to action, action will lead to revival.

Scientific Laws of Revival:

Objects at rest tend to stay at rest. The people had been living in the ruins for almost 100 years. The exiles returned to Jerusalem in 536 B.C. and Nehemiah begins his ministry in 445 B.C.

    Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Nothing would stand in the way of Nehemiah completing his task.

For every action, there is an opposite reaction. You would think that everyone would want revival. Sanballat and Tobiah were enemies of good. They try everything to discourage, intimidate, and ridicule the people of God. There will be times the church and lives will be no less spiritually broken than Jerusalem was in Nehemiah’s day.

What can we learn from Nehemiah?

DETERMINATION: Neh.1:4-11 He prayed and fasted…. There was a cost involved…. Jesus wants us to know the COST of following Him:  Luke 9:23 “If anyone wants to follow me…” Luke 9:62 “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in God’s Kingdom.”

DIRECTION Neh. 2:17,18 He invested himself and the people to the task of rebuilding the wall. We are to be interested in WHAT Jesus is interested in! Invest in what He invested in! Luke 19:10: seek & save.

DEPENDENCE: Neh.1:11 He was dependent on the God of Israel, not Artaxerxes. We must COMPLETELY trust Jesus! Matt. 6: Do not worry about life, body, eat or drink, clothes.

DEDICATION  Neh.12:27ff; Neh.4-6. He deals with oppression from within and without. Matt. 5:10-12  (persecution); 2 Tim. 3:12 (all those who live a godly life will be persecuted).

DESTINY  Neh. 9,10 The people repent… and remember what God has done through the ages…the covenant is sealed. Rom. 8:1, 35-39. II Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old is gone, the new has come.”

What will we/you ALLOW God to do in your life in 52 days? For the next 52 days: Will you have a new Determination, Direction, Dependence, Dedication, and Destiny?

Bill Dayton

Whether it is a tsunami, earthquake, tornado, or a pandemic, people invariably ask the question, “Who’s to blame for all this destruction and loss of life?”

Generally, the answers fall into two extremes:

1. There are those who confidently affirm that God would never be responsible for such events. After all, God is a God of love (1 John 4:8).
2. There are those who confidently affirm that God is responsible for such events, and uses them as “wake-up calls” to discipline people for their sins.

I am convinced that Scripture teaches that both positions are incorrect and here’s why.

Position #1 – God would never be responsible for catastrophic events, for God is a God of love.

Reply – A superficial survey of the biblical narrative debunks this theory. The Bible is replete with plagues, illnesses,  and natural disasters which were instigated by God. Remember the ten plagues God brought upon the Egyptians (Exodus 7-11)? Or how about a natural disaster that claimed the entire population of the earth, saving eight people (Genesis 6-7)? No, the fact that God is love, does not prevent him from using catastrophes to fulfill his purposes.

Position #2 – God is behind all these catastrophic events in an effort as a means of disciplining sinners.

Reply – The problem with this position is that it affirms what one cannot know. While it is true that God can use calamities to fulfill his purposes, there is no way for us to know that present-day calamities are his handiwork. I know that God brought the plagues on Egypt and brought a flood on the entire world because the Bible tells me so. But where there is no revelation, I am unable to discern between a random act of nature and a divinely appointed use of nature. Because of our inability to know for certain, we must be very careful not to attribute to God what he may not have done and inaccurately represent him (Job 42:7).

According to the Bible, God has employed catastrophes to fulfill his purposes, but the only way we know that is true is that he has revealed it to us in the Bible. Since we have no revelation about modern-day catastrophes, we must learn to refrain from affirming what we do not know.

Whether a calamity is the result of nature or a purposeful act of God, let us allow such disasters to remind us of the brevity of life and our purpose while we’re here.

by Steve Higginbotham

The beautiful bouquet of roses a grateful patient sent us drew a lot of attention at our nursing station, and passers-by continually asked who they were from. One harried nurse, apparently tired of explaining, told an inquirer, “They’re from my boyfriend.”

The look of pity she received caused her to read the previously unnoticed card: “Thanks for everything, but I hope I won’t be seeing you again.”

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We sometimes speak before we think and it gets us in trouble. There is an old saying, “Engage brain before putting mouth in gear.”

There are many scripture which speak of this human problem of speaking without thinking.

• Be slow to speak. James 1:19 – So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
• Let your words be few. Proverbs 10:19-  In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
• Think before speaking. Proverbs 15:2 – The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
• Knowledge spares words. Proverbs 17:27 – He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
• Listen before you speak. Proverbs 18:13 – He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
• Guard your words. Proverbs 21:23 – Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
• We have probably all had problems with “putting our foot in our mouth.” James 3:2 – For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

May we all strive to think before we speak. James 1:26 – If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

– Larry Pasley

One of the great battles in the human heart is for contentment. The desire for more or for something different never lurks far away. Satan wants us to feel that what we have now, where we are at present, who we’re with today, is not enough. There are things we ought to possess, experiences we should surely enjoy, knowledge we must have.

The desire for more or for something different is not wrong. It has its proper goal. God himself provides its satisfaction. Heaven fills the heart with truest longing.

But such a desire must be accompanied by patience. The requirement to have it, know it, change it up now, forces the desire into wrong channels. Like Israel that cannot wait for the promised land, it looks back to Egypt, to what was lost, or casts about for that Something that is missing and immediately required.

Against that impulse to move or change, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7. He braces an entire discussion of the subject with these words:

“Nevertheless, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each person, so must he live. I give this sort of direction in all the churches. … In whatever situation someone was called, brothers and sisters, let him remain in it with God” vv. 17, 24.

This instruction is not against spiritual growth, nor against advances in service, nor against forward movement with the gospel message. Paul swats directly against the urge to be somewhere else, to change circumstances, to swap out situations, to be who we are not.

The Greek word for contentment is autarkeia, found only twice in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 9.8 and 1 Timothy 6.6. The big Greek dictionary everybody quotes sees the two occurrences as external, “the state of having what is adequate, sufficiency, a competence,” in the former passage, and internal in the latter, theconte “state of being content w. one’s circumstances, contentment, self-sufficiency” (BDAG).

Other words for adjectives and verbs can be found, but these provide a good idea. The Christian has “enough of everything” (BDAG), because God provides all we need, 2 Peter 1.3. Scripture, to cite one resource at our fingertips, is useful for every requirement of spiritual knowledge and training, so that “the person who serves God will be ready and will have everything he needs to do every good work” 2 Timothy 3.17 ICB.

That sufficiency, acquired in the experience of life’s demands and bringing a confidence for future challenges, inspires a settling-down of the heart and an ever-growing focus on the overflowing riches that a saint possesses. God’s gifts satisfy completely.

The battle to be content can be won, even in a consumer society, even when friends, family, and neighbors tout the latest gadget, even when the hope of heaven seems far away.

Everything turns upon our recognition of the goodness and generosity of God, of which there is no doubt. “Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?” Romans 8.32.

J. Randal Matheny

Perhaps the most striking fact about the religious group calling themselves “Jehovah’s Witnesses” is that they believe Jesus is not God/deity, but that He was created by God.  As a way of trying to bolster their doctrine, they created their own version of the Scriptures, The New World Translation.

In the NWT, in John 1:1, they made a slight change that makes a big difference.  “…the word was with God, and the word was a god.”  If you question them about this, they will say something about a Greek rule that say when the word “the” (the Greek form of it, at least) doesn’t appear before the word “God” (theos in Greek), it is not talking about THE God, but only A god.

Here’s the problem with that reasoning…well, a couple problems—(1) It’s not true, and (2) they don’t follow their own supposed rule anywhere else in their translation—including the other four times it appears in the same chapter!  John 1:6, 12, 13, and 18 all have the word “God,” but the Greek word for “the” is absent.  In the NWT, each one of these verses is translated “God” (with a capital “G”).

In short, they made the whole thing up in order to “support” their false doctrine.  But Jesus is God in the flesh, He is the creator, the defeater of Satan—He is not “a god.”

-Bradley S. Cobb

You are familiar, no doubt, with one of the most famous paintings ever done by any artist. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, that classic portrayal of Christ and the twelve apostles at the table.

Many students of art history believe that the painting, when first created, was somewhat different from the version which we now see.  There was initially, it is believed, an exquisite lace border on the tablecloth. When, immediately upon completion, da Vinci invited a group of art students to view his masterpiece, they were immensely impressed by the delicate design of that lacework. They studied it intensely and praised it highly.

Upon seeing the reaction of these young men, the artist took up a brush, dipped it, and made a few long strokes across the canvas,  obliterating the lace. Then, with uncontrollable feeling, he shouted, “Now, look at the face of Christ!”

How easily we take our view off of Christ and put it on some nice distraction. The Hebrew writer urged, “fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2).

Let us fix our eyes upon Him. Let us see His beauty, His love, His grace and His commitment to us. Then let us walk in His steps (1  Pet. 2:21-25)

– Phil Sanders

“The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble” (Proverbs 16:4, ESV).

When in Asia I am often cautioned to be very careful because of the many dangerous animals and conditions which I may encounter. Cobras, tigers, leopards, and bears are all indigenous to the countries I visit. Other potential hazards range from tiny mosquitoes (vectors for malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases) to wild elephants. One that I see regularly is the mugger crocodile, which throughout its range is responsible for many human fatalities.

One of the most common arguments against faith in God is the presence in the world of evil and its companion, human suffering. We understand environmental diversity and the roles that most species play in the balance of nature. Yet sometimes it is hard for us to accept that we would not be better off if some things had just never shown up. Would we really miss mosquitoes, ticks, and cockroaches? What about that ever-present enemy of mankind, the snake? In a perfect world, created by a perfect and loving God, how does one account for those things which seem primarily to cause harm?

I have seen many large crocodiles, and admire them for their size, power, and unique niche in the animal world. Yet I cannot really imagine living among them, forced to persistent vigilance in order to cross, travel upon, swim, bathe in, and draw water from the ponds, lakes, and rivers in which they flourish. Yes, the environment benefits from large predators, but could there not be a better way? If there is a symbol for evil in the animal kingdom, the crocodile is a worthy candidate for the position.
One basic tenant of the biblical doctrine of creation is that everything has its purpose. This material universe is the result of an intelligent plan and design. There are no unnecessary parts, and that includes those things which bring suffering. Even the evil of sin was included in God’s will; not that he desires it, but that it is essential to his overall purpose.

Man was created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). This cannot mean that God is human in form or appearance because we are assured that we do not and cannot know what God is like (Colossians 1:15). Our similarity to the divine was caused by his bestowing upon the inert body of the first man his own living spirit (Genesis 2:7). One characteristic of that spirit is intelligence; another is the ability to choose, especially the ability to make moral choices between right and wrong.

By definition, there must exist at least two alternatives in order for choice to be possible. Had God only created good, man would be limited to those things which are good. He would have no other options. One may believe that would have been the best way for creation to have progressed. However, if God had so limited humanity, it would have changed our basic nature and our relationship with God. Obedience and faith would not be choices in response to God’s grace, but simply the way we were made. Apparently, that is not the relationship which God desires.

The greatest commandment ever given is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Love is a choice. It cannot be compelled, nor is it automatic. We speak of a mother’s love for her child as natural and universal, yet history is filled with unloving mothers who have neglected or harmed their offspring.

God created all things with purpose. Some produce much good. Some provide alternatives in order that God’s perfect system may be complete. All are necessary. And the system itself is “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Michael Brooks

“But I can’t go into ministry. I am unworthy of being a preacher.” How many times have I had a similar conversation? A man who shows to have the heart and talents for ministry believes himself to be unworthy. A wife keeps her husband from going into ministry because she feels she is not worthy of being a preacher’s wife. While I appreciate their humility, their feeling of unworthiness keeps them from serving as the Lord needs them.

John the baptizer felt unworthy even to remove Jesus’ sandals (Mt.3:11).
The centurion felt unworthy of having Jesus under his roof (Mt. 8:8).
Paul felt he was unworthy even of being called an apostle (I Cor.15:9).
From Moses to Jeremiah and from Esther to Peter, no one worthy of their salt believes themselves to be worthy of being a servant of the Lord.

However, while Paul felt unworthy of spreading knowledge of Jesus (2 Cor.2:14-17), he points out that it is necessary to be doing so. It made him want to preach Christ, preach Christ to everyone, and preach Christ to everyone for the right reasons. Paul goes on to say, “Not that we are adequate (worthy) in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy (worthiness) is from God, who also made us adequate (worthy) as servants of a new covenant, …” (II Cor.3:5-6).

Our feeling unworthy can cause us to do two things. It may cause us to withdraw and not live up to God’s expectations. On the other hand, it may make us feel so overwhelmed as we view His blessings. In that scenario, we will be prompted to do all we can to tell others of Him!

While John, the centurion, Paul, Moses, Jeremiah, and many others (including this writer) have felt unworthy of being used by the Lord in His ministry, there is one thing they (we) all have in common. He has still used every one of us! May we all realize that in Christ we have been made worthy! And may we be motivated to tell all of our Great God and the blessings and joys of serving Him!

Corey Sawyers

The renowned Science Fiction writer, Isaac Asimov once wrote, “I don’t believe in an afterlife, so I don’t have to spend my whole life fearing hell, or fearing heaven even more. For whatever the tortures of hell, I think the boredom of heaven would be even worse.”

I think Asimov not only summed up his own thinking about heaven, but he also summed up the thinking of countless others as well.  Many people, like Asimov, envision heaven as an eternal worship service wherein the saved will sit on hard wooden pews, wearing uncomfortable neck-ties, suits, and dresses. There we will sit for all eternity singing every song in the songbook from cover to cover, only to then start all over again. In a word, many people think heaven will be BORING!

While I cannot tell you all the things the saved will do when we get to heaven, I can assure you that it won’t be “boring,” and one won’t prefer hell over heaven. How can I make such an assurance?  Because I trust God.

Had I been with the Israelites when they were backed up against the Red Sea with the Egyptians approaching, I would not have known how God was going to save them, but hindsight revealed he parted the Sea so the Israelites could escape.

Had I been present when God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, I would not have known how God was going to resolve that situation, but hindsight revealed that he provided a ram.

Had I been present when Jesus was murdered on a cross, I would have been so confused, but hindsight revealed the resurrection.

Likewise, while I don’t understand how God is going to make heaven the place of eternal joy and happiness devoid of sorrow, pain, and death, I have full faith that someday, hindsight will reveal the answer to that question as well.

As for me, I’m homesick for a city to which I’ve never been. As for Asimov, he has changed his thinking about preferring hell over heaven, but sadly, he changed his mind too late.

By Steve Higginbotham

Shrinkage

“Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need” (Exodus 16:17-18 NKJV).

Over the years I have traveled in more than a score of countries and to five of the world’s seven continents. I am an unapologetic souvenir shopper and have brought back probably hundreds of carvings, boxes, shawls, art works, pieces of clothing, and other “doo-dads,” including at least a few things from everywhere I have been.

Though many of these are valued mementos, a considerable portion is now stored away, or has even been discarded as of little or no worth. The fact is, what seems interesting and beautiful in a distant country will often be out of place at home.

Fishermen will recognize this as a kind of “shrinkage.” I have often caught a fish and been proud of it, only to look at it later and realize it was not nearly as big as I first thought. It is easy to become enthusiastic about that which is new or different, but then to reassess it when it has become more familiar.

This happens to many people in spiritual matters. Jesus talked about stony ground in which seed sprouts and grows quickly, only to soon wither and die because of the lack of nutrition and moisture (Matthew 13:5-6; 20-21). He said that many people are like that, in that they receive the message of the gospel and believe, but when troubles and distractions come they quickly fall away.

When the Israelites left Egypt, they took provisions only for a short time. Soon their food was gone and they complained. God provided manna for them which they gathered at dawn each day for forty years. When it was first given they were instructed to gather a specific amount per person. Being rather stubborn, some gathered too much; others did not collect enough. Yet when it was measured God intervened so that each one had exactly what he needed.

God administers his blessings to us in the same way, distributing just what is needed in every circumstance. Paul prayed, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

We often do not know what, or how much, we need. But God knows. Jesus taught, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32).

We frequently miscalculate, seeing God’s commands as too burdensome, and his blessings as uncertain or too small. Yet we are continually assured that he is all-powerful and all-loving. He can do whatever we need, and he wants only good for us. We must learn to trust him, relying confidently on his goodness and might (James 1:5-6). With God, there is no shrinkage.

Michael Brooks

Do you think juvenile delinquency is an evil that is peculiar to our day? If so, then you would do well to read your Bible, particularly such passages as are found in the book of First Samuel.

Eli was judge in Israel and a priest of the living God. When he grew old, instead of his children being a source of joy to that religious leader of olden days, they caused him much heartache and grief. After Eli had heard of the almost unimaginable sins which his sons committed–as recorded in First Samuel 2:22–he said unto them, “Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people…it is no good report that I hear. Ye make the Lord’s people to transgress” (1 Samuel 2:23,24).

What a tragedy! The sons of this “man of God” were a stumblingblock to the Lord’s people! However, the sons (though vile and wicked indeed) were not altogether to blame, for we are told in First Samuel 3:13, “For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” Eli did not “curb” his children. He apparently just let them have their way.  Perhaps he had the idea that “boys will be boys.” Yes, but those boys grew up to be men–”vile men”!

This case alone should be enough to convince us parents that placing restrictions upon our children is needful if we expect them to grow up to be useful citizens and individuals whose manner of life will be worthy of “the gospel of Christ.”

Fathers and mothers, think on these things!

– by John Iverson

Mohammad Ali is considered one of the greatest boxers of all-time. If you asked him, he would let you know what he thinks about himself. He is known for his charismatic personality and self-absorbed sayings: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” “I’m pretty. I’m a bad man!” “I’m not the greatest, I’m the double greatest. Not only do I knock ‘em out, but I pick the round.” “I’m the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was.”

Imagine these words coming from the mouth of a preacher, elder, or deacon. Imagine these words coming from the mouth of any Christian for that matter. What would be your reaction?

Enter the paradox of greatness. Have you ever really stopped to consider what our divine purpose is? To what are we called? Peter says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10). God’s chosen people are those who believe in his Son, Jesus Christ. God’s royal priesthood are those who administer his divine mission and purpose. God’s holy nation are those who live in harmony with his will. We declare the praises of him because he called us out of darkness and into his wonderful light. Peter gives us a representation of greatness. We all have something in common. We want to be somebody significant. We want our lives to count. We want to become great.

In Luke’s Gospel, we read of an issue that arises among the disciples of Jesus. An argument… “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great’” (Luke 9:46-48). What? The disciples are in an argument? Does that really happen? Ever? Of course, it does… They are arguing over who is the greatest. They are essentially asking if they can become someone great in the Kingdom.

Well what about us? Can we become someone great in the Kingdom? We can have value, importance, and great influence in the Kingdom. But we can only have it if we’re willing to do it God’s way. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be great. So what’s the paradox? As God’s people, we are chosen, royal, and holy. This is greatness. God says we are great. But we know we struggle to live this out. We fall short in many ways. All too often we choose our own path, not God’s.

Back to Luke 9. They argue so much that they are actually confused by what their mission is all about. Look at John’s comment in Luke 9:49, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” We often think there should be no one higher than ourselves. Do you remember the request of James and John in Mark 10:35-37? “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Jesus responded, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Grant us to sit, one on your right hand and one at your left, in your glory,” they requested.

We often think that what we have is ours because we deserve it. We are called great by God through Peter, but if we are honest, we fail to measure up. Carole Mayhall, in Filled to Overflowing, tells the story of a heavyset woman who went to an exercise and diet clinic. The first thing the supervisor did was draw a silhouette on a mirror in the shape she wished to become. As she stood before the mirror, she bulged out over the silhouette. The instructor told her, “Our goal is for you to fit this shape.” For many weeks the woman dieted and exercised. Each week she would stand in front of the mirror, but her volume, while decreasing, still overflowed. So she exercised harder and dieted more rigidly. Finally, one day, to everyone’s delight, as she stood in front of the mirror she was conformed to the image of the silhouette.

It takes time and work to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. The discipline of sorrow and suffering, the exercise of pain and trials conform us to his image. Our challenge today… Desire to be great. Live like we’re chosen. Live like royalty. Live holy lives that bring honor and glory to God. Rather than living down to our reality, let’s live up to our calling.

Mohammad Ali had another famous saying: “My only fault is that I don’t realize how great I really am.” We have been created in the image of Almighty God. By virtue of that fact, we are people of greatness. Let’s live up to our calling.

Keith Harris

Having to submit before a master is anything but attractive in today’s ideology. Being free and without authority is the natural desire in life. With much resistance, that fantasy can never be a reality. Paul would explain that one is either a slave to God or a slave to sin (Rom. 6:16-20). The world may believe, that because they don’t follow God, they are free. That type of thinking is a mere delusion and the prison of sin still remains.

Polycarp is a name that you may not be entirely familiar with. He is not found in the Biblical text but various sources point to Polycarp as a follower of John, the one Jesus loved. Certainly the dates would allow for such a claim; he was born in 69AD and died in 155AD. There is a great lesson to learn from this early Christian’s story.

At this point in history, Christianity was going through perhaps the worst persecution it would ever face. The Roman Empire was in full swing and emperors were hostile and militant against those of the faith. They would declare and mock Christians as being atheists because of their failure to acknowledge Caesar as deity. In order to live as a normal citizen, one had to confess “Kaiser kurios” which translates to “Caesar is Lord.” Without this confession, a person was an outcast to society and was subject to punishment.

Polycarp, being a first-hand follower of the Apostle John, became a prominent teacher of the faith. Unfortunately, with his popularity came a high demand for his life. He insisted on remaining in the city, for he was not afraid of what man could do to him. After being persuaded by his students, he eventually retreated to a farm. The Romans tortured local Christians until they forfeited his location. When the Romans came to arrest him, Polycarp offered food and a place to stay for the night on the request that he’d have one more hour for prayer. Both parties came to agreement, but the inevitable was still coming.

Once arrested, Polycarp was brought into the inner city region of Rome. The proconsul pressed him and encouraged him to denounce Christ. He refused time and time again. He was threatened by the wild beasts of the arena, yet he remained steadfast in his confession of Christ. Eventually the Romans begged the question, “what harm is there in declaring Caesar as lord?” His response was the catalyst to his impending death. Polycarp reasoned with them, “eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” After a series of events including fire at a stake, an executioner was finally sent to kill Polycarp.

Every time we mention the word “Lord” we are declaring a master over us. Several have opened the occupation of lordship to the passions and desires of this world. True Christian’s refuse to let such a thing happen and will keep God as King. Polycarp’s answer, both bold and excellent, has roots in the Old Testament. God asked through the prophet Jeremiah, “what wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness and became worthless” (Jer. 2:5)? Polycarp took joy and pride in knowing his master was God, not man. I believe we have the same opportunity of joy and pride when it comes to making God our Lord.

You can find the account of Polycarp in the Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna in Ante-Nicene Fathers 1: The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Iraneus. Take into consideration that this is not a Divinely inspired writing and should be treated as a historical source rather than scripture.

Tyler King

Chapters 23 to 27 of 1 Chronicles do not make the most interesting of reading for most of us. We find long lists people who were organized to do work that was needed in the temple, which Solomon would build. It would seem that David was a good organizer.

In 1 Chronicles 23 we have the Levites organized to do various work, both in the temple and to serve as judges. 1 Chronicles 24 details the organization of the priests as well as the remaining Levites. In 1 Chronicles 25 the musicians are organized – of note is the mention of “Heman,” “Asaph,” and “Jeduthun,” all of whom were in some way involved with the Psalms, either writing them (Heman and Asaph) or possibly composing music for them (Jeduthun – several Psalms are identified as “according to Jeduthun”). Although not mentioned here, the sons of Korah were also involved in writing many of the Psalms and served in the tabernacle.

1 Chronicles 26 gives the organization of the gatekeepers for the temple and also lists treasurers and other officials. Finally in 1 Chronicles 27 we have the military divisions as well as a list of the leaders of the people. 1 Chronicles 27 ends with a list of those who directly served David, his “cabinet”.

“David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of understanding and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. After Ahithophel came Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army” (1 Chronicles 27:32-34 CSB).

Of all of the men, the one who caught my attention was “Hushai the Archite.” Notice his job title: he “was the king’s friend.” If ever someone would be needed by the person ruling a kingdom, it would have to be a friend. Other translations refer to Hushai as “the king’s confidant” (NET, NIV) but the Hebrew word simply means “friend.” His serving David as a friend would have of necessity involved being his confidant, a person to whom he could express his innermost thoughts.

We learn more about Hushai during Absalom’s rebellion. He was there ready to leave with David as he was fleeing Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:32-37). Even at this stage, he is referred to as “David’s friend” and personal advisor. David requested that he remain in Jerusalem and attach himself to the court of Absalom as an advisor but in reality to serve as a spy and relay to David what was being said. Hushai was able to thwart some of the advice given to Absalom which led to Absalom’s defeat and David regaining the throne of Israel.

Don’t we all need someone like Hushai? Someone who is there for us, even when life is going well. Someone who “has our back” when enemies are plotting against us. Yes, Hushai was one of David’s advisors, but isn’t it wonderful that he is simply called “the king’s friend.”

Maybe more importantly, don’t we need to be a Hushai to those around us? We need to be a friend who gives good advice and looks out for the best interests of those who trust us.

Being and having a consistent friend isn’t always easy. But this is what the love that Jesus desires us to have, agape, is all about. Seeking and actively pursuing what is best for the other person. And as Christians, this isn’t limited to our friends but must be extended to everyone, even our enemies.

“One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). May we learn to be this type of friend!

Jon Galloway

The amount of wealth some people have is absolutely dumbfounding. Even more astonishing is the attitude that can come with it. For example:

• Some grandparents generously gave $20 inside a card to their wealthy teenage grandchildren. With disgust, they looked at their smiling grandparents and said, “What in the world do you think we can buy with $20?”
• In college, a guy threw his phone against the wall and destroyed it. He then borrowed a phone to make a call, “Dad, I need a new phone. Mine broke.”
• A girl in high school received a brand new Dodge Viper for her birthday, but she hated the color. So, she gave the car title to a friend. Her parents bought her a new Viper.
• One lady threw a tantrum on a flight and delayed the entire plane because she couldn’t have 3 seats in a row to herself. When she was denied, she grabbed her stuff and stormed off the plane.

No one likes a spoiled, bratty person. There is just something that rubs us wrong when a well-off person is ungrateful and snooty about their possessions.  However, before we start pointing fingers, it might surprise us that we are more like these people than we might think.

As Christians, we have access to unbelievable wealth. God is “rich in mercy” and wants to lavish this wealth upon us (Ephesians 2:4). He also wants to show us the “surpassing riches of His grace” (Ephesians 2:7). So, when we’re ungrateful for such amazing gifts, it stays something about us.

See, too often we tell others we are “blessed” because of the grace and mercy we have in Christ, and yet live our lives sinfully, almost as if we are entitled to these precious gifts. When we go on sinning, it is an indicator of just how much we actually treasure God’s blessings. It tells how thankful, or not, we are for them. It shows, frankly, that we’ve become spoiled.

Paul was also dealing with people who were taking advantage of God’s grace. This is why he rhetorically asks, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2).

The main difference between a blessed person and a spoiled person is the attitude. Are we grateful for our spiritual blessings? Do we treasure, value, and protect them?

When you stand before God’s throne, will He see a person who was truly thankful for the blessings He gave, or a person who was spoiled by them?

Brett Petrillo

Preaching partners

“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel, from the first day until now, being confident… that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:4-6).

In what amounts to a piece of gallows humor, missionaries misquote Exodus 1:8 thus: “There arose in the church an eldership that knew not the missionary.”

There should be a special relationship between a supporting church and their missionary. They should be our heroes. Paul uses an interesting phrase to describe the relationship he had with the Philippian church: He was grateful for their “partnership in the Gospel.” This is the Greek word koinonia, usually translated “fellowship.”

Now when we hear the word “fellowship,” we can already smell the coffee percolating.

But the relationship Paul describes is deeper than a potluck lunch. It carries the idea of participation and sharing in an endeavor. He repeats this idea again in Philippians 4:14 when he says, “it was good of you to share (koinonia) in my troubles.”

We are the lifeline for our missionaries. Can you imagine deep-sea diving one hundred feet under the water surface and not having a relationship with the people in the boat above? What if they just decided to turn on the outboard and leave? What if they were inattentive when we tugged on the line?

Apparently, Paul and the Philippians had a special relationship. They were partners in the gospel. And it was a committed, long-term relationship, for they had undertaken to carry this partnership on “from the first day…to completion.” The great mission congregations back their missionary over the years. Do you know our missionaries? Have you ever written them, or prayed for them, or hugged them when they returned on furlough?

Missionaries have another saying, too: “God had only one son…and he was a missionary.”

Stan Mitchell

All my life, I have heard the oft-repeated message, “the church is not the building, it’s the people.” Another way I have heard it expressed is, “You can’t ‘go to church” because you are the church.”

Well, now’s the time to prove it! Our meeting houses have been empty for a month now, but the church is as busy as it ever has been!

• While our church buildings have been as quiet as a tomb for the past month, the church has raised her voice and proclaimed the gospel of Jesus broader than ever before.
• While the doors to our church buildings are locked and none are entering, the doors to the church are still open and many have walked through those doors and into a new or restored relationship with God.
• While our church buildings are dark, the church remains to be a light to the world, reflecting the brightness of God’s glory to the world.
• While the last echos of laugher and edification have long since faded away in our church buildings, the church is as active as ever in building one another up in the most holy faith.
• And while our church buildings are currently an unused tool in the churches’ toolbox, thank God it is not the only tool in our toolbox, and thus the work continues.

You know, what I’ve heard all my life is right!  The church is not the building, it’s the people, and this pandemic has demonstrated it. And for those who have for many years affirmed “the church is not the building” but who are upset because we are not able to meet at the building at this present time, I would encourage you to start believing what you’ve been preaching for all these years! The church building is not the focal point of our religion, Jesus is! Remember, the church is not a building, it’s the people!

by Steve Higginbotham

David was nearing the end of his life. Although he had wanted to build the temple for God, he had not been allowed to because he was a warrior (1 Chronicles 28:2-3). Instead, he drew up the plans and what needed to be made, as well as organizing the Levites and priests to serve in the temple (see 1 Chronicles 28:11-21).

God had chosen David’s son Solomon to be David’s successor and rule for God in Israel. “He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my temple and my courts, for I have chosen him to become my son and I will become his father. I will establish his kingdom permanently, if he remains committed to obeying my commands and regulations, as you are doing this day’” (1 Chronicles 28:6-7).

But notice for Solomon to enjoy God’s blessings of being his son and God being his father and to have his kingdom permanently established there was an ‘if’. “If he remains committed to obeying my commands and regulations.” Solomon needed to faithfully serve the Lord, so David had instruction for his son, as well.

“So now, in the sight of all Israel, the Lord’s assembly, and in the hearing of our God, I say this: Carefully observe all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may possess this good land and may leave it as a permanent inheritance for your children after you. And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently” (1 Chronicles 28:8-9 NET).

Solomon needed to carefully follow all of God’s commands. He needed to have a willing spirit to serve and obey God submissively. Although he would be king, he also needed to serve – to serve God, doing what God commanded.

Solomon needed to remember that God knew him better than he knew himself – God knew his mind, his motives, and his thoughts. Solomon could not fool God by doing one thing and desiring to do something else, or do something when he worshipped but doing something different when he thought God wasn’t looking.

If he would seek God, God would let Solomon find him. God wanted a relationship with the king of his people! But if Solomon were to abandon God, God would reject him, and reject him permanently.

God was consistent in his promises and blessings. He promised to bless Solomon but it required Solomon to faithfully obey and serve him.

And is it any different for us? Although most of us will never rule a nation, God still desires a relationship with us and this relationship must be based on the same obedience that God wanted from Solomon.

God wants us to obey him, serve him with a submissive attitude and willing spirit. God will allow himself to be found if we but seek him.

We also need to remember that God knows us as he knew Solomon. He knows our minds, understands every motive behind our thoughts – he knows what we are thinking. He knows when we desire something sinful. He knows when we are only half-hearted in what we do as a Christian. He knows everything about us.

God has eternal life stored up for us, something that is far better than a physical kingdom. May we, at the end of our life, be able to say as Paul said:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8 CSB)

Jon Galloway

When I was a pre-teen, not quite sure of the age, two other kids and I decided we would explore a cave in the woods. Now, we were ready a flashlight and a Three Musketeers bar.

We had no idea what we would find or how long we would be in the cave. All we knew was it was different, and it was an adventure. The opening was small, but we were kids and squeezed right in.

I am not sure how long we were in the cave before we realized that we had no idea where the entrance was. I don’t think we panicked, but two were crying.

I don’t know who said it but, what he said was something like, “let’s stay together and we will just walk and watch for the sunlight coming in. That made sense, and that is what we did.

Of course, we had good luck and found the light and the way out. The thing was it was not the opening where we came into the cave. It was much larger and let in much more light. That was a blessing!

Note with me a few verses about light.

Psalm 89:15, “How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance.

Isa 2:5,”Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

John 8:12,”Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 12:35-36, “Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”

So as we live day by day don’t you find it interesting that each of us is referred to as light in such passages as, Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Or again we have this thought from Ephesians 5:8, “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.”

Thinking about a real light because of the curvature of the earth, about 3.1 miles is the limit. If the earth were flat or you were on a high mountain a light could be seen 100 miles away. Even a candle could be seen 30 miles away if the earth were flat. (Preparedness Advice, Posted January 5, 2014)

Now while those facts are interesting, we are very seldom that far away from anybody, even the 3.1 miles. We are in contact with people all the time, every day. And as a Christian you know many are watching to see what you will say or what you will do. Be ready with a word of encouragement and a helping hand.

So, let us remember not only are we to walk in the light, we are the light for many. It could be you are the only light.

Be ready to share and show the way out of the darkness.

Dick Brant

“Don’t be deceived,” James warns, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father … who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:16-17).

Some are indeed deceived. They mistake the temporary gratification of sin for a blessing “from above.”

After all, the pleasures of adultery are undeniable. Revenge can bring quick and cheap gratification. Crushing someone else by gossip or hurtful words can bring a kind of pleasure.

But these gifts are not from above. They are not “good and perfect gifts.” They are tainted and tarnished and temporary.

Then there are those blessings that don’t appear to be blessings at first. James has already pointed out how trials can bring blessings such as “faith,” and “perseverance,” and spiritual “maturity” (James 1:3,4). The gift of loneliness lies in the fact that it makes us seek the fellowship of God. The gift of failure makes us understanding of others who fail. The gift of sorrow makes us better able to sympathize with those in sorrow.

Not every gift looks alike. Don’t be deceived. Trust the father, who is not capricious, who does not lash out because he’s “having a bad day.” He doesn’t, and you can count on it, even the trials are a sign of his love.

Stan Mitchell