“…a greater than Solomon is here” (Lk. 11:31)

By my count, Jesus mentioned Solomon twice in the gospels. In one instance, he pitted the iconic glory of Solomon – a king who expanded Israel’s wealth and territory like no king before or since – against a flower.

The flower won.

In the other instance, he pitted Solomon’s glory against his own. Outrageously, he claimed that he – the uneducated handyman from Galilee, while standing in the refurbished (and less venerated) second temple – was personally greater than Solomon.

To the average observer, or to the elites of Jesus’ day, it was laughable. As laughable as his statement about overhauling the temple project in three days – one that took Herod the Great 46 years.

But if true, the implications are profound. As C.S. Lewis famously noted, Jesus doesn’t leave us with middle-of-the-road options. Either this statement is completely untrue or fabricated, or, the glory – the majesty of Jesus of Nazareth – is so great in comparison to Solomon, that even the words used to describe it are insufficient.

The claim is mind-boggling – the kind of thing an unhinged person might say. That kind of arrogance routinely repels people. Yet, Jesus gets a pass on every self-aggrandizing statement he ever made, and is upheld for his humility. Why?

There is only one possibility – the one to which the faithful ascribe – “A greater than Solomon is here,” is not only true, but is a gross understatement. It was not a value statement about Solomon, just an observation of his own reality.

For Jesus, it was the most modest way to state the case.

Rick Kelley

Usefulness of older Christians

Despite her advanced age, near blindness, constant migraines and difficulty walking, Sister Laird was the hardest worker in the congregation. She did everything she could do to serve the Lord and the brethren around her.

God doesn’t want us to retire from the Lord’s work. Instead, we should remember the Lord’s admonition to Moses, “what is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2, NKJV).

When Solomon said, “Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might,” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, NET), it didn’t include degrees of usefulness or skill. When we’re slowed by health or infirmities, we can still fulfill that command.

As long as life remains, we have abilities, areas of influence and the context to use them. If we’ve been transformed by the gospel, we should continually find our place, purpose and potential in the Lord’s work.

“The sun setting is no less beautiful than the sun rising.”

Older Christians should possess wisdom and the experience to teach, serve and inspire others. However, it isn’t axiomatic. Wisdom will only come if we’ve worked through the years to grow and mature.

Everyone has a comfort zone but sadly too many older people turn it into a steel bunker. They are no longer flexible or adaptable. Their way of doing things is the only way it can be done. As a result they cannot fulfill God’s role as an inter-generational teacher (Titus 2:1-5).

Age bias is a sad reality in the Church. However, all we can do is to strive to be better all the time. Quality will bring its own reward.

Church leaders are failing if they don’t tap into the incredible talent of their older members. They’ve stood the test of time so why not learn from their journeys?

Richard Mansel

What is the difference between a diamond and a gold nugget? The most obvious differences are visual. One looks clear and the other is yellow in color. The biggest differences are not visible but material. One is soft, malleable, while the other is hard, able to cut through almost anything.

Both can be shaped into amazing and beautiful jewelry but each is different in their own special ways.

So, it is with the church. Each of us is unique and special in our own ways. While the differences are often easily seen, the differences run much deeper. We are all unique, special, and valuable and have all been gifted by our God with special talents, abilities, and meant to benefit His church and people in vastly different ways.

The point that I want to emphasize to you is that like that diamond or nugget of gold, we are not meant to be the same. Understanding this is vital to our success and our relationships within the church. We are not supposed to be the same or do the same things. Some are gifted evangelists but some of us are not. Some of us are gifted encouragers but some of us are not. Some of us are gifted listeners, always there to listen and support someone else, but some of us are not. Some of us are leaders, teachers, singers, thinkers, and dreamers. We cannot expect everyone to think or act just like one part of the body of Christ. It’s unrealistic, unscriptural, and just not fair to expect everyone to be the same.

Beginning in 1 Corinthians 12:12, Paul speaks of this glorious truth. We are one body with many members and if one part should feel like they are not valuable or needed in the body because they don’t look like or do the things that another part of the body does that doesn’t mean they are not needed.. It doesn’t mean they are not a faithful part of the body. It is unfair to expect the hand to be like the eye or the foot to be like the ear. The old saying goes, “if you judge a fish by his ability to climb a tree, it will spend its life feeling like a failure.” The same is true in the church. If you judge everyone by your standard of what faithfulness is or what everyone should be doing, some are going to excel while the rest are made to feel like failures.

In vs. 21, Paul attacks this problem from the opposite perspective. If a person, a part of the body looks at another part of the body and declares they are not good enough, not faithful enough because they are not doing what you are doing. You have judged your brother or sister by a standard you set and placed expectations on them that God never intended. In fact, Paul says, those parts of the body you think insignificant and unimportant because their God given talents are not like yours are indispensable. God placed them in the body and has given them talents per His will, not ours.

The goal of God is that we will all be a vital and connected part of the body. That there will be no divisions in the body so that all of us are honored for our contributions without being made to feel like we don’t measure up. Our goal is not to be like everyone (Mark 14:3-9) else but to use the gifts and talents God has given us to the best of our ability for His glory.

We are all valuable, gifted by God, and vital to the success of the church. Don’t ever think that because you are not passionate about the same thing or gifted like someone else you are inferior to them and don’t unfairly expect others to be like you. We need everyone, with their special talents, experiences, and gifts. God’s perfect plan is never wrong.

– Jeff Arnette

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” but what about “it’s raining fish and frogs”?  Apparently, there have been several occasions when fish and frogs have literally rained down from the sky (Weather Bug).  Fish and frogs haven’t been the only odd things to fall out of the sky.  Here are some others.

Money – Several years ago a 24-year-old woman was driving down the road when she noticed money raining down and swirling around.  She collected a substantial amount and later turned it into the police (Reuters).

Golf Balls – Back in 1969, dozens and dozens of actual golf balls, not golf ball-sized hail, rained down in Punta Gorda, FL (Popular Mechanics).

Worms – Just a couple of years ago school children laughed and ran for cover when it began to rain worms during their PE class (STV News).

Spiders – In 2007 a bunch of spiders rained down on some unsuspecting hikers in Argentina.  I’m getting chills just thinking about it!

Sharks – Last year a shark fell from the sky and landed on the 12th tee of a golf course in Southern California (CBS).

In Scripture, there are also several accounts of strange things falling from the sky.  What fell from the sky often depended on the people’s spiritual state.  For the wicked, God rained down things like severe hail and fire (Exodus 9:23-25), powder and dust (Deuteronomy 28:24) or fire and brimstone (Luke 17:29; Genesis 19:24).  For the righteous people, God rained down manna and quail to provide for their needs (Exodus 16; Psalm 78:24, 27).

Today, the condition of our spiritual lives makes a huge difference as to what God will send our way.  If we are sinful, He will “pour out” His wrath and condemnation against us (2 Chronicles 34:21, 24-25).  For the godly, He has already “poured out” love and the precious saving blood of His Son for us (Romans 5:5; Matthew 26:28).

What God rains down on us largely hinges on the way we choose to live.  Let’s make sure we live in such a way so God rains blessings upon us (Hosea 10:12; Ephesians 1:3-10).

Brett Petrillo

Most of you are probably familiar with “class warfare,” which involves pitting one social class against another (usually the poor against the rich) for political gain. It seems that some would instigate “age warfare” in the church. “Grandma’s Jeans” is the title of an article I came across in a church bulletin.2 After speaking of “summer events that can involve the entire family,” the writer adds,

I want to let you know I’m also mindful of the needs specific to teenagers. Allow me to approach it this way . . . if grandma is wearing ‘em, the jeans ain’t cool. Huh? You heard me, kids don’t want old people intruding into their domain, at least not when it comes to fashion, popular vocabulary, and now, thanks to the Pew Research Center, their social media. According to a study conducted last September, while 94% of teens are still using Facebook, it has ceased to excite young people in part, [sic] because grandma now has an account. “While Facebook is still deeply integrated in teens’ everyday lives, it is sometimes seen as a utility and an obligation rather than as an exciting new platform that teens can claim as their own.” And don’t think it’s just that grandma has an account, [sic] teens are migrating to Twitter and Instagram because they are more “parent -free” sites where they can express themselves. . . .

And that is why we offer several age specific events throughout the year as well as Bible classes for students of all ages.

The attitude of “one church for the young, another church for the old” has become increasingly common among congregations. This attitude is why some churches now have separate “contemporary” worship services for the younger people and “traditional” worship services for the “old fogeys.” This is why some churches now divide the worship assembly to hold “children’s church.”

I will not deny that there is value in having age-appropriate Bible classes. Devotionals intended specifically for youth can be a wonderful thing. However, shutting out Grandma to keep things “cool” and “exciting” is not a valid reason for age-specific church “events” and Bible classes. Why would one seek to cultivate an “us versus them” mentality between young and old? Does this comport with Paul’s descriptions of and instructions to the church as the body of Christ?

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Rom. 12:4-5).

But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary (1 Cor. 12:20-22).

Yet here we find a youth minister addressing “those members of the body which seem to be more feeble,” saying (at least at times), “We have no need of you.”

Who are specifically charged to be “teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women”? (Titus 2:3-4). The answer—aged women. Job observed, “With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding” (12:12). Young people should be encouraged to appreciate this, rather than deprecating their elders. Many of them already do appreciate, value, and love their elders—how many “grandmas” first started using Facebook because their grandchildren urged them to sign up for it?

Many people have pointed out how detrimental “class warfare” has been to our society. Rather than strengthening our nation by uniting it upon the principles for which it stands, it has weakened our nation by driving an unnecessary wedge between people. There is no reason to believe that “age warfare” will be any more helpful to the church of our Lord. We have a formidable enough foe in Satan—Christians need to unite in battle against him, regardless of what age we might be.

1 This article originally appeared in the June 16 2013 bulletin of the Mammoth Spring (AR) church of Christ.

2 Joe Chesser, WindSong Church of Christ bulletin, June 7 2013, p. 3. Chesser was listed at the time as the “youth minister” and “worship leader” at WindSong.

Lee Moses

This week, you and I both are bound to have situations come up that frustrate, irritate, confuse, hurt, and/or surprise us in an unwelcome way. It may be friends, co-workers, grocery store check-out workers, family members, teachers, fellow drivers on the raceways of Denver, bosses at work, or restaurant servers who cause us grief in some way, shape, or form. But, then, an hour or two or maybe a day later, it can be fascinating to step back and see how little it took for us to get offended in that moment, isn’t it?

Well, if ever there was a single best nugget of wisdom for the start of a work/school week, I believe it’s what the writer of Proverbs 19:11 said: “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Are we slow to anger? Do we have good sense? How is overlooking an offense our glory? I encourage you to ponder these questions this week when your boss or co-worker mistreats you, when another driver cuts you off, when the chef or server completely botches your dinner order, or when any other situation comes up in which you feel like you were wronged. I believe you will start to realize that overlooking such offenses means that the rest of your day will likely be bright instead of sour. You will be much more likely to have a Christlike impact on that offending person’s life, instead of a cruel, biting, worldly drag on his or her soul. You will gain wisdom. You will learn to be more patient, considerate, and kind. You will understand the compassion of Christ.

Now, let’s be honest. Overlooking an offense is probably one of the toughest things for anyone to do, especially in this “me first” and justice-oriented society. Have you considered the potential effects on our faith (if we are not vigilant) from both of those? I know we often discuss the selfishness and materialism that are prevalent in the “me first” world around us. But, have you considered that our strong familiarity with the justice system in our country might, in some ways, negatively impact our faith? We are so conditioned to think (somewhat rightfully so) that those who do wrong, who offend, must pay for what they’ve done. But… These notions from the world around us fly directly in the face of the wisdom found in Proverbs. It is to our glory to overlook an offense. As you ponder this throughout the week, you might want to check out Hebrews 12:1-3 as well. I think it will help us fully grasp what the writer of Proverbs revealed.

Josiah Moore

The story is told of a missionary who once visited a very primitive tribe of people. These people had very little contact with the outside world, and they were totally unfamiliar with many things we take for granted. One of the things they had never before seen was a mirror. The only way they knew what they looked like was the very poor reflection one can sometimes see in the water. One day, the missionary hung a mirror on a tree. The tribe’s chief happened to walk past the mirror, so he stopped, stood there, and looked at it for quite some time. Then he walked directly to the missionary and asked him to explain. The missionary explained what a mirror was and that it was a reflection of what he looked like. The chief promptly walked back to the mirror, took it off the tree, and smashed it on the ground. The missionary asked him why he broke the mirror to which the chief replied, “Because the face that was being reflected was ugly.”

When I heard that story, I couldn’t help but think that in spite of all our sophistication, we still behave quite primitively at times. God’s word functions a mirror to our soul. We can look at it and learn exactly what we look like to God and others. Sometimes, the reflection is not very flattering. So we’re left with a choice. Do we try to destroy the mirror? Do we refuse to look in the mirror again? Or do we do what we can to improve the way we look?

I know what the tribal chief did, but what do you do? Give it some thought.

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:23-25).

by Steve Higginbotham

“Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed” (Hebrews 12:12-13 NKJV).

When I first began traveling in South Asia, I was continuously shocked at the lack of guard rails and other protective structures in places of danger. One can go onto the roof of a 10 story hotel (or much higher) and there is no wall, rail, or barrier at the edge. Similarly, roads and paths have little or no barricades at dangerous curves and drop-offs. When I commented on how “unsafe” this is, my companion smiled and said, “You Americans are spoiled; we watch where we are walking and driving.

There are at least two approaches to making such areas safer. One is to protect the people by building barriers to prevent them from falling. The other is to train the people to be careful and watchful so they will not fall. Both have their value, but I would argue that the second way is the most likely to provide safety. When we trust ourselves to watch and take precautions, we establish a habit of safety. When we become dependent upon others’ devices, we enter upon the unknown.

The Hebrew writer suggests a combination of self-preparation and improvement of the hazardous situation. First, he urges that we strengthen our hands and knees which are weak. We are to prepare ourselves for successful and safe negotiation of the perils we face. We must gain knowledge of God, spiritual strength, and faith that we will be able to resist evil.

Then he also tells us to “make straight paths.” Do not be an unquestioning victim of circumstance. We have abilities to alter our situations, to change our routes, and to improve the conditions in which we live. It is too easy to say, “I couldn’t help it; the pressures were just too great.” Like the righteous man of Psalm 1, we may refuse to listen to the counsel of the ungodly, to stand with sinners, or to sit with the scornful (Psalm 1:1). Those groups will always be around; we do not have to remain in their midst.

Like the people of South Asia, the Hebrew writer places the responsibility on us. We must strengthen ourselves; we must improve our own situations. There is far too much willingness to blame others for our failures. Let us trust in God and address our own weaknesses and needs. “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31?

Michael Brooks

The Bible is a lengthy book and there have been many efforts to reduce its size. Some cut out the verses they don’t like while others ignore huge chunks like the Old Testament. Years ago, a Reader’s Digest version only included so-called important verses.

Yet, there is a healthier way to make the Bible smaller and more manageable and it has God’s stamp of approval (Psalm 119). Deep study familiarizes us with the entirety of the Bible and in the process brings the covers closer together.

Ignorance causes us to see 66 disparate books of unrelated information. We weigh passages against each other to see which ones are important to us. It’s an ego-centric method of Bible Study rather than one that glorifies the Lord (Ephesians 3:21).

We must learn everything we can about Scripture so we can fit the pieces together. Trace the threads of light and darkness, blood and water, shepherding, bondage and freedom and a host of others that permeate God’s Word.

Tie the Old and New Testaments together through themes, types, antitypes and prophecies. Nothing was invented when the new covenant was ushered into existence in Acts 2. God had prepared everything beforehand and they simply had to apply what already existed in new ways.

No one should attempt to understand worship, baptism or the Lord’s Supper without a thorough study of Exodus and Leviticus. It’s imperative that we become conversant with the Old Testament so we can understand the New (Romans 15:4).

We must make every page vibrant in our hearts because it’s all inspired and important if we want to go to heaven (2 Timothy 3:16-17). See if it from God’s perspective and we understand how each word rings with clarity.

Richard Mansel

Bible Lesson:  In The Fullness Of Time

Text: Galatians 4:1-7

Introduction:

1. “Operation Overlord” was the code name given to what we call “D Day”, a turning point in World War 2. June 6, 1944 was the culmination of careful and secret planning, and the movement of millions of troops. To the Germans it was all a mystery -until the assault was launched. That offensive turned out to be a crippling blow to the Axis forces.

2. We don’t know the date of Christ’s birth, though the world has chosen December 25 for that event. The focus of millions is on that scene in Bethlehem, and the amazing events that took place there. But Scripture reveals that the birth of Jesus was not the pivotal event in the history of man’s conflict with Satan. That event came later.

3. As the world dwells on a beautiful moment in world history, let us take this occasion to look even further. We will find that there was another event that should claim more of our attention and devotion. Instead of thinking of it only once a year, we are commanded to consider it each and every week!

Discussion:

1. The Mystery Begins To Unfold

1. The people who lived in England in the spring of 1944 had no idea what was about to take place. They only knew that thousands of troops from the U.S. and other countries were being massed in their towns and villages. There was great anticipation, but no one knew what to expect.

1. The beginning of God’s final assault on Satan:

1. Gal. 4:4 -Important information about this beginning:

1. Technically speaking, this was not the beginning. God had been planning for this for a long time. This was now the “fullness of time”.

1. The Son that God sent forth was “made (“born”, NKJV) of a woman”.

2. Jn. 1:3 -But this is the same Word who made all things in the beginning. He who made the woman was now made by her?
3. Jn. 1:14 -It was not the beginning of the Word, but the beginning of His experience in the flesh.

4. 1 Tim. 3:16 -Paul spoke of this fact of the Incarnation as a great mystery of godliness. God manifested Himself in the flesh? That is what we see at Bethlehem, the beginning of the unfolding of this mystery.

5. Heb. 2:9a -The Hebrew writer also marveled at this fact, that Jesus was made a little lower than the angels. The One who created the angels was now put in a position lower than them? What could all of this mean?

6. Micah 5:2 -All of this fulfilled the prophecy of Micah. The birth in Bethlehem that night was not just of a person who would one day become great, such as the birth of Washington or Lincoln. The One who was born in Bethlehem was He “whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting”. Only God could have fulfilled that prophecy.

1. Truly, the doctrine of the Incarnation is mind-boggling. Would God really leave heaven to experience life on earth in a body of flesh? What could have been His reasons for doing such a thing?!

1. The Mystery Revealed -And Remembered

1. As impressive as the massing of troops in England in 1944 may have been, that’s not the event we remember. The day to remember was when those troops were sent to accomplish their mission. The ensuing victory is what we all remember! The birth of Jesus, in a similar way, was impressive and even breathtaking. But that’s not the event we are told to remember.

1. The mission Jesus fulfilled:

1. Heb. 2:9 -The writer saw the reason why Jesus was made lower than the angels: to suffer and taste death, but in a way that brought glory and honor. Yes, He was made lower, but there was a reason for that subjugation.

2. Gal. 4:4,5 -Paul also went on to speak of that mission. He took on a body of flesh so He might redeem mankind and enable them to be adopted as sons of God.

3. Gal. 3:13 -The word “redeemed” is translated from exagorazo, a word that means to “buy out of the market”. Christ bought us out of the curse. But the price of that purchase was for Him to be made a curse for us.

4. Rev. 5:9 -The new song heard in heaven spoke of Christ’s redemption, and the price it took -His own blood. What an extraordinary sacrifice He made! The One who had lived in heaven was willing to come down to earth and die for us? It would seem this is the event that ought to be celebrated!

5. Lk. 22:19 -That is, in fact, just what Jesus desires. This act in which we were redeemed from the curse of the law is what ought to be celebrated. And if we follow the pattern of the earliest Christians, we celebrate that event every Sunday.
6. It’s hard to imagine the life that people in France had to accept when a surrender to Nazi Germany was signed in 1940. Life became very different; their freedoms were greatly restricted. How sweet, therefore, must have been the news that Paris had been liberated! Freedom was won! But how much greater is the victory won by Jesus! The results of that emancipation will last into eternity for those who align themselves with Him.

Conclusion:

2. “Glory” is a word that has been used often to describe the concept of the Incarnation. To look upon a baby is itself a glorious thing. But to look upon this Baby and to know that this is “God with us” is indescribably glorious!
3. Col. 1:26,27 -But there’s one more step before we see the fullness of that glory. What God desires in revealing this mystery is not just that you stand in awe of His Son. What He wants is more than Christ in the womb of Mary. What God desires most is “Christ in You”. Will you receive Him into your life?

Timothy Hall

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God. . . . Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one” (Isaiah 44:6, 8).

An American friend who once lived in Nepal told me of a visitor to their home who raved about how much she “loved Nepal.” My friend then smiled and said, “But she never left Thamel (the tourist section of Katmandu).” Her meaning was clear. The tourist loved what she saw of the country, but that was very little and was not at all representative of the nation. She, like so many others, took back a distorted perception of the land and people she supposedly experienced.

We all struggle against this selective judgment in many areas besides tourism. We have a bad experience (or read or hear of someone else’s bad experience) with a lawyer or the courts, and rush to condemn all lawyers, or the entire legal system. We purchase a car that does not perform as we think it should – from that time we think that all cars of that brand are bad.

This especially applies to religion and to interpretation and application of the Bible. I recently read a brief article seeking to prove that the Old Testament does not teach monotheism (the doctrine of one God), but rather that the God of the Bible is one of many gods accepted by the Old Testament writers. Yes, it is argued, they considered him the supreme God, but did not deny the existence of other, lesser, deities.

Offered as proof of this thesis were various passages such as Exodus 18:11: “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.” Certainly there are many passages which refer to the gods of the nations, or gods whom the ancestors of Israel served, as well as those whom they would worship in the wilderness and later in the land of Canaan.

These passages neither debate or concede the reality of such gods. They existed as idols in the lands and as ideas in the minds of their believers. They are recognized as such by biblical writers, but almost always in order to compare the true God to them, or to condemn Israel for following them.

One who would argue that the Old Testament recognizes such gods as real must contend with the many passages which specifically deny their reality, such as Isaiah 44. After unequivocally stating “besides [God] there is no other,” the prophet, in a long sarcastic diatribe, mocks all idolatry (verses 9-20). Isaiah tells how a man cuts down a tree, using some of it for building material, some as wood to burn, “and the rest of it he makes into a god, his carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, prays to it and says, ‘Deliver me, for you are my god” (Isaiah 44:17).

It has often been demonstrated that one can defend almost any doctrine or philosophy from the Bible by using only selected “proof texts.” This is not honest use of Scripture. God’s word is to be used ethically and sincerely (2 Timothy 2:15), not unlawfully (1 Timothy 1:7-8). We must honor the context of all passages and the cumulative teaching of all Scripture on any given subject. We are not at liberty to pick and choose only those particular words and phrases that support our preconceived ideas.

One who visits New York City (or Los Angeles or any other single locale) is hardly in a position to speak authoritatively about what America is like. And one cannot present the will of God from one or a few carefully chosen texts. Paul stood as our example when he said, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

Michael Brooks

While I was in the military if we weren’t actually involved in the “real thing” we were practicing for the “real thing.” On this occasion, it was a planned fire drill, with three aircraft in the hanger.

Everything was ready; a small smoldering fire had been set in a steel bucket, and the inspectors were standing by, to observe and of course, grade the squadron’s response.

Well, the fire drill didn’t go quite as expected – the reason, Shaky Jenkins saw the smoldering bucket and put the fire out. He just happened to be walking by the smoldering bucket drinking a Coke, in a bottle, put his thumb on the top shook it up, and then sprayed it in the bucket, kicked it with his foot resprayed it, and walked on. The fire was out!!

This action did not sit well with the inspectors. They were expecting to hear “Fire!” “Fire!” “Fire!” along with all the bells and whistles. When they talked with Shaky, he, “of course, had no idea a drill was planned.” His further response was merely, “oh; I thought it was a fire, so I just put it out.”

The inspectors were not pleased that the drill did not go as planned, but they couldn’t fault Shaky, he just did the natural thing, “he put the fire out.”

Living the Christian life is like that. Do what “you” can do. Life is not a drill. Everyone can help, work, and serve in ways where only they may know and see the need.

We do know from the scripture not everyone has the same skills and abilities. Note with me these two passages:

            Romans 12:4-11, “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”

            1 Cor.12:14-19,”For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not, for this reason, any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not, for this reason, any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be?”

I am sure you can think of other passages that make this same point; we do have different skills and abilities, but all can and should be used in and for the cause of Christ.

A popular term I hear from time-to-time is, “skill set” meaning the person has the ability, skill, and education to carry out a specific work with success. At the same time, this person can grow and acquire other skills.

As a child of God, we all started as a babe in Christ, and if I can use this term without offense, with a minimal “skill set.” But as in all areas of life, we can grow and increase our knowledge, our awareness, our willingness, and our service.  You could be a two-mite giver or the one giving a cold drink of water; still,your reward will be great in heaven.

I think the key is to be a doer, don’t you?

Dick Brant

Paying the price

“Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.’ So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died, and the next morning I did as I was commanded” (Ezekiel 24:15-18 NKJV).

A preacher in one of the countries where we work targeted a community of lower income residents. Knowing they would be uncomfortable with someone they perceived as of higher social class, he purchased a lot and built a simple house among them. He realized that he and his family would be accepting a lower living standard than that to which they were accustomed, but they agreed that this would be a small price to pay for the opportunity to teach and convert those who were lost.

Can we admit the glaring truth that most of us are not comfortable with the concept of paying a high price for our faith? In spite of Jesus’ clear instructions to count the cost (Luke 9:57-62; 14:25-33), we persist in believing that God simply does not expect (much less require) us to endure real sacrifice or suffering in service to him. After all, we protest, “God would surely want us to be happy.” Strangely, that particular idea is not found anywhere in Scripture. Rather we read, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Nowhere in the Bible is the idea of the cost of discipleship presented more emphatically than in the lives of the Old Testament prophets (except for the life of Jesus). Ezekiel lived out his prophetic message by losing his own wife as a symbol of the great suffering all Judah would experience in its captivity to Babylon (Ezekiel 24:18ff). We are extremely disturbed by the story of God “taking” (the exact Biblical word) the prophet’s wife, just to make a point to the nation. But not only was the prophet to suffer grief, he was also commanded not to mourn in the traditional manner of his people. And Ezekiel faithfully did just as he was told.

Another example of such sacrificial faithfulness is found in Jeremiah. Called into ministry as a youth (Jeremiah 1:4-8) he was denied wife or children (Jeremiah 16:2). His single lifestyle was a symbol of the harsh times coming to Judah, and also a protection against the severe treatment which the prophet would receive from his own people throughout his ministry. He was imprisoned, beaten, starved, mocked, and eventually taken as a prisoner to Egypt, where God had repeatedly commanded the children of Israel never to return.

The Hebrew writer reminds us of many others who “had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:36-38).

Against this litany of suffering servants from the past, how can we persist in believing that we are guaranteed an easy, comfortable discipleship? Let us steel ourselves to face opposition courageously, to give unselfishly, and to serve God joyfully whatever discomforts and trials we face. We must remember Jesus’ demand,

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

Michael Brooks

Christian easy street

Dr. R.T. Kendall calls it the “Betrayal Barrier,” where a person who decides to serve God finds that becoming a Christian is no guarantee that life will be trouble free. The truth is that life was never easy for God’s people.

There is a certain theology espoused on TV called “Prosperity Theology,” sometimes termed “Name it, Claim it Theology.” The idea seems to be that God will skip along in front of us with a great cosmic broom to sweep away all obstacles from our path.

So, is God our personal errand boy who will chase all the assignments we dole out to him? Is he a genie in the bottle who pops out at our whim, and obeys our every demand?

Scripture frequently records troubling events experienced by God’s followers. Soon after his challenge to Pharaoh to let his people go, Moses heard the Israelites complaining that their lot had not improved. Even Moses was discouraged, pointing out to God that he had made Israel “stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in his hand to kill us.” Moses complained further, “and you have not delivered your people at all!’” (Exodus 5:21-23).

It seemed things were going along as well as could be expected, then God insisted on stirring up Pharaoh and their task masters!

Whenever there is trouble for God’s people, be sure that Satan has a hand in it: Satan is, after all, a deceiver (John 8:44). It is not without cause that we are warned to be “sober-minded,” and “watchful.” Our “adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

It is Satan’s specific purpose to discourage us and distort the truth. And he can usually be expected to show up at the moment of greatest discouragement, whispering his wicked thoughts and taunting the wounded believer.

C.S. Lewis, in the movie “Shadowlands,” watched as his wife died of cancer. This film shows how easy it is to talk of God’s great plan, his love, and purpose (something he did often before her death), and how difficult it is to live this faith in reality. Yet if the Gospel Preacher does not offer some comfort from God, my friends, where will the comfort come from?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” we are told, “and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Which is not to say that we should not seek answers or try to understand everything. Instead, seek God’s will in prayer and through Scripture. But be aware that we might not understand everything. The phrase “lean not on your own understanding” refers to the panicky demand for answers pressing God to explain – right now! We simply have too few facts to explain everything that has happened.

Christians are not promised easy street; we received no inoculation against setbacks and troubles, heartbreak and disillusionment. We are promised a God who cares and who will guide us. That should be more than enough.

Stan Mitchell

Our family owned Belgian draft horses while living in Tennessee. Dealing with them is one of the things we miss most while living in Denver. Our family enjoys horse-drawn hayrides, plowing with horses, showing them at fairs, horse pulls, and caring for them daily. There are a lot of great lessons to be learned from horses, including some spiritual lessons we see outlined in God’s word. Good old-fashioned “horse sense” can help us a lot as we try to live for the Lord!

Horse sense teaches us little things can be powerful. Belgians are the largest horses on the plant. My boys – even when little –  could command horses that each weighed 2000 pounds. That’s right! 4000 pounds of horse muscle could be controlled with a small bit in each mare’s mouth. James 3:3 reminds us our tongue is equally as small and powerful. We should watch the words we say! The words we say can be a powerful instrument for good or bad. If we use a little horse sense, we will, as the children sing, “be careful little mouth what you say.”

Horse sense teaches us where true strength originates. When questioning Job, God asks if he knew where the horse got its strength (39:19). The Psalmist reminds us the horse’s strength is nothing to count on (33:17). Far too often we try to handle things on our own and rely on ourselves. Solomon reminds us that power and victory come from the Lord (Proverbs 21:31). If we use good horse sense, we will trust in the Lord and lean on His strength, not our own.

Horse sense teaches us we should not look back. We would plow with our horses in our garden and at several plow days. To cultivate the ground properly, you must keep focused on where you are at and where you are going. Distractedly looking around produces crooked rows or worse. In Luke 9:62, Jesus said once we go to work plowing for Him, we must also stay focused on where we are and where we are going. It takes only a moment of getting distracted by the world before we are heading down a crooked path. If we use a little horse sense, we will realize that we should stay focused on living a Christian life.

Good old fashioned horse sense helps illustrate some essential lessons from God’s word. However, horse sense and the Bible are both of value only when we use them! Whether or not we plow with horses or ride in a wagon is of little importance. However, remembering the spiritual lessons horses can teach will benefit us eternally!

Corey Sawyers

The church was getting an incredible amount of attention in the first century. This was primarily because God had given the apostles abilities to perform miracles. Think of a community where you have several men performing supernatural feats… You couldn’t have ignored these guys even if you wanted to! These physical demonstrations were a key component in getting people to believe in Christ (John 20:30,31).

The average person is naturally good at observation. Notice the language used in Acts 8:6, “…the crowds PAID ATTENTION to what was being said by Philip, when they HEARD him and SAW the signs he did.” I think it is especially neat that the miracles performed in the first century were acts of service that made peoples’ lives better.

In a way, the love that we have from God can be a “sign” or “wonder.” Consider the following explanations:

1. The love we have is relentless (John 13:34) – Jesus laid down some big standards when he said, “just as I have loved you.” Before pointing people to the gate of Hell, we ought to show them the kindness of the Father (cf. John 4:7-38; John 8:1-11; Romans 2:4). We are trying to dispose of the sin, not the soul.
2. The love we have is identifying (John 13:35) – I find it interesting that previously in the Gospel, Nicodemus stated “no one can do these things unless God is with Him” (John 3:2). Nicodemus recognized the signs that Jesus performed were from God. Likewise, I believe if we are doing it correctly, people will notice the love we show is from God.
3. Love supersedes other signs (1 Cor. 13:8) – The other miracles were a great way to get the church going. Once in motion, they were no longer needed. However, true αγαπη (agapē) love, does not cease.

Sure, we may not be able to help the blind see again, or the lame walk again. However, we can still show the same exact love that the apostles did in the first century. In today’s world, Christ’s love is certainly a “sign” and “wonder” in contrast to the hate and division seen everywhere else. Be a benefit in someone’s life by showing the love of Christ.

Tyler King

During the first century, a runaway slave fled from the city of Colossae all the way to Rome, more than 1300 miles away.  Apparently, he didn’t want to get caught! It was while he was in Rome that he happened to hear and be converted by the imprisoned, Apostle Paul.  In a letter that Paul wrote to Philemon, Onesimus’ former master, Paul entertained the idea that this entire event (i.e. Onemisus running away, running all the way to Rome, meeting Paul, and becoming a Christian) was all a part of God’s providence. Was he certain of it?  No, but he said, “perhaps” (Philemon 15). What an amazing set of circumstances, and possibly all orchestrated by God!

But let me remind you of something.  God’s providence is as active in today’s world as it was in the days of the apostle Paul. God still works good on behalf of those who love and seek him.

Enter Ron and Zona Hogan. Ron and Zona are good friends of mine who live the in the remote town of Kotzebue, Alaska (take the time to look it up on a map). For years, Ron and Zona have faithfully worshiped in their home, inviting others in their small community to join them. Recently, a couple named Precio and Joseline, moved to Kotzebue from the Dominican Republic. Ron and Zona struck up a friendship with them, despite the language barrier (Englsih/Spanish).  Joseline, who was already a Christian and her husband began worshiping with and studying with Ron and Zona. Last week, Precio told Ron that he wanted to be baptized into Christ. Ron contacted a Spanish speaking friend in Texas and had her translate the words he was going to say prior to baptizing Precio.  So, Ron was able to speak to him in his native language and hear Precio say, “Jesucristo es el Hijo de Dios.” (Jesus Christ is the Son of God).

Now, what are the odds that Ron Hogan, from Kentucky, would meet Precio, from the Dominican Republic, in Kotzebue, Alaska? Is this any less amazing than Paul’s unlikely meeting with Onesimus? Not at all.  Was this the providence of God at work today? I’ll answer that question as Paul did 2000 years ago, “Perhaps!”

by Steve Higginbotham

Nosiree, I didn’t commit a typographical error in the title. A litotes* is a figure of speech, and a common one at that. It is, according to a Webster clone, an “understatement for effect”, especially when expressed by a negative to the contrary. In plainer words, you use a negative when you mean a positive.

An example: You say, “I have not a few regrets.” You mean, “I have many, many regrets.”

Another example: You say, “That’s not bad.” You mean, “That’s really good!”

A third example, and I’ll get to my point. You say, “He’s no dummy.” You mean, “He’s quite intelligent.”

The Bible uses litotes as well, as we might expect.

We know that when the angel says to Mary that “with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk. 1:37, NKJV), he means to say that with God all things are possible.

Paul calls his hometown of Tarsus “no insignificant city” (Acts 21:39, NASB), meaning quite an important city.

To the Galatians, Paul says, “You have not injured me at all” (4:12, NJKV), and he wanted them to understand, “You treated me very well.”

So this contrary understatement shows up not infrequently (oops! another litotes, there) in the Bible.

I suspect Romans 13:10 brings us another case.

“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Paul had a reason for putting this in the negative. He has just cited several of the ten commandments, “Thou shalt not.” So Paul continues the idea of the negative when he sums up. But the studied apostle knows that the commandments just cited aren’t mere “don’t-do” orders. They go beyond the prohibition to give life to how one is to love neighbor as self.

So his “do-no-harm” affirmation is understatement. Between him and his readers, everybody understands that love does much more than refrain from injuring others.

There are plenty of people who will tell you God must like them because they don’t steal, murder, rape, or set fire to the neighbor’s yapping poodle. Aren’t they wonderful people? (Especially the last class.)

Love is a positive. Love not only does no harm to one’s neighbor, but actively promotes his good. Love searches for ways to serve, is on 24/7 guard duty for opportunities to do a fellow right. Love is good will in action.

But you didn’t need a litotes to tell you that, now did you?

*Most people pronounce it LIGHT-uh-tease.

A. A. Neale

Some of Jesus’ sayings and parables are baffling at first glance. When we first hear Jesus characterize citizens of his kingdom as impoverished, sorrowful, happy-to-be-persecuted beggars, we might be confused. When he told people to eat his flesh and drink his blood – a metaphor for absorbing Jesus’ life and teachings into themselves – many followers were disgusted and left him (John 6:66).

How do we comprehend these things? How do we better understand Jesus’ words?

1) The simplest explanation is usually the right one. While on earth, Jesus chose things like dirt, weeds, and flowers to teach some of the greatest truths (Matthew 6:25-33). Jesus kept it simple. The common people – the average person – “heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). They comprehended him easily. The spiritual elites believed the average, unlearned Israelite was incapable of understanding God’s word (John 7:49). Who was right?

2) Jesus meant to be understood. Though Jesus kept his teachings veiled from those who meant him or his disciples harm, ultimately, he meant to be understood. This was prophesied (Psalm 78:1-2; Matthew 13:14-15; cf. Isaiah 6:9-10). The most important truths of Scripture are not hard to grasp. There are curiosities we may never have answered, but the truths we need to know are plain. Isn’t it reasonable to assume that Jesus intended to be understood?

3) Hearing is a heart issue. We can listen with our ears, but hearing is a spiritual exercise. It is a discipline. When one is convinced Jesus is the resurrected son of God, he will seek to understand Jesus more, rather than balk at the difficulties sometimes inherent in his words. If we complain about Jesus’ words being too difficult, could we be revealing our own heart problem?

Do you understand dirt and weeds? Flowers and grass? What about ovens, salt, light, and taxes? One of the great questions we can ask ourselves is, “Do I really want to know?”

Far more difficult than comprehending the words of Jesus is applying them.

Rick Kelley

If an all-powerful being desired to reveal itself to a lesser, more finite group of people, how would he do so? There are a myriad of different ways to demonstrate power and strength. Typically, when I think of power I think of the ability over a subject. Such a case can be found in someone like the president or war leader. Certainly an act of domination would suffice to prove power. For example, my parents would often remind me, “I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it too.” There was no doubt in my mind concerning who had power over me at particular moments in life.

Think with me for a moment. Put yourself in a deified position – how would you prove your power to mankind? Would it be through world dominion? Perhaps even obtaining an undeniable amount of riches? What about forcefully subjecting mankind to grant your every wish? I believe God to have the best approach to the scenario. He revealed Himself through His Son and the miracles that followed (Heb. 1:1,2; John 14:9).

The gospel of John records only a small amount of Christ’s life and what He accomplished (John 20:30). However, this written account does a brilliant job of laying out the miracles that Christ performed. Listed below are just some of those miracles:
– Providing at the wedding (John 2:1-11)
– Reading of the Samaritan woman’s heart (John 4:7-26)
– Healing of the child (John 4:46-54)
– Healing of the sick man (John 5:1-17)
– Providing food for the thousands (John 6:10-14)
– Walking on Water and eliminating fear (John 6:16-21)
– Giving sight to the blind (John 9)
– Bringing life to the dead (John 11:1-16)

Which of those miracles were a selfish display of power? And which of those miracles failed to validate God’s power? Jesus perfectly balanced power and charity through the acts of His miracles. Of all the ways and opportunities that Christ could have shown absolute power, He chose love over self.

When I look at the miracles, I see God’s goodness. The climax of His revelation to man was done through the avenue of absolute selflessness. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in the physical aspect of miracles without recognizing or admiring what Jesus was really doing. From the miracles, I have gleaned these three lessons:

1. No matter who I am or where I am, I can show love.
2. Power requires responsibility, but God demands charity.

God is SO good in what He has done for me, and what He has done for others.

Tyler King