The parables of the sower and the tares drive home an important truth relative to our work in going about to restore the church described in the New Testament. Since time beginning the divine law of sowing and reaping has proven 100% true. That divine law is stated in the simplest of words, and recorded by inspiration for our learning: “And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:12). Medical science has never uncovered any evidence whatsoever to the contrary. On the other hand, evidence has been unearthed that proves the validity of that divine law, even from ancient times. It has been more than 25 years since I came across this beautiful illustration of that truth:

The principle of the seed’s reproducing after its kind is beautifully illustrated in an article from Life magazine printed a number of years ago. Under the heading “Nature,” there was a full page picture of a beautiful pink lotus flower in full bloom. Beneath the picture was a caption, “The Oldest Flower.” A brief explanation disclosed how some Japanese workmen unearthed a Neolithic canoe not far from Tokyo and had turned it over to some archaeologists. The archaeologists discovered a 2,000-year-old lotus seed and turned it over to Dr. Ichiro Ohga, a lotus expert. Ohga placed the 2,000-year-old seed in a tank of water to see if it would sprout. After a year of germination and growth, the seed developed into a beautiful pink lotus. Ohga’s evaluation of the success was, “It’s quite a flower,” he said, “but not different from lotuses today.”

The same law of “kind reproducing after its kind” applies to the spiritual realm as well. In Luke’s account of the parable of the sower, the sacred record provides us with the Lord’s interpretation of that parable for our benefit. One significant statement was the Lord’s affirmation that “the seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). It is the same “seed” that was planted in the hearts of those men and women on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts chapter 2. That seed was received into the good soil (i.e. good and honest hearts), germinated, and blossomed forth. The result was the establishment of the Lord’s church. It would not be long before that same “seed” would be planted into the hearts of the Samaritans, the Ethiopian eunuch, Lydia, the household of Cornelius, and other case studies recorded in the New Testament. In each and every case, that “seed” produced a child of God.

Fast forward 100 years. That same “seed,” when planted into the good and honest heart, would produce after its kind, and those being saved would be added to the church (Acts 2:47). Applying the law of “kind producing after its own kind,” if that same “seed” were planted into the good and honest heart 200 years later, 300 years later, or even 2,000 years later, it would produce exactly the same thing – a “Christian” (Acts 11:26); nothing more, nothing less.

Now let us ask this question: “Where did the multitude of religious denominations come from, if not from the ‘seed’ of that particular denomination?” To put it another way, no man or woman could become a Baptist separate and apart from the “seed” of Baptist doctrine being implanted in their mind. No man or woman could become a Methodist, Calvinist, premillennialist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, or Seventh Day Adventist without his/her having received into their mind and heart the “seed” of one of those denominations. It is evident, then, that since the church began in 33 A.D. that someone has been busy planting tares among the pure “seed” of the word of God.

The spiritual law set forth by the Lord in the parable of the sower is no less dependable than the physical law of “kind reproduces after its kind” set in motion from the very beginning. If an archaeologist could take a lotus seed that is more than 2,000 years old, plant it in the soil and nurture it to full blossom to a beautiful lotus flower, then you and I can take the “seed” of the gospel that is 2,000 years old, plant it in the good and honest heart, and produce the same thing that it produced more than two millennium ago.

Take a second look at the multitude of divided, deceived, and deluded souls who are following a multitude to do evil, and ask again, “Who sowed the seed?”

By Tom Wacaster

Every now and again I will hear someone speak of a famous athlete who has acted in an immature or arrogant manner in words such as this: “The game (of baseball, basketball etc.) is bigger than any one individual.”

This is even more true of the church. When God establishes something, it is forever. His kingdom is a long, never-ending river reaching to eternity. When we play a part in the church, we have merely stepped into the stream for a moment.

No preacher, however charismatic or brilliant, will save the church. The church already has a savior. No young person will be able to enlighten the church; Jesus, the head of the church has already thought of everything there is to think. No human being is essential to the church’s health and growth; the church is utterly dependent on another.

I have now served seven congregations in a more-or-less full time capacity (yes, I am that old). Those churches were God’s people before I came, and they continued to be God’s people when I left (well, I haven’t left the seventh yet).

As one author ruefully recalled an older church member telling him: “Son, God was at work here before you arrived; he will be working here in spite of you while you are here; and he will even survive you when you have gone” (Harvie Conn, Planting and Growing Urban Churches, 172).

Jesus said it this way:

“On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, ESV).

I hear visiting preachers say, “Thank you for asking me to come. It is a privilege to serve the church here in (whatever town it is).” Make no mistake, serving the Lord’s church is always a privilege, a higher honor cannot be given! We are privileged to serve the church regardless of our capacity. If you teach children, are a deacon, clean the pews or preach the gospel, you do profoundly important work. You do it for the most important organization in history. You do it at God’s pleasure.

When I die, the church will still be God’s church. I do not own it, I did not build it, I did not purchase it. Serve the Lord who loved the church, and tremble at the greatness of his cause.

Stan Mitchell

The need to remember

“And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, ‘Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time; according to all its statutes and all its rules you shall keep it.’ So Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Passover. And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the people of Israel did” (Numbers 9:1-5 ESV).

God did not want the Israelites to forget what had happened to free them from Egyptian slavery. He gave them an anniversary to observe each year called “Passover.” This was to remind them that God had “passed over” their houses and that they had been freed from slavery that night.

You might think that there would be no way the Israelites could ever forget such a momentous event. Obviously, the Passover observance would have great meaning for those who lived through it. And it would even have a special meaning for their children and perhaps their grandchildren who might not have been in Egypt but lived in the wilderness for forty years or helped to conquer the Promised Land. But what about their descendants in 200 years? or 500 years? or 1000 years?

If you are familiar with the history of the nation of Israel, you will know that they did forget the Passover. They even lost the book of the Law, which had the instructions about what they were to do and how they were to live! It was under King Josiah that the book was found and they learned what they hadn’t been doing. They then set about to restore the Passover. “For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah” (2 Kings 23:22).

Perhaps we can begin to see why God has given us a weekly time to remember what he did for us through Jesus’ death on the cross. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus took the unleavened bread and the grape juice that they were using to remember the Passover on his last night with his disciples and gave them a new significance?

“The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

We find from Acts 20:7 that the Christians came together on the first day of the week to “break bread” – to remember Jesus’ death. It is important for us to remember the price that was paid for our sins. When we don’t come together to remember Jesus, we find that our faith begins to slip. We need this weekly reminder of how terrible sin is and what a great price had to be paid so that our sins could be forgiven. Remembering Jesus should give us the strength and resolve to keep on living our lives for him.

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also…Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel…” (2 Timothy 2:1-8 ESV)

Jon Galloway

Christians are to be lights to the world and spiritual examples (Matthew 5:13-16). Considering how much time we spend at our jobs, it’s odd how little we talk about what God expects of us there.

We’re commanded to work if we’re able (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Christians realize that how we conduct ourselves as workers can enhance or destroy our Christian image. No matter which outfit or badge we wear, we’re always to walk in the light of the Lord (Ephesians 4:1; 1 John 1:7).

The average fleshly worker bases their output on how they’re being supervised or what their co-workers are doing. A boss walked up to an employee and asked why he wasn’t working. The man said, “I would be, but I didn’t see you coming.”

The toxic atmosphere of perpetually complaining and lazy workers is far removed from God’s plan. We must exhibit a good attitude (Philippians 4:8-9) and a careful tongue (James 3:1-12).

Ultimately, we answer to God for our work rather than an earthly supervisor. Accordingly, we do the best we can all the time regardless of circumstances. We know God is always watching.

It would revolutionize American society if everyone worked as God desired. We would serve the company and ultimately God instead of always demanding more for doing less.

A godly employee will remember his Christian duty. Obedience is common practice for God’s people (John 14:15). We’ve learned humility (James 4:10) and going the extra mile (Matthew 5:38-42; cf. Ephesians 6:6).

God instituted government for social order (Romans 13:1-5). The quality of the leader is immaterial to the command to be submissive. Likewise, we do the best we can at work regardless of how we’re treated or whether we enjoy it.

We do the right thing on principle. We’re called to be the best we can be in all things because we’re in Christ and represent him everywhere (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22-23; Romans 12:1-2).

Excellence in business not only allows us more financial freedom to take care of our families but to enhance the spread of the gospel (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Moreover, it can also serve as an evangelistic tool when our godly attitudes about work provoke dialogue about Christ.

Let’s stand out by bowing before God and rolling up our sleeves and striving to be better every day.

Richard Mansel

As the Day of Pentecost ended, all was going very well for the group of new followers of Jesus. 3,000 had been immersed in water to have their sins forgiven (Acts 2:41). The new disciples spent time together and were taking care of each other. And those around them saw this. As a result they had the “favor of all the people” (Acts 2:47 ESV). Their number increased on a daily basis.

For a while this was the situation. It is difficult to get a sense of time in the first few chapters of Acts, as Luke recorded snapshots of what was happening. It would appear that at least four years are condensed into the first eight chapters of Acts (see Gareth Reese, New Testament History: Acts, 1976: i-xxii). What Luke does record is that the new community of Christ-followers began to be seen as a threat.

It began with the Jewish leaders and initially it was the Sadducees. After healing a man at the gate of the temple who was known to have never been able to walk (he had been lame for over 40 years – from birth – Acts 3:2; 4:22), the Sadducees had Peter, John, and the healed man arrested. They were “greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). Keep in mind that the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection.

When brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court, Peter explained that it was Jesus who had healed the man – the same Jesus they had rejected (Acts 4:8-12). The Jews were surprised at such boldness from uneducated, common men, but they recognized they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

One problem they faced was that they could not say this hadn’t happened – they had also arrested the former lame man and he was standing there with the two apostles. They had the three taken out so they could talk freely.

“What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name” (Acts 4:16-17).

Their solution: to threaten Peter and John not to teach in the name of Jesus. Somehow, they seemed to think that this would take care of it! I suspect they weren’t prepared for the answer they received from them: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

After they were released they returned to the rest, presumably both the other apostles as well as some of the Christians. In the face of this new threat they prayed to God.

What would we have prayed for in their situation? My guess is that we would have prayed for the opposition to cease, the threat to be lifted, or something along those lines. Notice what these men prayed for: “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness” (Acts 2:29). They did not ask God to remove the threat but to give them strength to continue to speak boldly.

People oppose us today as we proclaim the good news of Jesus. May we have this same boldness to continue to speak God’s word in the threat of any opposition that we may face.

Jon Galloway

A toddler shows defiance, disobeys or displays selfishness. Someone comments, “That’s original sin’s impact.”

Has Adam’s sin affected us and if so how? Are we culpable of sin at birth? Might we be born with a depraved nature bent upon evil? Is mortality our only inheritance?

Since even in the 5th century Augustine of Hippo perceived Romans 5:12 to teach that all of us have sinned in Adam, it would seem we are guilty of original sin. Furthermore, Paul pressed on to state, “through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners” (Romans 5:19).

If this were not enough, king David acknowledged he was brought forth in iniquity (Psalms 51:5). It would seem we are guilty of original sin from birth.

On the contrary, Jesus tells us that God’s kingdom belongs to little children and we must become like them if we wish to enter (Matthew 18:3; 19:14). Why would Jesus teach this if they are depraved and sinful? Or for those who value God’s justice, God proclaimed that descendants would not die for their parents’ sins (Ezekiel 18:20).

Therefore to the prior arguments for original sin I respond as follows. As to the first argument, Augustine’s interpretation was based upon a faulty Latin translation of the Greek “eph’ ho” rendered as “in whom.”  By way of contrast the eastern church with its access to an accurate Greek text did not develop a doctrine of original sin (David Weaver, STVQ 1983:3; 1985:2).

Daniel Wallace explains that in Romans 5:12 if eph’ ho functions as a conjunction, it would not refer back to any prior antecedent such as Adam. Rather, it would function to explain how death is universal. It is universal for the same reason sin is universal. All do die and all do sin. Recognizing that there is no grammatical evidence for an antecedent interpretation, Wallace concluded eph’ ho should be understood as carrying a conjunctive force  (D. B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, 342-343). As for the other occurrences of eph’ ho in the Greek New Testament consult: Acts 7:33; 2 Corinthians 5:4; Philippians 3:12; 4:10.

Thus, “in Greek Paul is simply stating that everyone has sinned the way Adam did, so that the effect of Adam’s sin continues, and continues to be symbolized by the death experienced by all humans” (L. T. Johnson, Reading Romans). Nothing here about babies being born as depraved sinners.

As for the second argument, Romans 5:18-19 starts with a “therefore” indicating that these verses draw conclusions based upon 5:12-17.   Paul utilized Adam as a representative of humanity, who was a “type of the one to come” (Romans 5:14). Adam introduced a new reality for humanity, just as Christ would do so later. In the person of Adam’s disobedience and in the person of Christ’s obedience and resurrection, new realities broke forth for humanity (1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Romans 5:19). Adam’s sin and its consequences have affected everyone (Genesis 2-3). “Paul is positing a universal situation within humanity of sin and death, which can be reversed by a death that is a faithful act of obedience carried out by a human of a status equal to or greater than Adam” (Johnson).

In order to glean the idea of inherited culpability from Romans 5 requires imposing an interpretative framework or explanatory methodology  that is absent in the context. Such assumptions might be either conscious or unconscious.

Finally, as for the final argument based upon Psalm 51 we witness David’s outpouring of profound disgust with poetic hyperbole regarding his sinfulness. David’s utter contempt for his guilt causes him to envision his entire life shrouded in sin. In this Psalm we gain access to something of his turmoil and state of mind, not doctrinal truths about humanity.

We have heard people use similar language. “My whole life is a failure! I was born a failure!” Really? Such statements are not absolute historical truths, rather they reveal one’s psychological state in that moment.

So what are we to make of a defiant self-willed child? Just as it would be erroneous to conclude on the basis of a compliant and sweet child that human nature is fundamentally good, so too it is misguided to assume that difficult children reveal human nature is twisted toward evil.

A more helpful perspective might involve realizing that children develop by engaging their world. They will explore their boundaries, discover what is expected and allowed, as well as learn what happens when challenging authority. They quickly learn how various individuals may respond differently! Nature and nurture will influence their development.

If we are concerned about developing a biblical anthropology regarding human nature, we might be better served by framing our discussion around the biblical language of body, soul and spirit, not the categories of good and evil.

Barry Newton

The Meaning of Life:  Studies the Ecclesiastes

    In Ecclesiastes 2:24, Solomon wrote that it is from the hand of God for man to “eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good.” In 3:1, Solomon wrote that “there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven…”

These thoughts are uttered under the broad theme that everything that happens “under the sun” is vanity and striving after wind. If you take God “out of the picture,” life is meaningless, hopeless, pointless, ephemeral. With God “in” the picture, how we use our time can take on eternal ramifications.

From 3:2-8, Solomon uses 14 sets of contrasts to portray the various uses of time we might make in this life. “A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted….” All these sets, many of them opposites one of another, summarize all of life. There is, seriously, a time to do everything and anything.

Fishing? There’s a time for that. Golfing? There’s a time for that. War? There’s a time for that. Peace? There’s a time for that. Mourning? There’s a time for that. Laughing? There’s a time for that. Ecclesiastes was written to help the Israelite (then us) to see how to live their lives, daily, in a way that reflects fear of God (5:7).

One way, then, that we show our respect for God is realizing there is a time for every event under heaven. If your friend is mourning, it is not the time to laugh. That doesn’t mean laughter is inherently wrong. It means there’s a time to refrain. There is a time to speak; there is a time to bite your tongue. Isn’t there wisdom in that sentiment?

If you put into practice every event that is detailed in verses 3-8, you would live your life “to the fullest.” There’s no sin in that. Listen to Solomon’s words in 3:12-13: “I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.” Life is a gift of God. The opportunity to mourn with those who weep is a gift of God. The chance to bring war to an end and bring about peace is a gift of God.

If you don’t enjoy the time God has given you on this earth, what good has your life been? Finally, everyone is going to die; that’s Solomon’s point in 3:16-21. How would you rather die? Having lived a life of fear, afraid to try new things, enjoy life? Or having lived in hope, benefiting from the pleasures of this life to see the beauty of God around you?

Solomon concludes chapter three, writing: “I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?”

Enjoy your time here on earth. There’s a time for that. It contributes to the meaning of life.

Paul Holland

“‘For behold, I will send serpents among you, vipers which cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 8:17, NKJB).

Snake charming is an ancient practice in parts of Asia. When I started traveling to South Asia I was a little surprised to discover that it is still fairly common and popular among the people, especially those in rural areas. I have gone into a village more than once and seen a charmer with several baskets strapped to his bicycle from which he would extract multiple large cobras while playing a tune on a flute. As soon as they were placed on the ground the snakes began to lift their heads and upper torso and sway in tune with the music. I was much impressed.

Imagine the shock and fear which such a charmer would experience if one or more of those snakes refused the allure of the flute. What if, when he pulled them from the basket, they did not go into their coil and dance, but charged with fangs dripping venom? That would not be the expected outcome; those snakes would not be playing by the rules.

In the U.S. the news occasionally reports the tragic deaths of animal handlers in zoos, parks, or circuses who lose control of their dangerous subjects. No matter how docile and well trained the animals seem to be, for some reason one or more occasionally go berserk, and serious injury or death is the result.

Whenever such things happen we are reminded that one is almost never in complete control of his circumstances. We think we know what we are doing; we believe we are in charge, but sometimes we are deceived. Sometimes the snake just refuses to be charmed.

Ancient Israel believed that God was under its control. He had made promises to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He had established a covenant with Israel, claiming them as his exclusive people. At his instructions they had conquered a land, built a temple, and established Jerusalem as a place in which his presence could always be found. God was all-powerful, but He was also obligated to Israel and subject to their demands. Whenever their safety was questioned they simply remembered “The temple of the Lord” (Jeremiah 7:4) and knew (or thought they knew) that so long as it was in Jerusalem God must protect them. It did not matter (they thought) whether or not they were obedient to his laws; he had to fulfill his promises no matter what they did.

It was a great shock to them, therefore, when Jeremiah told them they were wrong. God was angry with his people for their unfaithfulness and disobedience. He would quickly send his judgment against them. That judgment would be like a snake that could not be charmed. No matter what their priests and false prophets might do or say, God would no longer protect his people. Rather, he would send Babylon’s powerful armies against them and their nation would be destroyed.

Today there are many with the same false theology that deceived Israel. How often have we heard the claim, “A loving God could never punish his people with eternal destruction, no matter how disobedient they might be.” Really? That is not at all what the Bible says.

“[He] will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness – indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil” (Romans 2:6-9).

“If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation. . . It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:26-27, 31).

God is love, but he is also perfectly just and righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4). He wants all to be saved, but he cannot be mocked (“charmed”). His judgments are sure and perfect. Sin will be punished, unless we repent (Luke 13:3, 5).

Michael Brooks

The other day I was walking through the Family Center at Faith Village where I preach, and I noticed an unusual sign in the kitchen.

The purpose of the sign is a good one.

With a membership of 700+ at Faith Village, our Family Center is used almost daily for different events—as it should be—that’s the purpose for having it! But with that much usage, by that many different people, there have to be guidelines and policies for cleaning the kitchen after it’s been used. On the wall is a policy sheet with several different “rules” that must be abided by. But next to those rules, is one sentence that I think says more than all of the rules combined…

“A mouse isn’t picky about where he eats.”

Truer words are rarely spoken.

But that picturesque description of the “open-minded” mouse got me to thinking about Satan. That’s exactly how Satan is described in Scripture. As a professional deceiver, he isn’t picky about where he tempts us—or even how he tempts us—he just wants to tempt us. Sometimes it will be through our friends. Sometimes it will be through the media. Or electronics. Or food. Or drinks. Even our own church family! Satan isn’t picky. He just wants to throw us off the narrow path which leads to the Father. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Peter, a man who had personally witnessed Satan’s power of temptation, gave this commentary in 1st Peter 5:8, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

I appreciate Peter’s description of Satan because if you notice, Peter gives two tips for success. First, Peter says to be “alert.” Just like a mouse eats from anywhere, as already said, Satan tempts from anywhere. When we least expect it. In a place or time that we can’t even imagine in our wildest dreams. Therefore, we have to always be watching for what he’s trying to do, and mindful of what he’s currently doing. Secondly, Peter says to be “self-controlled.” That’s also a powerful reminder. Satan won’t always use other people or external forces to tempt us—many times he uses us and our internal desires. You see, Satan has many tools in his toolbox to run us away from righteousness. But we can take heart, because we aren’t the only ones who face this undesirable challenge. That’s why Peter says in the very next verse, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

It was that way then. It’s that way now. It will be that way tomorrow.

And just like leaving crumbs on the floor will attract a mouse, leaving your heart unguarded will attract Satan. The best way to guard yourself is with the Armor of God, which Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10-18; things like “the belt of truth”, “the breastplate of righteousness”, “the gospel of peace”, “the shield of faith”, “the helmet of salvation”, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”, and “prayer”. These spiritual weapons arm us with righteousness. And Paul introduces his treatise by saying, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11)

Well, you get the idea. A mouse isn’t picky. He will scurry into any part of your house for a good meal. But neither is Satan. He will prowl into any area of your life for a good temptation, and he plans to enjoy the dessert of victory as well. Don’t let him.
Keep your heart not only clean, but guarded.

For if you give a mouse a cookie…

Jacob Hawk

Night never comes in heaven

“Izuba talibbili!”

Night never comes in heaven!

Botiyasi dropped out of school after grade six.

The years rolled by. Winter followed the rains. Summers returned.

When certain preachers visited, Botiyasi wondered and puzzled over their messages. Their words did not sound like the lessons he had learned in school.

“I want to learn how to preach,” he told his wife. He walked twenty miles to the best preacher he could think of: Bicycle Sianjina.

“Teach me how to preach!” he demanded.

“Hey, fellow,” Bicycle said, “this is planting season. What’s your panic? Wait until after harvest.”

“I’ll help you plough. Teach me as we walk behind the oxen.”

Botiyasi stayed at Bicycle’s village for three months. He turned the fields, planted, fertilized and weeded ‑ and listened. Holy fire kindled, then blazed. Time had come to return home.

When he reached his village, he gathered people. A new congregation began regular worship services under a central tree in his village. Some folk liked his devotion and fervor. Most did not. Botiyasi refused to honor the ancestral spirits. This angered traditional tribesmen. When two of Botiyasi’s children died, these animists found an opening to challenge his careless ways. They pounced on him.

“You see? Your forefathers have punished you! Honor them before they bring bad luck to us as well!”

“I trust Jesus,” Botiyasi said. “You need to trust Him too.”

“Who stays in that new hut?” Botiyasi asked as he cycled through a nearby village one morning.

“That one off to the side?” a local said. “Oh, that’s just one of Father’s distant cousins. He lived in Chikankata Leper Colony for years. Now he’s come home to die.”

Botiyasi pushed his bicycle toward the hut.

“Hey!”

Botiyasi stopped and looked back over his shoulder.

“Don’t go there. He has leprosy, man!”

Botiyasi ignored the warning and marched toward the hut.

“You gonna die, man!”

Botiyasi kept walking. Already he could smell a problem. The hovel stank like an overflowing latrine.

“Don’t be a fool. You think Jesus will protect you from leprosy?”

“He does whatever He wishes,” Botiyasi said. “If Jesus walked here, He would visit this mudaala ‑ this old man.”

The grass wall made a good place to lean his bicycle. Botiyasi took a deep breath and held it as he ducked under the low thatch. He peered through the door and retched when he saw the old man’s condition. Nobody had helped the leper to the bush to relieve himself. Feces smeared the withered body. Urine soaked his shabby clothing and tattered blanket.

“What a vile way to die,” Botiyasi thought. “I need a hoe and plenty of soap.”

He scraped the hut clean and buried the filth. While he heated water to bathe the old man, he walked to the river, a sliver of Sunlight Soap in his pocket. He knelt on a stone at the water’s edge and began to scrub the old man’s rags. Then he walked back to bathe the old man. There wasn’t much to wash. His skin stretched tight over his frame. Veins stood out on his arms and scalp. He was just a black skeleton. As Botiyasi rubbed soap over the fingerless hands, he felt the scales and scabs beneath his fingers. He scrubbed the toeless feet and worked Vaseline into the cracked heels.

Children chattered. Botiyasi looked up from his work. A nervous group toted a food bowl toward the hut. The youngsters crouched at the door and scooted the enamel dish across the sandy floor into the hut. The children scampered away, giggling. Botiyasi poked a finger into the stiff food. Yesterdays tallowed leftovers clung to his skin, cold and greasy. Those kids are all the company the old fellow has all day, Botiyasi realized.

He lifted the old man’s head and helped him sip warm gruel.

“Jesus loves you!” he laughed. “You are not too old or sick to pray.” Then he began to sing, “Izuba talibbili!” He crooned and rocked the frail body in his arms. “Night never comes in heaven.”

Supper over, he opened his Bible and read aloud. Page after page, until the ancient slept.

Botiyasi served the old man every day after that. Every day they prayed, and Botiyasi read and sang.

One afternoon the old leper’s fingerless paw scraped at his arm. “Baptize me,” he said, “Baptize me now, little brother. I want to be with Jesus.”

“Of course, mudaala. You honor me.”

Botiyasi rose to his knees. He shoved his sturdy arms under the slight body and lifted. The burden was not great. He carried the old man down to the stream, down to a place well below the pool where the people drew their water. People do not like washed‑off sins in their drinking water, Botiyasi knew. He wanted no criticism about that.

He waded, the leper in his arms, into the chilly pool. There he knelt, easing the old man into the water until all but his trembly head lay beneath the lily pads. Botiyasi pronounced the ancient words of blessing, then dipped the old man’s head. As he came up from the water, still in Botiyasi’s arms, the new‑born ancient grinned up at the young man, exposing all three of his snaggly teeth.

“Thank you, young brother,” he quavered. “Now I am ready.”

Back at the hut, Botiyasi toweled the scrawny body. He covered the leper with a blanket, and rose to go.

“Pray for me, young man. Pray for me,” the quavering voice wheezed.

Was that the sparkle of tears in his eyes?

“What would you have me to say?”

“I am ready to die now,” the old man whispered. “I don’t want to wait. Pray that Jesus will take me home. Pray that He will take me home right now.”

Botiyasi just stood there a moment, speechless. He choked, then cleared his throat. Kneeling beside his friend, he spoke the request the old man coveted. After a quiet moment he rose, stooped under the low doorpost and climbed on his bicycle.

Next morning, Botiyasi found the old man dead.

“Ha, ha, ha!” the locals mocked. “What a Christian you are!

You pray for people and they die! Ha, ha, ha! You will soon die of the same disease, you silly fool.”

Botiyasi hefted his hoe, the same hoe he had used to clean the floor. Perhaps those who taunted him thought he might strike at them. Instead, he turned his back on them, found a decent gravesite and began to hammer the earth. The same strong arms that had buried the old man in water the day before now laid him in God’s earth. The same embers that once boiled the old man’s soup served now to incinerate his shack.

Job done, Botiyasi dusted his hands and swung a leg over the saddle of his cycle. As he cranked the pedals toward home, he began to sing, “Izuba talibbili…”

Some forty years later, on his deathbed, Botiyasi gave instructions for his own funeral.

“Weep if you wish,” he said. “But don’t wail like people who have no hope. When you put my body in the ground, my spirit will stand by you and watch. I want you to sing Izuba talibbili. When you start to sing that hymn, I will leave you and enter the gates of heaven.”

Roy Davison

Ancient peoples believed each god’s influence was limited to a particular sphere. Remember how the Syrians wanted to battle Israel in the plains because they thought Yahweh was a God of the hills (1 Kings 20:23)? The Egyptians were no exception. Their pantheon had over 2000 gods: a sun god, a Nile god and so forth.

Yahweh taught that he is different. By releasing a wide variety of plagues, the Creator revealed he commands the water ways, living creatures, disease, the weather, light and even life itself. Furthermore, God geographically focused where the plagues would strike, as well as demonstrated that he could cease the plagues on command, “So that you may know that there is no one like the LORD” (Exodus 8:10).

So how big is our understanding of God? We readily accept God can forgive, inspire his prophets to give us his word, know the numbers of hairs on our head, and prepare heaven for us.

However, do we think our God can handle the things we worry about? Can we obey commands like, “don’t worry” (Matthew 6:25), because we trust promises like, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things (food & clothing) will be given unto you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Can we take Mark 10:29-30 at face value? Can God really give us peace? Or do we, like the ancients, limit what God can do?

God already has provided the evidence. We just need to obey and trust in the Creator.

Barry Newton

    First, read this whole paragraph: Ephesians 6:10-20.

    There is an issue of power in this paragraph. The power of Satan, found among rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness. But there is also the power of God: “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” There are three different Greek words in verse 10 that all mean “power.”

    That power of God can be used by believers in our struggle with the forces of evil. God’s power is a key theme in the book of Ephesians. The Christian life, as a whole, is a spiritual struggle. We are in a fight with Satan for our very souls, the eternal destination of our souls. Every believer, in fact every person, is involved in this battle. 

    Paul uses vivid expressions to depict this spiritual warfare, using the word “wrestle” or “struggle.” Nothing could depict better the close nature of this fight than picturing it as a wrestling match where every move you make is countered by your opponent and it is your wits and strength against his wits and strength.

    But the chief goal here in the paragraph is to stand firm! Notice the number of times Paul uses the word “stand” or a similar word: vs 11 (“stand”), vs 13 (“resist”), vs 13 (“stand firm”), vs 14 (“stand firm”). There is a strong element of resistance: a defensive posture, in fact. Paul says in verse 13 to put on the “whole armor of God” – the Greek word is panoply – the whole armor of God so that we can resist, to stand firm.

    I’m not going to take the time to examine each one of these items in this list of armor but I will say that every one of these is closely tied to Jesus Christ and every one is tied closely to the Gospel message. Spiritual warfare is, then, also preaching and teaching. Paul also thinks of “standing” in terms of being militant, aggressive, taking the offense.

    “Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” fearlessly proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This whole spiritual armor is God’s armor; it comes from a picture of the Messiah from Isaiah 42:13 & 59:17. In the Roman army, these shoes were short boots, used for walking for miles to the battle front as well as pursuing the enemy. Christians need to be prepared to discuss the gospel message:

    “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).

    Finally, the one offensive weapon we have is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). The sword, the machaira, was a relatively short sword, even a dagger, a smaller knife that would be used in hand-to-hand combat. Our primary aggressive action as Christians is to spread the gospel in the world.

    Christians are in a spiritual warfare. We have our defensive armor and we have our offensive weapon. We ought to be busily engaged in spreading the gospel here at home and in other places around the world.

    The church is God’s tool for spreading the gospel to a lost world. Let us be His tool for that purpose.

Paul Holland

Two weeks ago, our phone rang a few minutes before midnight. It was our oldest daughter. We could barely hear her, but she began by saying, “We’re okay, but our house was just hit by a tornado.”

On the night of April 13, 2020, a tornado swept through our daughter and son-in-law’s neighborhood. When our children realized what was happening, they ran toward an inner closet. Fortunately, they arrived in the closet, just as the tornado hit. They didn’t even have time enough to close the door.  One side of their house was blown out and lifted off the foundation. Both garage doors were “sucked” inside the garage on top of their vehicles. Windows were blown out and glass was glass shards were turned into projectiles all through the house. Part of their roof was lifted off, and heavy furniture inside the house was picked up and thrown all around. Had they been caught just seconds before they got in the closet, they would have probably been killed.

In the closet, they huddled, yelled to each other over the noise, “I love you,” and prayed until the storm passed.

Just before we received the phone call, I was praying for my college buddy who had just recently lost his daughter, son-in-law, and two-year-old grandson in the Cookeville tornado. I had just told my wife that this storm must be haunting my college friend. The sound of the wind at night must have brought back many painful memories for him. Little did I know what was happening to my own daughter and son-in-law.

I am profoundly thankful that my daughter and son-in-law are okay, but I am just as profoundly reminded that life is fragile. We can be here one moment, and the next moment be ushered from this life into eternity.

Friends, if you would run as fast as you can to a closet to save your physical life, then how much more should you run to Jesus to save your spiritual life? Quit procrastinating! There’s a storm coming!

by Steve Higginbotham

The following letters supposedly were taken from an incident between a London hotel and one of its guests. In truth, this was composed by comedian Shelly Berman. It is rather long, but it is very funny and if you haven’t seen it before, you’ll love it.

Dear Maid,

Please do not leave any more of those little bars of soap in my bathroom since I have brought my own bath-sized Dial. Please remove the six unopened little bars from the shelf under the medicine chest and another three in the shower soap dish. They are in my way.
Thank you,
S. Berman

Dear Room 635,
I am not your regular maid. She will be back tomorrow, Thursday, from her day off. I took the 3 hotel soaps out of the shower soap dish as you requested. The 6 bars on your shelf I took out of your way and put on top of your Kleenex dispenser in case you should change your mind. This leaves only the 3 bars I left today which my instructions from the management is to leave 3 soaps daily. I hope this is satisfactory.
Kathy, Relief Maid

Dear Maid – I hope you are my regular maid,
Apparently Kathy did not tell you about my note to her concerning the little bars of soap. When I got back to my room this evening I found you had added 3 little Camays to the shelf under my medicine cabinet. I am going to be here in the hotel for two weeks and have brought my own bath-size Dial so I won’t need those 6 little Camays which are on the shelf. They are in my way when shaving, brushing teeth, etc. Please remove them.
S. Berman

Dear Mr. Berman,
My day off was last Wed. so the relief maid left 3 hotel soaps which we are instructed by the management. I took the 6 soaps which were in your way on the shelf and put them in the soap dish where your Dial was. I put the Dial in the medicine cabinet for your convenience. I didn’t remove the 3 complimentary soaps which are always placed inside the medicine cabinet for all new check-ins and which you did not object to when you checked in last Monday. Please let me know if I can of further assistance.
Your regular maid,
Dotty

Dear Mr. Berman,
The assistant manager, Mr. Kensedder, informed me this morning that you called him last evening and said you were unhappy with your maid service.  I have assigned a new girl to your room.  I hope you will accept my apologies for any past inconvenience.  If you have any future complaints please contact me so I can give it my personal attention.  Call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM.  Thank you.
Elaine Carmen
Housekeeper

Dear Miss Carmen,
It is impossible to contact you by phone since I leave the hotel for business at 7:45 AM and don’t get back before 5:30 or 6PM. That’s the reason I called Mr. Kensedder last night. You were already off duty. I only asked Mr. Kensedder if he could do anything about those little bars of soap. The new maid you assigned me must have thought I was a new check-in today, since she left another 3 bars of hotel soap in my medicine cabinet along with her regular delivery of 3 bars on the bath-room shelf. In just 5 days here I have accumulated 24 little bars of soap. Why are you doing this to me?
S. Berman

Dear Mr. Berman,
Your maid, Kathy, has been instructed to stop delivering soap to your room and remove the extra soaps. If I can be of further assistance, please call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM.  Thank you,
Elaine Carmen,
Housekeeper

Dear Mr. Kensedder,
My bath-size Dial is missing. Every bar of soap was taken from my room including my own bath-size Dial. I came in late last night and had to call the bellhop to bring me 4 little Cashmere Bouquets.
S. Berman

Dear Mr. Berman,
I have informed our housekeeper, Elaine Carmen, of your soap problem. I cannot understand why there was no soap in your room since our maids are instructed to leave 3 bars of soap each time they service a room. The situation will be rectified immediately. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.
Martin L. Kensedder
Assistant Manager

Dear Mrs. Carmen,
Who….left 54 little bars of Camay in my room? I came in last night and found 54 little bars of soap. I don’t want 54 little bars of Camay. I want my one…..bar of bath-size Dial. Do you realize I have 54 bars of soap in here? All I want is my bath-size Dial. Please give me back my bath-size Dial.
S. Berman

Dear Mr. Berman,
You complained of too much soap in your room so I had them removed. Then you complained to Mr. Kensedder that all your soap was missing so I personally returned them. The 24 Camays which had been taken and the 3 Camays you are supposed to receive daily. I don’t know anything about the 4 Cashmere Bouquets. Obviously your maid, Kathy, did not know I had returned your soaps so she also brought 24 Camays plus the 3 daily Camays. I don’t know where you got the idea this hotel issues bath-size Dial. I was able to locate some bath-size Ivory which I left in your room.
Elaine Carmen
Housekeeper

Dear Mrs. Carmen,
Just a short note to bring you up-to-date on my latest soap inventory. As of today I possess:
– On the shelf under medicine cabinet – 18 Camay in 4 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.
– On the Kleenex dispenser – 11 Camay in 2 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 3.
– On the bedroom dresser – 1 stack of 3 Cashmere Bouquet.
– 1 stack of 4 hotel-size Ivory, and 8 Camay in 2 stacks of 4.
– Inside the medicine cabinet – 14 Camay in 3 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.
– In the shower soap dish – 6 Camay, very moist.
– On the northeast corner of tub – 1 Cashmere Bouquet, slightly used.
– On the northwest corner of tub – 6 Camays in 2 stacks of 3.
Please ask Kathy when she services my room to make sure the stacks are neatly piled and dusted. Also, please advise her that stacks of more than 4 have a tendency to tip. May I suggest that my bedroom window sill is not in use and will make an excellent spot for future soap deliveries. One more item, I have purchased another bar of bath-sized Dial which I am keeping in the hotel vault in order to avoid further misunderstandings.
S. Berman

It dawned on me that God is like those maids!  Every day He sends us blessing after blessing. Whether we ask for them or not, whether we deserve them or not (“He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good”), whether we acknowledge them or not, we are absolutely flooded with blessings from a good and gracious God.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things.” (Psalm 103:1-5a)

To the God who keeps on giving and giving be all praise and honor and glory!

Have a great day!

– Alan Smith

1 Cor. 5:6  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 

In this chapter, Paul mentions a specific moral issue happening in the church at Corinth – someone was having his father’s wife; he was sleeping with his stepmother (v.1). Paul calls it fornication.

What did the church do about it? They bragged about it! “And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (v.2).

The attitude of the Corinthians was they “were puffed up”. The words seem to indicate that they were encouraging the sinner in his sinful way. It’s like giving him a thumb’s up and saying: “Wow, you got class.” Instead of being humiliated and covered with a sense of shame, they were encouraging it. Paul was flabbergasted. He said such kind of incestuous relationship would be considered taboo even by the world, yet the Corinthian Christians seemed accepting of it.

What should the church do? Paul said they should discipline him: “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (v.5).

“Discipline” as the word implies, is like a father chastising his son. This is what church discipline is all about: making correction through chastening in hope of restoring good behaviour. Church discipline is not a police and thief work. A policeman is only interested in putting the thief in prison. Church discipline is getting the sinner out of the prison of sin.

Why Must The Church Practise Church Discipline?

1. Save The Sinner: “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
2. To Keep The Church Pure: “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6).
3. To Glorify God: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you” (Romans 2:24).
4. To Obey God’s Commandments: “Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13).

What the church at Corinth is doing is encouraging the sinner in his sin and damaging the image of the church and the name of God. The church is supposed to be a congregation of holy people. The Christians are supposed to be a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). And, God is holy (1 Peter 1:15, 16). What would the world think of the church and her God if such sin is allowed within her?  How could the church convert the world?

Therefore, Paul has this sharp rebuke to the church: “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (v.6).

Those who bake would know: A small quantity of leaven or yeast is all that is needed to pervade the entire mass of flour, or dough, and diffuse itself through it all. The analogy Paul used is saying if sinners are allowed to keep their sins, it will encourage others to sin likewise. Before long, the whole church would be involved in committing all sorts of sin.

Solomon wrote a long time ago: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

Failing to enforce discipline will send a wrong message to other members that the action is not sinful and will cause them to commit the same sin.

The church cannot change the world if it is like the world. Therefore, we must practise Biblical church discipline towards professing Christians who persist in sin. May God give us the courage to enforce church discipline.

Jimmy Lau

There is COVID-I9.  ISIS continues to cause people around the world to worry, as well as the unstable situation in Korea. People worry about what is ahead of them in life. Perhaps the problem is that they see this life as all there is.

When Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica, we find Christians who were worried about the Christians who had already died. Paul wrote, “Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13 NET).

These Christians were worried that those who had died would miss out on eternal life with Jesus. Paul went on to explain what would happen when Jesus returned.

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians. For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

Just because Christians had died, there was no reason to worry. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead when he died could also bring the Christians who had died back to life. God had them taken care of! They wouldn’t be left out of eternal life.

This is how it will happen. First Jesus will come down from heaven with a “shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” In other words, everyone is going to know what is happening. It is going to be LOUD!

Then the dead will rise and come back to life – not in our old corruptible bodies but in a new body that is suited for living eternally with Jesus (Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 15). Then those who are still alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air! Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 15 that we will also be changed to have the new bodies needed to live with Jesus. Together, all those who belong to Jesus will “always be with the Lord.”

Notice that there is nothing here about Jesus coming back and setting foot on the earth – we meet him “in the air.” This is the beginning of living eternally with Jesus. The cares of this world will be gone. We will finally realize what we have been living for. No wonder Paul told them, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The worries and cares of this life are not worth worrying about. They are temporary. They will be gone before we know it. We have something to place our hope in: living forever with Jesus. This is real hope! That gives us the encouragement we need to get through each day.

May we live this year as a people who don’t despair about what is going on around us, but as a people who have real hope.

Jon Galloway

So OK, you don’t need this, your romance is going along just peachy; could you keep this just in case a “friend” needs it sometime? I won’t tell!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

There are many ways that life could throw a “curveball,” a “spanner in the works,” but I am specifically thinking of when a Christian young person has his/her heart broken in a romance. You might react by saying, this isn’t exactly a subject dealt with in Scripture, is it? But remember that the Bible is all about the following:

• Sweet, loving, healthy relationships (of whatever sort, in the church, with those we hope to reach, in our families, and with our friends.) And, yes, a romance is a relationship!
• As Christians, we are obliged to be loving to everyone; we are not obliged to fall in love with everyone (1 John 3:18).
• All is not fair in love and war. If the Christian is obliged to be a Christian at work, at school, and with his family, then he is obliged to be a Christian in matters romantic. Again, this does not mean that you must fall in love with a particular person or “You’re not a very good Christian.” It simply means that you do not view that person with disdain or treat him unkindly. Communicate clearly but in Christian love.
• Whatever happens to you romantically, it is important to remain focused on your primary relationship, that is, with God. Seek his kingdom first, and he will supply what you need to live in a purposeful and fulfilled manner (Matthew 6:33).
• I do not know an easy way to do this romance thing; there are no sure-fire techniques (you don’t use techniques on other people anyway; you love them!). In romance, you probably need to expect some blind alleys, some setbacks, some detours. How do you find out what another person is like without becoming vulnerable to him (or her)? Unlike the Lord, we cannot see a heart and must spend time with the other, get to know them, and determine things as best you can.

You don’t have to do this solo; do it with the Lord. If you don’t feel you have sufficient wisdom (and who does), ask God (James 1:5). Don’t try to lean on your own understanding. Trust him. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and “he will direct your ways” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Stan Mitchell

Our YouTube video for today is also on friends.

If you like today’s video, please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel.  We are currently doing a special study on the book of Job.

Alan Jackson came out with a song in 1994 titled “Livin’ on Love.” The chorus to that song goes like this:

Livin’ on love, buyin’ on time
Without somebody nothing ain’t worth a dime
Just like an old fashion story book rhyme
Livin’ on love
It sounds simple, that’s what you’re thinkin’
But love can walk through fire without blinkin’
It doesn’t take much when you get enough
Livin’ on love

Think of that line: “Without somebody nothing ain’t worth a dime” (the message, not the grammar). Friendships. I had a best friend in junior high school named Daren King. He aggravated me more than anyone else but we were also close. We were only friends for a few years before my dad was hired to preach in a different state. I lost contact with him until I was able to visit the area, speaking at the homecoming in the congregation where I was baptized at ten years old. By that time, Daren had earned his PhD in applied mathematics from UGA and was teaching at the high school close to where we worshipped.

Friendships can make life meaningful. In Ecclesiastes 4, Solomon writes about interpersonal relationships. He begins by acknowledging the fact that there is a lot of oppression in the world. That word is found three times, in some form, in verses 1-3. In verse 4, Solomon acknowledges there is “rivalry” in the world.

But then Solomon writes that with a “dependent, son or brother,” there is no pleasure in his labor. “This too is vanity and it is a grievous task” (vs 8).

So, Solomon meditates on the value of friendships: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”

In Solomon’s mind, having a companion is better than being alone because there is greater: profit, support, emotional assistance, and protection. Just like a three-fold strand is not quickly broken, an individual who has a friend can withstand much of the negativity life throws at us.

Finally, in Solomon’s chapter on interpersonal relationships, he gives a little parable contrasting a lad and a king. The lad is “wise” and is better than the king who is “foolish,” the difference being that the lad knows “how to receive instruction” (vs 13).

Not only can life be more meaningful for us if we have friends but Solomon also shows us how to be a friend to others. That is, we should work at providing for others through increasing their productivity, supporting them when they need it, giving them emotional assistance when it is required, and protecting them from harm.

In Jackson’s words, “Without somebody nothing ain’t worth a dime.”

Paul Holland

In 1968, Mexico hosted the Olympic Games. The marathon was the final event on the program, and the crowd packed Olympic Stadium in anticipation of the arrival of the runners. 74 athletes from 41 different countries had started the race. One of those men was John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania. Akhwari was not used to running at the altitude in which this race was won. At the nineteenth kilometer of the forty-two-kilometer race, cramps and sickness caused him to fall, wounding and dislocating his knee. Landing on the pavement also hurt his shoulder and head. Though officials urged him to withdraw, Akwari would not.

There was excitement to see which would be the man who would cross the finish line first. An Ethiopian runner entered the stadium, and the crowd erupted as he crossed the finish line. An hour after the winner had finished Akwhari entered the stadium. All but a few hundred of the spectators had gone home. Akwhari slowly crossed the finish line and collapsed. Afterward, asked by a reporter why he had not dropped out, Akwhari says, “My country did not send me to start the race. They sent me to finish.”

King Saul looked the part, had the people behind him, had the anointing of the prophet, and the Lord on his side – yet Saul did not finish. Kings Josiah and Asa began a reformation and restoration of the people, yet failed in the end. Moses was to lead the people to the promised land, yet did not get to enter himself because he once chose his way. These started but did not finish.

There are others who finished strong. Abraham’s faith appeared to grow progressively with every scene we see him. Jacob was one who started fighting family and the Lord but ultimately ended as a man of faith. After Saul of Tarsus found out the direction he should go in, the man we know better as Paul worked diligently for his Lord (II Tim. 4:7).

There have been many who have begun their walk with the Lord who did not understand it is a marathon, not a race. There will be bumps and bruises, obstacles and objections. Still, with the Lord, we can finish. Jesus died not so you could start the Christian race, but so you could finish. This congregation is here, not to help you start, but to finish. Akhwari crossed the finish line last, but he was not in last place. Twenty-eight runners did not even finish even though the hobbled Akhwari did. You are here, not to start, but to finish. Finish strong!

Corey Sawyers