Monthly Archives: August 2017

TAMING THE TONGUE

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We were unable to post yesterday due to technical difficulties.  After tomorrow’s studies, we will be on break until 9/19.

Topic:  “Taming the Tongue”

Texts:  James 3:1-12, 1:26

Aim:  to introduce the series and to emphasize the importance of being careful with our words.

TRIVIA QUIZ:   In this new series on “Taming the Tongue” we will consider the power of words.  Probably nothing in our culture illustrates the power of words more than commercials!  Just for fun, see if you can identify what company used the following slogans from the past.

“When you care enough to send the very best”    [ANSWER: Hallmark Cards]

“The quicker picker-upper”      [Bounty paper towels – this slogan first aired in 1971]

“Good to the last drop”    [Maxwell House coffee – first used in 1915]         “Must see TV”  [NBC]

“It’s late. Eat more”  [Taco Bell]                 “Get a piece of the rock”    [Prudential Insurance]

“Obey your thirst”   [Sprite]                 “Never had it, never will”  [7-Up]          “We try harder”  [Avis]

“Everywhere you want to be”   [Visa credit card – first aired in 1988]      “Think outside the box”  [Apple]

“When it rains, it pours”   [Morton Salt – used continuously since 1911]       “Wassup?”   [Budweiser]

“Stay with someone you know”  [Holiday Inn]                “Less filling, tastes great” [Miller Light]

“Taste the sensation”  [York Peppermint Patty]               “I’d walk a mile for  a……” [Camel cigarettes]

“The happiest place on earth”   [Disneyland]                  “Betcha can’t eat just one”   [Lays Potato Chips]

“Where’s the beef?”     [Wendy’s hamburgers]        EXTRA CREDIT:    a.  In what year did the “Where’s the beef?” commercial first air?  [1984]          b. What presidential candidate used the slogan in his campaign?  [Walter Mondale]           c.  Wendy’s dropped actress Clara Peller the following year after she appeared in another company’s commercial to declare, “I found it – I finally found it!” What product was she endorsing in that commercial?   [Prego Spaghetti Sauce].

COMPLETE THIS SLOGAN introduced in 1975:   “Two all beef patties……”     [“….special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion, on a sesame seed bun.”]    What is it describing?  [A “Big Mac.”]

Corporations spend untold millions of dollars on slogans because they recognize that the right phrase can have a powerful influence on our purchasing decisions.  In the same way, the Bible cautions us that using the wrong words can have a powerful influence for bad and can cause great damage to ourselves and to others.  Please TURN to the book of James (near the back of your New Testament), Chapter 3.

READ Verses 1-12   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:  1. What would you say is the main point James is trying to make in this passage?   Or to put it another way, if you were preparing a lesson on this passage, what title would you give it?              2.  One of the points James emphasizes is the potential damage we can cause when we don’t choose our words carefully.  Let’s reflect for a moment on the many different ways we can SIN with our words.  What are some of the ways we can cause harm to others or to ourselves with the things that we say?    Possible Answers:   Lying;   Swearing;  Taking God’s name in vain;  Hurtful criticism;   Teaching false doctrine;   Gossiping;   Slander;   Flattery.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:  Of all those sins, which would you consider the WORST, and why?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:  1. James clearly wants us to understand how quickly we can get in trouble with what we say.   Not all careless words lead to SIN:  sometimes they just lead to embarrassment!   ALL of us have had times when we unintentionally said the wrong thing and “put our foot in our mouth.”  Can you recall an occasion when that happened to you?   And if so, would you be brave enough to share your experience with the group?            2.  We cannot “un-say” something we have said, so what would you suggest is the best way to respond when we accidentally say something embarrassing?

READ Verse 1   DISCUSSION QUESTION:  When we read the Great Commission, we learn that Jesus wants us to make disciples by “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  Is James contradicting Jesus?  Do you feel that James is trying to discourage people from becoming teachers?                      Background Note:  See Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 Corinthians 12:28;  Ephesians 4:11-13.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:  Teachers are people who have to be EXTRA-careful with their words.  What are some other occupations that require people to closely monitor their speech?    Possible Answers:  Government leaders; Preachers;   Hostage Negotiators;   Television Announcers.  

 DISCUSSION QUESTION:  Can you think of an example of an individual in a public position who got into trouble because he or she DIDN’T closely monitor his or her words?  If so, what public figure was it and what happened as a result?

READ Verse 2    DISCUSSION QUESTION:  Now the focus switches from teachers to ALL of us. James says, “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”  Which of the following statements most closely describes what you think he means:

  • Is he saying, a. “The minute you forget to monitor your words is the moment you’re heading for a fall, so don’t let your guard down when you speak.”
  • Or does James mean, b. “Don’t become discouraged when you slip up in your speech, because it’s impossible to be that perfect.”
  • Or could he be saying, c. “Work first on controlling your words, because once you’ve got your speech under control, the rest is easy.”

READ Verses 3-5    DISCUSSION QUESTION:  James uses three different metaphors to describe the potential power of the tongue:  a BIT, a RUDDER, and a SPARK.   What is one characteristic that all three of these pictures have in common, and what does that suggest about the tongue?

READ Verse 6-8     Perhaps James uses such strong language to describe the potential destructiveness of careless speech because so many people underestimate how much pain they can cause with their words.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:  1. Why do you suppose that is?  In your opinion, why do so many people fail to realize the destructive power of the tongue until the damage has been done?

  1. I am confused by Verse 8. If “no man can tame the tongue,” then what’s the use of trying?  Does James mean this is a hopeless cause?

READ Verses 9-12   DISCUSSION QUESTION:  We can recognize the inconsistency of having a tongue that praises God on Sunday and curses another person on Monday, but why do you suppose James goes on to remind us that all humans are “MADE IN GOD’S LIKENESS”?  Why might it be important to remember that particular phrase when we are tempted to swear at another person?

TURN BACK to Chapter 1 of the book of James.  READ Verse 26.    DISCUSSION QUESTION:  James urges us to “keep a tight rein” on our tongue, but HOW do we go about doing that?  What would you say is one specific suggestion that could help us to better control our speech? 

SUMMARY STATEMENT:   James repeatedly warns us of the power of unguarded words to cause great damage.  In the coming weeks we will learn how to avoid such devastation!

NEXT WEEK we will begin to consider specific Scriptural principles that can help us better control our speech.  The first principle will be “Listen Before You Speak.”  To prepare for that conversation, read James 1:19-27 and Luke 6:43-45.

 © Dan Williams

Roman soldiers

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“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

THE FIRST THING you would notice about a Roman soldier when he prepared for battle is that he put on a belt, or a sash…

The idea was this:  a Roman soldier wore a tunic; a tunic was basically a dress for men.  It had two holes for arms and a hole for the head.  You put it on and it went down around your knees.

If you were going into battle, you would pull your tunic together with a sash.  Typically they wore an undergarment so they would pull up the corners of the tunic, the long hem of the tunic, and tuck it into the sash, and pull it as tight as they could.

Now remember you’re going into hand-to-hand combat.  You don’t want your tunic blowing around in the breeze where somebody could grab it, pull it over your head, and kill you.  You can’t get into hand-to-hand mortal combat with your tunic blowing around, catching the bushes, or getting your sword caught up in it.

Soldiers needed to run quickly.  They needed to move with dexterity, speed, and had to pull in all the loose ends or they would be an easy mark for the enemy.

This speaks of preparedness.  This speaks of readiness.  This speaks of alertness.  John MacArthur, “The Armor of God:  The Belt of Truthfulness and The Breastplate of Righteousness.”

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…”  Ephesians 6:14a, NKJV

Mike Benson

So……..how are you feeling? :-)

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Farmer Joe decided his injuries from the accident were serious enough to take the trucking company to court.

In court, the trucking company’s fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. “Didn’t you say at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine’?”, asked the lawyer.

Farmer Joe responded, “Well, I’ll tell you what happened.  I had just loaded my favorite mule Bessie into the…….”

“I didn’t ask for any details,” the lawyer interrupted, “just answer the question.  Did you not say at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine!’?”

Farmer Joe said, “Well, I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was driving down the road…”

The lawyer interrupted again and said, “Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the highway patrolman on the scene that he was just fine.  Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client.”  I believe he is a fraud.  Please tell him to simply answer the question.”

By this time the judge was fairly interested in Farmer Joe’s answer and said to the lawyer, “I’d like to hear what he has to say about his favorite mule Bessie.”

Joe thanked the judge and proceeded, “Well as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side.  I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other.  I was hurting real bad and didn’t want to move. However, I could hear ole Bessie moaning and groaning.  I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans.

Shortly after the accident, a highway patrolman came on the scene.  He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning, so he went over to her.  After he looked at her, he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes.

Then the patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me.  He said, “Your mule was in such bad shape I had to shoot her.  How are you feeling?”

There are times in our lives when we are hesitant to say something out of fear.  Not fear of being “shot”, but fear of being “shot down”, fear of being ridiculed, fear of being embarrassed.  As a result, given the opportunity to take a stand for Christ, we choose silence instead.  It seems “safe” considering the circumstances.

May God help us to replace our fear of men with the fear of God.

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (I Peter 3:13-15)

So……..how are you feeling?  🙂

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

The price: a mere $90,100.

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“Who Owns This Street?”

I often see signs advertising a “Yard Sale”, but never have I seen a yard actually being sold at one of these events.  Maybe that’s why I was surprised to read about a street in San Francisco that was recently sold.  The price: a mere $90,100.

The street is in the community of Presidio Terrace, a gated community populated with multimillion dollar homes.  Some of its famous residents are Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.  The street was sold because of unpaid taxes.  Had the homeowners association paid $14 per year, this sale would not have taken place.

Now Michael Cheng and his wife Tina Lam, real estate investors, own the street.  They hope to make a return on their investment by charging for parking on the street, or by selling it back to the homeowners.  What they failed to anticipate, however, was the angry backlash from the neighborhood.  “This has certainly blown up a lot more than we expected,” Cheng told the Associated Press.

Have you ever considered owning a street?  How about a highway?  According to a prophecy made many hundreds of years ago you have that option.

Here’s the prophecy: “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it.  It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray” (Isaiah 35:8, English Standard Version).

Later in Isaiah another reference is made to “the way”: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3).  In Matthew 3:1-3 we learn that this was a prophecy pointing to John the Baptist, the one who heralded the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Those who know only a little about Jesus probably remember how He presented Himself to the world: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).  Jesus, therefore, is the highway Isaiah prophesied.  He is our route to the Father in heaven.  More than that, He is the only route.

Here’s how the writer of Hebrews presented the idea: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us …” (Hebrews 10:19,20).  The “Holiest” mentioned in that verse is a reference to the presence of God.  Through Jesus we have access to God!

There is indeed a street that leads us to heaven.  It belongs, said Isaiah, to those who choose to walk on it.  That choice sounds like a no-brainer to me.

Come to the light God offers!  Study His word, the Bible.  Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copyright, 2017, Timothy D. Hall

The Rest of the Story

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Do you know who Joseph, called Barsabbas was?  No?  Doesn’t ring a bell?  Well then, let me ask you another question.  Do you know who Matthias was?  Ah, that you know.  He was the man selected to replace Judas as an apostle.  The other man who was not selected was Joseph, called Barsabbas.

Joseph, called Barsabbas was a man who was a disciple of Jesus.  He was a disciple of Jesus from the time of Jesus’ baptism till the day of his ascension.  He therefore was with Jesus through thick and thin.  Then Judas kills himself, and a vacancy for apostleship becomes open.  His name is mentioned as a candidate.  Can you imagine his excitement?  The honor?  The opportunity?  The plans that must have run through his head?  Then just like that, he is rejected and Matthias is selected.  His dreams were dashed, his plans were trashed.

So now what?  Does he pout?  Does he become critical of the very ones he wanted to become a part of, especially Matthias?  Does he become disillusioned and stop living for Jesus?  I wish I could answer that question for you, however Scripture is silent about Joseph, called Barsabbas after this event.  I want to believe that he took this disappointment in stride and continued to serve Jesus as a faithful disciple, who was at one time honored to even be considered as a possible apostle.  Someday, maybe we’ll get to know “the rest of the story” with respect to Joseph, called Barsabbas.

But now, what about you.  What’s the “rest of the story” you’re writing with your own life?  Ever been disappointed?  Ever been overlooked?  Ever been hurt and rejected?  Of course you have; we all have.  But how do you plan to deal with it?  Quit?  Withdrawal?  Vilify those who hurt you?  Or will you continue to be a faithful disciple of Jesus?  How will the “rest of the story” be written with respect to your life?  Give it some thought.

By Steve Higginbotham

Weed or Flower?

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Dandelions are deep-rooted weeds that put out a small yellow flower that turns into a puffball full of seeds.  When the wind blows, the seeds are scattered, thus potentially planting more dandelions in many more places.  To many, they are a nuisance, a weed.

However, Ray Hawk discovered that there are some in the world who look at dandelions differently:

In June of 1992 a group of us went into Russia for the first time after they became an open society. We landed in Moscow and then flew to Syktyvkar, 1,000 miles to the north. When we arrived, I was surprised to find dandelions growing everywhere. I asked my translator why they didn’t cut them when they mowed the grass. Her reply was, “We don’t cut them because they are beautiful flowers.” My first thought was, “Dandelions have a flower, but… they are a weed!”

Hawk also points out that PEOPLE can be viewed similarly…

A man found himself staring at a person who was using foul language. The individual realized he was being stared at, turned and with anger shouted, “What are you looking at?” The response was, “I am looking at one of God’s creations that he loved so much that he sent His Son to die for.”

Others would probably have looked at that young man, heard his profanity, and viewed him as a weed. However, the staring man saw a flower.

Because of our sins, we are like weeds – useless, troublesome, fit for destruction….

But GOD sees us as objects of His love, redeemable through His love.  His desire is to re-create us into something lovely – like flowers!  God does this by His GRACE as we submit our lives to Him.

God gave His one and only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to redeem us from sin (Ephesians 1:7).  When we place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Rom 10:9-10) and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38), then we are cleansed of sin and become “new creatures” in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).

Hawk continues: Regardless of what we have done, in spite of all our sins, no matter how gross they may seem, God still looks at us with love. He loves us and wants to mold and shape us to His glory.”

What a GLORIOUS DAY when we see the glow of God’s love and embrace what Jesus did for us upon the cross. When we do, we are no longer a weed, but one of God’s beautiful flowers.

Won’t YOU allow Him to recreate you through your trusting obedience?

David A. Sargent

Here Am I, Send Aaron!

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Throughout history, God has called various men to fulfill his purposes.  We are probably familiar with the question God raised to the prophet Isaiah when he said, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” to which Isaiah responded, “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8).  Likewise, when God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush, Moses also said, “Here am I” (Exodus 3:4).  However, instead of saying, “send me,” as did Isaiah, Moses basically said, “Send Aaron” (Exodus 3:13-14).

One man made himself available to God, while the other man made excuses.

While God doesn’t call us in the same manner today as he once did, he calls us nonetheless.  God still needs men and women to fulfill his purposes.  Will you say, “no” to God?  When your help is needed in your local church; when you’re called upon to meet a need (e.g. teach a class, publicly serve in the worship, maintenance at the building, promote and attend special services through the week, visit the sick, transport people to and from church, prepare meals for the sick and shut-ins, etc.) do you make excuses?  Do you say no?  Or do you say, “Here am I, send me?”

When examining the life of Moses, it’s easy to see the error of having a “Here am I, send Aaron” attitude.  But like many things, it’s just harder to see the same error when it is embraced by ourselves.  Take a good look at your own life.  Have you been telling God, “no?”  Which response to God’s call describes you best, “Here am I, send me?” or “Here am I, send Aaron?”  Give it some thought.

Steve Higginbotham.

Are you one of the guilty?

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FAR TOO MANY Christians anticipate the end of the sermon, when the preacher uses those well-worn words, “As we stand and sing…”

 

In fact, many can sense when the preacher is nearing those words, and they begin to tune out, thinking–finally–the service is about done.

 

Closing a sermon is difficult, because a preacher wants to spend so much time on the “meat” of the sermon that the conclusion often gets left out of the preparation process.  So, we default.  We end the same way nearly every week, with no real thought to how this will bring the sermon to a fitting end.  We just know it will, well, bring the sermon to some end!

 

Preachers, we need to do our best to make those last few moments of the sermon well worth the mental effort of the hearers.  Many “tune out” because they have heard us conclude every sermon for months or even years in basically the same way.  How many of us end nearly every sermon with the “challenge” to “pray more and study more,” then we ask them to stand and sing?  If I have heard that every week for months on end, I am not too likely to listen very closely either.

 

But, listeners, you have a responsibility, too.  Your preacher’s heart is aching for someone to respond.  He wouldn’t be preaching if his heart was not “in it” (or, he shouldn’t be!).  He has prayed for this moment all week.  He may “default” often, but it is not due to a lack of compassion or love for the lost or erring.  You owe it to him to listen through to the end.

 

Some already have enough “build-in” distractions.  Are we adding to their distractions?

 

And, listeners, you owe it to the lost to keep listening!  It is deeply distracting when people are putting away Bibles, closing up cases for glasses, and even grabbing car keys while the preacher is making one last appeal to someone (anyone!) to respond to the loving invitation of our Lord.  What if your distracting actions cause someone to think that this just isn’t important?  Do we ever think about that, or do we, as listeners, too often “default,” too?

 

So, this week, as your preacher angles toward those words, may he strive for a deeply moving and helpful conclusion, and may we who hear listen through with a view toward eternity, all the way through.  And then, we will stand and sing!

Adam Faughn at http://www.faughnfamily.com/

 

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!”’ And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”  Revelation 22.17

 

Mike Benson

Why don’t we ever refer to doubting Peter or doubting John?

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How would you like for me to survey your entire life, pick one of your weakest moments, and choose to identify from that point on by that moment? I don’t think any of us would want this done to us, but it may precisely be what we have done with the apostle, Thomas. We are very familiar with the doubts that Thomas expressed in John 20 when he said that he needed to see the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side to believe he had resurrected. However, what we fail to consider is that Thomas was not the only unbelieving apostles. Jesus abraded all the apostles for their unbelief following his resurrection and had them all examine his wounds.

That being the case, why don’t we ever refer to doubting Peter or doubting John? Why just pick on Thomas. There was much more to Thomas than his moment of doubt. In fact, in John 11, when the other apostles were hesitant to follow Jesus, it was Thomas who boldly spoke up and encouraged the rest to follow Jesus to their deaths! No, there was much more to Thomas than his moment of doubt. He was more than a doubter, he was a hand selected, faithful apostle of Jesus Christ.

Next time you’re tempted to dismiss a co-worker, an acquaintance, or a fellow church member that you witnessed having a “bad moment,” be fair with them. Don’t measure their entire life by their one act of weakness. Give them the opportunity to redeem themselves. After all, doesn’t the “Golden Rule” demand such? (Matthew 7:12).

Steve Higginbotham

Need help raising children?

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1.Begin regular spiritual training now and continue through all their developing years (Proverbs 22:6).

2.Clearly demonstrate to them at all times that God is the most important thing in your life, by never allowing other things to interfere with the worship and work of the Lord (Matthew 6:33).

3.Let their early memories include daily readings of Bible stories and Bible discussions in the family circle (2 Timothy 3:15).

4.Give them their own Bible even before they can read. Read to them from it at home and have them take it to church services (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). In their preschool years have them begin a lifetime habit of regular memorization and review of important Bible verses (Psalm 119:11, 16).

5.Teach them to pray by having them repeat after you phrase by phrase. Pray audibly with them daily (Ephesians 6:18). (Never teach them to memorize a prayer.)

6.Speak often of the joys of serving God (Philippians 4:4). Sing songs together about it (never with an instrument, Colossians 3:16). Instill in them a longing to go to heaven.

7.Spend the necessary time to be the main spiritual teacher of your children, more than the preacher or teach­er (Ephesians 6:4).

8.Teach them that lying is one of the worst things they could ever do (Revelation 21:8, 27), and punish them firmly if they do (Proverbs 29:15–17).

9.Train them early in principles of modesty, and you won’t have to combat short shorts, scanty tops, and scanty swim suits in years to come (1 Timothy 2:9).

10.Keep their speech pure by not allowing yourself or them to ever use profanity or even a substitute such as golly, gee, gosh, darn, and heck (Matthew 12:36–37).

–Source unknown

Maybe you ought to just stay put for awhile

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YOU CAN BE sure the process of relinquishment and preparation in life can get confusing at times…

Moses tried to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt but things suddenly took a turn toward disaster. He and the Israelites ended up at the shore of the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army hot on their heels. Pharaoh had just come from the deathbed of his firstborn and there was vengeance in his eyes and violence in his heart. His pursuit of the Jewish people was relentless, and Moses knew he was coming.

The people said, “We ought to go back to Egypt.”

Moses said, “Stand still.”

God said, “Go forward.”

THOUGHTS: Sometimes we find ourselves in a similar place. People around us ask, “What are you doing moving in that direction? Go back to where you were comfortable.” Meanwhile, a leader you may respect may say, “Maybe you ought to just stay put for awhile. Maybe the timing is just not right.” The only way to find your way among conflicting opinions is to ask this question: What does God say (in His Word)? “Go forward.” Tommy Tenney, Up is Down and You Die to Live, “The Daily Chase,” 147

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.”
Exodus 14:12-14

Mike Benson

 

If I were choosing things to put on display for all the world to see, what would I select?

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“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV).

Most people in less developed countries use much less space in which to live than the majority in the United States. Many families of two or three generations occupy tiny homes of one or two rooms. Not only do the people have less room for themselves – there is also very little storage space for possessions.

There are two obvious reasons for this latter fact: space is expensive and hard to obtain and they normally just don’t have many possessions to store. Their houses characteristically lack closets, attics, basements or storage out-buildings.

If those existed they would be mostly empty. Well, that is not correct; more family members would be living in them.

When a family does acquire extra bedding, dishes, clothing or some special keepsake, there are two favorite ways to store them. The first is the metal box. These vary in size from a normal packing trunk or foot-locker, to a box about the size and shape of a chest style freezer.

These will typically hold blankets, heavy winter clothes, and the like. Since they can be locked securely, and the house may not be secure, they also contain any valuables (jewelry, etc.) which the family may possess.

The other method of storage is the “showcase,” basically the same as our china cabinets or display cases. This is where special dishes, keepsakes and memorial items are not only kept up safely, but put on display for others to see and enjoy. Usually it is only the more prosperous (i.e., middle class and above) families that have these.

Seeing these special places and their contents leads me to ask myself two questions.

First, if I only had that much space in which to secure my possessions, what would I keep in them? That is, if I could only own as much as I could use at one time, or store in a small trunk, what of all that I own would I keep?

What means the very most to me? Could I be happy with only that amount of worldly things?

The second question is, “If I were choosing things to put on display for all the world to see, what would I select?” This reflects upon my pride of ownership, and my sense of self-identity. What would speak to others about me in such a way as to make me comfortable?

Among my possessions there may be things that I would be happy for all to know about, but there may be some which I would just as soon be less well known.

We talk about “not airing our dirty laundry in public.” Not all possessions are material things. Some have to do with our attitudes, habits, actions, and reputations.

We publicly demonstrate our true selves either deliberately or thoughtlessly. But they are out there, plainly seen, telling others who we are.

Jesus suggests that the most valuable possessions we have are those which can be stored eternally in Heaven with God. Though he may have in mind our prayers and offerings (see the story in Acts 10:1-8 about Cornelius), it is likely that he includes much more than that.

Every good deed or kind word which believers do is credited to them and will be rewarded (Matthew 10:40- 42).

We should be less concerned with displaying our earthly possessions to men, and more occupied with living righteously before God. It is the spiritual showcase which should contain our treasures.

–by Michael E. Brooks

 

God’s training ground

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THE WASTELAND IS God’s training ground…

 …There are half a dozen different things God does to the person going through the wasteland.  While there, you usually just spin your wheels.  It’s so discouraging.  You feel like God’s not hearing your prayers, He’s not letting you break through.  And the truth of it is, He is hearing your prayers, but He’s not letting you break through.

 

The wasteland isn’t caused by sin.  …It’s like when Joseph was in prison – those times.  In neither case did he sin to go to prison.  God brought him into prison and it was a long and difficult wasteland of preparation of his confidence, his capacity, his character–everything.  And then, when the wasteland was over, he walked out and ruled the biggest and most powerful nation in the world.  Bruce Wilkins

 

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”  1 Peter 5.10

 –Mike Benson

It can kill or make alive

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JERRY KRAMER, AN offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers, played on championship teams for legendary coach Vince Lombardi…

 

Kramer recalled the following story from his days of playing for Lombardi:

 

“One day during the first year I play for him, he rode me unmercifully, pointing out how slow I was, how weak I was, how stupid I was.  He convinced me.  By the time I dragged myself into the locker room, I suspected I was the worst guard in league history.  I sat in front of my locker, head down, contemplating quitting, when Lombardi came up behind me, messed up my hair and said, ‘Son, one of these days you’re going to be the greatest guard in the league.’  Suddenly I was 10 feet tall, ready to do anything for him.”

 

THOUGHT:  In a simple way, Kramer’s story reveals the great power of the tongue.  It can kill or make alive.  Wade L. Webster
 

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18.21

 

Mike Benson

Apostates come from homes where religion is emphasized less overall than non-apostates.

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RELIGION BEGINS IN the home…

That’s where we are first able to come into contact with God and where the religious seed is often first planted.

Certainly many, many people come to the Lord who weren’t raised in a religious household. However, when compared with those “raised religious,” the latter are less likely to fall away.

One study concluded “The reported emphasis placed on religion in one’s childhood home is one of the best predictors of later religiosity. Apostates come from homes where religion is emphasized less overall than non-apostates. This is especially true of teenagers who fall away immediately after leaving home.” So powerful is the family’s influence on apostasy that one study found that children from “religiously inactive” homes were nearly four times as likely to fall away later in life as children from “religiously active” homes. In that study, a “religiously active” home was one where the entire family attended church services weekly; there was also a high amount of prayer, Bible study, and religious discussion in the home. A “religiously inactive home” was one where the parents did not attend services and there was no other religious activity at all.

Of course the reasons why this is so are self-evident: Family has a crucial influence on coming to faith in the first place; it then logically follows that it would have an effect on apostasy. In fact, there is substantial research pointing to the all-important role of the family in developing faith.

In one study, over 40% of those surveyed said the family was the primary influence on their religion.

What’s startling is to note that we are talking about processes that unfold over time. The research is saying that the quality of religious experience one is exposed to at, say, age nine greatly influences the likelihood that he will fall away at, say, age 23. Brian Simmons, “The Causes of Falling Away, Part 2,” Falling Away–Why Christians Lose Their Faith & What Can Be Done About It, 85-85

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22.6

Mike Benson

 

WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SIDE?

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A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room. He said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. I need to know what to expect when I go to heaven. Please tell me what lies on the other side.”

The doctor wanted to offer comfort to his patient, but he didn’t know what to say. Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?! Then why do you want to go to heaven if you don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?”

The doctor was uneasy and was holding the handle of the door. From the other side came a sound of scratching and loud whining. As the doctor opened the door, a dog sprang into the room with his tail wagging and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness.”

It’s true that while we are given a glimpse of what lies ahead, there is a great deal that we don’t know and often wonder about. Will there be a literal street of gold and a gate of pearl? Highly unlikely. Those kinds of images may be helpful in understanding how precious heaven is, but they are not of much value in helping us to know exactly what it will look like.

And quite frankly, it doesn’t matter to me, for two reasons. First of all, I trust my heavenly Father to provide nothing less than the very best for His children. And secondly, as the doctor in the story above pointed out, the only thing that really matters is that we will be in the presence of God. Living in a shack in His presence would be preferable to living in a mansion apart from Him. Whatever else heaven may be, its essence is that we have the opportunity to have intimate fellowship with God.

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ ” (Rev. 20:12)

Recently, I read a quote that has convicted me more than anything I’ve heard in a long time. John Piper asked the question, “If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?”

It makes me wonder if we’re anxious to get to heaven to have the opportunity to be with God, or if we just want to go because it’s a place where we’ll enjoy ourselves and have all the comforts and pleasures that we’d like to have right now. Think about it.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

The Titanic’s Deck Chairs

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Within the early hours of April 15, 1912, the Titanic slid below the icy waves of the North Atlantic. Two hours and forty minutes earlier a deadly iceberg had sliced along the hull.

Let’s wind the clock back on that fateful night to about 9 p.m.

As the ship’s clocks tolled nine and lights flickered throughout the ship, all was well aboard the Titanic.
It was just another wonderful luxurious evening at sea. Churning through the water, the deadly encounter still lay nearly three hours ahead.

It is not difficult to imagine as a night grew stronger, a crewman realigning the deck chairs in straight rows for the coming day. How meaningful was this work? Apparently, meaningful in every way.
Straight rows not only would provide an aesthetic appeal for the following day, they also contributed towards his paycheck. Good honest work!

And yet, in less than three hours, as rivets popped, metal tore and water gushed, whatever meaning seemed to have existed immediately began to evaporate. For how much significance can there be in how the chairs look on a sinking ship?

Ecclesiastes points to this ultimate destroyer of purpose and significance — our own personal Titanic end.

“Everyone shares the same fate – the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, … This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone” (Proverbs 9:2,3).

When nothing is gained in spite of the effort, if the result will be the same regardless, then everything is as futile as trying to grasp the wind.

As for those of us attempting to find solace in creating a better tomorrow, if this world is all that exists then humanity along with our planet is hurtling toward the heat death of absolute zero. Whether we take care of our planet or help humanity is completely meaningless. A lifeless planet wandering through space pronounces all prior activity vain.

Praise be to God who has penetrated death’s cruel barrier! Because of Christ’s resurrection, our activity is not merely rearranging chairs on a sinking ship. What we do now can make a difference for eternity. God enables meaning to flood into our lives.

If it were not for God raising his Son and through him offering life to us, our lives would be a bleak existence.

by Barry Newton

DiscipleSHIFT

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No, it’s not a typo.  I meant to type “discipleshift” rather than “discipleship.”  The reason for the “shift” is to bring to our attention some “shifts” in our thinking and conduct that may need to be made in order to conform ourselves more perfectly to the will of God.

  • When we view discipleship as just an event, and not a process, we need a discipleshift.
  • When we view church membership as being more about having your name on a roster rather than having a function, we need a membershift.
  • When our mantra for stewardship is “give till it hurts,” rather than “give cheerfully,” we need a stewardshift.
  • When we are more proud of our American citizenship than we are our heavenly citizenship, we need a citizenshift.
  • When we view Christian fellowship more as a function where our bodies are fed rather than a function where our spirits are fed, we need a fellowshift.
  • When we view church leadership as being more about “calling the shots” than being out front, serving as examples, we need a leadershift.
  • When we are more concerned about how our worship is received by our members and visitors than the way God receives it, we need a worshift.

Give it some thought.  Are there some “shifts” that need to take place in your life?

–Steve Higginbotham

Searching for Widow Jones’ farm

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No Big Secret

I heard recently about a “big city” boy who was preaching in a small country town. He wanted to learn everything “country” so that I could fit in. As he was searching for Widow Jones’ farm, he got lost on the back roads. He saw a farmer walking into his barn so he stopped for directions.

The farmer was just beginning to milk his cow but took time out to tell the preacher how to get to the Jones’ farm. “By the way, ” the preacher asked, “Do you know what time it is?” The farmer leaned in to the udder of the cow and said, “12:30.”

The preacher started to leave but he just HAD to know. He told the farmer, “Hey, I’ve just moved from the city and I really want to know the ways of the country. How could you tell what time it was?”

“Sit right here on this stool, son.” The preacher did.

“Now, grab hold of that udder.” He did.

“Now lean into the cow and lift up on the udder.” The preacher did.

“Lean over and look right over there on that wall. See, that’s a clock. When the little hand is on the 12…”

Sometimes it appears that other Christians have a special “secret” to be able to do what they do or to know what they know. But the truth is, there’s no secret. The story is told about someone coming to Gus Nichols, a great preacher, and saying, “Brother Nichols, I’d give my life to know the Bible as well as you do.” It is reported that Nichols’ reply was, “That’s exactly what it took.”

There’s no secret to knowing the Bible — just a determination to spend time studying the Word of God. There’s no secret to always having time to devote to the Lord’s work — you just have to make the time. There’s no secret to developing spiritual maturity — it’s a lifetime commitment to growing up in Christ.

There’s no secret: “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Alan Smith

DO NOT Commit Random Acts of Kindness

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A while back a bumper sticker read: “Commit Random Acts of Kindness”

The Bumper sticker is wrong. Christians are called to a way of life; not random acts, but habitual practice. We are called to practice that which reflects God’s own character and righteousness. It is said, “Justice is one side of the coin of love, the other side is Mercy.” Both the Old and New Testament proclaim mercy as characteristic of God.

“[B]ut God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7, ASV).

Notice the emphasis on:

Rich in Mercy
Great in Love
By Grace
Demonstrates the exceeding riches of his Grace and Kindness

“And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth, keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”(Exodus 34:6-7).

Notice the parallels to the emphasis above:

Merciful
Gracious
Rich in Mercy
Forgiving – Grace and Kindness in action

Jesus took our sins upon himself, bearing those sins, and paid the due penalty for our sins. Forgiveness is not a free-pass; someone paid. We love to talk about God’s mercy, but we’re somewhat troubled by the second part of Exodus 34:7. The part that says:

“…and that will by no means clear the guilty…”(Exodus 34:7).

God forgives, yet refuses to declare the guilty innocent. It is in Jesus that God shows how he can justify (acquit) the transgressor and still remain just (Romans 3:26). So great is his mercy, he pays the judicial wrath against sin, bearing the penalty we have earned.

Justice is rendering to each their due, protecting rights and punishing the guilty, whereas within mercy, is included the idea of not rendering earned punishment. God mercifully does not call us into account for our sinful acts immediately, but grants time for repentance. God’s mercy brings with it the full weight of responsibility to practice mercy.

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). “Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

In the story of the good Samaritan Jesus asked:

“Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:36-37).

Twice Jesus quoted Hosea: “I desire mercy not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13 and 12:7). Among the Hebrew words we translate “mercy” is Hesed, there is no precise English equivalent to the word. This characteristic of God covers the ideas of goodness, kindness, and compassion. It is closely related to the Greek “charis” which we translate as “grace”. Love (agape) does more than just practice justice. Justice (mispat) renders each their due, but love goes beyond simple rights and protections. Mercy is to be practiced by those who have known God’s mercy.

“For the one who has shown no mercy will be judged without mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

Rather than “random acts of kindness,” love incorporates Hesed into our daily practice toward all those who are made in the image of God.

by Scott Wiley