Monthly Archives: December 2017

Have a great Christmas and wonderful new year –

These posts will resume on January 2, 2018 and we pray you will rejoin us at that time.

CAN I TAKE HIS PLACE?

Joe, the Governor’s most trusted assistant, died in his sleep one night. The Governor had depended on Joe for advice on every subject, from pending bills to wardrobe decisions. In addition, Joe had been his closest friend.

So, it was understandable that the Governor didn’t take kindly to the droves of ambitious office seekers who wanted Joe’s job. “They don’t even have the decency to wait until the man is buried,” the Governor muttered.

At the funeral, one eager beaver made his way to the Governor’s side. “Governor,” the man said, “is there a chance that I could take Joe’s place?”

“Certainly,” the governor replied. “But you’d better hurry. I think the undertaker is almost finished.”

I’m sure we can all look around us and find a number of people of whom we have said at one time or another, “I would like to take his/her place.” But I dare say that you have never made that statement of someone who had died, or was about to die. Why would anyone want to trade places with someone like that? It is for that reason that God’s love for us is so difficult to comprehend, for that is exactly what Jesus did for us.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)

May our lives be forever lived in gratitude for the one who “took our place.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

We’ll close the incision now

IN THE OPERATING room of a large, well-known hospital, it was the nurse’s first day on the medical team…

She was responsible for ensuring all instruments and materials were accounted for before completing the final steps of the operation. She said to the surgeon, “You’ve only removed 11 sponges. We used 12 sponges, and we need to find the last one.”

“I removed them all,” the doctor declared emphatically. “We’ll close the incision now.”

“No,” the rookie nurse objected, “we used 12 sponges.”

“I’ll take the responsibility,” the surgeon said grimly. “Suture.”

“You can’t do that, sir,” blazed the nurse. “Think of the patient.”

The surgeon smiled and lifted his foot, showing the nurse the twelfth sponge. “You’ll do just fine in this or any other hospital.”

THOUGHT: When you know you’re right, you can’t back down. Dennis Waitley, “Your Absolute Bottom Line,” Priorities Magazine

“He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” Proverbs 10.9

Mike Benson

What If You Had Two Wishes?

What would you wish for if you had a “genie in a bottle?” Surely all of us at one point or another have day-dreamed about that question. Just how would we use our “three wishes?” If we were to poll people on the street, I would guess that almost universally, the wishes would go something like this. Wish #1 – Good Health. Wish #2 – Inexhaustible Riches. Wish #3 – An Infinite Number of Additional Wishes. It’s amazing how much we all think alike.

However, I know of one man who was quite different than most of us. He wasn’t given “three wishes,” and he didn’t have a genie in a bottle, but he did ask God to grant just two wishes for him before he died. Here’s what he wished for, “Two things I request of you (deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches – feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny you, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:7-9).

Did you see that? “Give me neither poverty nor riches!” Amazing! It’s almost unbelievable that one would wish for such a thing. But how incredibly wise and insightful this man was. He understood the power that money could wield over one’s life, and thus sought to avoid the pitfalls of both riches and poverty.

May God help us to have a proper relationship with money. We can’t avoid it. It’s necessary to function in our society. It need not harm us, but if we don’t stay on guard, keeping our attitudes in check, it will harm us. Money is powerful! Therefore, I pray that we may all develop the contentment to be able to truly say, “Lord, grant me neither riches nor poverty.”

–Steve Higginbothom

21 great facts about Jesus Christ

Almost 1,400 years before Jesus came to earth in the flesh, Moses told the Israelites:

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear” (Deuteronomy 18:15; emphasis mine-mb). Centuries later, after the Lord fed the five thousand with loaves and fish, the people realized the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy.

“Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world'” (John 6:14). The apostle Peter later confirmed this when he preached at Solomon’s porch:

“For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The

Lord your God will raise up for you a

Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you

shall hear in all things, whatever He says

to you. And it shall be that every soul who

will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly

destroyed from among the people'” (Acts

3:22-23).

The martyr, Stephen, also declared this truth (cf. Acts 7:37-38).

But how was Jesus a prophet like Moses? Study the following passages and note the striking parallels:

Both were sent from God (Exodus 3:1ff; John 8:42).

Both were born under foreign rule (Exodus 1:8-14; Luke 2:1).

Both, as infants, were threatened by wicked monarchs (Exodus 1:15-16; Matthew 2:16).

Both spent their early years in Egypt and were miraculously protected from harm (Exodus 2:10; Matthew 2:14-15).

Both rejected the offer and opportunity to become world rulers (Hebrews 11:24; Matthew 4:8-9).

Both were initially rejected by their peers (Exodus 32:1; Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 27:21-22; John 1:11).

Both suffered disrespect (Numbers 16; John 12:37; Mark 6:4).

Both had family who let them down (Numbers 12:1; John 7:5).

Both were teachers (Deuteronomy 4:1-5; Matthew 22:16; John 3:2).

Both were prophets and spoke on behalf of God (Exodus 4:15; John 8:26).

Both knew God on an intimate level (Exodus 33:11; Deuteronomy 34:10; John 1:18).

Both spoke directly to God (Exodus 3:1-10; Deuteronomy 34:10; Luke 9:34-36).

Both gave the people bread from heaven (Exodus 16:14-15; John 6).

Both performed miracles (Exodus 4:1ff; Deuteronomy 34:10-12; John 5:36).

Both were deliverers–Moses delivered Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh; Jesus delivered spiritual Israel, the church, from the bondage of Satan.

Both were shepherds (Exodus 3:1; John 10:10-11; Matthew 9:36).

Both fasted forty days in the wilderness (Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:2).

Both were mediators (Deuteronomy 4:5; Exodus 32; Hebrews 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5).

Both of their faces shone with the glory of heaven (Exodus 34:34-35; Matthew 17:12).

As Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness to heal the people, so Jesus was lifted up on the cross to heal obedient believers from their sins (Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14; 12:32).

As Moses sent out twelve spies to explore Canaan, Jesus sent out twelve apostles to reach the world (Numbers 13; Matthew 10:1).

Even though there are many other similarities which the two have in common, God made it clear whom we are to follow and obey:

“While he was still speaking, behold, a

bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly

a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This

is My beloved Son, in whom I am well

pleased. Hear Him’” (Matthew 17:5).

–by Mike Benson

Admired the Peacock, but Loved the Duck

Carlton Van Ornum tells this story. A large crowd of people gathered near an enclosure in the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston as a peacock slowly spread his great tail and displayed its stunning plumage. The great bird stood erect and noble and strutted regally. Just then an old, dun-colored duck waddled slowly from the pond and passed between the proud peacock and the admiring crowd. Enraged, the peacock drove the duck back to the water. In a moment, the beautiful bird had become ugly with fierce anger. The plain and awkward duck, having returned to its natural habitat, was no longer unbecoming. In the water it swam and dived gracefully, unaware that many eyes were watching. The people who had admired the peacock loved the duck. Each of us was reminded of the dangers of pride, and that happiness comes from just being ourselves.

Jerry L. Schmalenberger, When Christians Quarrel, CSS Publishing Company

Saved By Faith, But Not By Faith Alone

The Bible makes it crystal clear that we cannot be saved from our sins without faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (cf. John 3:16; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8). By “faith” or “belief” Scripture means a willingness to completely trust in Christ joined with obedience to His word (cf. Matt. 7:21-29; Gal. 5:6; Heb. 11:6-8). Unfortunately, many preachers and churches have gone beyond this simple truth and taught that we are saved by “faith alone.” By this, they mean that once one believes in Christ, he is at that very moment a child of God without any further acts of obedience.

This doctrine is simply not taught in the Bible. In fact, it is a contradiction of the Bible. In the first place, it rests upon a false definition of faith that separates belief from obedience. But in James 2:14-26, we learn that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). In this powerful text on true saving faith, James teaches us that faith without works is unable to save (v. 14), profitless (v. 15-16), dead (v. 17, 20, 26), illogical (v. 18), demonic (v. 19), and incomplete (v. 22). James used Abraham and Rahab to show us how we are saved by an obedient faith (v. 21-25). He concluded, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (v. 24).

Salvation is “not by faith only”! Why then do many contradict God’s word and teach it is by faith alone? The truth is that while faith is essential to our salvation, it must lead us to repentance of our sins, confession of Christ, and baptism in water “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9-10). Do you need to obey the true gospel plan of salvation? Why not let us help you today?

By Travis L. Quertermous

A Proverb for the Day (19:8)

“Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good” (Proverbs 19:8 ESV).

We typically give our bodies what they need (e.g., food, sleep, shelter), but what about our souls? If we really want to take care of ourselves, we need to watch over our souls (cf. Matthew 16:26) and develop our minds. The best way to do this is to learn about God’s Word and the wisdom that comes from Him. If we do this, we will have done more good for ourselves than any other person possibly could have.

by Jeremy Sprouse

Understanding Repentance

Repentance is one of those religious words and ideas that not everyone understands. Some who do understand it suggest it is the hardest of the Lord’s commands. This grabs our interest and makes us want to know what the Bible says about repentance.

It is an absolute necessity. Peter wrote that the Lord “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Paul preached that God “commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He has ordained” (Acts 17:30-31). It is a requirement for salvation.

It comes from godly sorrow. In 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Paul says concerning a church’s sin of tolerating evil, “Now I rejoice, not you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner … for godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Repentance is not remorse or sorrow but godly sorrow leads to it.

It shows itself in good works. John warned those who came to his baptism that they had to “Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). There is something to do for salvation. Some have suggested that repentance is this action of reformation. But this passage shows they are not the same, Repentance leads to reformation. The works are not the repentance. They are its result.

One of the Lord’s parables helps. “A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” (Matthew 21:28-31) What happened with the first son? He changed his mind, and did what his father asked him to do. And that is what repentance is.

It is defined by these verses. Repentance is a change of mind, that comes from godly sorrow, and shows itself in good works. If this change of mind does not come from godly sorrow for our sins then it is not Bible repentance. If it is does not show itself in doing the works of God then it is not Bible repentance.

Baptism joins with repentance when faith obeys the gospel. Acts 2 says men were to “know assuredly” that the crucified Jesus was “both Lord and Christ” (36-37). Those who were “cut to the heart” asked “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (37) Peter answered, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins” (38). In faith (know assuredly) their godly sorrow (cut to the heart) led them to repentance that showed itself in good works (baptized).

Why do some say it is hard to do? It may be because repentance has to do with the heart rather than our actions. Outward obedience is rather simple and easily accomplished, but to change the mind is a question of our will at its deepest point. Belief is a response of the mind to the Bible’s testimony of witnesses, but to change the mind is about what we are willing to do with this acceptance of truth. Do we want to change?

The result is heavenly joy. At the end of the Lord’s parable of the lost coin the woman “When she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost.’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy In the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:9-10). All who repent give joy, not just to themselves and those here with them, but there is joy in heaven among the angels when the wanderer is safely with God.

– by Robert Hines

Wouldn’t you like to know?

THERE IS ONLY one occasion in Scripture when Jesus is recorded as writing anything; and, the Scriptures do not tell us what it was (John 8.6, 8)…

Wouldn’t you like to know?

I know I would.

However, we are not told.

As you recall, the occasion involved a woman taken in adultery. When Jesus stooped down, what did He write on the ground? Did He write the words grace, mercy, or forgiveness? Did He write a Scripture? Did He write the name of the man who was involved with her? Did He write the names of this poor woman’s accusers? Did He write the sins hidden in the lives of those who wanted to stone her?

We are not told.

However, we are told the effect Jesus’ words, both spoken and written, had upon those gathered before Him. John records that the men, convicted by their consciences, went out one by one, from the eldest of them to the youngest (John 8.9).

I find it interesting that on the only occasion that Jesus wrote, He wrote on the ground. He wrote on a tablet that would quickly be stamped out. Can you imagine what would have happened if Jesus had written on a scrap of paper? No doubt, the world would be filled with scraps of paper today, all claiming to bear the handwriting of Jesus.

THOUGHT: The Bible does not cater to the curiosity of man and therefore shows it is of divine origin. Wade Webster, “Why I Believe The Bible is The Word of God” (Part 1), POWER, April, 2011, 4

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1.3

Mike Benson

ALL I NEEDED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM NOAH’S ARK

In 1990, Robert Fulghum authored a best selling book titled All I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Doing a take-off of that title, someone (I know not who) wrote “All I Needed to Know I Learned From Noah’s Ark.” I reproduce it below with a few comments of my own and commend it to our readers for their serious reflection.

Don’t miss the boat.

Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

Stay fit. Even when you are quite old, God may have something big for you to do. (Noah was about 600 years old when he built the ark.)

Don’t listen to critics. Just get on with the job that needs to be done.

Build on high ground.

For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

Speed is not always an advantage. The turtles were on board as well as the cheetahs. (I have long remembered and profited from the story of the tortoise and the hare.)

When you are stressed, float for awhile.

Keep in mind that the ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals, but the ark floated and the Titanic sank its first time out.

Remember – No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

Once again – Don’t miss the boat.

And there’s only one boat that will take you safely to the port where you want to dock. Check out John 14:6 and Ephesians 4:4-6. Find out what the one body mentioned in this passage is by reading Ephesians 1:22-23. In fact, reading the entire epistle to the Ephesians would prove to be a spiritually enlightening and enriching exercise. It provides a full explanation of that spiritual “ark of safety” that God planned and purposed from all eternity, brought into existence by the blood of Christ, and in which is to be found all who have been reconciled to Him. Don’t fail to get on board.

Hugh Fulford

God doesn’t wink at sin

ONE OF MY favorite scenes in Lean on Me takes place right after Morgan Freeman (Principle Joe Clark) orders the security guards to expurgate the drug dealers and hoodlums from Eastside…

The rest of the student body watches in disbelief and cheers as the riffraff is forced off the stage and out of school forever. Principle Clark then says ominously, “The next time it may be you. And if you do no better than them, it will be you!” After a brief, inspirational charge, he strides past the stunned audience and out of the auditorium. Then one darling young woman turns to the friend beside her and says, “Mr. Clark don’t play!”

That phrase sums up much of Zephaniah’s message: God doesn’t wink at sin; God doesn’t compromise His holiness; God doesn’t sit idly by while His people cavort with idols… God don’t play.

Some of you might be thinking, “Well, I know some real stinkers who’ve never paid a divine penalty for rotten behavior. God seems to be twiddling His thumbs while they have a moral meltdown. Why doesn’t He wallop them for their whopper sins instead of spanking me for minor infractions?” If you’ve pondered along those lines, you’re not alone. There have been many times when I’ve questioned God doles out punishment. When I’ve wondered why He doesn’t obliterate certain people into grease spots — or at least singe them a little.

But we need to remember that the lack of overt, tangible punishment doesn’t mean anyone ever gets away with rebellion against God. There will always be a price to pay for sin. The highest price of all is to be separated from Him. Lisa Harper, “God Doesn’t Do Recess,” Tough Love, Tender Mercies, 72-73

“I will stretch out My hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, the names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests—Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; those who worship and swear oaths by the LORD, but who also swear by Milcom; those who have turned back from following the LORD, and have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him.” Zephaniah 1.4-6

Mike Benson

Take away my life; I might as well be dead!

Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down in the shade of a tree and wished he would die. “It’s too much Lord,” he prayed. “Take away my life; I might as well be dead!”–1 Kings 19:4 (GNB)

AS Elijah sits under a Juniper tree, he is sad, lonely, dejected overwhelmed with a feeling of discouragement and frustration over what seems to him a hopeless situation. He is tired, he is weary. I wonder, what man or woman is there among us who has not, or who will not at some point identify themselves with Elijah. Because of the weakness of our human frames it is all too easy to become tired, weary, to become overwhelmed with discouragement and frustration as the burdens, trials and cares of this life press heavily upon us. Has your heart ever become so heavy that you felt like you were in a hopeless situation? Have you ever, if not literally at least mentally, cried out “Why me””–“Why this burden, affliction, trial, sickness or even death.?” If it has never occurred in your life, then I envy you. I confess that there are those moments when fear, frustration and discouragement become my momentary companions and the temptation to sit under that Juniper tree weighs heavily on my heart. I refuse to do so and pray that you will also refuse to do so. Will our hearts ever become troubled, will we ever become tired and weary because of the load we must carry? Yes, yes, yes but there is no reason for us to allow our lives to become consumed with discouragement and frustration. I am grateful, I am thankful that we have an anchor for our souls as we make our way down this pathway of life. That anchor is the Lord Jesus Christ.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.”

Hear Peter, “Casting all your care on him for he careth”–1 Peter 5:7

Hear the Psalmist, “Cast thy burden on the Lord and he shall sustain thee”-Ps.55:22

Hear David, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”–Ps. 23

When the storm clouds gather, when the wind blows, when it seems as if darkness is about to envelope us, when we grow tired and weary, may we always remember our Lord is there with us and he is able to lift us up to a higher plane, he is able to bind up our broken hearts, he is able to hear all our wounds As a faithful child of God, we do not have to ever sit under that Juniper tree!!!

Charles Hicks

24-KARAT FRIENDSHIP

Those who are even mildly acquainted with Olympic history will recognize the name of Jesse Owens. At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Owens was the United States’ response to the German leaders’ claim for “Aryan superiority.” He achieved international fame by winning four gold medals; one each in the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, the long jump, and for being part of the 4×100 meter relay team.

However, you may not have heard the story behind his long jump competition. It was a competition he seemed certain to win. After all, the year before, Owens had jumped 26 feet, 8 1/4 inches — a record that would stand for 25 years. But at the 1936 Olympics, he was almost out of the long jump shortly after qualifying began. Owens fouled on his first two jumps. A third foul and he would have been out of the competition.

As he walked to the long-jump pit, Owens saw a tall, blue-eyed, blond German taking practice jumps in the 26-foot range. Owens felt nervous. He was acutely aware of the Nazis’ desire to prove “Aryan superiority,” especially over blacks. At this point, the tall German introduced himself as Luz Long.

“You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed!” he said to Owens. Then Long made a suggestion. Since the qualifying distance was only 23 feet, 5 1/2 inches, why not make a mark several inches before the takeoff board and jump from there, just to play it safe?

Owens took the advice from his stiffest competition and qualified easily. In the finals that afternoon, Jesse Owens won the gold medal with a jump of 26-5½. The first to congratulate the Olympic record holder was Luz Long.

Owens said, “It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler. You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn’t be a plating on the 24-karat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment.”

I wonder — in the church, do we more often view ourselves as competitors who are trying to do better or look better than the next guy, or as friends who are there to encourage others to accomplish what we know they can do (even if it surpasses our efforts)?

What great value there is in having (and being) a real friend. Solomon said, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Indeed, woe to the man who doesn’t have a friend — someone he can talk to, someone he can lean on, someone he can pour his heart out to. Writer Patrick Morley has made a stinging observation. He said that while most men could recruit six pallbearers, “hardly anyone has a friend he can call at 2:00 A.M.”

Let me ask you, “Do you have a friend you can call at 2:00 in the morning?” More importantly, are you that kind of friend to others? Solomon said that “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17). Who do you have in your life that you can turn to without hesitation in the midst of adversity? Who do you know that can confidently turn to you?

We need to be reminded by the example of Luz Long that we were not created by God to compete with one another; we were created to encourage and exhort one another. God intended for us to be (and have) friends.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

When …

Note: The following piece came to me “author unknown.” It is not humorous, but is designed to cause us to reflect. I hope you appreciate the change of pace.

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient, loving silence, that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility — and endure it as Jesus endured, that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, that is dying to self.

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

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

THE CHRISTIAN’S PLEDGE…

I will do more than belong; I will participate.

I will do more than care; I will help.

I will do more than believe; I will practice.

I will do more than be fair; I will be kind.

I will do more than forgive; I will work.

I will do more than earn; I will enrich.

I will do more than teach; I will inspire.

I will do more than give; I will serve.

I will do more than live; I will grow.

I will do more than be friendly; I will be a friend.

author unknown

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end.” Hebrews 6.11

Mike Benson

Would you go into the wilderness?

FOR MOST OF us, the idea of a wilderness recalls pictures of the Arizona desert or the Sahara or the Northern Territories…

We think of a wilderness as a place where men cannot live.

But what we really mean is that men cannot live in these places the way they would like to live.

This reveals something important about the wilderness, so important that the biblical wilderness is an essential part of God’s message.

The wilderness is the place where men encounter God and, at the same time, it is a place inhabited by demons.

It is the place of God’s revelation of the Law and it is the place of our great temptation.

It is the place of His call and the place of our rejection.

…Many today do everything possible to avoid these places. Skip Moen

“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor [Trouble] a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.” Hosea 2.14,15

-Mike Benson