Monthly Archives: February 2018

Many have supposed that transmission of the Bible is like the old telephone game

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“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel (Exodus 34:27).”

In 1970 archaeologists found a charred scroll in a synagogue at En-Gedi, about 20 miles southeast of Jerusalem. The community was burned to the ground nearly 1,400 years ago and the condition of the manuscript was burned so badly it could not be unrolled without destroying it. The date of the scroll’s origin is estimated to be between A.D. 50 to A.D. 300. Thanks to a new technology developed by the University of Kentucky, the document was scanned using technology similar to CT scans and a new software called virtual unwrapping.1 What researchers deciphered on the scroll were portions of the first two chapters of the book of Leviticus. Researchers say that this discovery holds great significance for scholar’s understanding of the development of the Hebrew Bible.2

Many have supposed that transmission of the Bible is like the old telephone game – what we have today are mere copies of copies of copies. Here’s one thing you can take to the bank on understanding the development of the Hebrew Bible – it is the word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and did not develop over time. The Hebrew language developed, as all languages do, but the Bible has been accurately preserved through all succeeding generations.

The Jews preserved the Bible as no other manuscript has ever been preserved. They had special classes of men dedicated to its accurate transmission. 3 The Talmudists, from A.D. 100-500, had an intricate system for transcribing synagogue scrolls, such as this one found at En-Gedi. Every scroll (page) must have contained a certain number of columns, equal throughout. The whole copy first had to be lined and authentic copy was required as the exemplar from which no word or letter, not even a yod, must be written from memory. Between each consonant the space of a hair must be spaced and many other regulations were imposed to ensure the most precise transmission.3

A concern prior to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 was “how accurate are the copies we have today compared to the text of the first century?”3 Before that time the oldest manuscript extant dated from 900 A.D. Among the manuscripts found there was a complete scroll of the book of Isaiah dating to 125 B.C, more than 1,000 years older. How different was it from the others since it was written a millennia prior? The exactness of the older to the latter demonstrated the precision of the copyists of Scripture.

Isaiah 53, from which Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:27-38), contained only seventeen letters difference; ten were simply a matter of spelling, four were minor stylistic differences, and three composed the Hebrew word for ‘light’ and does not impact the meaning of the text.3

The Bible you possess today has been divinely preserved and men today may still preach Jesus to others from Isaiah 53, Genesis 3:15, Exodus 12:3-8, etc… While the paper and animal skins upon which God’s word was written may be burned and fade the power of that message endures long after the writers have exited this world. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).” While technology can now penetrate tattered pages to grasps those ink marks, God’s Word continues to penetrate men’s hearts – the heart that contains His Word will endure forever.

“Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).”

Billy Alexander

The Christian and Alcohol

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Determining right and wrong is not always set out in what we might call “direct statements” (i.e., “thou shalt, thou shalt not”). This is where discernment comes in. We are to use wisdom to discern right and wrong (Heb. 5:12), and “prove all things” (1 Thess. 5:21-22). Principles learned from a careful study of God’s word are then applied to the decision making process. This is particularly true when it comes to partaking of alcoholic drink. The world’s attitude can be summed up with five words: “Nobody thinks anything about it.” But how do you know that? And what if it could be proven that nobody thinks anything about drinking alcohol – what people think is not our standard. A careful study of the Bible leaves the distinct impression that the child of God is to stay as far away from the things of the world rather than seeing how close he can get to it without sinning! Paul told Timothy “flee these things,” which in the context suggests abstinence from anything and everything that would war against the soul. May I suggest to you some reasons why the child of God should abstain from alcoholic beverages?

First, because of the fruit associated with the drinking of alcohol. Physically, alcohol does irreparable harm to the body that God has given us. The leading cause of death among alcoholics is due to the effects that alcohol has on the cardiovascular system. Brooke Allen made the following observation: “Many of the body’s physiological functions can be affected by the use of alcohol. Recent evidence proves that a variety of diseases are brought about by a substance that coats the body’s red blood cells causing them to stick together in clumps. These clumps are called ‘sludge,’ and are created by the ingestion of alcohol.” It has been proven beyond dispute that when ingested, alcohol destroys brain cells, and brain cells are the only cells in the body that do not regenerate. When brain cells die, they can never be replaced. But physical harm is not the only damage that imbibing alcohol produces. There is also the social harm. Clayton Pepper served as family counselor for many years. Here is what he had to say:

I know of no other factor that contributes more than drinking to family problems, divorce, juvenile delinquency and to the degrading of man. It breaks my heart to see the fruits of alcohol. I see children naked and hungry, whose mothers and fathers waste their earnings on alcohol. A four-year-old child was brought into court for being drunk on the street. A teen-age girl whose mother is dead spent the night on the porch because she was afraid of being molested by her drunken father. A boy, after his drunken father ran him away from home, stole money to buy food. A mother had a baby which weighed less at three months of age than when it was born. She took money given to her to buy milk and bought alcoholic beverages instead. Twelve teen-agers were arrested at a disorderly Halloween party where beer was served. I have seen as many as six children taken away from a drunken mother. A Nashville newspaper carried the story of the slaying of a 14 year old girl by a 17 year old boy whose 17 year old wife was expecting a child soon. The boy was quoted as saying that all this would not have happened if he hadn’t been allowed to go to a club and drink. He shouted from his cell: “They ought to padlock that place and burn it to the ground.”

In his book, Broken Homes and Handicapped Children , V.E. Howard documented the fruits of alcohol socially more than three decades ago and it has not gotten any better since then. My friends there is so much wrong with the fruit of beverage alcohol that it would be impossible to put it into the limited space we have in this bulletin. The question we might ask is, “What good has it ever done?” It’s fruit, both ancient and modern, is entirely on the wrong side of the ledger. Why in the world would any Christian seek to defend this vicious killer which has created more false hopes and generated more social ills than any one thing?

Second, drinking alcohol is wrong because of what it does to the soul. Peter wrote, “Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). Ask yourself, “Does drinking of alcohol contribute to or lessen any of the following?” Does it give one a greater degree of love for the Bible and increase his study habits? Is one who drinks alcohol more prone to pray or meditate on things that are good and holy? Can the drinking of alcohol provide spiritual growth and development of Christian character? To ask is to answer! Put in the form of a simple syllogism: Major Premise: All things which war against the soul are things from which the Christian is commanded to abstain. Minor Premise: The drinking of intoxicants is a thing which wars against the soul. Conclusion: Therefore, the drinking of intoxicants is a thing from which the Christian is commanded to abstain.

Third, drinking of alcohol is wrong because of what it does to your influence and Christian example. Hear the word of the Lord: “Walk in wisdom (or circumspectly) toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Col 4:5). “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works” (Matt. 5:16). “Let no man despise thy youth but be thou an example toward them that believe in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity” (Matt. 13:41). “Give no occasion of stumbling to Jew or Gentile” (1 Cor. 10:32). Can a person really expect to bring a lost soul to Christ while holding a Bible in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other? I think not!

Finally, drinking alcohol is wrong because all of the so-called “defenses” for social drinking are nothing more than a grasping at straws in the wind. Space will not allow us a close examination of the arguments presented by those who might imbibe strong drink. My observation over the years has been that every single argument in defense of social drinking is an appeal to subjectivism, feelings, “I think,” or “I feel,” rather than a carefully thought out and logical examination of the subject. Jesus never did turn water into intoxicating wine, all the sophisticated foolishness to the contrary. Any degree of drunkenness is still drunkenness, and one drink of alcohol still begins the process of drunkenness . The biggest problem with these so-called defenses is that they are never based on a thus saith the Lord; and therein is the problem at its roots!

by Tom Wacaster

Don’t forget to fill the tank

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I HAD BEEN gone from home for three days when Dale, my youngest son, was five years old…

Pat (my wife) and Dale were at the airport to meet me when I returned.  I was so anxious to talk with Pat that I inadvertently ignored Dale.  He repeatedly tried to get my attention, but I said something like “I need to talk to your mother–just hold your horses” in a less than kind voice.

By the time we got home, my usually sweet, people-pleasing child had the whole family in turmoil.  His behavior had deteriorated to the point where I was on the verge of spanking him.

Then Pat whispered to me, “Why don’t you practice what you preach?”

I was on the verge of punishing my boy when I was misbehaving myself.  An empty emotional tank is the most common cause of misbehavior in a young child.  I wasn’t fulfilling my basic fatherly responsibilities.  I forgot I can prevent serious mistakes such as this by asking myself, “What does my child need?”  Then I can correct the problem behavior positively rather than by using punishment.

Dale needed a daddy.  Through his misbehavior, Dale was asking me, “Do you love me?  You won’t even talk to me.  Don’t you love me anymore?”

I took Dale to our bedroom and held him.  I filled his emotional tank with eye contact, physical contact and focus attention.  After a few minutes, he was his usual, lovable, sweet self.  D. Ross Campbell, “Parenting–Being Like Jesus To Our Children,” The Transformation of a Man’s Heart, edited by Stephen W. Smith, 158

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”  Ephesians 6.4

Mike Benson

 

The world has enough women who know how to be smart.

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“Godly womanhood … the very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other type of women: beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career women, talented women, divorced women. But so seldom do we hear of a godly woman – or of a godly man either, for that matter.

We believe women come nearer to fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else. It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife, than to be Miss America. It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is to produce a second-rate novel filled with filth. It is a far, far better thing in the realms of morals to be old-fashioned, than to be ultra-modern.

The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct.”

— Peter Marshall

We are surrounded by giants, some of whom are within our ranks.

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Read again the story of David’s confrontation with Goliath (1 Sam. 17:17-49). David was but a youth; inexperienced in the field of battle.  Goliath was a giant; a man of war. But David loved God, and because of that love, he was determined not to let this “uncircumcised Philistine” defy the armies of God.  When David heard the accusations of the opponent of Israel, David spoke to those nearby:  “What shall be done to the man that killeth the Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel?”  Was Goliath the real threat to Israel?  Of course not. It was Israel herself. Fear had set in among the ranks, and when David came upon the scene and began to honestly inquire about this challenge to Israel, that fear was manifested in anger against David.  Eliab, David’s brother, began to accuse David of haughtiness.  “I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thy heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle” (vs 23). But David would not be deterred nor discouraged. Listen to his words: “What have I now done?  Is there not a cause?”

We are surrounded by giants, some of whom are within our ranks. They are defying the army of God. But it seems that when someone stands up to answer the challenge of the “giants” confronting Israel, the words of Eliab echo thru the years.  It is those who are willing to face the giants, rather than the giants themselves, who receive the criticism.  Imagine this scenario: A church has met for a worship service. At the appropriate time a man claiming to be a gospel preacher, steps into the pulpit and begins the morning lesson.  Instead of the old “book, chapter and verse” sermons we used to hear, the audience gets a harangue of error in the form of higher criticism, disrespect of the Bible and/or Bible authority, or amusing anecdotes to sooth and entertain those in the audience.  Doctrine is belittled and emotions are exalted. Unity in diversity is encouraged. Those sitting in the pews are getting nothing but spiritual “junk food.”  But there are “Davids” in the audience.  The challenge has been given by this giant, and those who love the truth and their Lord respond.  “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of God?”  But instead of encouragement from the brethren, this humble man or woman is accused of naughtiness of heart.   All of a sudden, the man teaching error is the hero, and those who love the Lord, respect the Bible, and would be willing to die for the church which Jesus built, are the enemy. I ask you brother, “Is there not a cause?”

When I was growing up I had the distinct privilege of sitting at the feet of preachers and teachers who loved the truth and were willing to die for it.  Claude Robertson was one such preacher.  On one occasion brother Robertson delivered a sermon which I will never forget.  He had drawn a picture of water flowing out of a mountain, downstream to the larger river, and finally to the ocean. In time, factories were built along the river which polluted the water.  He then said, “If you would reach the pure waters of life, you must go UP stream.”  And go up stream we must. The waters have become polluted.  There are those who would, in our generation, have us to drink of the polluted waters of human opinion and shallow preaching and teaching.  They would have us sit at the feet of men who have manifested a determination to change the nature of the church, and make the Lord’s church just one of any number of denominations.   Let us quit drinking that which will destroy, and if any man refuses to give us the pure waters of life, then let us turn a deaf ear. To imbibe in the polluted water is to bring on self destruction.  After all, “What shall a man give in exchange for his life?”

David made God’s cause his cause!  He knew that to allow Goliath to go unchallenged was tantamount to cowardice.  We admire his courage, and we simply must emulate his example.  To do otherwise would be a disappointment to our Father.  Indeed, there IS a cause! May we determine to be faithful to that cause, and to the One who died for it.

by Tom Wacaster

The “Jones’” wear designer clothes, live in a fine home, and drive a high dollar SUV—all the while wearing the biggest smile across their faces.

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Have you ever awakened from a restless sleep, in a cold sweat, wondering how in the world you will be able to pay off your debts before death, or the Lord’s return? It’s a crisis of our time—debt. I know it’s not an exciting subject, but it’s certainly a biblical one. I want us to consider, by way of a series of essays, a few things that will help us learn to be better stewards of the resources God has blessed us with. In turn, I believe these things will help us to control our debt, and even pay it off in quick fashion.

Sometimes we look at folks and think to ourselves, “wow, they must be doing well!” The “Jones’” wear designer clothes, live in a fine home, and drive a high dollar SUV—all the while wearing the biggest smile across their faces. What we don’t see, in some cases, is the fact that the “Jones’” have borrowed 125% of the value of their house, financed the SUV for seven years (or more), and are just waiting for the next credit card to arrive because the others have been maxed out buying all the designer clothes. This reminds me of that debt commercial that we saw on TV a few years ago with the guy describing all of his worldly possessions, wearing a big grin and saying, “I’m in debt up to my eyeballs. Somebody help me.”

Well, the Lord wants to help us. The first thing we have to do is listen to what God says about stewardship. That’s the real issue. In this essay we’ll briefly look at the meaning of stewardship. Then, in future essays, we’ll discuss the priority we should put on stewardship, what can happen when we’re poor stewards. Then we’ll look at some practical ways to become good stewards and some blessings that result from being good stewards.

Stewardship is more than an action—it’s an attitude. Specifically, it is an attitude toward life. Of my Lord it was said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28). Jesus was a good steward.

The New Testament uses two Greek words for stewardship. The first one is oikonomos. It’s from oikos, meaning a “house or dwelling.” Then, the suffix nomos, meaning “distribute or arrange.” So, oikonomos means, “house arranger.” We find an example of this in Romans 16:23. “Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain (oikonomos—house distributor or fiscal agent) of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.”

The second Greek word is epitropos. This word means, “one to whose charge or control a thing is left…manager…guardian.” For example, the Bible says, “So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward (epitropos—my manager), Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first” (Mt. 20:8).

A little boy defined stewardship this way: “Life is like a great ship loaded with rich cargo to be delivered to many places. God is the owner of the ship and its cargo, but I am the captain.” Stewardship is like management. Every resource (money or possession) belongs to God. It is up to us to manage them properly.

Have a terrific Wednesay!

–Neil Richey

Have you ever heard anyone complain about airline food?

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I’m sure many of you have, but the airlines aren’t necessarily to blame.  Did you know that our tastes change depending upon our altitude?  That’s right.  Food that you may enjoy eating in your favorite restaurant, if served on an airplane at 35,000 feet would not taste the same. This is due to a decreased sense of smell and a reduction in taste bud sensitivity humans experience at that altitude.

When I learned this truth, I couldn’t help but reflect upon how the same thing happens to us within the spiritual realm.  When we embark on a quest to be more and more like Jesus, we sometimes find ourselves in “thin air.” As we pursue godliness, we’ll find ourselves reaching new heights of spiritual maturity, and consequently, we will no longer have a “taste” for many of the things we once found enjoyable.  The nearer we are to God, the things of earth will have less and less appeal.

My prayer is that we will all reach spiritual heights that will cause our “tastes” to change.

Steve Higginbotham

Phil. 1:21 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

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Paul’s sole existence is found in Christ. The apostle Paul is saying that everything he has tried to be, everything he is, and everything he looked forward to, each and every one of them has to do with living for Jesus. From the time of his conversion until his martyrdom, every move he made was aimed at advancing the gospel and the kingdom of Christ. Paul’s singular aim was to bring glory to Jesus. Paul lived for Jesus; that was his sole purpose in life.

“To live is Christ” means everything we do is for the sole purpose of glorifying Him. It means even willing to give up anything that prevents us from having Christ. That’s what Paul meant when he declared “For to me to live is Christ.” Paul gave up everything that he might have Christ. He boldly declared: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Php 3:7-8).

Paul did not marry, did not start a family, did not pursue a career, did not pursue a course to fulfil his life’s passion or make a name for himself, did not relax so that he could enjoy his life, yea, none of those things mattered to him. In fact, he had to give up a whole lot of things he used to enjoy in order to follow Christ. The things that mattered to him now were Jesus, His kingdom, the preaching of the gospel, and the souls of men (1 Cor 2:2; Rom 10:1).

How about us? Can we say the same as Paul, “For to me to live is Christ”? For mothers, perhaps their sole existence is for the children. For fathers, perhaps their sole existence is to provide for the family. For athletes, their sole existence is to win an Olympic gold medal. Some live for their loved ones and some for glory.

I’m not saying we should be like Paul – become a confirmed bachelor and a preacher. There is nothing wrong in desiring to get marry and raise a family. There is nothing sinful about having a career or a hobby. God encourages marriage (1 Cor 7:2; Heb 13:4). BUT, if those blessings become so important to us, that we are consumed by those desires and our efforts to pursue them and they get in the way of our relationship with the Lord Jesus, then it is a BIG PROBLEM that needs to be dealt with. We become Christians who live for ourselves instead of for Jesus.

Our Lord says: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt 6:21). If earthly things begin to make us want to stick around longer and to enjoy what this world has to offer, then we need to rethink who we are and our relationship with Christ. Why? Because God has a purpose and a plan for all of us and He wants us to live also for Him. Therefore, as much as we pray for all those blessings mentioned earlier, we must pray even more for the Lord to use us to reveal His glory and lead others to Christ (2 Tim 2:20-21).

So, “to live is Christ” means the following:

  1. To live in such a way that Christ is glorified through us (Matt 5:16).
  2. To serve Christ (2 Tim 2:21).
  3. To be in such close relationship with Christ that we are always mindful of His existence (James 4:8).

Unfortunately, not all Christians will live for Jesus. Many live for themselves and Paul lamented about it: “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Php 2:21). Many are pursuing their happiness without Christ. Some put their jobs before serving Christ. Some put their family first before Christ. Some have their hobbies and some prefer to sleep tight on Sunday. They do not have Christ as their first priority. They are all seeking their own things and not the things of Jesus.

Is the relationship with Christ important to you? Are you working hard to make this relationship with Jesus a happy and successful one? If every Christian would live for Jesus the same way they would peruse an earthly relationship, we would have converted the world long ago.

For Paul, living means living for Christ; what about us? What am I living for? What are you living for? Let us live for Jesus.

I love this hymn: Living For Jesus. By Thomas O. Chisholm

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

 

WORKING FOR A REASON

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The following true story is told in “Chicken Soup For The Veteran’s Soul”:

The USS Astoria was the first U.S. cruiser to engage the Japanese during the Battle of Savo Island which was fought in August of 1942.  The Astoria was badly damaged in the battle and sank shortly after noon August 9, 1942.

Ten hours before the ship sank, a young Midwesterner, Signalman 3rd Class Elgin Staples, was swept overboard by the blast when the Astoria’s number one eight-inch gun turret exploded.  Wounded in both legs by shrapnel and in semi-shock, he was kept afloat by a narrow life belt that he managed to activate with a simple trigger mechanism.   Four hours later, he was rescued by a passing destroyer and returned to the Astoria, whose captain was attempting to save the cruiser.  The effort failed, and Staples, still wearing the same life belt, found himself back in the water.

Picked up again, this time by the USS President Jackson, he was one of 500 survivors of the battle.  On board the transport, Staples closely examined the life belt that had served him so well and decided to keep it as a souvenir, a reminder of how lucky he had been.  The label showed that it had been manufactured by Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio.

When he got home on leave, Staples told his story and learned that his mother had taken a wartime job with Firestone.  Staples jumped up, grabbed his life belt out of his duffel bag and showed his mother that it was made at her plant.  She looked at the label on the belt and was shocked.  There was a number on the belt which indicated who had inspected it before it left the plant.  The number on Staple’s belt was his mother’s personal code and was affixed to every item she was responsible for approving.

Elgin Staples writes, “My mother had put her arms halfway around the world to save me.”

What a powerful story!  And it makes me wonder about our attitude in the workplace.  What if Elgin’s mother’s attitude toward her work was the same as ours is so often?  Suppose she went in to the plant every day saying, “I’ll do just as little as possible to get by.  I’ll work hard when the boss is watching, but when he’s not, I’ll slack off.  Why put everything I’ve got into my work?  Nobody appreciates it anyway.”

Do you suppose anything about our attitude might change if we knew that the quality of work we produce every day could possibly result in the life or death of someone we dearly love?  Would we take our jobs any more seriously?  Would we work harder, more carefully?

Most of us will never find ourselves in that situation.  But the apostle Paul does give one bit of advice to the slaves of his day that relates to each of us in our workplace:

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Col. 3:22-24)

What a great attitude for Christians to have in the workplace — whatever you do, do it as if you were doing it for Christ.  I truly believe that if we as Christians were to take this principle to heart, we would immediately stand out as the very best workers that an employer has.

I don’t believe Jesus ever produced a piece of shoddy workmanship in his carpentry shop.  I don’t believe he ever made excuses for why something was done at less than his very best ability.  I believe he always gave his best.

May that attitude characterize his people as well.  And who knows?  Your diligence could very well result some day in saving the life of someone you dearly love!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

Is it even necessary these days to show respect to others?

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I was speaking about respect recently when it dawned on me that my hearers had little idea of what the term meant nor were they convinced that certain people deserved it at all. A broad shouldered young man explained to me that he didn’t have to respect his aged grandmother because he was stronger than her. Please tell me that we are not in an era where might makes right. “I respect someone because he is bigger, or has more guns.” Another person suggested that he would give respect only to those who respected him.

Of course a teacher who belittles or humiliates his students is not being respectful. But can we say that a teacher exhibits a different kind of respect to his students than a student to his teacher? They occupy different locations in the education system. Likewise a policeman and civilian or judge and defendant should be respectful to each other, though you might have noticed that the judge does not address the defendant as “Your Honor.”

Respect might differ from culture to culture, too. Do you remember the king in The King and I who insisted that schoolteacher Anna keep her head lower than his? In our culture the one being respectful might stand in the presence of a person deserving respect. I don’t imagine it matters the specific manner in which a culture demonstrates respect, but I pity the culture that no longer shows respect to anyone.

Respect: There have been many manifestations of this. Bowing (often in Eastern cultures), a curtsey (by a lady to a royal, perhaps), removing a hat or cap (once considered respectful in our culture, apparently true no longer), greeting others, especially when greeted (ignored by junior highers, who are apparently unaware that other creatures roam their universe), all of these are outward signs of respect given (or not) by various cultures and eras.

So is respect a quality we need in our day? Does it serve a useful purpose? And if so, to whom do we show respect? I suspect many people have no idea why we should be respectful, or what that would be like. Can I offer a useful synonym for “respect”? What about “consideration”? We are being considerate when we give thought to (that is, when we consider) how our actions affect those around us. You are being considerate of their needs. Selfish people see only their own needs; unselfish people realize that disturbing classmates who want to learn is not considerate.

I recall attending a school performance and observing a large group of family and friends standing up after their child completed her performance and walking out. Apparently they believed the only performance of value was that of their own child; other children and other parents were unimportant.

This was inconsiderate!

Those in worship demonstrate consideration by not texting or chattering to the speaker, and those who would like to hear the speaker undisturbed. The Bible says plenty about being considerate to others, but in this case we can add the term “reverence.” We show respect for each other, reverence toward God.

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

–Stan Mitchell

 

 

A thousand ways to find time for God

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The mother of John and Charles Wesley, Susanna, had 19 children. At times, she was alone in rearing them. When it came time for her personal prayer, she created her own space by throwing her apron up over her head. It served as a sign for her children to quieted down and leave her in peace during that time.

While we don’t agree with her doctrinal understanding of Scripture, we must admire her creativity in making time for God.

Many believe our days are more crowded with tasks than in previous generations, providing less disposable time. It’s probably not true. Our age has more time off, more holidays, more vacation time, than any other. Rather, we have chosen to waste our free time in frivolous pursuits.

We have the means to create our own devotional space, if we really want it. If a woman who had to choose a different day of the week to have individual conversations with her children was able to innovate with an apron, we also have at our command a thousand ways to find time for God.

  • We can listen to the Bible on audio and pray while driving in the car.
  • We can share verses of Scripture at the dinner table.
  • We can write a verse down on a card and look at it throughout the day to memorize it.
  • We can post a kind word, a prayer, a verse on social media when we check our accounts.
  • We can take our prayers as seriously as we do our jobs by keeping a journal.

The Bible is now ubiquitous, and prayers can be said at almost any time of the day. Nobody can keep us from meditating on Scripture, no one can prevent us from speaking to God in our hearts.

The first Psalm tells us how the just man conducts his life with God.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
(Psalm 1:1-2, NASB).

Truth be told, we’re doing too much walking, standing, and sitting in the wrong places rather than stopping and bowing before the Lord God.

–Forthright.net

 

A beaver and a chipmunk happened upon the Hoover Dam while out strolling one day.

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Townsend, the developer of the laser, was once asked if he didn’t have a tremendous sense of achievement in all he had accomplished with his invention, such as methods for precision measurements, laser disc, and weapons technology.

He remarked, “Not really.”  He said that he could easily identify with the beaver and relayed the following story:

A beaver and a chipmunk happened upon the Hoover Dam while out strolling one day. They were caught off-guard, completely overwhelmed with amazement and awe at the size and magnificence of this structure.

Once the beaver recovered, he remarked, “Well, actually, I didn’t build it myself, but it’s based upon an idea of mine.”

Like much of scientific advancement, I see spiritual growth as a building process.  I took the spiritual training my parents gave me and have built upon it, and I expect my children to take the training that I give them and build upon that.  I fully expect them to accomplish some great things in their lives, things that I may not have built myself, but which are based on spiritual principles which I have shared with them.

Paul was referring to this process when he said of Timothy, “I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” (I Timothy 1:5).  I wonder if Lois and Eunice ever even imagined all that that little boy Timothy would accomplish in his lifetime?

You may not feel like you’re accomplishing much, but if you are instilling in your children (or others) a faith in God, who knows what they may accomplish in the years ahead!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Preparing for the Storm

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We’ve seen it many times: the report on the news tells of a big storm approaching.  Predictions are made of wide spread damage and devastation.  Images of people boarding up their homes and evacuating threatened areas flash across the screen.  But, did you notice? The sun is usually shining brightly while all of this is taking place. The skies are wonderfully blue. Why all the fuss? The answer is simple, of course. You can’t wait until the storm hits to make your preparations. So, while the storm is yet hours, even days away; the necessary precautions are being taken.

There’s an important spiritual lesson to be learned from this. Life is a constant cycle of periods of relative calm followed by often violent storms. It is essential that we prepare for these turbulent times, even when it appears for the moment that all is well. If we wait for the storm to hit, it will be too late!  Jeremiah said, “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (12:5). His point is an obvious one. If you can’t stand firm when the going is easy, you’ll never make it when the going gets tough.

Our strength for living comes to us through the Bible. It provides the “power” for our salvation (Rom 1:16), and gives us hope which is a sure “anchor of the soul” even in the raging tempest of life (Heb. 6:19). The question is: are you using it, learning it, so that you can endure the coming storms? Think!

– by Greg Gwin

 

After all, at a funeral, people are already thinking “big” thoughts about life, death, and eternal destinies.

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Jesus took some breaks with His disciples (Mk. 6:31) and so do we.  These studies are scheduled to resume on 2/12.  We hope you will rejoin us at that time.

Some time ago I attended a funeral conducted by one of our religious neighbors. The minister did, for the most part, a good job of comforting the bereaved. But near the end of the service I was jolted out of my contemplation when the “pastor” had us stand and recite the “Sinner’s Prayer.” This amounted to what we would call the offering of an “Invitation.”

My first reaction was to be impressed that he was not ashamed to call men and women to Christ at a time like that. After all, at a funeral, people are already thinking “big” thoughts about life, death, and eternal destinies. And the “pastor” was right to say that our eternal destiny is determined solely by our relationship with Jesus Christ!

And I asked myself: When did we become so ashamed of the Gospel that we ceased to offer eternal life to those who heard? When did we become so polite that we no longer declared Jesus to be “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6), as opposed to “one of the ways,” “one of the truths,” and “one of the lives”? Ironically, it is often our own brethren who are offended when we say that baptism saves the sinner.

But I was offended, too. Not in the sense of having my feelings hurt, but in the sense that this man had offered salvation on false terms. Those who responded that day, though doubtless sincere, were offered salvation on the basis of a prayer nowhere mentioned in scripture.

The “Sinner’s prayer” does not save; baptism does. Now, are you offended? I am deeply sorry, though not apologetic. Which is more offensive, to say what the Bible says, or to fail to say what the Bible says?

“And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

Unless they are buried with Christ into baptism (Mk. 16:16; Gal. 3:27), sinners simply don’t have a prayer.

Stan Mitchell

 

 

A suggestion for President Donald Trump’s favorite verse

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When once asked to name one or two Bible verses that are his favorites, after he proclaimed repeatedly that the Bible is his favorite book, Donald Trump declined to cite a single verse, claiming that it’s “very personal.”

Let me suggest  a good verse to start with, for his life: Jer 9.23-24.

“Wise people should not boast that they are wise.
Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful.
Rich people should not boast that they are rich.
If people want to boast, they should boast about this:
They should boast that they understand and know me.
They should boast that they know and understand
that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth
and that I desire people to do these things,”

That selection is one of my favorites, has been for many years. I recommend it to Mr. Trump and everyone else.

— J. Randal Matheny (adapted)