Monthly Archives: April 2018

I love character studies. Don’t you? This is a great one. When you read the short text above, what were some things that came to mind about this lesser known Bible character? Here are some that I see:

What a Guy!

In his second recorded epistle to Timothy, Paul spoke of a man by the name of Onesiphorus–say that one three times fast. Onesiphorus wasn’t a Paul, Peter, or even James–characters frequently referred to in Scripture. However, he was important. I know he was important because God thought enough of him to record his name and his deeds in the Book of books.

Here’s what Paul said about Onesiphorus:

The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well (2 Tim. 1:16-18).

I love character studies. Don’t you? This is a great one. When you read the short text above, what were some things that came to mind about this lesser known Bible character? Here are some that I see:

#1 Onesiphorus was an encourager–“He oft refreshed me”.

#2 Onesiphorus was not a spiritual coward–“was not ashamed of my chain”.

#3 Onesiphorus was diligent in looking for opportunities to do good–“he sought me out very diligently, and found me”.

#4 Onesiphorus was one who tired himself in ministry–“in how many things he ministered unto me”.

These are just four that come to mind in a cursory reading, and when I read it again, I find more. But for now, this will suffice.

Onesiphorus was quite a Christian. There’s not a single thing in the life of Onesiphorus that we read here that could not be said about us.

Do you encourage those who are discouraged?

Do you stand for what’s right, even when it’s not popular or might potentially cost you your so-called friends?

Are you constantly on the lookout for good works to support and be involved with?

When you come to the end of a day, have you worn yourself out in the work of the Lord?

May God bless us to be more like Onesiphorus.

I hope you have a terrific Monday!

–Neil Richey

ome wives feel like things go fine at home as long as everybody does what Dad wants in the way Dad wants. Wives? In some homes, everything is wonderfully peaceful as long as Mom gets her way, but not so much at other times. Teenager? When things don’t go your way, do you give your parents or siblings the silent treatment to punish them?

DIOTREPHES, HERE’S WHAT the apostle John wrote about him (I’ve included a few different translations to help you get the sense of it)…

3 John 9:

“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority” (ESV).

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us” (NKJV).

“I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say” (NASB).

“I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority” (NRSV).

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us” (TNIV).

“I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be their leader, will not listen to us” (NCV).

“I wrote a short letter to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to be their leader, will not pay any attention to what I say” (GNB).

“Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel” (The Message).

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (KJV).

“I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive us” (HCSB).

“I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us” (NLT).

You might choose to open your Bible and read the whole letter of 3 John to get a better feel for what John is writing about (it’s only 15 verses). Apparently John had written an earlier letter to this church, asking them to extend hospitality to a group of missionaries. Diotrephes somehow intercepted the letter and thwarted John’s plan.

But the most interesting thing here is what motivated Diotrephes. He didn’t turn the missionaries away because of some kind of doctrinal disagreement, but rather because he was a man who liked to be the man. He liked to be in charge. Nobody’s gonna tell him what to do, not even an apostle.

In fact, John wrote that Diotrephes liked to be “first,” in the position of preeminence, a place that the Bible elsewhere reserves only for Jesus (Colossians 1:18).

Do you know someone who likes to be in charge? Someone who thinks very highly of himself? Needs all the attention, all the power, all the limelight?

Of course we know him. Or her. There’s a pretty good chance we see his face in the mirror every morning.

I like it when things go my way, don’t you? I’ve often thought that if everyone would finally realize that my way is the best way, things would go so much more smoothly.

Husbands, does this apply to you? Some wives feel like things go fine at home as long as everybody does what Dad wants in the way Dad wants. Wives? In some homes, everything is wonderfully peaceful as long as Mom gets her way, but not so much at other times. Teenager? When things don’t go your way, do you give your parents or siblings the silent treatment to punish them? Do you take the “I’ll make everybody miserable until I get my way” approach?

It all goes back to the tendency within each of us to put ourselves first. I want my way. I know best. Just do what I say and everything will work out fine.

As you meditate and pray today, think about how the “I wanna be first” mentality might have crept into your own heart. Ask the Lord to get rid of it, help you enthrone Him, and develop a humble, submissive, others-first attitude.

Nobody likes the guy who thinks he’s always right, and it’s absolutely incompatible with following our foot-washing Lord and Savior. Chuck Webster

“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.” 3 John 9

Mike Benson

I paused to hold the door for her and she looked at me and said, “You don’t need to do that. Will you move please?”

I guess one of the things that I struggle with is people who are totally unappreciative of kindnesses and love that good people bestow on others. I suppose one should not be quick to blame folks for the coldness that exists in this present world. Yet, just the other day I was walking in a store and a lady was behind me pushing a baby stroller. I paused to hold the door for her and she looked at me and said, “You don’t need to do that. Will you move please?”

Needless to say I was simply astonished. I was brought up with the teaching that if a woman is walking down the sidewalk with you that you walk on the side near the road, to say please and thank you, to say I’m sorry and to be grateful and indebted to those who were so kind to go out of their way for you. My gift reminds me to keep on being nice even when people in this bitter impolite civilization don’t care. You know why? It is more important what God sees in us than what the spiritually blind can’t see. Heaven will be inhabited by the grateful.

“As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him–and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” – Luke 17:12 – 19

Did you read it? One of them said thank you. Ten were healed by the love of Jesus. Only one said thank you. In these days it is hard to keep a gentle heart of caring and being full of love. Many take advantage of the Lord’s church. Many in the church take advantage of each other thinking it is a requirement. They use the church to get married, bury their dead and even as a pillow of comfort when they days are tough. Then, just like the nine they just walk off and bathe in their good things they received never uttering an sentiment of thanks.

Let me encourage all of us to keep doing the good things. I know someone who is very thankful. He matters the most.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matt 5:11 – 14

– Rick Woodall

Sermons from our Favorite Songs “His Grace Reaches Me”

Merit pay is a term that describes performance-related pay, most frequently in the context of educational reform or government civil service reform (government jobs). It provides bonuses for workers who perform their jobs effectively, according to easily measurable criteria (wikipedia.org).

We think in terms of merit. “I deserve this.” “I deserve that.” Our society is largely based on merit. We work to deserve our paycheck. We study to deserve our grades. We exercise in competition to deserve our trophies.

When it comes to salvation, it is very difficult for us to think that we don’t deserve heaven or good things from God. But that is not how spiritual laws work. Two verses in Romans ought to make us very humble when we come to God: Romans 3:23 & 6:23.

Salvation is the free gift of God in Jesus Christ. You cannot pay for it. You cannot deserve it. The biblical word for this is, of course, “grace.” Grace is not just a New Testament word. It is used 11 times in the Old Testament (NASV), although there are lots of other synonyms for it in the OT. But “grace” is largely a New Testament concept, being used 122 times. Without the sacrifice of Christ, it would be hard to grasp the grace of God.

Consider the words of the song “His Grace Reaches Me.” This song was written by Whitey Gleason in 1964. The song only has two verses so let’s be encouraged by the thoughts of his poem.

THE DEPTH AND WIDTH OF THE GRACE OF GOD:

Listen to the words and picture Gleason’s images in your mind as we read them:

Deeper than the ocean and wider than the sea,

Is the grace of the Savior for sinners like me;

Sent from the Father and it thrills my soul,

Just to feel and to know

That His blood makes me whole.

There are a couple of passages that picture the love of God in terms of depth and width. First, consider Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:14-21.

Aren’t those words wonderful? And it’s not just the love of God but also His grace that is “deeper than the oceans and wider than the sea.” The ocean, at its deepest part, the Mariana Trench, is 36,070’ or nearly 7 miles deep! The Pacific ocean is the world’s largest ocean at 64 million square miles. At its widest point, the Pacific ocean stretches 12,300 miles from Idonesia to Columbia, South America.

To talk of the depth of the grace of God is to say that God is willing to save man regardless of how deep in sin he is. To put it another way, there is no sin that is practiced at any length of time that cannot be forgiven by the grace of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

To talk of the width of the grace of God is to say that God’s love and grace is broad enough to handle all people of all time, everywhere. God’s grace will reach every man, every woman, every child who needs that grace. His grace will cover every race, black, white, Native American, South American, Chinese, African, European. His grace is available for every nation, every language, every tongue. In fact, John pictures people assembled around the throne of Jesus in heaven, in Revelation 7:9-14.

THE HEIGHT AND BRIGHTNESS OF THE GRACE OF GOD:

Let’s read the verse before we meditate on its message:

Higher than the mountains and brighter than the sun,

It was offered at Calvary for everyone;

Greatest of treasures and it’s mine today,

Though my sins were as scarlet,

He has washed them away.

Let’s read now Micah 7:18-20 as it pictures the same imagery relative to the forgiveness of God.

In what way could the “grace of God” be pictured as “brighter than the sun”? I take it that Gleason is referring to how visible and obvious the grace of God is. I believe that is the reference because then he points us to the historical fact of Jesus being offered on the cross at Calvary. That sacrifice is “for everyone.”

Salvation from sin is a “treasure” and it is ours to have when we’ve done what Jesus tells us to do to receive it. The word “treasure” is used 26 times in the NT. From the time that Mary, the mother of Jesus “treasured” the sayings of Jesus in her heart (Luke 2:19, 51), the NT has pictured the message from God, the Gospel, as a treasure. In fact, the most frequent treasure in the NT letters is the Gospel which tells us about salvation: 2 Cor. 4:7; Col. 2:3; 2 Tim. 1:14. But certainly salvation from sins, by the grace of God, is the greatest of all treasures we can have. In fact, we can have it today if we’ll obey what Jesus says to do in order to have it.

When you receive the grace of God in Jesus Christ, you are no longer the master of your own life. You are, as Gleason writes, “under His control.” Jesus is now your master. You don’t make your decisions based on what you want. You make decisions based on what Jesus would have you to do. When you do that, you’ll be happy “in your soul.”

When you receive the grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, you will live under His leadership and guidance. Heaven is His gift to you for your selflessness.

–Paul Holland (for more devotionals by Paul, get our FREE daily devotional app for Android devices).

THE HIGHEST RANSOM EVER PAID

A few years ago there was a true story about a man in New York City who was kidnapped. His kidnappers called his wife and asked for $100,000 ransom. She talked them down to $30,000.

The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But don’t you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife got him back for a discount?

Calvin Trillin was the writer of this story. He imagined what the negotiations must have been like: “$100,000 for that old guy? You have got to be crazy. Just look at him! Look at that gut! You want $100,000 for that? You’ve got to be kidding. Give me a break here. $30,000 is my top offer.”

I can sympathize with the kidnapped man because I wonder how much the people in my life think that I’m worth. But I am flattered beyond description to realize that I was worth enough to God that He was willing to pay the ultimate price for my ransom, my redemption. As Peter put it:

“You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (I Peter 1:18-19)

Ultimately, the value of something (or someone) is determined by how much someone is willing to pay for it. A piece of art that may be worth millions of dollars to someone else may be worth less than a hundred dollars to me. The worth of something is determined by how much we’re willing to pay for it.

What that means is that we are of tremendous value to God. He didn’t quibble about the price, but was willing to pay the full ransom amount — the highest ransom ever paid!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

“It’s because of my wife, she thinks she’s Mrs. Smith.”

SEEING OTHERS AS WE SHOULD

A man dressed as Napoleon went to see a psychiatrist at the urging of his wife. “What’s your problem?” the doctor asked.

“I have no problem,” the man replied. “I’m one of the most famous people in the world. I have a great army behind me. I have all the money I’ll ever need, and I live in great luxury.”

“Then why are you here?”

“It’s because of my wife,” the man said. “She thinks she’s Mrs. Smith.”

Pride tends to do two things with us. It causes us to see ourselves as more important than what we really are. That’s why Paul wrote, “…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…” (Rom. 12:3).

But pride and envy also cause us to see other people as less important than what they truly are. Envy doesn’t like to see others achieve recognition or prominence, and it will do whatever it can to bring the other person down. Someone has said that an envious person is a lot like a crab. If crabs are caught by a fisherman in his basket and one starts to climb out, the other crabs will reach up and pull it back down.

As humans, we often act the same way. If we can’t be somebody great, we can at least pull down others around us so that we look better by comparison! Frederick Buechner has described envy by saying its desire is for “everyone else to be as unsuccessful as you are.”

In the Corinthian church, there was a lot of competition involving spiritual gifts. Those who had the more prominent or public gifts, such as the ability to preach or the ability to speak in different languages, regarded themselves as superior to those who held what they viewed as “less significant” gifts. Paul says, though:

“On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor….But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” (I Cor. 12:22-25).

May God help us not only to ourselves as He sees us, but to see others around us as He sees them as well.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

A beloved statue of Jesus

IN ONE SMALL European village was a town square that held a special statue. . .

This statue was the pride and joy of the small town, but World War II arrived and soon the bombs began falling on the town.

One day the statue was hit and blown to pieces.

The residents collected all the shattered pieces and slowly did what they could to re-create it.

When they finished the reconstruction of their beloved statue of Jesus, they noticed the only pieces missing were the hands.

So they placed a plaque at the base of the statue with the words:

Now we are the only hands Jesus has. H. Norman Wright, “Called To Help A Friend,” HELPING THOSE WHO HURT, 7

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40

Mike Benson

1,811 trips to McDonalds

CONSIDER A FEW excerpts from Tom Heymann’s book, “In An Average Lifetime…”

Mr. Heymann analyzed several aspects of life and calculated what an individual does in a typical lifetime. The average American:

Spends 3 years in business meetings
Spends 13 years watching television
Spends $89,281 on food
Consumes 109,354 pounds of food
Makes 1811 trips to McDonalds
Spends $6,881 in vending machines
Eats 35,138 cookies and 1,483 pounds of candy
Catches 304 colds
Is involved in 6 motor vehicle accidents
Is hospitalized 8 times (men) or 12 times (women)
Spends 24 years sleeping

With all of this activity, or lack thereof, it is important to remember that life is brief at best. Are we doing the really important things with the time we have been given?

“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:14

Mike Benson

A poem from mom

“MY WAY”

The closing lines to Frank Sinatra’s hit record, “My Way,” sum up not only the essence of the song, but perhaps the life of the man himself:

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels,
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows,
And did it my way.
Yes, it was my way.

Mr. Sinatra was the very embodiment of America’s changing values from the 1950’s to the present age. Following WWII our nation began a love affair with the almighty dollar, and the wealth and affluence of this nation blossomed into a mighty oak of material success. Meanwhile, the sanctity of marriage took a back seat to the pursuit of pleasure, with Mr. Sinatra and other Hollywood stars leading the way with multiple partners throughout their careers. Sinatra himself went through four marriages, as well as multiple extra-marital affairs with such stars as Ava Gardner, Mia Farrow, Lauren Bacall, and Marilyn Monroe. Honesty, integrity, and moral uprightness were cast off during the 1960’s sexual revolution, and Sinatra’s well known connection to the mob did nothing to stem the tide of rebellion toward authority. His connections to such mob characters as Lucky Luciano, Mafia boss Willie Moretti, Bugsy Siegel, Carlo Gambino, Sam Giancana, and Joseph Fishetti glorified the world of crime and gangsters. Yes, he did it his way! And following in his steps was a generation that forgot God, and sought instead to do it their way. Humanism, materialism, evolution and a host of other “isms” found fertile soil in which to grow, and it seems that in the efforts to do it our way, the nation cast God out of her schools, public discussion, and everyday life. And, as they say, the rest is history!

The Bible gives us an inspired record of men and women who sought to do it their way rather than God’s way, and not a single one of them are held up in high esteem by heaven’s holy hall of fame. Saul, Nadab and Abihu, Ananias and Sapphira, Dathan, Korah, Balaam, the named but seldom remembered ten spies that brought an evil report to Joshua; Pharaoh, Cain, and hundreds and thousands of unnamed men and women who were determined to do it their way! I am presently engaged in a profitable study of the prophet Jeremiah. Judah was determined to do it their way, and the preaching and pleading of the prophet fell on deaf ears.

While in the minority, there are those faithful saints who go about seeking and serving the Lord in the midst of a world of corruption. They are sojourners and pilgrims, strangers in a land not their own. They seek for that city whose builder and maker is God. They feast upon the bread of life, drink from the fountains of living water, and refuse to be conformed to this world. The mark of distinction that sets them apart from the world that seeks to do things their way is that these faithful saints of God seek to do it God’s way.

The album ‘My Way’ sold almost a million copies. Ironically Mr. Sinatra later came to hate the song because it was, in his words, “self-serving and self-indulgent.” Perhaps he came to realize, too late, that words do have meanings, and that the message of the song epitomized him and his generation more than he wanted to admit.

Now let me tell you of another song writer and lyricist. She is a faithful child of God, seeks to serve Him every day of her life. She has written a number of spiritual hymns, some of which have graced the pages of some of our song books. I have known her all my life; she is my mother. Here is a poem she recently wrote that focuses attention on doing things God’s way, for that is the only way that will lead to eternal life:

God’s Way

God says, “If you would walk with me and stand where I stand,
Then you must do it, under the touch of my hand.”
If you are a faithful servant, the Master must be able to say,
“Come, my good and faithful servant, for you did it my way.
Because I sent my Son to bless you and call you back to me,
He promised through your obedience that He would set you free.”
Then for the sake of righteousness, if you hunger and thirst,
You must walk by His pathway, and seek His kingdom first.
If you pass through toils and troubles, and win day by day,
You will seek His face in service, for you will do it His way.

By Tom Wacaster

Don’t be a Sawdust Eating Mule

What do you suppose would happen to a farm animal if you gradually substituted sawdust in his diet?

Such was tried by a man who was put out by the rising cost of the oats that he fed his mule. I read how that he gradually substituted sawdust in the mule’s diet. It was going well for a while, but by the time the mule’s diet was completely converted over to sawdust, the mule died.

If you and I gradually replaced our spiritual diet with the words of men, would not the same thing happen?

I have lots of books in my library. Some of them are quite good and full of helpful, spiritual advice. I have books on marriage, childrearing, creationism, leadership, faith, and many more. They’re great study tools–aids to understanding.

What if, when wanting to better understand God and His will for my life, I read my Bible less and started reading the writings of men on God’s plan for man more? While their scholarship may be excellent, and their words true, they can never compare to the greatest Author.

Only God’s words can set me free (Jn. 8:32). Only God’s words can help me fully appreciate all that God wants me to know about Himself (1 Cor. 2:10-11). Only God’s words can successfully direct me from here to heaven (Rev. 22).

What if I get to the point where I put my Bible on the shelf permanently and only read the words of men? Then, like the sawdust eating mule, all hope would be lost. Something to think about.

I hope you have a terrific day!

–Neil Richey

A PEOPLE OF OUR WORD

A duck walked into a feed store and asked the owner, “Do you have any duck food?”

The proprietor replied, “No, we don’t have any duck food.”

The next day the duck walked into the same feed store and asked the owner, “Do you have any duck food?”

The feed store owner was an ill-mannered, impatient man. He yelled at the duck, “I told you yesterday! We don’t have any duck food. Now get out of here and don’t come back or I’ll nail your webbed feet to the floor!”

Again, on the next day, the duck walked into the same feed store. This time he asked the store owner, “Do you have any nails?”

“Nope. We don’t have nails.”

“Then do you have any duck food?”

I suppose we’ve all made threats from time to time that we never intended to carry out. There have been many times I’ve heard a parent say to his or her child, “You better do this before I count to three or else!” only to count to three and, not seeing any response from the child, say, “This time I mean it — “You better do this before I count to three or else!” Our children catch on very quickly as to whether or not we intend to carry through on the promises and threats we make to them.

Sometimes things happen that keep us from following through on a commitment. But that should be the rare exception, not the rule. The apostle Paul wanted to make sure that the Corinthians knew the difference. He had told them that he intended to visit them twice, but he was only going to be able to see them once. Some of his critics used this as an opportunity to accuse Paul of being fickle and untrustworthy. Here’s Paul’s response:

“I had originally planned two great visits with you – coming by on my way to Macedonia province, and then again on my return trip….That was the plan. Are you now going to accuse me of being flip with my promises because it didn’t work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth – a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? Well, you’re wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his…” (2 Cor. 1:15-18, The Message)

What a powerful statement to make — “I try to be as true to my word as God is to his.” Can we say the same? As Christians, we need to be known as a people of our word. We shouldn’t have to play word games like, “Well, if I say it like this, then I mean what I say, otherwise I don’t.” We need to develop a reputation for being a people of our word.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Stop Complaining

The story is told of a circus owner walking into a restaurant and seeing everyone crowded around a table. On the table was an upside down pot that had a duck tap dancing on top of it. The circus owner was so impressed that he offered to buy the duck from its owner and after some negotiations he agreed to pay $10,000 for the duck and the pot.

Three days later the circus owner returned to the restaurant in anger demanding his money be returned. He told the restaurant owner that his duck was a rip off because he had put him on that pot before an audience and he had not danced one bit. It was then that the duck’s former owner asked him if he had remembered to light the candle under the pot.

While that may be one reason someone would put a lighted candle under a pot; that is not really what candles are for. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that candles are meant to be used to provide light to all who are in the house. That is what a light source is for, to provide illumination in the dark.

In like manner, our lives as Christians were intended not to be hidden under a pot, but rather to shine before all men so that they may see clearly the way to our heavenly Father. We are supposed to be a positive influence on all those around us—Mt.5:13-16. The problem is that at times we spend too much time complaining and grumbling about life’s circumstances that our lives are anything but a shining light to those around us.

In an appropriate text for this time of year, the Apostle Paul exhorts us “to do ALL things without complaining/grumbling and disputing.” (Ph.2:14). It is the complaining part that I want to focus on today. Paul says to “do all things without complaining” so that we might become blameless and without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse world. And to “do all things without complaining” so that our lives might serve as a shining light to those living in darkness.

Jesus said, “We are the salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” Thus, all of us whether we realize it or not, have a degree of influence in the lives of others. We are all being watched by others who see what we do and hear what we say, especially if they know we are professing Christians. The question then is not are we influencing others; it is how are we influencing others? How is the way I live life, specifically when it comes to how I deal with less than pleasant circumstances, affecting those around me?

What Paul says in essence is that our light or influence is enhanced or diminished by the way we deal with life’s circumstances. How do you react to daily life and living? Life has its share of difficulties and hardships for all men; do we grumble, complain and look to find fault? Or do we, as Paul elsewhere exhorts, “rejoice always”, “giving thanks in all things”—Ph.4:4, 1 Thess.5:18? The manner in which we influence others depend upon how we answer this question.

What does it say to an unbelieving world when Christians are no better at handling the challenges of life without complaining than they are? It says that our relationship with God through His Son doesn’t really have the positive effect in our lives that we claim it does. So regardless of what life throws at you “do all things without complaining” and you just might be the light that leads some lost soul out of the darkness.

By Brian Mitchell

We Dare You To Try This For One Month!

1. Resolve not to miss a single service of the church. No excuses!

2. Read and study your Bible every day, even if it means turning off the TV for a little while.

3. Try praying every time you have a problem or a decision to make. Pray for others; even pray for your enemies.

4. Make it your responsibility to bring at least one visitor to the services.

5. Take at least one night to go visiting — visit the elderly, the sick, recent visitors to our services.

Try this for a month. You’ll be surprised at the results.

– selected

Secrets about Christian men and immodesty

Women’s magazines make a living off of disclosing secrets about women and men. Today, another secret will be revealed that may open the eyes of many Christian women and help arm them with knowledge and empathy.

The refrain we often hear from Christian women who dress immodestly is that men aren’t supposed to be looking anyway because of their commitment to God. This logic is dangerously naive.

When a man becomes a Christian he does not cease to be a man with all the passions and sexual drive God gave him. The desire to look at attractive women is still instilled deep in his being and that will not go away when he exits the baptistery. This makes him a male, not a pervert.

The secret that needs to be revealed, to help Christian women, can also help the guilt of Christian men giving them the power to grow in these matters.

Ladies, Christian men have a love/hate relationship with immodesty.

As fleshly men with inherent passions, they desire women sexually and love attractive, immodest women because sex is on their minds all the time.

In our sex-saturated society, men deserve a respite from immodesty when they are among their sisters in Christ. When women in the kingdom are also immodest, men can’t get away from it. It would be like a woman on a strict diet being surrounded by chocolate everywhere she went.

While men crave beautiful women, Christian men also hate immodesty because it threatens them spiritually.

They know lust is sinful (Matthew 5:27-28; Job 31:1) and they wish all women would dress modestly while desiring otherwise. The conflict can be intense.

Christian women often do not know the battles that men face. The fleshly and the spiritual are in constant warfare for dominance in their hearts. Fleshly men just surrender and indulge whenever possible. Yet, Christian men must keep fighting the dragon. They don’t win all the battles, either, and the wounds can be painful.

When will Christian women understand and empathize?

When will they start helping men in their struggles?

When will they stop fighting against the hearts of godly men?

Do Christian women love Christian men? If so, please express that love by being modest. The enemy is Satan and if we can help each other go to heaven, it will all be worth it.

“It’s O.K. Everyone Does It”

Several years ago, a preacher wrote an article called, “It’s Okay Son.” I only recently ran across it, and wanted to share it with you this morning. At the end, I’ll conclude today’s devotional thought.

When caught for speeding one day, Johnny saw his dad give the policeman a $5.00 bill with his driver’s license. “It’s O.K. son,” the father said as they drove away, “everyone does it.”

When Johnny was 8 years old, he watched his Uncle George fudge on his Income Tax return. “It’s O.K.,” the uncle said, “everyone does it.”

On his first trip to the theater at the age of one, the seats were all sold out until mother produced a crisp new ten dollar bill and gave it to the usher. “It’s O.K. son,” she said, “everyone does it.”

When Johnny was 12, he broke his glasses through carelessness, and his Aunt Francis persuaded the insurance company the glasses were stolen and collected $27.00. “It’s O.K. son,” she said, “everyone does it.”

On the football team at 15, the coach showed Johnny how to block the opponent and grab the shirt illegally at the same time. “It’s O.K.,” the coach said. “Everyone does it.”

When Johnny was 16 he took his first summer job at the market. His assignment was to put the over-ripe or half-rotten tomatoes at the bottom of the basket and the good ones on top. “It’s O.K. lad,” the manager said, “everyone does it.” . . .

When Johnny was 19 he was approached by an upper classmate who offered the final test answers for ten bucks. “It’s O.K.,” he said, “everyone does it.”

Johnny was caught and sent home in disgrace. “How in the world could you do this to your mother and me?” the father said. “You couldn’t have gotten these ideas from home.” The aught and uncle were likewise indignant; “If there is anything the adult world can’t stand, it’s guys who cheat.”

Parents often tell their children that it’s always right to tell the truth, and it’s always wrong to tell a lie. “Honesty is the best policy,” we tell them.

I wonder, though, how many times our actions contradict our speech? What about in the illustrations above? Are we saying one thing and doing another?

In Revelation 21:8, the Bible says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lame which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

If I die as a liar, the devil will say to me, “It’s O.K. Everyone here has done it.”
Guard your heart and your influence!

–Neil Richey

LEARNING FROM TREES

The following (edited) article is entitled “All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Trees” (author unknown)

* It’s important to have roots.

* In today’s complex world, it pays to branch out.

* If you really believe in something, don’t be afraid to go out on a limb.

* Be flexible so you don’t break when a harsh wind blows.

* Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.

* Grow where you’re planted.

* It’s perfectly okay to be a late bloomer.

* Avoid people who would like to cut you down.

* Get all spruced up when you have a hot date.

* If the party gets boring, just leaf.

* You can’t hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.

* It’s more important to be honest than poplar.

Those are some good lessons. They remind me of some other lessons taught in Psalm 1:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

The Psalmist says that a godly man is like a tree in three very important ways. First, he is planted — he’s got his roots put down deep, he’s fortified, stable. Second, he bears fruit — he develops godlike qualities in his character and life. Third, he doesn’t wither — he is able to survive under all circumstances, even days of difficulty.

May your spiritual life take on the qualities on a tree planted by the rivers of water.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Never taught on the subject of suicide?

Recently the following was sent to several preachers (including me) by e-mail:

When is the last time you preached a sermon on resisting the temptation of suicide? Don’t assume it is not a problem for your people. I have a sermon I have shared with four difference church audiences, and after three of those assemblies, someone came up to thank me for my lesson and tell me their own story of a close call with self-destruction.

Here’s an illustration I have found helpful. Over 2000 people have jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge – only 19 have survived. Those nineteen all share one common trait: as soon as they went over the rail, they immediately regretted their decision.

Kevin Hines is one of the lucky few. He tells his story here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcSUs9iZv-g&app=desktop

It would make an effective illustration for a presentation on choosing life.

Words

“Words” – such is the shortened Jewish title for the biblical book we know as Deuteronomy. “Deuteronomy” comes from the Latin translation, the Vulgate, from 17:18 where the king is commanded to “write for himself a copy of this law.” The theme of the Bible is the salvation of man through Jesus Christ to the glory of God. Where does Deuteronomy fit in?

We observe in Numbers that the Israelites lacked faith in the trustworthiness of God. In chapters 13-14, when they were to invade and occupy the Promised Land, they chose to turn in fear. For their disobedience, God caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years – one year for each day the spies were in the land. Forty years. Long enough for all the adults to die, except the two faithful spies – Joshua and Caleb.

On the plains of Moab now, Moses stands ready for the Israelites to inherit the land promised them centuries before. The land in which the Messiah would be born. Moses, himself, cannot enter for his own lack of faithful obedience. So he here gives three lengthy sermons to the Israelites.

His first speech runs from 1:1-4:43. It reviews the history of Israel from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab. The second speech covers 4:44-26:19. In this “sermon”, Moses reviews the Laws previously given in Exodus-Leviticus. Thus the “copy” or “second” giving of the Law. He hits the highlights, this time concentrating on the application of the law to the Israelites dwelling in a settled land. The third speech (27:1-31:30) encourages obedience and ensuing blessings and discourages disobedience with attendant curses. The book ends with three appendixes: the “Song of Moses” (chapter 32), the “Blessing of Moses” (chapter 33) and the death and burial of Moses (chapter 34).

Deuteronomy is a pivotal book in the Old Testament. From there, we leave the books of Law and enter the books of history. So intertwined are the historical books (Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings) with Deuteronomy that they are referred to as the “Deuteronomistic History” by some scholars. Liberal scholars deny Moses’ authorship of Deuteronomy and claim that it was written after the historical books in order to put the history into a theological context. The truth is, however, that Moses, inspired by God, knew what would happen to Israel if they disobeyed. He warned them. They disobeyed and Deuteronomy was fulfilled.

Let us study the past and learn from their mistakes.

Paul Holland

HOW FAR CAN YOU SEE?

Sam, an old man, was a witness in a burglary case. The defense lawyer asked Sam, “Did you see my client commit this burglary?”

“Yes,” said Sam , “I saw him plainly take the goods.”

The lawyer asked Sam again, “Sam, this happened at night. Are you sure you saw my client commit this crime?”

“Yes” said Sam, “I saw him do it.”

Then the lawyer asked Sam, “Sam listen, you are 80 years old and your eyesight probably is bad. Just how far can you see at night?”

Sam said, “I can see the moon, how far is that?”

Now I’m not prepared to discuss the validity of such a statement in court. But this story does serve as a reminder that some people are content to be concerned with what they can see up close and forget what they can see from afar. For example, it is a common sight to see someone walking along with their eyes focused only on the ground a few feet in front of them. They end up seeing all sorts of things — coins, buttons, pieces of trash. But they miss out on all the beauty of the world around them.

And yet we all tend to do the same thing spiritually. We keep our eyes on television ads, store displays and our next door neighbors and focus on all the “things” we think we need, and fail to see the spiritual things that really matter. I challenge you to walk through a shopping mall and look not in the store windows, but at the number of souls you pass by who need Jesus. I challenge you to drive through a busy part of town without focusing on the Lexuses in front of you and behind you, but on the physical and spiritual needs of the people to your right and your left. I challenge you to look beyond the things of this world to those things on a higher plane (Col. 3:1-2).

How far can YOU see?

Alan Smith

I have three choices.

ONE AUTHOR TALKS about looking for the nugget of truth even in unhealthy and unfounded criticism we receive as leaders…

It has been my observation that even when receiving criticism that is clearly loaded with false charges and nonsense, there is frequently an underlying element of truth that I need to deal with.

I have three choices.

I can simply disregard and throw out the entire criticism and never think of it again. I can dwell on it and rehash it and mentally defend myself time and time again. During this process I will mull over all of the reasons why the critic is an unwise and mean-spirited person.

I believe neither of these responses is best. The third response is to examine the criticism and discover the one percent or five percent of truth in the criticism and use it as an impetus for change and improvement as a leader. In this way, I can quickly forget the rest of the criticism and refuse to allow it to tear me down. Larry Kreider, “The Criticism Test,” 21 Tests of Effective Leadership, 79

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19

–Mike Benson