GENESIS (24:12-14)–God’s KINDNESS is knowable.

EXODUS (14:4-18)–God’s MATCHLESS HONOR is knowable.

LEVITICUS (23:43)–God’s PROTECTING NATURE is knowable.

NUMBERS (16:28)–God’s SPOKESMEN are knowable.

DEUTERONOMY (4:35)–God’s PREEMINENCE is knowable.

JOSHUA (23:13)–God’s CONDITIONS are knowable.

JUDGES (6:37)–God’s INTERVENTION is knowable.

RUTH (2:12)–God’s REWARD is knowable.

1 SAMUEL (17:46-47)–God’s MEANS OF SALVATION is knowable.

2 SAMUEL (7:18-29)–God’s PROMISES are knowable.

1 KINGS (20:28)–God’s SUPREMACY is knowable.

2 KINGS (19:19)–God’s UNIVERSAL AUTHORITY is knowable.

1 CHRONICLES (28:9)–God’s DIVINE QUALITIES are knowable.

2 CHRONICLES (25:16)–God’s DISAPPROVAL is knowable.

EZRA (7:25)–God’s LAWS are knowable.

NEHEMIAH (9:14)–God’s REVELATION is knowable.

ESTHER (4:14 + rest of book)–God’s USE OF PROVIDENCE is knowable (even if we don’t know what is or isn’t providence).

JOB (19:25)–God’s REDEMPTIVE WORK is knowable.

PSALMS (100:3)–God’s CREATIVE POWER is knowable.

PROVERBS (24:12)–God’s LIMITLESS ABILITY is knowable.

ECCLESIASTES (3:14)–God’s PERFECTION is knowable.

SONG OF SOLOMON–God’s DEVOTION TO MARRIAGE is knowable.

ISAIAH (60:16)–God’s SALVATION & REDEMPTION are knowable.

JEREMIAH (16:21)–God’s NAME & MIGHT are knowable.

LAMENTATIONS–God’s STANDARD FOR PUNISHMENT is knowable.

EZEKIEL (5:13)–God’s ZEALOUS WORD is knowable.

DANIEL (11:32)–God’s STRENGTHENING is knowable.

HOSEA (13:4)–God’s WORSHIP REQUIREMENTS are knowable.

JOEL (2:27)–God’s PRESENCE is knowable.

AMOS (3:2)–God’s HATRED OF INIQUITY is knowable.

OBADIAH–God’s FEELINGS TOWARD PRIDE are knowable.

JONAH (4:2)–God’s GRACIOUSNESS is knowable.

MICAH (6:5)–God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS is knowable.

NAHUM (1)–God’s PROTECTIVE CARE is knowable.

HABAKKUK (2:14)–God’s GLORY is knowable.

ZEPHANIAH (2:3)–God’s DESIRE TO BE SOUGHT is knowable.

HAGGAI–God’s MISSION is knowable.

ZECHARIAH (2:9-13)-God’s PLAN OF SALVATION is knowable.

MALACHI (2:4-5)–God’s COVENANT is knowable.

MATTHEW (22:16)–God’s TEACHINGS are knowable.

MARK (1:24)–God’s HOLINESS is knowable.

LUKE (11:13)–God’s BENEVOLENCE is knowable.

JOHN (17:3)–God’s UNIQUENESS is knowable.

ACTS (2:36-47)–God’s REQUIREMENTS FOR SALVATION are knowable.

ROMANS (8:28)–God’s ASSURANCE TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM is knowable.

1 CORINTHIANS (2:12)–God’s SPIRITUAL BLESSING OF REVELATION is knowable.

2 CORINTHIANS (8:9)–God’s GRACE is knowable.

GALATIANS (3:7)–God’s HEIRS are knowable.

EPHESIANS (1:17-19)–God’s BESTOWED WISDOM & HOPE are knowable.

PHILIPPIANS (3:8-11)–God’s SON is knowable.

COLOSSIANS (4:1)–God’s MASTERFUL ROLE is knowable.

1 THESSALONIANS (1:4)–God’s MEANS OF ELECTION is knowable.

2 THESSALONIANS (3:7)–God’s GOOD EXAMPLES are knowable.

1 TIMOTHY (3:15)–God’s CODE OF CONDUCT IN THE HIS HOUSEHOLD is knowable.

2 TIMOTHY (3:15-17)–God’s HOLY SCRIPTURES are knowable.

TITUS (1:9-16)–God’s SOUND DOCTRINE is knowable.

PHILEMON–God’s FREEDOM FROM SIN & CALL FOR SERVICE IN CHRIST is knowable.

HEBREWS (8:11-13)–God’s SUPERIOR SALVATION is knowable.

JAMES (2:20)–God’s DEMAND FOR ACTIVE FAITH is knowable.

1 PETER (1:18-19)–God’s INCORRUPTIBLE MEANS OF SALVATION is knowable.

2 PETER (3:17)–God’s FOREWARNINGS are knowable.

1 JOHN (4:2)–God’s SPIRIT is knowable.

2 JOHN 1–God’s TRUTH is knowable.

3 JOHN 12–God’s INSPIRED WRITERS’ TRUTHFUL RECORD is knowable.

JUDE (4-23)–God’s ENEMIES are knowable.

REVELATION (2:10,17)–God’s REWARD is knowable.
This does not begin to exhaust the list of things which the Bible tells us we can know!  God has not left us to grope in the dark.  Neither has He left it up to us to decide to live however we want to live.

–Neal Pollard

Hezekiah appealed to his home in 2 Kings 20:3.  He mentions three qualities of it.  In his house, Hezekiah walked before the Lord in truth.  That suggests that he allowed God’s word to be the standard in his home, whatever the issue.  In his house, Hezekiah had a loyal heart.  Nothing more specific is said in this regard, so this could mean loyalty in any of his relationships.  Certainly, in context, it seems that Hezekiah included in that loyalty to God.  In his house, Hezekiah did what was good in God’s sight.  His morality, judgment, and leadership were aligned with Heavenly sight.
You may remember that, upon hearing this, God grants Hezekiah fifteen more years (2 Kings 20:6).  Unfortunately, he seems to have made mistakes that negatively impacted his home in that intervening period of time.  He allowed the king of Babylon to see the treasures of his house (2 Kings 20:12ff).  He also was too short-sighted to care that this decision would greatly harm his descendents (2 Kings 20:17-18), but all he got from that was superficial comfort in knowing there would be “peace and truth at least in” his days (2 Kings 20:19).

What a reminder that we can never ease up in our homes.  Those in our homes need us doing our part to keep the home like Hezekiah kept his up until the sickness that brought Isaiah to his door.  This is an ideal home.  Someone wrote,

An ideal home cannot be built with compass, rule or square
An ideal home cannot exist without our Jesus there.
An ideal home, where Jesus reigns and all on Him depend,
Alone can save our nation, doomed, from her untimely end.

–Neal Pollard

We’re all on a journey through our lives in this world and it matters not where along the road of life we’ve arrived so far, these thoughts apply to the entire journey. And I think about, and opine, on these thoughts because I think that all of us tend to get caught up in life in general, and in the living of it, and we miss a lot of things along the way. Things that shouldn’t be missed. So, I guess a good way to start off our lesson here is to ask, “What are you missing?”

You know, Christians have to live in this world just like everyone else. In the 15th & 16th verses of John 17, we see where Christ’s disciples are “in the world” but, not “of the world.” In other words, we’re subject to everything about the world, but we’re supposed to avoid being caught up in the snares of it.

I say that because I see something “of the world” that Christians seemingly get caught up in like everyone else and we should be the last people allowing this to happen. The “something” of which I speak is, becoming unmindful, or even blase’ about the wonders of God and His creation. We get so busy in our everyday living that we forget to “smell the roses” and when we do, we forget about God.

A great illustration of how we go through life not paying attention to the beauty and blessings of God that are all around us is an experiment I once read about set up and conducted by the Washington Post newspaper. This experiment was designed to show that society, in general, no longer noticed or paid much attention to the things of beauty found in common settings. Here is what they did….

In a major metro train station in Washington DC a man dressed in casual clothes and wearing a baseball cap, sat down and began playing classical music on a violin. He played six different pieces for about 45 minutes. Now this was during rush hour and literally thousands of people passed through the station and by him as he played.

The results of the experiment was as follows: one middle-aged man stopped for a few seconds and listened and then hurried on his way. A woman, without stopping, passed by and threw a dollar bill in a container. Another man stopped for a minute or so, leaning against a wall listening, but then looked at his watch and walked away. The ones who paid the most attention to the violinist were children who tried to stop and listen, but all of the parents, without exception, forced them to move on. In the 45 minutes he played, only 6 people actually stayed awhile listening. Several gave money, but kept going. He collected $32.00

When he finished playing no one even applauded nor did anyone recognize him. The violinist’s name was Joshua Bell and is reportedly one of the best musicians in the world. He had held a concert 2 days earlier where the tickets cost $100 apiece and it was sold out. Plus, he was playing his music on a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. And six (6) people actually stopped “to smell the roses.”

The conclusion reached by the newspaper was this, and I quote: “If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing.”

In conclusion, here’s a penned thought entitled, “WHISPERS.” (Author unknown)

The man whispered, “God, speak to me” and a meadowlark sang.

But, the man didn’t hear.

So the man yelled, “God, speak to me” and the thunder rolled across the sky.

But, the man didn’t listen.

The man looked around and said, “God, let me see you” and a star shone brightly.

But, the man did not see.

And the man shouted, “God, show me a miracle” and a life was born.

But, the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me God, and let me know you’re here.”                     Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.

But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

Well, maybe I’m wrong, but it just seems to me that Christians should be the most appreciative people in the world when it comes to the things that God has blessed His creation with. That we should strive to take more notice, and to be more aware of those things, and by so doing, be aware of the presence of God all around us. Everywhere and at all times.

One last thought – “roses” come in many disguises. They can appear in the form of a beautiful older person, many views of the sky, mountains, lakes and rivers and any number of scenic views, even the arts. And don’t forget the “critters.” As you go through this new year, just think about the “roses” we’re blessed to have around us and when we actually take the time to see them, to “smell them” as it were, we’re really seeing God. Don’t brush the “butterfly” off when God “touches” you.

Anyway, that’s my thoughts and I’m sticking to them.

Ron Covey

(1) The 30 Second Rule: Most of our guests will make a judgment about us during the first 30 seconds after they enter the building.  Greet others at the door with a handshake and friendly smile even if it’s not your month to be an usher or a greeter. I love how our greeters meet people with a bulletin and a smile!

(2) The Front Door Rule: Help people find their classes or a seat in the auditorium.  If they have trouble, they may not return. If you see someone looking confused ask them if they need assistance, especially if they are looking for the restroom or nursery.

(3) The Ten Foot Rule: Greet anyone with whom you are not familiar that comes within ten feet of you.  Make eye contact; be friendly. Don’t be embarrassed if they are members, we have a large auditorium and we don’t always get to meet every member because of many seats and many exits.

(4) The Five Minute Rule: Take the first five minutes after services to seek out guests and greet them.  Encourage them to return and thank them for being here. Introduce them to the elders, deacons, and ministers if possible.

(5) The Golden Rule: Remember what you like to see when you visit another congregation. Treat others the way you like to be treated.

Our attitude will often determine whether visitors will return or not.  Most often, people will come back when they feel welcomed and appreciated.  Let’s work hard to make sure this always happens! Be a lighthouse! May God use us to reflect His light into the world!!!

–Source unknown

For a number of years, I lived ten miles from Hollywood. There were several times when locals would see a stretch limousine pull up at the curb, and out would come a famous film star to enter some business or restaurant.

The first time it happened to me, it was Larry Hagman of “Dallas” fame. There he was, inside the Malibu pharmacy, good ol’ J.R. Ewing in the flesh!

Funny thing: When he spoke to the clerk, he didn’t have a Texas accent.

It made for great conversation pieces. “Guess who I saw today! Boy, old so-and-so is a lot shorter in person than he seems on film.” Or, “That makeup artist must have performed a miracle on her! She looks much older in person.”

Solomon’s image of a “gold ring” in a “pig’s snout” is startling because it’s so thoroughly out of place.

Beautiful women in ancient times did wear nose rings — Rebekah, Isaac’s bride did (Genesis 24:47) — and I notice the practice is coming back among some of our young women today. But can you imagine a priceless gold ring, shining in the light, placed right on the, er, delicate snout of a pig?

You know why Miss Piggy’s brave efforts to appear glamorous are so funny, right? It’s because she’s a pig!

Hollywood stars are undeniably beautiful, drop-dead gorgeous, in fact. But their lifestyles show no discretion. They cheat and betray, fornicate and get drunk, are self absorbed and thoughtless of others. Most mock and deride Christian teachings on principle. They are no one’s role model.

Their ugly actions and words seem out of place with the beauty they so carefully cultivate. Why do television cameras follow them everywhere? Why do magazines cover them so breathlessly?

Some are air heads, and immoral ones, at that!

Admiring them is as out of place as a gold ring on a pig’s snout!

Stan Mitchell @ www.forthright.net

Probably the best known Biblical illustration I could cite to you is the little parable told by Jesus in His sermon on the mount about the two types of “houses” one can build. In Matt. 7:24-27 he describes these two “houses” as being built by two very different kinds of builders.

The “wise” builder who constructed a “house” that could withstand all of the storms that came along. Versus the “foolish” builder whose “house” collapsed when the testing time came. What made the two builders either “wise” or “foolish” is explained to us in the 24th verse: “whosoever hears and does what I say….” In other words, who built their “house” according to God’s blueprint for a “spiritual house” versus who, for whatever reason, did not. In our parable, which one do you think was the “wise” builder?

In just a moment I’m going to tell you what inspired my thoughts on the building of our “houses” today, but first let me ask you some “thought questions.” These are questions which, by the mere asking of them, are designed to cause you to think about your own “house.”

First question is: What kind of “house” are you building? Keep in mind the type of house we’re referring to here – the one the Bible uses to illustrate a “family” or a “spiritual abode.” And here’s something to also keep in mind – whether you realize it or not, you (each of us) are building a house and it’s a lifetime effort. So, if you’re building a “house” – Where do you get the blueprint for your “house?” And – What care do you take in following said blueprint?

You know, if you were to build a house (structure) today you’d have inspectors checking every little thing that was done to see if you are “following code.” To see if you’re building it properly. Unfortunately, there are no inspectors coming around to see how we’re constructing our “spiritual houses,” are there? No, we’re given a blueprint by God but, as free, moral builders, we have the choice of following it or not. We just have to understand what the consequences are of ignoring it. Remember the “foolish man’s” house on the sand…..

Now let me tell you what inspired these thoughts here. I was reading a little article the other day about a woman that had received a book from a friend entitled The Great Cathedrals of Europe. It was in her commentary of the book that I noted some interesting things about the great cathedrals.

One of those things was that it can’t really be said who the builders were. That they are basically unknown. The thought there is that no one can receive credit or glory from man because we don’t know who the builders are. This was pointed out by the commentary on the book to show that their motivation, their inspiration for their work was the idea that they were building for God.

Let me illustrate their motivation by relating one little legendary story from the book. In this story, a rich man came to visit as the cathedral was being built and was watching a workman carving a tiny, but intricate bird on the inside of one of the beams. He was puzzled and he asked the workman, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.” The workman replied, “Because God sees….”

No, there won’t be inspectors coming around checking to see if you’re following “code” in the construction of your “house.” But don’t ever think that the One that issued the blueprint (and there is only one) isn’t paying attention. If you read 1 Cor. 3, verses 9-10 you’ll see that those faithful to following the “Masterbuilder’s” plan are called “God’s building.” IE: Christians.

And, in 1 Pet. 2:5 we read where Christians “like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood…” (ESV) I see that as telling us that if we “build our house” according to God, the “Masterbuilders” blueprint, then our “house” will be “holy.” And, if so constructed, it will stand, metaphorically speaking, in the great final storm to come.

As a closing thought to this lesson, let’s take care to the building of our “house.” Let’s heed the words of the Prophet Jeremiah when he gave this warning to the people of Judah: “Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness….” (Jer. 22:13) It would be sad to think about a person spending their lifelong efforts on the building of their spiritual house in some way opposed to God’s blueprint. I think that when crunch time comes and their “house” falls, they will have fulfilled something said by the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians: that their “labor be in vain.” (1 Thess. 3:5)

Again – How’s the construction of your “house” coming along?

Ron Covey

The monastery was built early in the 15th century. Because of its extreme location, the monastery early became a prison also for dissidents and erring clergy. In 1923, it became Stalin’s first concentration camp. Approximately 40,000 Soviets died there between 1923 and 1939. That year, it was closed because, as one resident stated, “The whole country had been turned into a prison camp. It made no difference which side of the barbed wire you were on.” Another resident suggested that wherever you step, you would be walking on bones.

The Cold War ended and the antagonism toward religion thawed. Monks returned to the monastery in 1990.

The Soviets, North Koreans, and other communist dictators have long tried to suppress freedom of religion. Along with freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, freedom of religion encourages man to think for himself. Dictators do not appreciate people who think for themselves.

Try as they might, dictators cannot lock up the word of God. Paul, himself, was in prison but listen to what he wrote. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” (2 Timothy 2:8-9).

In our country, the only think that binds the word is our mouths. In other words, when we do not speak up and defend Christ and His doctrine, we might as well be in concentration camps. The Word does not get out if we do not speak up! Again, listen to the apostle Paul. “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

–Paul Holland

Here in Kentucky, where I work the polls twice a year, we do not require a photo-ID. But the widely perceived opinion is that we do. When we ask for identification, the majority present a driver’s license. But they can vote with a credit card.

While we were in Romania, we had to jump through hoops every six months and obtain a picture ID. As foreigners, we had to carry these IDs with us everywhere we went. We were on record in the Iasi Police Department. I bring a different prospective, then, to this Voter-ID-Law controversy.

Not that God needs to be reminded, but He promises us that if we obey the Gospel and then are faithful to Him, He’ll inscribe our name on the citizenship rolls of heaven. That is the significance of having our names written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life.” To the church in Philadelphia, John wrote: “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name” (Revelation 3:12).

In 20:15, John also writes: “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” The next time you look at your driver’s license, remind yourself that – having obeyed the Gospel – you are not primarily a citizen of this world. Your ID says you are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20).

–Paul Holland

Paul Newman smiled at her and said “hello.” She took one look at those blue eyes and her knees almost buckled. She tried to speak, but nothing came out. Mortified, she turned back around, paid for her ice cream, then quickly walked out of the store.

When she was outside, she sat down on a bench and took a moment to catch her breath. As she calmed down, she realized she didn’t have her ice cream cone. She was getting ready to walk back in to get it when Paul Newman walked out. He asked her, “Are you looking for your ice cream cone?” She was still speechless but she nodded. He said, “You put it in your purse with your change.”

There are some people who hold such great significance in our lives, that meeting them affects us in a powerful way. But if a celebrity or an athlete can have that kind of effect on people, just imagine how much difference it would make in a person’s life to come face-to-face with Jesus Christ!

Think of the difference made in the lives of the Samaritan woman, the man possessed by a multitude of demons, Zaccheus, James and John, the lame man by the pool of Bethesda, the paralytic lowered by his four friends, Saul (later known as Paul), the woman caught in adultery, the blind man, the leper, the thief on the cross, and countless others.

There’s a popular video making the rounds on Youtube this week (with over 14 million hits!) entitled, “Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus”. There is much I like about the video and some that I don’t like. Religion is not the problem; false religion (hypocrisy) is. Many people fail to realize that Jesus was a religious person himself! But, it is true that religion (in and of itself) cannot save us; Jesus can. Religion cannot change our hearts; Jesus can. Religion cannot empower us to live holy lives; Jesus can.

Our goal as Christians should not be to get people to follow a religion. Our goal should be to bring people to Jesus, to let them see him for themselves, and to allow that encounter to change their lives. Perhaps the most powerful thing we can say to people is what Philip said to Nathaniel (John 1:46) and what the Samaritan woman said to the villagers (John 4:29): “Come and meet Jesus for yourself.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith