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The Prayer That Rocked the House

Some Plain Facts for Young and Old

            This permissive age has produced a generation which neither knows nor cares about Bible principles of morality. Chastity the sanctity of marriage, and purity of heart almost seem to be relics of another age. Our young people are growing up under constant suggestions from the media and many of their friends that in moral matters “each can do his own thing.” Many people of more mature years are also affected. Here are some plain facts for young and old. Fornication is sin. This means every kind of illicit sexual activity. The Bible is plain: Those who practice fornication cannot go to heaven. (Gal. 5:19-21)
            Pornography is a medium for lust and lasciviousness. This applies to suggestiveness, lewdness, nudity, etc., whether in printing, movies, or television. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28).
            Things done in secret are never hidden. Actions too shameful to describe are sometimes done in secret (Eph. 5:12). Modern situations which provide privacy still do not hide anything from God (Prov. 15:3).
            Every secret thing will be brought into judgment (Ecc. 12:14).
            Love is not an excuse for sin. A typical defense for illicit sex is, “We love each other.” In the highest sense of love, one will not cause the one he/she loves to do that which will put him/her in danger of the fires of hell. One should be honest enough to calls things by their right name. It's not love. It's called lust (Rom. 13:14).
            Married love is God's plan for sexual fulfillment (Heb. 13:14). The duties and privileges of the marriage relationship are clear (1Cor. 7:3-5). Husbands and wives are required by law (God's law) to love each other (Eph. 5:25; Col. 3:18-19). Couples who “fall out of love” are not following God's plan.
            Marriage is for life. No teaching of Christ is more plain than this (Matt. 19:3-9). Regardless of what counselors, lawyers, or judges might say, one who causes the break-up of their marriage for any cause except fornication sins against God. If he/she marries another (except when the mate put away was guilty of fornication) it is adultery.
Marriages which are guided by the principles of Christ are happy marriages. Because human beings are involved there are often some stresses and strains. But principles as in Ephesians 5:22-23; 1Peter 3:1-8; Ephesians 4:32; Acts 20:35; and Matthew 6:33 will show the way to overcome problems and to build happiness. (by David Pharr, Harrison, AR)

The Prayer That Rocked the House

            There was excitement in the Kansas House of Representatives recently. Someone told the truth! But it wasn't one of the elected officials.
            Joe Wright had been asked to lead the prayer that would start the session. It is reported that one House member walked out and another sat down in protest of the prayer, “and the House came alive with the flutter of agitation that comes from offense and its often loud response.”
            Joe Wright responded by saying, “Prayer is prayer. I'm praying to God when I'm praying. I'm not up there to put on a show. I'm there to pray. I don't do it any differently in public than in private.” I wonder if Joe Wright's prayer should not be prayed all over the nation today. Here is the full text of the prayer:
            Heavenly Father,
            We come before you today to ask your forgiveness and seek your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.
            We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and call it moral pluralism.
            We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.
            We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
            We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
            We have neglected the needy and called it self- preservation.
            We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
            We have killed our unborn children and called it choice.
            We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
            We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
            We have abused power and called it political savvy.
            We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
            We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
            We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
            Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
            Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by you to govern this great state. Grant them the wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the name of your son, the Living Savior, Jesus Christ.            Amen. (via Paul Harvey, Christians & Society Today, March 1996)

Following the Crowd

            “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2).
            There is an old legend about a fly that buzzed past a spider's web. The spider called out to the fly, "Come in and sit for a spell." The fly said, "No, sir. I don't see other flies on your web, and I am not going in alone." But, presently, he saw on the floor below a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid because lots of other flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing. Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, "Don't land there, stupid! That's flypaper!" But the fly shouted back, "Don't be silly. Those flies are dancing. There's a big crowd there. Everybody's doing it. That many flies can't be wrong!" The fly landed and eventually died on that very spot!
            Exodus 23:2 says, "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil..."

Wanted

People who are as interested in the church on Sunday and Wednesday night as they are on Sunday morning.
People who are as liberal with their money as with their advice and criticism.
People who love God more than pleasure (2Tim. 3:4).
People who are willing to let church work interfere with work and pleasure.
People who are willing to spend at least half as much time studying the Bible as they do watching television.
People who can be half as enthusiastic about a gospel meeting as about the World Series or the Super Bowl.
People who are willing to practice in their lives what they say they believe in their hearts. (via The Key Word; Memphis, TN)

A Moments Wisdom

Leisure is a beautiful garment, but it will not do for constant wear.
Habit is either the best of servants or the worst of masters.
The world owes you a living only when you have earned it.
It is a short road to some people’s wit’s end.
The best way for a person to have happy thoughts is to count his blessings and not his cash.
The little oil of courtesy will save a lot of friction.
No one is ever too old to learn, but many people just keep putting it off.

Not a One!
By Paul R. Blake

            (I wish I had written this story; I love it! - prb) Little Chad was a shy, quiet little boy. One day he came home and told his mother that he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, "I wish he wouldn't do that!" because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.
            Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mother decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them nice and warm with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed, and maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many valentines--maybe none at all.
            That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, there they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His hands were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she choked back the tears. "Mommy has some cookies and milk for you," she said.
            But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face red, and all he could say was: "Not a one. Not a one."
            Her heart sank.
            And then he added cheerfully, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!" (Author Unknown)
            It’s not about ourselves, folks; it’s about others. It is not what we get out of church services, but what we put into them. It is not about what we think life owes us, but rather what we owe the Lord.
            Jesus didn’t come into this world to be waited on; He came to serve. We cannot pretend to be His disciples if our first concern is what we get out of it. For the true Christian, it is not “I deserve my rights,” but rather, “how can I help meet your needs.”
            What word is common in the language of contemporary mental health: self-actualization, self-esteem, self-interest, love yourself, be good to yourself, self-fulfillment, ad infinitum et ad nauseum? SELF! Me-ism gone to seed. This manner of reasoning may seem plausible to the worldly, but it is alien to the mind of Christ.
            The little child in the story above perfectly illustrates our service to God and our fellow human beings, that is, we receive so much joy and fulfillment from what we give to others that we have little time or interest in dwelling on what we think others might owe us. And the little lad’s mother’s fear demonstrates what so many expect, that is, one will be hurt or even damaged if he does not get what he thinks is his due. May this world soon be peopled with little boys who are ecstatic because they remembered to give everyone a valentine, and may there be fewer folks who are upset because they might have been overlooked.

A Consuming Desire

            What's the greatest novel ever written? Many readers would vote for Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, which, depending on the edition, can run well over 1,000 pages. Even after his novel was finished, Tolstoy continued to write—often until he was on the brink of exhaustion, unable to sleep, and on the verge of a breakdown.
            One day a friend asked him why he kept writing and driving himself to the edge of exhaustion. He reminded Tolstoy that he was a wealthy Russian count with servants at his beck and call, and that he had a secure future. Tolstoy explained that he kept writing because he was the slave of an inner compulsion and had a consuming desire deep within his bones. He felt that he had to keep writing or else he would go mad.
            The apostle Paul experienced a similar compulsion, except that his drive was God-motivated. As he explained to his friends in Corinth, "the love of Christ compels us" (2Cor. 5:14). His was a burning passion, an emotional fire, a spiritual force that made him share the good news of Jesus and His death and resurrection. Such dedicated zeal has characterized many of our Lord's followers throughout the years. May a spark of that fire burn in our own hearts.  (Vernon C. Grounds)

Broken by the Plow

            Why must I suffer disappointment, sorrow, and tribulation? What have I done that God should send me trials? Is He displeased with me? These questions are constantly asked by God's dear children.
            Much of this fear and questioning is due to our misunderstanding of God's dealings with His own. He has His good reasons. And one of those reasons is for our spiritual discipline. We should be far more afraid of being left alone than of God's chastening, for He wastes no time on worthless objects that give no promise of fruitfulness.
            On the shores of Lake Michigan are great barren sand dunes that have never felt the point of a plow. But in the rich lowlands beyond them, the farmer is constantly cultivating the soil. The farmer knows what he is doing, so he keeps on breaking up the soil. The deeper the plow works and the more the sharp harrow, the more precious the crop will be when harvest time comes.
            God's plow goes deep, but it is only that in the end we may forget the plowing and rejoice in the blessing of bearing much fruit for Him. "No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Heb. 12:11).

A Moments Wisdom

Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.
The more love we give away, the more we have.
Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the dumb can understand.
Happiness is a by-product of goodness.
The Bread of Life never becomes stale.
We rise by the things we put under our feet.
He who would have friends must show himself friendly.
Christianity must function or it will fizzle.
Fooling with sin is only indulged in by fools.
The sunlight of love will kill all the germs of jealousy and hate.

A Moments Wisdom

Truth and Assumption
By T. Sean Sullivan

            Assuming is often a dangerous thing. Assumption is not accepted in most areas of life. We do not want our Doctors to assume we are healthy. We do not want our mechanic to assume the wheels will stay on. But then how many people simply hand their souls over to “someone’s assumption” of what is right in religion everyday? We need to get past assumptions.     
            The Bible teaches only one truth and we can know that truth. In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes the Father accept through Me.” The Bible provides only one gospel; any other is “…not another” (Gal. 1:6-9). The Bible instructs us by only one doctrine (2John 1:9 “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in THE doctrine of Christ does not have God”). These things must be understood but also we must understand that we can know the truth (John 8:31-32). Let’s look at some of these “assumptions” according to what the Bible really says.
Many Assume that TIME Makes a Practice Right.
            The reliance on traditions is very important to many. Sometimes it is family tradition: “Mom and Dad believed” or “Grandma and Grandpa believed”. Consider this, if they always believed and practiced something other than the truth you can’t make it less wrong by repeating their mistakes. This is a simple case of what Jesus calls, “the blind leading the blind” (Matt. 15:14). If they did not search the scripture to prove their beliefs but chose to follow them anyway; they shut their eyes to the truth. If you then declare that you will follow them you have closed your eyes as well.
            Sometimes it is traditions in their religious group. There are groups today that deny the Bible and use their own traditions as authority. If you ask members of different groups why they do certain things, a common answer would be, “We have just always done it that way”.
            In Matthew 15:1-9 Jesus condemns these false practices of tradition over truth. He declares that this worship is “vain” [empty] when they “teach as doctrines the commandments of men”. If something transgresses God’s will today then it will not fall in line tomorrow. Consider the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. If traditions were acceptable why did Christ command them to repent or else?
Many Assume that FEELINGS Determine the Truth.
            There are those that have assumed that religion is a “feeling”. Many seek and enjoy the conjured atmospheres of certain “religious” places—large cathedrals with its robes, regalia, dimmed lights, maybe incense or candles.  There are others who are seeking the rush of live bands and strobe lights to make them “feel” motivated.
            The pattern of worship in the New Testament is simple: Matthew 28:19 “Go and teach…” not “bring the feeling”. Feeling is heavily marketed today. Dynamic speakers stand up with tear laden messages and the audience just eats it up. Where is the gospel? Poems and testimonials are not “preaching Christ and Him crucified” (1Cor. 2:2).
            The apostle Paul warned of times when people would not stand for the truth. In 2Timothy 4:1-4 he said, “They will heap unto themselves teachers having itching ears”.
            If we preach anything other than the gospel of Jesus Christ we will be accursed (Gal. 1:1-9). The preaching of “Christ” as recorded in the New Testament was presented in such a way as to bring a humble response not a loud rock concert. There are three words that focused the purpose of proper preaching: convincing, convicting, and converting.
Some Assume Truth Changes With The Times.
            Many think times have changed; people have changed. This is not true. People have not changed we still have the same basic needs and the same basic desires. We have come a long way technologically but we are still just humans.
            Sin has been around since the Garden. The sins committed in cities like Corinth and Rome in the first century would make the most brazen of our age blush. Sin has not changed: it has always followed the same pattern: The record of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3 shows the same pattern of temptation as in the record of Matthew 4:1-11 and the statements of 1John 2:15-17. Temptation comes in three forms: “Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”. There is no sin that falls outside of one of those categories—not then, not now; not ever.
            The Bible is never-changing. The Scriptures themselves declare their permanence even as Jesus says in Matthew 24:35 “heaven and earth will pass away but My word will by no means pass away.” The Bible was, and is, the power of God to salvation. It was enough to convert, cleanse and save those in Corinth (1Cor. 6:9-11 “you were washed, sanctified and justified”). It is still the only source of salvation today“(Rom. 1:16 It is “the power of God unto salvation”).
            Conclusion: What man “assumes” has very little to do with truth. Traditions do not make truth. Feelings do not define truth. Time does not change the truth. The truth is real, consistent, and sure; it has been around for a long time and it is still as powerful today as ever. The truth is what you can safely place your trust in. Do you want to be saved? You can be saved according to truth today! On the back of this bulletin there is a chart that outlines the plan of salvation. Please take the time to read it and the passages that it refers to and please obey God today.

“I Assumed the Car Was Stolen”

            The story is told of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they drove on a busy boulevard. When he slowed to a stop at a yellow light, the woman hit the horn, cussing and screaming in frustration and gesturing angrily. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a police officer who ordered her to exit the car with her hands up. He took her to the police station and placed her in a holding cell.
            An hour later, the officer returned and said, "I'm sorry, Ma'am. This has been a big mistake. When I pulled up behind you, I noticed your 'What Would Jesus Do?' license plate holder and your 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker, and I assumed the car was stolen!"
            Satan doesn't care if you're a Christian as long as you don't act like one. If he can get you to live by his signals, he can damage and disarm you every time and dishonor the name of Christ in the process.         Instead, Jesus calls believers to be "salt" and to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).

A Moments Wisdom

Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.
The Bible is for our information and our transformation.
Many people enjoy the shade but only a few people are willing to rake the leaves.
Money may talk, but it does not give itself away.
If you are too busy for God, you are busier than God wants you to be.
We overcome our deficiencies by taking unto ourselves the excellencies of Christ.
Some men prefer to grind their ax than to bury the hatchet.
Be what you want other people to be, but beat them to it.
If a sermon pricks your conscience, it has some good points.

It’s Not Easy
By T. Sean Sullivan

It’s Not Easy
By T. Sean Sullivan

            The longer we live the better our memories become. We tend to magnify everything that we have accomplished or endured. As Christians we can sometimes over simplify the transition from sin to salvation when we think that everyone should simply throw of the shackles of their past just as we did and do what is right—right now. The truth be known; this transition is not easy. There are many factors that provoke resistance against conformity to truth and conversion. Things that are hard to understand unless you are experiencing Sthem. Things, however, that can be overcome.
It Is Not Easy to Deny the World
            The world, as an influence, is strong. The reason for this is simple—“human pleasure” is the center of its trap. All human passions if uncontrolled can become addictions—we can become mentally and physically bound to those hungers. Some people are swallowed up and destroyed in their addictions.
            From the time of the “Garden” Satan has used the motivation of “nobody can tell you what to do; just do what you want” (Gen. 3:1-5). When this desire for “freedom from God” is fed with worldliness it is often hard to tame. Sadly, even more so for those who have tasted the truth and then stray to the world (Heb. 6:4-6).
            It is not easy to deny the world, but we are instructed by God to do it. Ephesians 1:17-32 teaches us to not live like the rest of the world (vs. 17-19) because Christ’s way is different—and better (vs. 20-21). We are to put off the old patterns, the sins of our past (v. 22). By changing our mind we change our actions (v. 23) to the better actions of “true righteousness and holiness” (v. 24). Our life must not contain lying—rather speaking only truth (v. 25)—or unresolved anger (v. 26). We must guard ourselves from temptations in (v. 27). No more stealing. No more vain words. With all these proper changes we seek to not jeopardize our salvation (v. 30). Our conduct is to be cleansed (vs. 31-32).
            Are the “rules” of God’s will a burden? They are not designed to be (James 1:25 “perfect law of liberty”). They are what is best for you: A better life here and now (Gal. 5:22-23); a better way (John 14:6); a better future (Rev. 21:20-27).
It Is Not Easy To Walk Away From Past Belief
            If we have been raised to believe “two plus two” equals “four” we are certainly going to be very hesitant to believe any other end result of that equation. Why won’t we change what we believe on this matter? We test the equation and the answer “two” is correct in every way—it passes all the tests therefore we will not accept any other answer.
            Let’s change the scenario to this: You were raised to believe that becoming a Christian is accomplished by simply “acknowledging Jesus as your personal Savior”.  Someone then teaches you that belief in Jesus must also be met with repentance and baptism in water for the remission of sins. It is not easy to accept and conform to this new knowledge. What we must do is put it to the test: The Bible is the only source of information concerning salvation. We must go to the Bible and test the equation. We must see which concept passes all the tests. First century conversion examples are an appropriate test. Acts 2:22-42—these people were not Christians—they were Jewish. They encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ as Peter preached (vs.22-36). Upon hearing the gospel they believed the message (v. 37). The message of the gospel contained instructions to “repent” and “be baptized for the remission of their sins” (v. 38). They followed those instructions and became Christians (v. 41). They also continued in the practice of truth (v. 42). Knowing this we can see that there is more than belief and “acknowledging Jesus” to be saved.
            Two more examples to test by: Acts 8:12 these people were not Christians they were Samaritans. They encountered the gospel as Phillip preached. They believed the gospel (v. 12) and to act on their belief they were baptized (v. 12). Now consider Acts 8:34-39 the Ethiopian Eunuch only knew the practice of the Old Law. He was searching the scriptures (vs. 30-34). He was taught the gospel of Jesus Christ (v. 35). He desired salvation and was instructed in the way of salvation by Phillip (vs. 36-37). He obeyed—upon the confession of his belief in Jesus as the Son of God, he was baptized (vs. 37-38).
            Not one of these examples showed the concept of simply accepting Jesus as one’s personal Savior. The test proves the need for belief, repentance, and baptism. Even though the idea of “more involved in salvation” may be new to you, it does pass the test and should be accepted.
            It is not easy to leave behind things that we have always believed. However we are instructed to, “to test all things; hold fast what is good”—do what is right (1Thes. 5:21). We must evaluate every teaching; testing it as to its “goodness” and its accordance to God’s will.
It Is Not Easy To Admit The Need For Salvation
            There are a lot of different factors that can play a role in this situation. Some are embarrassed that others will know that they have sinned. This can be embarrassing but reality is we already know since Romans 3:23 states that we all have sinned.
            Some may think: “I have waited too long”, “I should have obeyed earlier in life, now it is embarrassing to admit the need”. It is never too late until you are dead (Hebrews 9:27). Swallow you pride and do what you know you should.
            If I am baptized I will lose my family. Many will suffer this way; Jesus was aware that this would happen to some (Matt. 10:36-39; Mark 10:28-30).
            The reality is that obedience to the gospel is necessary. Matthew 7:21-23 declares that only those who do God’s will, will enter Heaven. God is able to save you—His power to save is the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). God has spoken so that we might listen and do (James 1:17-25).
            We need to: deny the world and live for God. We need to deny false beliefs and seek God’s will in all things. We need to stop stalling and admit our need for salvation. The problem is that not one of these things is easy.
            This one fact must be considered: What will cost me more: staying the same or obeying God today? God has prepared a reward beyond measure for those who do His will (Heb. 11:6). God has also prepared a punishment beyond measure for those who refuse Him (Matt. 25:30). Are you willing to do something that is difficult but incredibly rewarding? The gospel plan of salvation is yours to do right now. Will you?

A Moments Wisdom

God brings people in deep water, not to drown them, but to cleanse them.
Keep both feet on the ground and you won’t have far to fall.
No one knows of your honesty and sincerity unless you give out some samples.
The devil is never too busy to rock the cradle of a sleeping saint.
If you aren’t big enough for criticism, you are really too small for praise.
Some folks look ahead, some look back, but most folks look confused.
Every moment you are angry, you lose one minute of happiness.
Children are innocent and love justice, while most adults are wicked and prefer mercy. --G. K. Chesterton
We evaluate our friends with justice, but we want them to evaluate us with compassion.

Peer Pressure
By Bob Waldron

Peer Pressure
By Bob Waldron

            Much of God's covenant with Israel of old dealt with human relations. Various and sundry laws pointed out how the Jew was to conduct himself among his peers. One of these admonitions was, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Ex. 23:2). This was a very important decree; it showed the danger of peer pressure and pointed out very explicitly the dangers of being led astray by evil men. Peer pressure was an important factor in their lives; it has been from that time to the present. And perhaps as never before, peer pressure is an issue we have to wrestle with.
            A leading educator noted that peer pressure is the strongest influence exerted on young people today. He stated that in most cases it is twice as strong as the influence of home and family, and yields a far greater influence than religion. I share this educator's convictions. All young people want to be accepted by their peers. And if to do so means disobeying parents and selling out personal convictions, some are willing to do so just to be a part of the bunch. In dealing with young folks and their problem of peer pressure, we often quote and expound on 1 Corinthians 15:33 -- "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." I contend this is a very important verse dealing with this subject. This admonition does caution against the dangers of peer pressure being exerted by those who are void of spiritual convictions and virtues. Let us continue to warn our young people of the dangers of their associates that rob them of their virtues.
            But is all peer pressure centered in young people? Does this pressure cease when we become adults? Well, certainly at all stages of life there are peer pressures put on us by those with whom we mix and mingle day by day. The Bible is not silent on this matter. Men and women of God have always faced immense pressures in dealing with their peers. And when God has spoken, He has always done so with a stern warning against letting our associates rob us of our moral integrity.
            One of the most striking examples of this occurred in the life of Peter. Peter is one of our favorite Bible characters. He was truly one of Christ's most ardent followers. We hear him saying, "Even if I must die with thee, yet I will not deny thee" (Matt. 26:25). We hear him declare, "Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and death" (Luke 22:33). But on that fateful night of the arrest and mock trial of the Lord, Peter "followed afar off" (Matt. 26:53); he stood with the wrong crowd, the enemies of the Lord (Matt. 26:69). And upon being asked of his allegiance to Christ, he cursed, swore, and denied that he even knew Him (Matt. 26:69-74). Peter, when alone in a crowd of unbelievers who were the enemies of Christ, relented to peer pressure.
            What a lesson for the Christian today. I contend that when we are alone, with the wrong crowd, those with no regard for the Lord nor spiritual values, we are at the most vulnerable moment of our spiritual life. And so often, like Peter, the pressures from our peers lead to our downfall.
            There are numerous other examples in the New Testament on this subject. Peer pressure played a leading role in the rejection of Christ by the rulers of the synagogue (John 12:42, 43). The Scriptures tell us they believed on Him, "but because of the
Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God."
            Likewise, peer pressure was the deciding factor in the heinous crime of Herod (Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:23). Herod feared and respected John, but his oath, along with "them that sat at meat with him" (his peers) prevented him from backing down on his promise, and resulted in the vile deed of having John the Baptist put to death. In this we see the influence and power of wicked men and the insidiousness of peer pressure.
            But there is another side of the coin of peer pressure. Not all the characters of the Bible collapsed under the pressure of their associates. Many stood, often alone, in the face of severe pressures put on them by others.
            Let us ever be aware of the immense pressures put on us by our peers, especially those with no regard for God and spiritual values. And let us profit from the mistakes others made and redouble our efforts to not yield to these peer pressures as they did. (Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, February 24, 2008)

A Moments Wisdom

Try Jesus. If you don’t like Him, the Devil will take you back.
The best thing to spend on your children is time.
Every saint has a past; every sinner has a future.
Lord, keep your arm around my shoulders and your hand across my mouth.
Eternity: will that be smoking or non-smoking?
A Bible that’s falling apart often belongs to someone who isn’t.
The tongue weighs next to nothing, but few can hold it.
When things go wrong, don’t go wrong with them.
One little word can save you a lot of trouble: it’s “no.”
Dust on your Bible can lead to dirt in your life.
Do some math; count your blessings.
We are too blessed to be depressed.
“Stop, drop, and roll” won’t work in hell.
Judging others leaves little time to love them.
Swallow your pride; it contains no calories.
For a healthy heart, exercise your faith.
Tomorrow’s forecast: God reigns and the Son shines!
An evil conscience can not be cured by medicine.
A Christian can not be a blank. He is either a blessing or a blot.
What a man possesses is not nearly as important as what possesses him.
Two people can not hate each other if they both love God.
It’s what we learn after we know it all that really counts.
He who stands high in his own estimation is still a long way from the top.
When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing.
Godly talk does not always imply a godly walk, but it should.

The Meeting House
By Steven Harper

            Some people call it ‘the church building’ out of habit, and I guess that would not be wrong; after all, it is for the church. Others just call it the ‘church’ out of misunderstanding [the church is the people, not the structure]. Whatever you call it, though, I am speaking of the building where Christians in particular locations meet to worship God and to study His word.
            Have you ever stopped to think about why we have such buildings? I imagine that this wasn't a question the early church had because they met wherever they could (Acts 2:46, 16:13-15), and secular and religious history tells us that the formal meeting place did not come into being for several centuries. When the early Christians worshipped together as a church, they usually met in one another's homes (Rom. 16:3-5); the term ‘church building’ would be completely foreign to the first Christians.
            But back to the question: Why do we have such facilities? Simply put, it is a matter of convenience. Because the Scriptures show that brethren gathered in a variety of places [see previous passages], we can rightfully conclude that the place where we meet is not restricted by God. In fact, Jesus pointed to this when speaking to the Samaritan woman (John 4:21-24); what God wants is man to worship from the heart and not a superficial demonstration that is concerned only with the outward show. Sincere, spiritual worship can be offered up anywhere, and that is the point.
            Centuries ago, men decided it would be more convenient and more beneficial if there was one location where the believers could meet. In all reality, some religious leaders wanted to do this to maintain control of the brethren and what they taught and practiced, and this centralized location would go a long way in making that possible. [Anyone not ‘at the church building’ would be noted and the religious leaders could then question those absent as to their reasons. At times and in places, attendance was by intimidation, rather than out of love for God.] This flatly contradicted the words of Jesus that worship could be offered up anywhere, but the idea, by force and intimidation, became common practice. At a time when the Roman Catholic Church exerted both spiritual and political power, one did not casually oppose such centralization of power and authority. Many sincere believers gave their lives simply because they sought to do things in ways the religious leaders did not approve, though those things were Scriptural.
            Even after the Reformation, the ‘church building’ as a meeting place for believers to come together to worship continued; why cease doing the things that worked and which were authorized? A central meeting place was convenient and it did not go against Scripture, so it has continued in practice, for the most part, since that time. Some today protest local churches purchasing and owning property, but the protests are few and the arguments are logically flawed. Though some have certainly abused the right and freedom to purchase and maintain places where brethren may worship, it does not change the fact that it is authorized.
            For the last 150 years or so, though, some have begun to look at ‘the meeting house’ as much more than that. Since the middle 1800s, some believers turned to the idea of the church [the collective of believers] being the cure-all for social ills and have focused on humanitarianism more than spiritual matters and have added various programs and ‘missions’ to the local church's work and, as a necessity, they added structural facilities to accommodate those works. Those who believed it was ‘the church's work’ to feed the poor needed a kitchen and storeroom; those who believed educating children was “the church's work” needed schools; those who believed it was ‘the church's work’ to keep families together and provide places for their entertainment and amusement soon added grand auditoriums, gymnasiums, and cafeterias that doubled as skate parks or stages on which they could present musical concerts and dramatic shows. Not surprisingly, the churches that focused on these things quickly ceased focusing on Christ or His doctrine or worshipping Him and those things became a side note to their reason for coming together.
            Ever since some individuals began arguing for these things being ‘the church's work’ there have been those who pointed to Scripture to refute these human-derived concepts, yet it seems that those who will not hesitate to act and teach without authority persist in finding new ways to usurp or simply ignore the authority God vested exclusively with His Son, Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18; Col. 1:18). The church is, and has always been, a spiritual entity (Eph. 2:22), with a spiritual people (1Peter 2:5, 9) and a spiritual purpose (John 4:24; Mark 16:16); those who add to the church's work either never understood this or simply do not care. But let us not forget that when we presume to act without His authority, we are elevating ourselves to the position reserved for Him alone, and we will one day have to give an account.
            Now, back to that building: What is it for? Well, since the money that built it usually comes from the monies collected from the local church's members, we must necessarily conclude that however it is spent must be used in the divinely-authorized and revealed work of the local church; anything other than is without authority. Those who stand on these Biblical principles are not opposed to brethren eating together; it's just that we understand that is not the ‘work of the church’ to either provide a place for them to eat or the food which they eat. It is not that we think it is a sin if one crumb or morsel is consumed by anyone once they cross the threshold; again, we look to purpose and intent when and if something was eaten. There is a huge difference in a mother giving her infant Cheerios to calm its hunger during a sermon and a 40,000-square-foot gymnasium and cafeteria to feed the members every Wednesday evening. Those who do not make the distinction are either willingly ignorant of logical argument or simply trying to justify what they have already decided they want to do. [And that goes for both sides of that argument.]
            But let's get back to the question one more time: What is the building for? If it is indeed used for the work and worship of the church, it is for those things that it is to be used. Members of the local church come together here to worship God in song, to partake of the Lord's Supper and give of their material blessings each Sunday, to hear a lesson from God's word that they can be edified, and to study God's word together that we might all learn more and better understand God's word. If visitors happen to come to the building when we do these things — great! But here is the point of this article: We should not sit in these pews once or twice or even three times a week expecting that by doing so we have somehow gone “into all the world and proclaim[ed] the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). To “Go into all the world” we must, of necessity, go. Sitting and waiting for someone to drop in is not "going." Some brethren have actually said, 'We have a building and a sign that says where we are,' thinking that is how they "go into all the world" to teach the sinner the good news of salvation. How sad.
            Please don't get me wrong: I am glad you come to worship here — many of you need to be here more often! But do not think that coming here and sitting on the pew relieves you of any responsibility to go and teach the lost. Jesus didn't sit at home and tell the world, "Here I am!" He went to where the lost souls were. Let us do the same.

“I Feel Like I'm Saved”

Death Notice

The Miracle of Restraint

Hymns Rewritten

“I Feel Like I'm Saved”

            A gospel preacher was talking to a woman who said she knew she was saved.  The preacher said, “How do you know you are saved?” She made the following reply, “I was attending a religious service one time and all of a sudden I felt light as a feather; I felt I was floating; I felt I was saved.” The preacher questioned the woman as follows: “Were you light as a feather?” “Of course not,” she said. “Were you really floating?” “Certainly not.” “Were you saved?” “Oh, yes, I was saved.” The preacher then asked this significant question, “Lady, if you could not trust your feelings about the first two things, why do you trust your feelings about the third thing? Even though you felt light as a feather, that didn’t make it so. Even though you felt like you were floating, that didn’t make it so. And because you felt like you were saved, that didn’t make it so.”
            God’s word tells us how we may know for sure we are saved. “Faith comes by hearing the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). We are to walk by faith. The following texts will help to answer the question of how I can know I am saved: 1John 5:13; John 6:45; Mark 16:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 5:8-9. Are you walking by faith or feelings?

Death Notice

            I. Cant died last week. He had long been a member of the church, but was never faithful. Brother Compromise was the only one available to direct the service. Services were held in the parlor of Maybe Tomorrow Funeral Home. Attending as pallbearers were Neglect, Indifference, Never Try, and Get Somebody Else, all close relatives of the deceased. The body was buried in the Never Done Cemetery.

Eulogy for John

            If you’ve ever been asked to say a few words at a memorial service, you know how difficult, yet important, it can be. Cyrus M. Copeland, compiler of two books of tributes to famous people, said: “A great eulogy is both art and architecture—a bridge between the living and the dead, memory and eternity.”
            The Bible contains little that corresponds to our modern eulogy. Yet Jesus paid a great tribute to John the Baptist when he faced the looming threat of execution by Herod. From prison, John sent his disciples to confirm the identity of Jesus the Messiah (Matt. 11:2-6). Jesus talked with them, then told the listening crowd, “Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (v.11).
            Jesus’ tribute captured the essence of the desert-dwelling, straight-preaching John, who was maligned and misunderstood as he prepared the way for the Son of God. John’s greatness was more than personal; it was wrapped up in the kingdom of God. He wrote his own eulogy by his actions. As we ponder what we might say about others at their passing, it’s also good to ask, “What will people say about me when it’s time to say goodbye?” (David C. McCasland)

The Miracle of Restraint

            In Dostoevsky’s novel The Brothers Karamazov, Ivan Karamazov refers to “the miracle of restraint”—God’s choice to curb His own power. The more I get to know Jesus, the more that observation impresses me.
            The miracles Satan suggested to Jesus (Luke 4:3,9-11), the signs the Pharisees demanded (Matt. 12:38; 16:1), the final proofs I yearn for offer no obstacle to an omnipotent God. More amazing is His refusal to perform, to overwhelm. God’s terrible insistence on human freedom is so absolute that He granted us the power to live as though He does not exist. Jesus must have known this as He faced the tempter in the desert, focusing His power on the energy of restraint.
            I believe God insists on such restraint because no pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence will achieve the response He desires. Only love can summon a response of love. “I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself,” Jesus said (John 12:32). He said this to show the kind of death He would die. God’s nature is self-giving.
            Why does God content Himself with the slow, mysterious way of making righteousness grow rather than avenging it? That’s how love is. Love has its own power—the only power capable of conquering the human heart. (Philip Yancey)

Hymns Rewritten
(Author Unknown)

(The way some might sing some well-known hymns if they were being completely honest)

• I Surrender… Some
• There Shall Be Sprinkles of Blessings
• Oh Fill My Spoon
• Oh, How I Like Jesus
• I Love to Talk About Telling the Story
• Take My Life and Let Me Be
• There Is Scattered Cloudiness in My Soul Today
  
• Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
  
• Just As I Pretend to Be
  
• When the Saints Go Sneaking In
  
• Sit Up, Sit Up for Jesus
  
• A Comfy Mattress Is Our God
  
• Self-Esteem to the World, The Lord Is Come
  
• Oh, for a Couple of Tongues to Sing
  
• Amazing Grace, How Interesting the Sound
  
• My Hope Is Built on Nothing Much
  
• Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
  
• All Hail the Influence of Jesus' Name!
  
• When Peace, Like a Trickle
  
• We Give Thee But Still Think We Own
  
• What an Acquaintance We Have in Jesus
  
• My Faith Looks Around for Thee
  
• Joyful, Joyful We Think Thee Pretty Good
  
• Blest Be the Tie that Doesn't Cramp My Style
  
• Sweet Moments of Prayer

A Moments Wisdom

Let us live each day as though the Lord were coming for us that night.
Live good and honorably, then when you become older you can think back and enjoy it again.
People always get into trouble when they think they can handle life without God.
Success is not an accident — it is hard earned.
You don’t need references in order to borrow trouble.
To take the wind out of an angry man’s sails, stay calm.
Share your faith with others but keep your doubts to yourself.
The caliber and color of a lie do not change its real character.
If you think too little, very likely you will talk too much.
If so many people were not so glad to carry it, gossip wouldn’t travel so fast.

The Power of a Young Person's Influence
By Steve Klein

            Children are natural imitators, not only of their parents, but also of each other. Paul alludes to this inborn mimicry when he commands us to ‘be imitators of God as dear children” (Eph. 5:1). So, children are “imitators.” We know this. But we get so focused on “peer pressure” as a negative thing that we forget that young people can and should influence one another to do good. Yes, it is possible for them to imitate good. In fact, the Bible commands it! The Bible says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good” (3John 11).
            There are important reasons for young and old alike to work at imitating good. For one thing, we'll have much less to fear in the way of negative consequences for our behavior. In 1Peter 3:13, Peter asks, “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” It's just not very likely that you'll ever get in much trouble or be punished severely for following a good example. Besides this, the Lord will love and appreciate you if you will allow yourself to be influenced to do good. Proverbs 15:9 says that, “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.”
            The fact that young people can be influenced BY others necessarily implies that they can also be influences ON others. The Bible commands the young to be good examples, so that others will have something worthwhile to imitate. The young man Timothy was told, “Let no one despise your youth, but BE AN EXAMPLE to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1Tim. 4:12).
            So, to the young we say BE INFLUENCED and BE AN INFLUENCE:
Let yourself be influenced to obey the gospel, and then influence someone else to do the same.
Let yourself be influenced to use pure speech, and then influence someone else to do the same.
Let yourself be influenced to dress modestly, and then influence others to do the same.
Let yourself be influenced to reverently participate in worship (no note passing, giggling, whispering), and then influence someone else to do the same.
Let yourself be influenced to be kind to others, and then influence someone else to do the same. (Via The Exhorter, 8/22/99)

Get Up and Rebuild

            On May 31, 1889, a massive rainstorm filled Lake Conemaugh in Pennsylvania until its dam finally gave way. A wall of water 40 feet high traveling at 40 mph rushed down the valley toward the town of Johnstown. The torrent picked up buildings, animals, and human beings and sent them crashing down the spillway. When the lake had emptied itself, 2,209 people were dead, and 30 acres of buildings were destroyed.
            At first, stunned by the loss of loved ones and property, survivors felt hopeless. But later, community leaders gave speeches about how local industry and homes could be rebuilt. This acted like a healing balm, and the survivors energetically got to work. Johnstown was rebuilt and today is a thriving town with a population of approximately 28,000.
            The Bible tells us that when Naomi despaired over the loss of her husband and sons, her daughter-in-law Ruth refused to leave her. Instead, Ruth focused on God, her relationships, and the future. God rewarded her faith by providing for them and making Ruth an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:5-16). After a tragic loss, we should look at the resources and relationships that remain and trust God to use them. This can inspire the hope of rebuilding our lives. (Dennis Fisher)

“Do-it-yourself” God

            I enjoy do-it-yourself projects—as long as there’s a good hardware store nearby. But some people take this do-it-yourself thing too far. They create their own God. A report in Newsweek magazine said a youth pastor asked his teens who they think God is. One said He was like his grandfather: “He’s there, but I never see him.” Another suggested He is “an evil being who wants to punish me all the time.” The last teen concluded that everyone is right because that’s what they really believe.
            Do we decide who God is by taking a poll?! Is He a being we can make up as we go along? This create-your-own-deity idea is increasingly popular today. And it is extremely dangerous. It robs us of knowing who our heavenly Father really is—as Scripture describes Him. He is, after all, the One “who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 146:6) and “the only true God” (John 17:3).
            One historical declaration of faith says: “God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, and truth.” Examine the Scriptures. Find out who God really is. Then trust and obey the one true God. (Dave Branon)

Rumors Travel Fast!

            "A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter." (Prov. 11:13). Several years ago, Dr. Albert H. Cantril, a professor at Princeton University, conducted a series of experiments to demonstrate how quickly rumors spread. He called six students to his office and in strict confidence informed them that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were planning to attend a certain university dance. Within a week, this completely fictitious story had reached nearly every student on campus. Town officials phoned the university, demanding to know why they had not been informed. Press agencies were frantically telephoning for details. Dr Cantril observed, "That was a pleasant rumor - a slanderous one travels even faster."

A Moments Wisdom

Circumstances don’t make a man; they serve him.
You are truly poor if you have more dollars than sense.
There is no free tuition in the school of experience.
A God-forsaken man is a man who has forsaken God.
Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be removed.
Great ability without discretion usually comes to a tragic end.
God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.
When one teaches, two learn.

I Am Resolved

            In 1722, Jonathan Edwards drew up a list of 70 resolutions, dedicating himself to live in harmony with God and others. The following resolutions give a picture of the serious purpose with which Edwards approached his relationship with God. He resolved:
To do whatever is most to God’s glory.
To do my duty, for the good of mankind in general.
Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
To study the Scriptures steadily, constantly, and frequently.
To ask myself at the end of every day, week, month, and year if I could possibly have done better.
Until I die, not to act as if I were my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.
            In Nehemiah 10, God’s people made an oath, vowing to follow all the commands, laws, and regulations of the Lord. This oath was so serious that they were willing to accept the curse of God if they failed to keep these commands.Any resolution to follow God is not a casual promise. Rather, it is a solemn and serious declaration that with the help of the Lord we can renew every day. (Marvin Williams)
            Many people make resolutions on New Year’s Day, promising themselves (and sometimes God) that the next year of life will be different. We determine that habits are going to be changed and new patterns of behavior developed. Resolutions like these are highly commendable and can often serve as a stimulus to spiritual growth. But not always. Sometimes our resolutions are carried out only for a little while and all too soon are forgotten.
            Samuel Johnson, a deeply committed Christian who lived in the 18th century, frequently wrote resolutions in his journals. Here is a typical entry: “I have corrected no external habits, nor kept any of the resolutions made in the beginning of the year, yet I hope still to be reformed, and not to lose my whole life in idle purposes.”
            It is good to engage now and then in self-examination. We should face up to the changes that need to be made, and then make plans for the way we’re going to implement them. For example, if we realize that our devotional habits are weak and inconsistent, let’s resolve to spend some time daily in focused fellowship with God. Today is a good day to start.

Kneeling in Prayer

            The ancient Greeks and Romans rejected kneeling as a part of their worship. They said that kneeling was unworthy of a free man, unsuitable for the culture of Greece, and appropriate only for barbarians. The scholars Plutarch and Theophrastus regarded kneeling as an expression of superstition. Aristotle called it a barbaric form of behavior. This belief, however, was never held by God’s people.
            In Psalm 95:6, the psalmist indicated that kneeling expressed a deep reverence for God. In this one verse he used three different Hebrew words to express what the attitude and position of the worshiper should be.
            First, he used the word worship, which means to fall prostrate as a sign of honor to the Lord, with an associated meaning of allegiance to Him. The second word he used was bow. This means to sink down to one’s knees, giving respect and worship to the Lord. The psalmist then used the word kneel, which means to be on one’s knees giving praise to God.
            According to the psalmist, kneeling in God’s presence is a sign of reverence rather than a barbaric form of behavior. The important thing, however, is not just our physical position but a humble posture of the heart.

Money Can’t Buy

            Money is a necessary part of living. Without it, we couldn’t secure the necessities or luxuries of life. But there are things money can’t buy. As W. A. Criswell said, “Money will buy luxuries, but it will not buy spiritual power. Money will buy advancement and preferment, but it will not buy the recognition of God. Money will buy favor and accolades, but it will not buy soul respect.”
            The greatest good—so great that it is in a category all by itself—cannot be bought. If the entire human race were to bankrupt its resources in an effort to buy forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Jesus, it would be infinitely insufficient. All the wealth of the whole world cannot purchase the supreme blessing of forgiveness and heaven. We’ll never accumulate enough riches to purchase a place in the paradise of God. But there’s good news! Salvation can be ours “without money and without price,” according to Isaiah: “Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price… Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (55:1, 7). (Vernon C Grounds)

Welfare Religion
By Ellen Kyle

When God gave a way of salvation,
He gave from the love in His heart,
But it is a gift that will never be mine,
If I don’t do my part.
Do I sit and demand all the blessings
That God has promised to me,
Then complain when I’m told that I must work
If any blessings I see?
Do I always expect one hundred percent
Of everything God has to give,
And then continue doing my will,
And not in God’s way try to live?
Do I say “let the preacher’s sermons
Give me the faith I need,”
And then say that God’s asking too much
If for faith I must study and read?
Do I constantly ask God for handouts,
Yet never do my part,
Do I pray, “God please take care of me,”
But never yield my heart?
Do I say “let others do God’s work,
I don’t want to serve,”
And then complain when ever I think,
I don’t have what I deserve?
Lord, help me to honestly look at myself
And see what I should do,
Help me stop asking for handouts,
And to go to work for You.
Help me not let my religion,
A welfare religion be,
Remind me you sent your Son to die,
The rest is up to me.

A Moments Wisdom

Tact is the ability to close your mouth before somebody else wants to!
Bad habits are like a comfortable bed; easy to get into, but hard to get out of.
By the way some people talk, one would infer that they really enjoy poor health.
The Devil is an artist. He paints sin in very attractive colors.
Only he can truly teach who is him self teachable.
The abundant life too often is smothered in the abundance of things.
Anger is the wind that blows out the light of reason.
No power on earth or under the earth can make a man do wrong without his consent.

Sand and Stone

            Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument; and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: “Today my best friend slapped me in the face.
            They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to refresh themselves in the cool water. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and began to drown, but his friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he carved these words on a stone: “Today my best friend saved my life.”
            The friend who had both slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone. Why?”
            The friend replied, “When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand, where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind of forgetfulness can ever erase it.”
            Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your blessings in stone.

Information for Its Own Sake
            In Acts 17, Paul went to Mars Hill to declare the truth of the resurrection. Many listeners gathered there were not spiritual seekers. Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, records that they spent their days simply wanting to discuss the latest new ideas, with little interest in acting on what they learned (v.21).
            Too much information can be dangerous. All the ideas can blur together and become incoherent, leaving us unchanged by what we know.
            Centuries ago, the historian Plutarch warned of the danger of living on a purely informational level. He wisely said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” You cannot start a fire in another’s heart till it is burning in your own. (Bill Crowder)

Written in Blood

            In the twisted wreckage of a Metrolink train crash, firefighters from Los Angeles Fire Station 27 found a message that brought tears to their eyes. A survivor of the crash, thinking he was dying, had used his own blood to write on the seat in front of him that he loved his wife and kids.
            Normally, we use the words “written in blood” in a less literal way. It usually conveys a willingness to stand behind our words with our life.
            As Paul ended his letter to the Galatians, he was, in a figurative sense, writing his story in blood. He wrote a message of love and grace that would arouse the anger of other religious leaders. He knew he would be hated for honoring the death of Christ above the ritual and moral law of Israel. He would be punished for teaching that Christ’s death and resurrection were more important than the law of circumcision that represented the whole Mosaic way of life. His suffering for Christ would literally include shedding his own blood (2Cor. 11:23-25).
            Paul wasn’t willing to play it safe. He knew the crucifixion of Jesus was the center page of history. Putting his own life on the line, Paul proclaimed the inexpressible heart of God, who gave His Son to express the ultimate words of love, written in blood at the cross.
The Father wrote His autograph upon a cross of shame,
With pen Divine, all dipped in blood, “Forgiven in Jesus’ name.” (Mart De Haan)

Important People

            If you’re like most people, you think that when God does something important, He uses important people to get it done. The rest of us just fill space until Jesus comes. But that’s not true. Most often in Scripture, we see that God uses ordinary folk to get things done. Just take a look at the unlikely prophets of the Old Testament and the disciples of the New Testament. The girl in 2Kings 5 was just an ordinary servant. Yet she bravely suggested that Naaman go to the prophet of Israel for healing. What sounds like a simple request was actually a bold suggestion. For Naaman to go to Israel, it would mean turning his back on the local pagan gods, inviting criticism from his countrymen for putting the military might of his nation at risk.
            This nameless servant could have paid a steep price for making a suggestion like that, but she knew where the true source of healing was. Because of her deep concern for Naaman’s well-being, she courageously put herself at risk to direct him to that source—the one and only living God. Like this young servant girl, let’s be willing to be used by God to guide family and friends to the true source of hope and healing.
God can take a lowly vessel, shape it with His mighty hand,
Fill it with a matchless treasure, make it serve a purpose grand. (Joe Stowell)

Unique for a Purpose

            Bison are made in such a way that their natural inclination is to look down; the design of their necks makes it difficult for them to look up. In contrast, giraffes are designed in a way that makes looking up easy; the way their necks were made makes it difficult for them to look down. Two creatures created by the same God but with distinctively different body parts and purposes. Giraffes eat leaves from branches above. Bison eat grass from the field below. God provides food for both, and neither has to become like the other to eat.
            As we observe the animals and people around us, we’re reminded that God made each of us unique for a purpose. One person’s natural tendency is to look up and see the “big picture,” while another looks down and focuses on details. Both are important. One is not better than the other. God gave us individual talents and spiritual gifts so that we can work together as a body.
            Human beings are the crowning jewel of creation, and we shine the brightest not when we see our own likeness reflected in others but when each of us performs the unique functions that God designed for us to do. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them” (Rom. 12:6). (Julie Ackerman Link)

The Top Ten Predictions For 2008

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. Bible study will still enrich hearts and minds.
4. God will still watch over the souls of His people.
5. There will still be preaching of God’s word.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. The Gospel will still save the lost.

A Moments Wisdom

Easy street and the strait and narrow path do not intersect.
Christians should be humbly grateful instead of grumbly hateful.
An immoral man is dangerous whether he is armed with a gun — or with a Bible.
You cannot enrich others without enriching yourself.
God does not promise “loaves” to “loafers.”
No amount of riches can atone for poverty of character.
If you want to do something to make a better world, improve yourself.
No man is strong enough to carry a grudge all of his life.
You don’t need references in order to borrow trouble.
Since a man always lives with himself, he should be sure that he has good company.
There is a lot of history that isn’t worth repeating.
In order to increase in faith, you must grow in knowledge of God’s Word.
What you are going to be tomorrow, you are becoming today.
You cannot keep your shoes shined if you continually walk in the mud.
The Devil is willing for a man to preach the truth as long as he doesn’t practice it.

What Traditions Are You Following?
Marc W. Gibson

            A tradition is defined as “the handing down of customs, practices, doctrines, etc.: something so handed down” (Webster Handy College Dictionary). The Greek word translated “tradition” is paradosis meaning “a handing down or on” (Vine). There are many “traditions” in our world. Knowing the source of our religious traditions is very important.
            1) Divine Traditions - “Therefore brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:15): “… withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which you received from us” (3:6): “Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions as I delivered them to you” (1 Corinthians 11:2). Divine traditions handed down from the apostles were the revelation of the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:3-5). We are to hold to and obey these traditions because they were given to us from heaven.
            2) Human Traditions - “Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your traditions” (Matthew 15:6): “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Human traditions are not revealed by God but originate in the mind and desires of men. Many follow these vain traditions today.
            God has revealed His authorized traditions in the Bible, but man has substituted his unauthorized human traditions. What traditions are you following today? Can you find them in the Bible? Cast away every human tradition and obey God’s perfect word. - MWG

Phylacteries

           For years those involved with Judaism have used phylacteries. This is basically a box strapped around the forehead that contains pieces of scripture. There are probably several reasons these boxes are worn. Some might feel this helps them spiritually to remember their relationship to the scriptures. Others probably from simple tradition wear the phylactery. Still others wear it for prestige or to "be seen of men".  Mat 23:5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
            Many claiming to be Christians have  invented things similar to phylacteries. Some may have worn their “phylactery” for similar reasons. Some might wear robes. Others might decide everyone in their group wears the same style clothing. You can certainly think of religious groups who have decided to do this very thing.
            Even though Christians do not wear phylacteries of this nature, we in a sense each have a "phylactery". This would be our "communication" according to the King James Version. This is the interaction we have with other people or our way of life. It would include speech, attitude, and so on.
            Although you don't have a box strapped to your forehead, when people look at you they can tell your relationship to the scriptures. They can see if you are moral or immoral. They know if your speech "betrays you".
            It is possible that a Christian has contacts that do not know he is a Christian. He has never had or taken the time to talk to these people. However, surely no Christian is thought of as worldly by those who meet him every day. His "phylactery" would not allow such to happen.
            Strive to be clothed with righteousness and to have "put on Christ". Many hymns suggest this concept. "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me." "We are the only Bible, the careless world will read." and "Thou art the potter, I am the clay" are a few examples. (by Rick Fleeman)

Leaven of the Pharisees

            Jesus warned his disciples to “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” Luke 12:1. “BEWARE” is a term associated with DANGER! What possible danger could these very spiritual persons pose? All appearances indicated that the Pharisees were righteous. They were strict in keeping the law. They were rulers and teachers of the people. Jesus describes them differently. He calls them “Painted Tombs” Mt 23:27-28, “Graves not seen” Lk 11:44 and persons whose “hearts are far from me” Mk 7:6.
            The Pharisees were not at all righteous. Everything they did was designed to “seek glory from men”.They gave alms to be seen Mt 6:2. Their prayers were intentionally long and eloquent Mt 6:5, Mt 23:14. They only pretended to fast Mt 6:16. The Pharisees would go to great lengths to make converts. Only the ones made proselyte were converted to HYPOCRISY, not Judaism Mt 23:15! Further, the Pharisees paid tithes meticulously but would not lift a finger when it came to doing the work Mt 23:23. Lastly, Jesus says they built tombs and decorated the monuments of the very prophets their fathers had murdered  Mt 23:29. They were, as we would say, ”All style and no substance”.
            Jesus knew that the Pharisees were spiritually deficient. It was easy for them to criticize the righteous Lk 13:15 and focus on other’s faults while overlooking their own Mt 7:5,  Lk 6:42. Their spiritual blindness made them unable to discern the signs of the approaching kingdom Mt 16:3. In fact, their opposition to Jesus denied their fellow Jews entrance into the kingdom Mt 23:13. In their greed the Pharisees would foreclose on Widow’s houses Mt 23:14. They were so busy with pretenses that they neglected the more important aspects of the law; Things like judgement and mercy Mt 23:23. Yes, they appeared to be righteous. However, those appearances were deceptive. The Pharisees were careful about their image but had not cleansed their hearts Mt 23:25.
            Hypocrisy is not limited to the Scribes and Pharisees. False teachers fall into this category 1 Tim 4:1, 2. Hypocrisy is after all, professing one thing while practicing another. The ultimate hypocrite was perhaps Judas Iscariot. Judas was a deceiver, a thief and a traitor and his fellow disciples didn’t  have a clue Jn 12:6, Jn 13:26. Lest we think that we are immume, we need to remember that Peter and Barnabus also participated in this sin Gal 2:13. Thus the instruction in Rom 12:9, “Let love be without hypocrisy”. Christians are commanded to “Lay aside hypocrisy” in 1 Pet 2:1.  Beware, our practice must match our profession! (By Ken Fleeman)

Burning Bridges
By Kenneth J. Fleeman

            Bridges are marvelous devices which connect isolated land masses. They provide safe passage over uncertain waters. A bridge can be as simple as a fallen tree or rough sawn plank over which a narrow stream may be crossed. Others are more elaborate spanning countless miles of open water. My favorite bridge was the swinging bridge crossing Archer’s Fork near my great-grandparent’s home. Archer’s Fork was only ankle deep most of the time but come spring that rickety foot bridge was the only access for days, sometimes weeks, at a time.
            It has long been sound military strategy to isolate an enemy by destroying infrastructure. Bridges are often targeted as they provide extremely limited means of access. When supply routes are cut off it is only a matter of time until the enemy is subdued. We would do well to employ the same strategy in our war against Satan. Burning the “bridges” to our past behaviors will help us isolate and subdue our passions. All links to our life of sin must be severed. Old acquaintances, old haunts and old habits are all bridges which we must “burn” in order to start down and remain on the narrow pathway (Matthew 16:24, 19:29, Colossians 3:5).
            Burning bridges may also be employed as a defensive strategy. I worked a number of years ago for a supervisor who was fond of saying “We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.” In the business setting it was a humorous way of saying that we would nip a particular issue “in the bud” before it could blossom into a crisis. The problem with burning a bridge prior to crossing is that there will eventually come the day when the bridge is needed. The fault for its absence will then be our own. It is a sign of desperation indeed that one would destroy a necessary resource thinking we will keep the enemy at bay. Every time we sever a vital link to our salvation we become weaker. We play into Satan’s hands when we apply his own tactics!
            Despite this knowledge Christians routinely burn the very bridges that provide direct access to Heaven while Satan prowls incessantly in anticipation (1 Peter 5:8). Prayer, study and worship are forsaken (James 5:14, 1 Peter 3:12, 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 2:1-3, 10:25). Profitable relationships with fellow Christians are neglected and severed (Romans 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:18-26). Faith wanes and the spirit dies, only to awaken in torment. Friends, no bridge spans that great gulf (Luke 16:26).

Holding the Master’s Hand
By Patrick L. Minnis

I pillowed my head that cold day
I had gone the last mile of my way.
I completed the Master’s plan,
And with a soft touch He opened his hand
And took my hand to lead me to the Promised Land.
Holding on so tight I knew was taking my final flight
To a land so fair and bright.

Even though I’m out of sight,
I’ll be watching over you day and night.
Resting from the labors of my hands,
I’ll sing with the mighty angel band
Over in the Glory Land
Sharing joys beyond compare
With the Master over there.