My Help - Psalm 121:1-8
By Dan Snider

..... “I will lift mine eyes upon the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made the Heaven and Earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for ever more.”
..... Verse one. Jeremiah 3:23 Tells us that truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills only; the psalmist goes on to say whence cometh my help, Jeremiah states in 3:23 that truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel. Remember the story of Lot over in Genesis the 19th chapter, Lot was to escape the mountain or be consumed when the city would be destroyed. Was it the mountain that preserved Lot ? No it was God. What about David when suffered persecution he went over to the mountain country of Judea , we read in 1 Samuel 23, was it the mountain that saved him? No it was God. We find that salvation belonged unto the Lord Psalm 3:8. The Lord is round about us. Psalm 125:2 - “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem . So the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even for ever.”
..... Verse two. “My help (to assist).” We look to friends and family for help, but they can not always be there for us. We will never be lonely with God in our lives. God has the power and the will to assist us, we can count on his care always being there. Where is our help? Psalm 124:8 - Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth.
..... Verse three. “Thy foot to be moved (slip).” We can walk in the path of safety; no man shall prevail. 1Samuel 2:9 - “He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness: for by strength shall no man prevail.” “Walk in the way of safety and thy foot shall not stumble” - Proverbs 3:23. “For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken” - Proverbs 3:26 . No temptation can destroy the trusting and obedient soul - 1Corinthians 10:13 .
.... Verses 3 & 4. The psalmist goes on to say, “He that keepeth thee will not slumber (sleep).” God is the ever watchful watchman. What is the duty of a watchman? To be awake and alert. A man can be over-powered with sleep, physically unable to fight sleep. A watchman sees understands and helps. We sing a song in hymn book titled Watching You. That’s why we obey them that watch for our souls. Hebrews 13:17 - “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls.”
..... Verse 5. “Thy keeper (our protector).” The Lord is thy keeper. Psalm 18:2 - “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer: my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalmist mention a shade, shade is something that protects us. God is our protection. Psalmist also mentions the right hand. He the Lord is at my right hand. Psalm 16:8 - “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” The Psalms move from the need of help to the promise of God’s protection.
..... Verse 6. “The sun shall not (smite) thee.” To hit with great force, the psalmist is saying we won’t be hurt by heat, cold, wet, dry. The Lord will care for us under all circumstances. God will not tempt us beyond all means (1Cor. 10:13 ). He makes the way to escape.
..... Verse 7. “Preserve thee (meaning to keep).” Job 5 speaks of shall no evil touch you. God is watching out for us. Taking care of thy soul; that’s who we trust. Psalm 91:2 - “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God: in Him I will trust.”
..... “He keepeth the paths of judgement, and preserveth the way of His saints” - Proverbs 2:8. Let’s tell others about the Lord, don’t hide it, acknowledge Him, and trust in Him.
..... Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
..... Verse 8 - “Shall preserve (keep) us from this time forth, and even for ever more. We put all of are trust in the Lord; He has showed us the right path. Psalms 16:11 - “Thou will shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more.” 1Thessalonians 5:23 - “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Let’s acknowledge the Lord; His help is here for the taking.

I DON’T CARE
By Bobby K. Thompson

This is a phrase that most of us use quite often. Hardly a day goes by but what we use this phrase. As free moral agents, we have the prerogative to make such an evaluation of things that we confront. We can care or not care! The freedom of choice is usually granted to us. It might be good for all of us to give careful consideration to what is involved when we say, “I don’t care”. Our lives are regulated by the things for which we care or do not care. Unfortunately, the majority of individuals do not care for things of a religious nature. They do not care to hear about spiritual matters and deem such as being foolishness. Their cares are for the things of this world. They give little regard for the word of God and care not for what is found in the Scriptures. The mercy and goodness of God means nothing to them. The death of Jesus for their sins goes without concern in their lives. How sad it is, but “I don’t care” is their reply. Heaven will be the abode of those who cared enough to respond to the love of God in doing His will. Perhaps the rich man in Luke 16 had the don’t care attitude in life. After death, he lifted his eyes in hell “being in torments”. In Hell he manifested care that was too late for the saving of his soul. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)
..... Have you ever heard people say, “I don’t care” what others think? Such a statement needs considerable thought! Christians should be concerned about others and should want all people to think properly with their affections on things above. We should rejoice when people think in keeping with the mind of Christ and be grieved when thoughts are to the contrary. The “I don’t care” attitude is foreign to the doctrine of Christ. It condones and sanctions sins with no real concern for trying to do something about the evil in the world.
..... Are you concerned about how others feel about you? Do you take the “I don’t care” approach regarding how people look upon your life? Christians are to evaluate their influence very highly and try to influence others for good. We are to preach the truth and live it before those who are not Christians. This subject came up in a Bible Class some years ago, and while discussing the value of preaching the truth to others, this individual stated that she didn’t care how the hearers felt about her. If our hearers reject the word of God, we should feel sadness. She later qualified her statement by adding that she was not putting the feelings that hearers would have for her above telling them the truth. I have no problem with that! Paul asked the Galatians: “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16) I believe Paul was concerned about how they felt about him, but not to the refusal of telling them the truth that they needed to hear.
..... “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by, behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.” (Lamentations 1:12) The city of Jerusalem had been ravaged and lay in destruction. The city is personified and is portrayed as speaking as a human. Is there no one who cares? When you pass by and behold the ruins, is it nothing to you? The city was crying for care. The church of the Lord needs people who care about following the pattern that God has given for the church. Every digression and innovation should be viewed with sorrow. There is no time to adopt the “I don’t care” attitude and approach. If the church is to continue as a bulwark of faith, there must be those who care enough to defend the truth and cry out against perversions of truth. In many respects, we are those who have been benefited because others have cared. Preachers and brethren cared enough in the restoration years of the eighteen hundreds to help us appreciate and understand many things that their faithful labors left us as a heritage. We may not be able to accomplish what we desire, but we can always keep caring. The old “I don’t care” approach can defeat almost anything! There is no place for such in the hearts of those who have a desire for heaven.
..... When one really considers the thought, he is led to see that in all things there should be care. As a Christian, I should be concerned about what I think, say and do. In like manner, I should care about others and the lives they live. Certainly I have more control over my own life than the lives of others, but that does not eliminate my responsibility in being concerned for them. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;(Philippians 2:4-5) Do you ever recall Jesus Christ evidencing the “I don’t care” attitude? He cared for mankind and that is why we can have a hope of eternal life. I care what you think! I would like to think that every reader could find profit in this short article!

Dancing
By Ben Franklin

(Though this article was written over a hundred years ago by evangelist Ben Franklin,
it is timeless. Read it carefully. ---prb)

.....Why do dancers inquire of the preacher, "Is it any harm to dance?" Because it is of doubtful repute, under suspicion, not of good report. When about to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or do deeds of humanity, we never inquire, "Is it any harm?" There is no doubt about these deeds. When about to read the Scriptures, we never inquire, "Is it any harm?" When about to assemble for worship, we hear no one inquire, "Is it any harm?" We never make that inquiry when about to do anything that is manifestly right. It is the label for doubtful things.
..... Is it any harm to go to theater? Is it any harm to go to the circus show? Is it any harm to have church festivals? Is it any harm to buy lottery tickets? Is it any harm to go to the races? Is it any harm to go and see the dance? Is it any harm to dance? When these questions come, if you will watch, you will see the poor weak-kneed preachers, the shaky ones. They will begin to shuffle, higgle and wriggle… "It is no worse than some plays. I am opposed to the round dance, the square dance, the French Can-Can, or the ball, with their mixed crowd," the preacher makes out to say.
..... But the dancer proceeds: "I mean the select company, in the parlor, and limited to prudent hours, under the eye of parents."
..... The preacher says, "That alters the case; and if your weak brother is not offended with your dancing, and you do not injure yourself, and God is not dishonored thereby, it is no harm." That is enough. The dancer returns with the joyful news: Bro. ----- says, "It is no harm." That is license enough. All the dancers in the community are informed that the preacher said, "It is no harm," and his "ifs" and "provisos" are all left out, and dancing is free in the whole community.
..... Your preacher, after that, may tell of his "consistent opposition to dancing" till doomsday; but all the dancers will quote him on their side. He is their man. He is a strong-minded man, a man of great learning, great principles that underlie the mere truth that appears on the surface; and discourses to us of "heart culture," "the law of love," "the spirit of obedience," and delights our hearts with the profoundness of his discourses, the depth of his arguments, and the beauty and elegance of his descriptions. It is wonderful how the people admire him!
..... Here is the outcome. The demoralizing influence runs like fire in the stubble. It is like some man said of a lie --that "it would travel half round the world before truth would get its boots on to start." A demoralizing word from a preacher will be heard, handed from hand to hand, remembered, repeated and enlarged on for an age; but words of resistance, repressing demoralization, are not often repeated, but soon forgotten; or, if repeated at all, forgotten to such an extent that the force is lost more and more, till it is finally gone forever." (THE GOSPEL PREACHER, Vol. 2, pgs. 402 - 403)

A Back To School Guide From God
By Kent Heaton

.....Through the cries of children who want just one more day of summer fun, the news of school beginning is the harsh reality that even the best of times will have to be replaced with the grind of mental education. Schools are busy preparing for the onslaught of happy faces who will adorn each classroom with glee and happiness at the prospect of spending the next ten months chained to their desks of continuing education. (It’s only when you have been out of school for years that you can say things like that.)
.....As families prepare to return to school, it is important to remember that God should always be a part of that preparation. Time is spent making certain that the proper supplies of paper, pencils, pens, notebooks, backpacks and lunch boxes are purchased so that each child will have the tools needed to work in school. Clothes are bought (some forget to buy enough clothes to cover the body), cars are fixed to drive to school and plans are made to get the most out of school for the coming year. What is often forgotten in these plans is the importance of keeping God as the focus of the child’s education.
.....There are three lessons children should take with them to school. First, they should remember to let their conduct be honorable before others. Peter writes in 1Peter 2:12 – “Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” Peter was pleading with the Christians to make certain their actions reflected the Lord in their lives before others.
.....Therefore, the first lesson our children should be taught before returning to school is to always let others see them behaving properly. This manner of behavior is reflected in speech, clothing, attitudes, friends, work ethic, values and the example of Jesus Christ. Going to school does not mean that we are not to live for Christ. For the next ten months, more hours will be spent in school than in other activity. This time should be spent for God! Stand fast in what you believe in school (Phil. 1:27 ). Let your life reflect the virtues of Christianity before others.
.....Along these same lines comes the second point: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). As students, let your light for Jesus Christ shine – even when it seems the hardest. School is no different than the world you will find when you leave school. There are many good things but there are also many difficult challenges to face. You live for Jesus Christ and remember that school is a place for the people of God to shine their lights! Bring others to the light (John 1:6-13) and walk in the light (Eph. 5:8-11).
..... The third thing to remember is that while government may not approve of public prayer in school, you can still pray! Someone said that as long as there are math tests, there will be prayer in school. Prayer is talking to God. Paul wrote: “Pray without ceasing” (1Thes. 5:17 ).
..... Remember to take God with you to school and talk to God during the day. Let Him be your guide, your counsel, and your help (Rom. 8:31 ). The most important item in your backpack is your Bible. Take God’s word with you and take time during the day to listen to God. Then you can talk with a better mind. Let your conduct be honest before others, let your light shine as an example of Jesus Christ and talk to God! Have a great school year! What you learn this year in taking God to school will help you take God through the rest or your life.

.....Surely local churches should not endorse candidates, nor sponsor or finance their campaigns. And individual Christians should not become so involved in politics that they neglect other God-given duties. But should Christians refuse all involvement in any issues that surround modern politics and elections?
..... Consider some of the practices that government officials currently debate, legalize, or even finance with our taxes: abortion, gambling, divorce, pornography, homosexuality and homosexual marriage, contraceptives for unmarried teens, and "education" that justifies some or all of these. Should Christians, gospel preachers, and even churches speak out about such issues, or should we remain silent? If we do not speak out, how do we fulfill our God-given duty to preach the truth and rebuke error? See Revelation 3:19; Galatians 6:1,2; James 5:19,20; I Thessalonians 5:14; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:2-4.
..... Does the Bible contain examples of faithful servants of God speaking out when government officials practiced or encouraged moral or religious evils? The following passages show that we may and should do so: Matthew 14:1-4; 2 Samuel 12:1-15; 1 Kings 13:1-9; Acts 24:25. In our society individual citizens have several ways to tell rulers we agree or disagree with their practices. One way we may speak out is by voting for or against the rulers in elections.
..... Many current government decisions will have major impact on our families. Men are responsible to provide for their families, including protecting them from harm (1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 5:28,29). Parents are responsible to provide a wholesome upbringing for our children (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). If my vote can help protect my family from evil government decisions and can help provide a more wholesome environment in which to raise my children, why should I refuse to vote?
..... The apostle Paul often used his rights as a Roman citizen to work for his own protection from evil and to help further the gospel. See Acts 22:24-29; 23:12-33; 25:10-12; 16:35-40; Esther 7:1-6. Our government gives citizens the right to voice their views about who should govern us. If Paul used his rights to protect himself and help further the gospel, why should we not use the right to vote given us by our government? Can we not thereby help protect ourselves and our families from harm, while also helping maintain our freedom to preach and practice the truth?
..... 1Timothy 2:1-2 shows that we should pray for rulers. Some claim we should not vote because we might be working against God's power to choose rulers according to His will. Yet God also tells us to pray for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Does this mean we should just sit back and let God do it all, or should we try to find a job and let God use us as the means to answer the prayer? Should we avoid looking for a job because we might take a job other than the one God in His providence wanted us to take?
..... 3John 2 shows that we should pray for good health. Some people mistakenly believe that going to a doctor shows a lack of faith in God's power to answer prayer. Yet Christians know that the doctor may be the very means God uses to answer the prayer! We all realize that there may be situations in which God does not will for us to get better, but that does not prevent us from going to the doctor. If God has not revealed His will in such specific cases, then we must do what we believe to be best, while yet being willing to submit to a different outcome if that is what results.
..... In 2Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul prayed three times for God to remove his thorn in the flesh. Later he learned that God did not will to remove it, but did that mean Paul did wrong in praying the prayer? Would Paul have sinned if he had gone to the physician Luke to help remove the thorn before God revealed His will in the matter?
..... God does not impute sin to men when they act with good intention in matters regarding which God has not revealed His will (Rom. 4:15; 5:13). When God has not revealed His specific will regarding affairs on earth, we must pray to Him, but we should also do what we can to bring about the answer to our prayer. We should act according to what we believe is best, acting in harmony with the general principles God has revealed. If we do, God will not be displeased with us, even if He does choose some other outcome of events, because He did not reveal His will in these matters. Nevertheless, we should pray for His will to prevail, even if it turns out to differ from our own (Matthew 26:36-46). Consider Esther 4:13-16.
..... When Christians become active in speaking out against evil in government and voting accordingly, some people claim we should keep our religion out of politics. I deny the premise on which that view is based, but my main point here is that such a view is not a proper statement of the issue. Christians are not the ones who have left our sphere of interest. The problem is that politicians have made a full-scale invasion into the realm of religion and morals! In that realm Christians are not only permitted but obligated to act. I believe this includes the right to vote. But whether or not an individual Christian chooses to vote, we must all find some means to speak out for decency and Divine truth.
And regardless of how the government responds to our efforts, we must continue to live faithfully before God, even if we must suffer at the hands of government officials.

"Can You Imagine?"
Larry Ray Hafley

CAN YOU IMAGINE Jesus saying: "Search the Scriptures and your catechism and your Book of Mormon, and your Confession of Faith (and don't forget your Methodist Discipline) for in them ye think you have eternal life?"

CAN YOU IMAGINE Ananias telling Saul to arise and wash away his sins, and then be baptized later if he wanted to?

CAN YOU IMAGINE Paul saying we are buried with Christ in baptism by sprinkling?

CAN YOU IMAGINE John the Baptist saying, I am not that One, but I am infallible just like He is?

CAN YOU IMAGINE John writing: "Love not the world, but drink a little with the brethren in order to be sociable?"

CAN YOU IMAGINE Paul and Silas taking funds from the church at Corinth to build a new science building at Thessalonica?

CAN YOU IMAGINE the apostle Paul, as Youth Director, urging the Boy's Club at Jerusalem to the church where sack races and a devotional speaker will be employed to draw many to Christ?

CAN YOU IMAGINE Peter and John planning birthday activities for Jesus, so later Paul could write that Christ said as often as we do this we show remembrance of Him until He comes again?

CAN YOU IMAGINE the Hebrew writer saying, "Let brotherly love continue so long as no one despitefully uses you"?

CAN YOU IMAGINE Paul telling those at Ephesus that he had not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God, except those things that they had told him would offend some people?