You're not as important as you think

Recently we paid a visit to our family in Ohio. We hadn't seen any of them
for a year, so were anxious to spend as much time with them as possible. We
especially looked forward to seeing our grandchildren, 9 year old
Christopher and 3 year old Allison. Just a couple of days after we arrived I
got a chance to babysit without grandma being there. I walked in and Allison
looked at me and said, "Where's Grandma?" I mean, I expected a "Hi Grandpa"
at least, but no, just, "Where's Grandma?" That kind of let me know how
high I rated on the grandparent scale. We had a good time playing with one
another later, but the thought stayed with me that I'm not as important or
necessary as I might have thought I was!

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:3, "Because of the privilege and
authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you
are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves,
measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us." (NLT)

Paul goes on and says that we need to be aware that each of us has a place,
a talent or a gift given to us by God. Because of that we need to understand
that we are different from other people. That doesn't make us more or less
important, just different.

Paul then reminds us in Romans 12:9-10, "Don't just pretend to love others.
Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love
each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."

Now, grandma and I don't have a problem "really loving" each other. We
understand that that we have different gifts and abilities and we understand
that we relate to some folks differently. How about you? Are there those you
envy or maybe even have bad feeling towards because they can do something
you can't or maybe someone relates better to them than you?

Maybe it's time just to accept the fact that we are all different, all
unique, not better or worse, not more important or less important. We are
all equally loved and important to God and that's what really counts.

Russ Lawson

Henry Ford

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."

Henry Ford, American industrialist and pioneer of the assembly-line method (1863-1947)

 

William Jennings Bryan

"Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice: It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

William Jennings Bryan, American politician (1860-1925)

 

George Bernard Shaw

"Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."


George Bernard Shaw, Irish literary critic, playwright, and essayist (1856-1950)

 

Robert E. Lee

"Duty is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."


Robert E. Lee, American career U.S. Army officer and combat engineer (1807-1870)

 

A sermon on the good samaritan

Are.You.The.Good.Samaritan?.
Lk..10:25-27:.KW—07.25.10.
Intro:.
A...Lk..10:25-37.
......1...My.mind.is.thinking.about.our.20/20.Vision:.."A.unified.congregation.that.is.equipped.to.evangelize.South.
...........Mississippi.".
......2...One.of.the.best.lessons.on.evangelism.comes.from.the.story.of.the.Good.Samaritan..
B...All.members.of.the.body.of.Christ.can.find.their.soul.winning/evangelistic.activity.and.attitude.in.this.parable..
.
I...The.THIEVES.lived.by.the."iron.rule"—beat.life.down.
.
.....A...When.I.think.of.robbers,.I.think.of.those.who.take.something..
. .
...........1...Someone.says,."Well,.that.certainly.doesn't.describe.me…".
...........2...It.is.possible.to.be.a.good,.moral.member.of.the.church.and.still.rob.folks..
.................a...Ex:.
..........................One.preacher.friend.told.me.how.he.tore.up.his.brother's.false.beliefs.without.first.establishing..
..........................truth...(The.brother.left.religion.all.together)..
..........................Tract:.."26.Reasons.Why.The.Baptist.Church.is.Wrong".
..........................Preacher:."If.you.don't.repent.and.be.baptized,.you'll.go.to.Hell—and.I.hope.you.do.".
................b...It's.been.my.observation.that.many.are.anxious.to.prove.other.folks.wrong,.but.they.fail.to.first.establish.
......................truth.or.show.how.error.can.be.overcome..
.........................Like.robbers,.they.strip.others.of.their.erroneous.raiment,.wound.their.feelings,.and.leave.them.half-.
..........................dead.emotionally..
.........................One.of.the.worst.things.I.can.do.is.have.the.attitude.that.says,."I'm.right,.you're.wrong,.and.I'm.tickled.".
.
.....B...When.studying.with.folks.we.often.feel.compelled.to.answer.every.question.like.it.is.asked..
.
...........1...Notice.Jesus...cf.,.Lk..10:25-37.
.................a...Asked.man.how.his.Bible.read..
.................b...Reinforced.the.correct.answer..
.................c...He.illustrated.and.then.let.the.man.answer.his.own.question..
...........2...One.of.the.best.ways.to.answer.a.question,.is.not.to.answer.it..."We.have.a.series.of.Bible.lessons.that.answers.
.................that.very.question...Which.night.would.be.the.best.for.you—Tuesday.or.Thursday?"..Ex:...
.
II...The.PRIEST.and.the.LEVITE.lived.by.the.silver.rule—pass.life.by.
.
......A...It's.been.my.experience.that.people.can.give.several.reasons.for.not.obeying.the.gospel..
.
...........1...Ex:.Lynn.in.Waverly—"I'm.not.ready.yet."..(He.was.in.his.80's.and.eventually.died.outside.of.Christ)..
...........2..."I.don't.know.enough…".
................a...I.am.tempted.to.ask,."What.will.it.take.for.you.to.be.ready,".and."How.much.do.you.know.now…?".
................b...It.is.wrong.to.give.excuses.when.we.know.what.to.do..
.
......B...But.isn't.that.exactly.what.the.Priest.and.Levite.did?..
.
............1...It.is.wrong.to.reject.the.gospel..
............2...But.it.is.always.just.as.wrong.to.withhold.the.gospel..
..................a...Many.feel.good.when.they.have.obeyed.the.gospel.themselves,.but.they.have.never.taught.it.to.others..
..................b...Cf.,.1.Tim..4:16;.Heb..5:12;.2.Tim..2:24-25.
.
III...The.GOOD.SAMARITAN.lived.by.the.golden.rule—lift.life.up.
.
.......A...The.Samaritan.was.willing.to.sacrifice.danger,.discomfort,.effort,.money,.commitment,.and.time.
.
.............1...What.was.the.key?.."Compassion.".
.............2...What's.the.difference.between.pity.and.compassion?.
...................a...Pity.means.I.have.sympathetic.sorrow.for.your.suffering..
...................b...Compassion.means.I.have.sympathetic.sorrow.for.your.suffering.with.a.desire.to.alleviate.it..
.
.......B...What.right.attitudes.do.I.need?...
.
.............1...Love...cf.,.Eph..4:15.
.............2...Patience...2.Tim..2:24..Ex:.."Amazing.grace,.how.sweet.the.sound,.that.saved.a.wretch.like.me...I.once.was..
..................lost,.but.now.am.found,.was.blind.but.now.I.see.".
.
Concl:.
A...Review:.
......1...I.don't.want.to.be.a.robber.and.simply.steal.faith.and.belief.from.folks..
......2...I.don't.want.to.be.selfish.and.withhold.what.is.important.from.others..
......3...I.do.want.to.be.compassionate.and.share.what.I.have.myself..
B....Ex:..A.little.boy.saved.his.money.to.buy.a.puppy...One.day.he.saw.a.sign,."Puppies.for.Sale."..He.hesitatingly..
.......knocked.on.the.door.of.the.large.house.and.waited.expectantly...The.owner.frowned.when.he.saw.the.caller.was.
.......a.small.boy.in.overalls..."Do.you.have.puppies.for.sale?".he.asked..."Yet,.but.these.are.registered.pups.and.you.
.......wouldn't.be.interested.because.I.am.asking.$250.each."..The.boy.said,."I.have.$2.58.and.I.will.pay.you.ten.cents.a.
.......week,.I.promise."..The.owner.was.touched,.but.still.not.convinced...About.that.time.the.mother.dog.appeared.with.
.......five.frisky.puppies.close.behind...The.little.boy.was.captured.by.the.sight...Then.a.sixth.puppy.tottered.around.the.
.......corner...It.was.obvious.he.could.not.run...He.was.crippled...Without.a.moment's.hesitation,.the.boy.said.firmly,."I'll.
.......take.that.one!".and.picked.him.up.and.held.him.close...The.owner.said,."You.wouldn't.want.him,.son...He.is.
.......malformed.and.will.never.be.able.to.run.like.the.others."..The.boy.insisted,."He.needs.someone.to.love.him,.too.".
.......And.so.the.deal.was.made.for.$2.58...As.the.boy.walked.down.the.path.to.the.sidewalk,.the.man.noticed.for.the.
.......first.time.a.steel.brace.under.his.overalls...Obviously,.there.was.a.special.empathy.between.the.boy.and.the.dog..
.......1...We.are.all.sinners..
.......2...We.all.need.the.love.of.Christ....

--Mike Benson

What's.the.Kingdom.All.About?

A sermon on the "Kingdom of God":

A...
It.comprehends.Matthew.chapters.5.through.7..
......1...It.is.the.best.known.sermon.of.all.time..
......2...
It.is.also.quite.possibly.the.least.understood.sermon.of.all.time.....
............a...Despite.its.antiquity,.the.Sermon.on.the.Mount.is.as.relevant.and.applicable.to.modern.life.as.it.was.when..
..................it.was.first.delivered..(Some.people.don't.consider.the.Scriptures.to.be.relevant)....
............b...
Illust:..He.stood.in.the.midst.of.the.Golden.Corral.restaurant—with.Thousand.Island.salad.dressing.dripping.
..................from.his.hair,.his.glasses,.his.face,.and.his.new.suit.and.shoes...A.waitress.was.carrying.a.2-gallon.container.of.
..................Thousand.Island...She.paused.for.just.a.second.as.she.came.through.the.swinging.doors.of.the.kitchen...The.
..................doors.knocked.her.forward.and.she.accidently.launched.the.entire.contents.of.her.container.on.to.a.man.
..................enjoying.Sunday.afternoon.dinner.following.worship...The.patron.went.ballistic...He.started.shouting.and..
..................cursing.embarrassed.waitress..."This.is.a.BRAND.NEW.suit.and.it.cost.me.$300!"..His.wife.also.chimed.in,..
.................."You've.ruined.my.husband's.$300.suit;.this.is.the.first.time.he's.had.a.chance.to.wear.it."..Both.demanded.to.
..................see.the.manager...The.shaken.waitress.went.to.find.the.manager...When.the.manager.arrived.at.the.scene,.he..
..................humbly.apologized.and.offered.to.have.the.suit.sent.to.the.dry.cleaners...The.newly."baptized".patron.
..................shouted,."No,.I.don't.want.my.suit.cleaned!..I.want.a.brand.new.suit.and.I.demand.a.check.for.$300.right.here..
..................and.now!".he.howled...The.manager.went.back.to.his.office,.wrote.out.a.check.and.handled.it.to.the.furious.
..................man...Both.he.and.his.wife,.still.boiling,.stormed.out.of.the.Golden.Corral..
..................1)..Observations:...
...........................It.would.be.disappointing.to.see.a.new.suit.ruined.by.Thousand.Island.dressing,.and.it.would.certainly.be.
...........................embarrassing.to.have.more.salad.dressing.on.me.than.on.my.salad,.but.there's.probably.a.more.effective.
...........................way.of.dealing.with.my.frustration.that.standing.up.in.Golden.Corral.and.shouting.obscenities.......
...........................But.Jesus.calls.us.to.be.transformed—to.be.different.from.the.rest.of.the.world...(And.that's.what.TSOTM.
...........................is.all.about;.it's.about.an.internal,.spiritual.reprogramming)....
..................2)..It.is.not.the."cotton-candy,"."everybody.feel.good".sort.of.preaching.that.is.often.espoused.today..
...........................
On.the.contrary,.it.is.in-depth.material.that.will.challenge.your.life.and.thinking..
...........................The.emphasis.of.this.message.was.radically.different.from.the.common.understanding.of.the.OT;....
...........................Christ's.message.struck.violently.against.the.Jewish.traditions.of.His.day...Illust:..If.I.pour.water.into.a.
...........................bucket,.I.should.not.be.surprised.when.water.comes.out...(If.I.have.anger.in.my.heart,.I.shouldn't.be.
...........................surprised.when.anger.comes.out,.etc.)....
B...The.setting:.
......1...
John.the.Immerser.(e.g.,.the.Lord's.road-construction.engineer).had.been.preparing.the.way.for.Jesus...cf.,.Mt..
...........3:1-3.
...........a...
."Repent,.for.the.kingdom.of.heaven.is.at.hand."..v..2,.cf.,.4:17,.23.
.......................1)..Repentance.is.a.change.of.mind.that.results.in.a.change.of.life...cf.,.2.Cor..7:10;.Mt.12:41;.Jonah.3:10.
.......................2)..It.is.not.simply.sorrow.alone....
...........b...If.something.is."at.hand,".then.you.know.it.will.come.about.soon...Ex:..Hurricane.
................1)..Many.of.our.religious.friends.teach.that.the.kingdom.has.not.yet.been.established..
................2).."And.He.said.to.them,.'Assuredly,.I.say.to.you.that.there.are.some.standing.here.who.will.not.taste.death.
......................till.they.see.the.kingdom.of.God.present.with.power."..Mk..9:1;.cf.,.Mt..16:18-19.
......2...
Great.multitudes.were.following.Jesus..."Then.His.fame.went.throughout.all.Syria;.and.they.brought.to.Him.all.
...........sick.people.who.were.afflicted.with.various.diseases.and.torments,.and.those.who.were.demon-possessed,.
...........epileptics,.and.paralytics;.and.He.healed.them...And.great.multitudes.followed.Him…"..Mt..4:24-25a.
...........a...This.was.early.in.Jesus'.ministry.and.prior.to.the.time.of.organized.opposition.against.Him..
...........b...He.ascended.a.mountain..."And.seeing.the.multitudes,.He.went.up.on.a.mountain…"..Mt..5:1a.
...................
Tradition.suggests.this.was.the.natural.amphitheater.known.as.the."Horns.of.Hattin,".near.Capernaum..
...................It.was.located.west.of.the.Sea.of.Galilee,.about.1,000.feet.above.sea.level..
.
I...
What.was.the.CONTEXT.of.the.sermon?...
.
.....A...
Political.
.
...........1...Most.Jews.of.Jesus'.day.expected.the.Messiah.to.be,.first.of.all,.a.military.and.political.leader.who.would..
................deliver.them.from.the.yoke.of.Roman.tyranny.and.establish.a.prosperous.Jewish.kingdom.that.would.lead.the.
................world..
................a...
After.Jesus.miraculously.fed.the.multitude.on.the.far.side.of.Galilee,.the.people.tried.to."take.Him.by.
.....................force.to.make.Him.a.king…"..cf.,.Jn..6:15.
................b...
Pilate.asked.Jesus,."Are.you.the.King.of.the.Jews?"..cf.,.Jn..18:36.
...........2...But.the.thrust.of.TSOTM.is.that.the.message.and.work.of.the.King.Jesus.are.internal.not.external,.and.spiritual.
................and.moral.rather.than.physical.and.political..
.
.....B...
Religious.
.
...........1...Jesus.lived.in.a.highly.complex.religious.society,.one.that.included.four.professional.religionists:..
the.
................Pharisees,.
the.Sadducees,.
the.Essenes,.and.
the.Zealots..
...........2...Notes:.
................a...The.Pharisees.believed.that.right.religion.consisted.in.divine.laws.and.religious.tradition...(Their.primary.
.....................concern.was.for.fastidious.observance.of.every.minute.detail.of.the.traditions.handed.down.by.the.various.
.....................rabbis.over.the.centuries)..
................b...The.Sadducees.were.the.religious.liberals.who.discounted.most.things.supernatural.and.who.modified.both.
.....................Scripture.and.tradition.to.fee.their.own.religious.philosophy..
................c...The.Essenes.believed.that.right.religion.meant.separation.from.the.rest.of.society...(The.led.austere.lives.in.
......................remote.edges.of.the.Dead.Sea)..
................d...The.Zealots.were.fanatical.nationalists.who.that.the.right.religion.centered.on.radical.political.activism....
.....................(They.looked.down.on.fellow.Jews.who.refused.to.take.up.arms.against.Rome)..
......................1)..The.Pharisees.said,."Go.back",.the.Sadducees.said,."Go.forward",.the.Essenes.said,."Go.away,".and.the.
............................Zealots.said,."Go.against."..(The.Pharisees.were.conservative.traditionalists,.the.Sadducees.were.the.
............................liberals,.the.Essenes.were.separatists,.and.the.Zealots.were.activists)..
......................2)..But.Jesus'.say.was.not.any.of.these..
...............................To.the.Pharisees.He.said.that.true.spirituality.is.internal,.not.external..
...............................To.the.Sadducees.He.said.that.true.spirituality.is.God's.way,.not.man's.way..
...............................To.the.Essenes.He.said.that.true.spirituality.is.a.matter.of.the.heart,.not.the.body..
...............................To.the.Zealots.He.said.that.true.spirituality.is.a.matter.of.worship,.not.revolution..
.
II...
What.was.the.THEME.of.the.sermon?.
.
.....A...One.phrase.is.used.repeatedly.throughout.the.sermon:.
.
...........1...
."The.kingdom.of.heaven…"..Mt..5:3,.10,.19,.20;.6:10,.33;.7:21.
...........2...What.was.it.that.John.and.Jesus.were.preaching.prior.to.this.occasion…?..(The.kingdom)..
.
.....B...The.theme.of.TSOTM.is:.."The.Gospel.of.the.Kingdom.of.Heaven.".
.
...........1...If.you.are.a.member.of.the.Lord's.church,.you.are.a.member.of.this.kingdom.on.earth..
................a...The.term."kingdom".refers.to.the.abstract.idea.of.rule.or.dominion,.not.some.geographical.area.surrounded.
......................by.physical.boundaries..
................b...Thus.the."kingdom.of.heaven".is.wherever.the.God.of.heaven.is.allowed.to.rule.in.the.hearts.of.men..
......................1)..It.is.not.physical.in.nature..."Jesus.answered,.'My.kingdom.is.not.of.this.world...If.My.kingdom.
............................were.of.this.world,.My.servants.would.fight,.so.that.I.should.not.be.delivered.to.the.Jews;.but.now.My.
............................kingdom.is.not.from.here."..
Jn..18:36.
......................2)..It.is.spiritual..."For.the.kingdom.of.God.is.not.food.and.drink,.but.righteousness.and.peace.and.joy.in.the.
............................Holy.Spirit."..
Rom..14:17.
......................3)..It.has.reference.to.those.today.in.the.church...
cf.,.Col..1:13.
...........2...Jesus'.sermon.addresses.how.each.of.us.are.to.LIVE.in.this.kingdom...
Ex:..How.do.we.react.when.folks.spill..
................Thousand.Island.salad.dressing.on.our.new.clothes?...
.
III...
What.are.the.DIVISIONS.of.the.sermon?.
.
.......A...
The.CITIZENS.of.the.kingdom..
.
.............1...Their.character.and.blessedness...5:3-12.
.............2...Their.relation.to.the.world...5:13-16.
.
.......B...
The.RIGHTEOUSNESS.of.the.kingdom..
.
............1...In.contrast.to.the.traditional.interpretations.of.the.Law.of.Moses...5:17-48.
............2...With.respect.to.man's.relation.to.God...6:1-33.
............3...With.respect.to.man's.relation.to.man...7:1-12.
.
.......C...
The.EXHORTATION.to.enter.the.kingdom....
.
............1...The.beginning.of.the.way...7:13-14.
............2...The.progress.along.the.way...7:15-20.
............3...The.end.of.the.way...7:21-27.
.................a...Sayers.as.opposed.to.doers...21-23.
.................b...Hearers.as.opposed.to.doers...24-27.
.
Concl:.
A...
Illust:..A.person.may.play.Beethoven's.Moonlight.Sonata.accurately.and.without.a.single.mistake—yet.not.really.
......play.what.the.composer.had.in.mind...Even.though.the.notes.are.played.correctly,.they.do.not.produce.the.Sonata..
......The.pianist.may.mechanically.strike.the.right.notes.at.the.right.time,.yet.miss.the.essence,.the.soul,.of.the.
......composition...He.may.not.at.all.express.what.Beethoven.meant.to.be.expressed...The.true.musician.must.play.the.
......right.notes.at.the.right.time...He.is.not.exempt.from.the.rules.and.principles.of.music...But.accurate.playing.is.not.
......what.makes.him.a.great.musician...It.is.his.expression.of.what.lies.behind.the.notes.that.enthralls.the.listeners...In.
......the.same.way,.faithful.Christians.are.concerned.about.the.letter.of.God's.Word;.but.beyond.that.they.are.also.
......concerned.about.the.spirit,.the.deeper.will.and.purpose.that.lie.behind.the.letter...That.concern.reveals.an.obedient.
......heart.filled.with.the.desire.to.glorify.the.Lord..
......1...If.we.claim.to.follow.the.spirit.without.obeying.the.letter.then.we.are.lying..
......2...If.we.follow.the.letter.without.following.the.spirit.then.we.are.being.hypocritical..
B...Jesus.wants.us.follow.to.follow.the.letter.of.His.Word.in.the.right.spirit....
C...
Are.you.a.loyal.subject.of.the.King.of.kings?.

 

--Mike Benson

 

Mrs. Greenjeans

Right out of the gate I'm going to tell you what I call my wife, Carolyn: Mrs. Greenjeans. I know that dates me because many of you probably remember who MR. Greenjeans was. I call her that because she's happiest when she's out working in her garden and generally growing stuff.

And yesterday was a big outdoorsy day at the Covey ranchero. We had a tree removed, cacti being chopped and weed pulling all going on at the same time. Maybe in a later editorial I'll use trees and cacti as a basis for a lesson, but today I'm going to use "weeds" because they fit so well with passages in the Bible. And, in so doing, they provide me with inspiration for a "spiritual" lesson.

The weed-pulling came about because I discovered a lot of them growing in Carolyn's asparagus garden. I mentioned to her that they needed to be removed post haste. I explained to her that they might be nice and green and maybe even look attractive BUT, they are still weeds and weeds are BAD. Allow me to elucidate (I like big words) further.

Most all counties in the U.S. have a department that deals exclusively with "weeds." Our own Sister Brown used to work for the county "Weed Abatement" department. In plain language, that department exists to "get rid of weeds." Why, you may ask, does the county government seem so concerned with "weeds?" Well, it's because they are "noxious." More on this in a moment.

I have a friend in Wyoming who is the head of the county "Noxious Weed Department" and his main job is to identify and remove any "noxious weed" found growing there. Plus, try and keep out any from coming into his area. Now lets go back to the word "noxious" and look at the various definitions of that word. (It even sounds bad to me.)

Any good dictionary will tell you that "noxious" means: "harmful - injurious - hurtful - unwholesome - unhealthy - detrimental and, to use another big word - deleterious." Of course we're first connecting these definitions to "plants" but, can't we see the Church and society, in allegory, as "plants?" Christ seemed to think so because he used them several times in parable form to teach spiritual lessons, so I think it's possible and I'm going to attempt to do the same.

In the parables Christ told about the "Sower" (Mt. 13:3-23), the "Tares" (Mt. 13:24-30) and the "Seed" in Mark 4:26-29 He related "plants" to the Church - to Christians. I'm going to throw in society in general too. So let's just look for a few moments at both the Church and society as "plants." The "good" kind.

You know, both God's Word and the government's word recognize BAD plants. I think we'll see just why they're "noxious" to both entities, the Church and society. And the "why" directly relates to both because if we can understand why weeds are bad for plants, then we can understand why they are bad for people.

Weeds are classified as "noxious" because they take moisture and nutrients from the soil faster than the "good plants." In effect, weeds "choke" out the good plants. It's why they are "detrimental, injurious and harmful." If we can picture how they affect the good plants, then we can easily see the allegory-type lesson to us. IE: the effect on our two entities; the "good" people (Christians) and our society too. Jesus Himself said that the "good plants/seed" were the "Children of the Kingdom."   And, wouldn't you agree that we have "weeds/tares" in our society too?

You see, when you apply the definitions of "noxious" to the people side of our equation today, then we see how "harmful (morally), injurious (physically and spiritually) the weeds that dwell among us are to us. How "unhealthy" they are to both our physical bodies and our souls.

Yes, the weeds among us cause many problems. We could even say that they are very "deleterious" to the well-being of society and the well-being of the "Children of the kingdom." Let's wrap up the rest of this lesson by looking at weeds and their effect in the spiritual sense.

In the parable of the "Tares" we see what Christ called the "weeds" - the "Children of the wicked one." And, we also see who "sows" the "weed seeds." Who likes to cause harm and injury to the "Children of the Kingdom." According to Christ, the "sower" of the "weeds" is the "enemy" of the "farmer"- God. In Matthew 13:39 He identifies this "enemy" as being, none other than, "the devil."

Why do you think "the devil" (Satan) likes having his "weeds" among us? It's because he wants to "choke" us out. Think about it. If he can "choke out" the "good plants," the righteous, then "The Word" would be "choked out." We know, from The Word, that this won't totally work, but we also know from The Word that he and his "weeds" will take a lot of "good plants" with them to the "burn pile." (Matt. 13:30) Just to add clarity and emphasis to this thought, read with me what Christ says in John 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned."

I've cited these closing words to you before, but they are so great and so applicable to our lesson that it certainly doesn't hurt to read them again. It's the words of a Judge, said to the defendant appearing before him during sentencing. I love them.                                        He told the defendant:

        "You are nothing but a weed, a weed among wheat. And when we have a weed, it's my job to eradicate the weed, because if I don't, you will choke the wheat. Therefore, I'm going to take you off the streets for just as long as I possibly can."

The lesson to us: we need to be vigilant and watch for the "weeds" among us. When we spot one in our lives, we need to eradicate it before it "chokes" out our righteousness and we become a "branch that's thrown into the fire and burned" along with the other "weeds" and their "sower."

Ron Covey

Pleading With the Lord

I heard about a youth minister who sent a thank you letter to those
adults who had served in some way throughout the previous year. His letter
began: "Last summer I asked you to consider working as a youth coach in our
church's junior high youth group. I am thankful for your acceptance of that
challenge over this past school year. You may have felt extremely incapable
as you thought about working with junior highers, but you claimed 2
Corinthians 12:9 nevertheless."

Part of this verse says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power
is made perfect in weakness."

However, his secretary made the mistake of typing 2 Corinthians 12:8 as
the scripture reference instead, which reads, "Three times I pleaded with
the Lord to take it away from me!"

Though the particular verse quoted may not have conveyed the proper
thought, that whole passage in 2 Corinthians is a powerful lesson to us.
Through it, we learn that God does not always grant us what we request in
prayer. Sometimes he sees that what would be best for us is not the same
thing as what we believe would be best for us. We want the problems to
disappear; God wants us to grow closer to him. We want life to be easier;
God wants us to mature and be strengthened. Listen again:

"Concerning this thing [the thorn in the flesh] I pleaded with the Lord
three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore
most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,
in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am
weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:8-10).

Perhaps there is a trial in your life that you are praying for God to
remove. He may do so. But if he does not, may God bless you with grace and
strength.

Alan Smith

FOR WHOM ARE YOU LABORING?

                                                                  
     "May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge" Ruth 2:12.  This is a statement which Boaz made to Ruth.  Ruth was a foreigner to God and His land.  She was from the country of Moab and had married an Israelite who had come to her land.  After being married to him for only a short while, he died as did her father-in-law.  So Ruth came with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to the land of Israel in order to take care of her mother-in-law.  She went to work harvesting in Boaz's field to make a living for Naomi and herself. Boaz prays that the Lord will recompense her work and give her a full reward.  He asked this blessing upon her because of the great care that she was giving Naomi (Ruth 2:11).
     On more than one occasion the apostle Paul reminds us that we are to labor for the purpose of helping others.  He said in Acts 20:35, "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak" and in Ephesians 4:28 he said, "He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need."
     The promise is that God would reward Ruth's labors because she was caring for Naomi.  Solomon promised, "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished" Proverbs 28:20. Malachi recorded a similar promise from God when he wrote, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows'" 3:10.
     We cannot out give God.  The more one labors for God and others, the more God will bless him.  For whom are you laboring?

 

-- Wayne Burger
 

 

Light bulbs have to be changed

     What does Jesus have to do with light bulbs?  More than you think.
 
     Light bulbs have to be changed.  Someone has to assume responsibility to change them.  Most do not even know the names of those who perform this task.  And I doubt that they even care.
 
     Because they are serving Jesus.  Serving Jesus is not an optional part of Christianity.  It is at the core of Christianity.  Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matt. 20:28).  Jesus also said:  "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you" (John 13:14-15).
 
     There are many servants here. Quiet, behind-the-scenes, hard-working, Jesus loving and Jesus - serving people.  I know, because the lights are on.

--Denny Petrillo

 

We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed

I don't know about you, but there are times I have trouble holding on in
life! We are constantly battered with problems and pressures from every
side. And sometimes it sounds nice to just let go of our life and find a way
of escape.

Giving up though is not an option for those of us who are Christians. If we
understand our relationship with God and the blessings he gives us, we will
hold on to our faith no matter what. We will continue living our life as
faithful servants of God who gives us the ability to overcome the pressures
of this world.

The commitment we need to have to holding on is somewhat like the fellow in
this story:
It seems that a little skinny man applied for a job as a dock worker. The
foreman looked him over carefully and said, "You're too small." The little
man was indignant and said, "I can do any job that your biggest men can
handle. At least give me a chance to prove myself." "Alright," the foreman
said, "over there you will find a group of men loading 300 pound anvils. You
go ahead and join them." Everything went fine until all of a sudden there
was a terrific splash and someone cried, "Man overboard!"

The foreman rushed to the side of the dock. There was the small man
thrashing furiously in the water. He was gasping for air as his head bobbed
up and down. "Throw me a rope," he yelled. "Throw me a rope and hurry," he
cried as he went under the water once again. As he bobbed back to the
surface once again, he cried, "If you don't hurry up with that rope I'm
going to let go of this anvil!"

How long we can hold on is sometimes motivated by our commitment to
something more important than ourselves and understanding from where the
power do comes. The apostle Paul wrote about this problem (and the solution)
in 2 Corinthians 4: 8-13. Notice what he writes:

"We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but
not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not
destroyed, always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live
are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also
may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but
life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what
is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and
therefore speak." (NKJV)

What is your motivation for holding on and serving God? I'm reminded of the
old Bill Cosby comedy routine where God is speaking to Noah and Noah is not
sure he wants undertake the task of building the Ark. God asked, "Noah, how
long can you tread water."

How about you? We are surrounded by a sea of troubles, but we are never
abandoned by God. The psalmist said, " I believed and therefore I spoke." In
what do you believe? Is it enough to sustain you in the pressures of life?
If not, maybe you need to take another look at your relationship to the one
who can do all things, our God!

Russ Lawson

Glac bog an saol agus glacfaidh an saol bog tú

"Glac bog an saol agus glacfaidh an saol bog tú."

"Take the world nice and easy, and the world will take you the same."

 

Ernest Hemmingway

"The shortest answer is doing the thing."


Ernest Hemmingway, American writer and journalist (1899-1961)

 

Ulysses S. Grant

"Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect.  We must respect others even as we respect ourselves."

Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States and famed Commander of the Union armies during the late years of the American Civil War (1822-1885)

 

Fw: One

 

TO GIVE MY readers an idea of how many people on the Internet one member of the Lord's church can influence — since January 1, 2009 until today, July 19, 2010, my article blog tracker tells me that I've experienced 41,975 visitors and 184,257 page views...

I'm averaging 69% new visitors and 31% returning visitors to the article blog, which tells me that there are folks out there in our world who are looking for God's truth (John 17:17). The site has now been viewed by some individual (or individuals) in 175 countries around our world.

With God's help and a whole lot of fortitude, this is what one member of the Lord's church can do. Just think what 100 members could do with 100 Bible article blogs.

Plus, think of the fact that we have the capability of teaching God's word seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day — the World Wide Web never sleeps; never calls in sick; never takes a vacation; never gripes or complains — a wonderful medium and tool for spreading the saving gospel of Christ to a world lost in sin (Romans 3:23).

Also, think of the fact that as we are teaching others the saving gospel of Christ, we are teaching ourselves as well (Romans 2:21). In the process of teaching others, we will increasingly "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18), thus making ourselves "sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).

If any member of the Lord's church would like to know more about how to set up your own blog, or a blog for the congregation of which you are a member, please contact Brother G.E. (Eddie) Watkins, owner and administrator of "The Preacher's Files." He will be more than happy to assist you in that effort.

Brethren, as "fellow workers" with God (1 Corinthians 3:9; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58), we can "turn the world upside down" for the cause of Christ (Acts 17:1-6; cf.Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:1-2).  Mike Riley at: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2010/07/19/what-one-member-can-do/

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

 

--Mike Benson

John Quincy Adams

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."


John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States (1767-1848)

 

Move into the light!

WOW IS IT DARK HERE!

I don't know if you have ever lived in an area where there are no
streetlights, security lights, etc, but if you have you haven't you don't
realize how much you depend upon the light around you. Try and picture
living in a place where there are none of those light sources, it's kind of
like living all the time where there is a power outage (and most of us have
experienced that).

One of the hardest things for us to adjust to at our new home was that very
thing. There are no street lights and only an occasional porch light left on
by someone in the neighborhood. When we moved here we weren't prepared for
how dark it was. We had moved from a community that had streetlights on
every corner and many times in the middle of the block also. We were
surrounded by light, that was quite an adjustment for us.

One of our young men at our church, Nick, made devotional talk the other
night. He brought out the point that it always seems darkest just outside of
the light, just at the outer boundaries of where the light shines. I think
he is right. Just take a walk at night out from the source of light and see
how, immediately the darkness seems darker, more noticeable.

Have you ever notice how in most horror movies the bad stuff takes place in
the dark? I mean, even the mythical Vampires can't survive the light. The
apostle John had something to say about that in John 3:19-21, "This is the
verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of
light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light,
and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen
plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

So many people live in the darkness. So many people live in fear and in sin.
Yet, that is not what God has planned for them; he wants them to come into
the light and live lives of righteousness and peace. In 2 Peter 3:9 Peter
tells us, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand
slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone
to come to repentance."

It may be that you're living in the darkness right now, lost, stumbling into
things you would avoid if you could only see clearly, if you were in the
light! Understand that God wants you in the light with him! Jesus said in
John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk
in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Is it time for you to move into the light?

Russ Lawson

Owen Wister

"When you can't have what you choose, you just choose what you have."

Owen Wister, American writer and "Father" of western fiction (1860-1938)

 

KNYOM

 
     I find it interesting that one of the first Khmer words I ever learned was the word for "I" and "me."  This makes sense.  To say, "My name is Neal," I had to learn to say "Knyom chmuah Neal."  When trying to stumble through songs written in Khmer, I happened to learn my first Khmer word by sight.  When written, it looks similar to an upside down, backward apostrophe.  When the congregation is singing, I always chime in when I see the "knyom."  I see it and know it better than any of the others.  Only yesterday, on my third overall trip to Cambodia and eleven days into seeing and hearing and trying to speak Khmer on this trip, I finally learned the word for "you."  It is "nyet."  The word is shorter and easier to say.  I am still amazed that it took me so much longer to learn to say it.
     Look back at the last paragraph.  I used some form of the word "I' 17 times, but the word "you" only twice.  It is human nature for us to be more inclined toward "me" and less inclined toward "you."  So many are so caught up in talking about "I," "me," and "my" that they cannot see others, let alone Christ. It is all about "me" (my family, my children, my interests, my wants and desires, and my will).  Yet, that  is so contrary to the biblical model for behavior in a Christian.  
     Apparently, Euodia and Syntyche were "me-deep" in self (Phil. 4:2).  
When we are caught up in ourselves, we are ineffective at holding up the Light of the word to those in darkness.  Paul's inspired remedy for this problem is found in Philippians 2:3-4.  He essentially says, "Consider others are better or more important than self."  Show interest in the other person.  Focus more on them and less on yourself.  More importantly, focus most on Christ.
     The word needs far less "knyom" and much more "nyet."  Most of all, it needs "Pray Yesu."  Let us do our part!

 

Neal Pollard

Isaac Bashevis Singer

"Kindness, I've discovered, is everything in life."


Isaac Bashevis Singer, Polish-born American writer (1902-1991)

 

Lance Armstrong

----- Original Message -----
From: "Forthright Magazine" <forthrightmag@fastmail.fm>
Lance Armstrong can truthfully be described as "a
legend in his own time." He is currently engaged in the
Tour de France, a bicycle race that covers a 2,200 mile
route throughout France and bordering countries.

The race would be hard if the course was flat, but much
of the course goes through the Alps. This is not a race
for weekend bikers.

At age 38, Armstrong has been described as a Methuselah
in the sport. When you recall his health crisis from
1996, the amazement factor increases.

Given little chance to survive his cancer, Armstrong
not only overcame the illness but went on to win seven
consecutive titles in the Tour de France, a feat never
before reached.

Last year he came out of a three-year retirement and
finished third in the event. Writers have exhausted
the superlatives to describe this man and his
accomplishments.

Perhaps Armstrong's most impressive feat is the
establishment of the LiveStrong Foundation. Founded in
1997, the organization provides support for people who
have been diagnosed with cancer.

Last year alone his efforts in the Tour de France
raised $50 million for this cause. Most recognizable
are the yellow armbands with the word "LiveStrong."
Seventy million have been purchased by people on every
continent (except Antarctica).

Rewind to 1996. Who would have blamed Lance if he had
decided to give up his dream upon hearing the bleak
prognosis he was given? Instead, he chose to live
strong.

Christians are challenged to live strong. "Therefore
strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that
what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be
healed" (Hebrews 12:12,13, NKJV).

Sometimes we're the ones giving strength to others. At
other times we're the ones in need. But strength is the
key to surviving our race.

Paul also sounded the call: "Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord and in the power of his might"
(Ephesians 6:10).

Without strength we'll fall by the wayside. We'll
conclude that the mountain before us is greater than
our ability. In saying such things we forget that it
is God's might that strengthens us.

Like Armstrong, we're in a race. After pointing to
people of faith who have gone before, the writer of
Hebrews 12:1,2 gave this exhortation:

"...let us lay aside every weight, and the
sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set
before us, looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith..."

To keep the strength flowing as you run, don't look at
the mountain ahead. Look to the one who gave his life
for the opportunity you now enjoy.

Tim Hall

TEOTWAWKI

There may be a few reading this that recognize the word used in the title.
Those of you, who know my background as a missionary in Kenya, East Africa,
may think that this is a word used there. Actually it is not and until a few
months ago I wasn't familiar with it either. Through some of my rather
diverse readings I saw the word and as my curiosity often does, it caused me
to look into it further.

What I found was that the word is not a word at all, but rather it is an
acronym. Now, so we will be on the same page, acronym is defined as:
"Acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations that are formed using the
initial components in a phrase or name." (Wikipedia)

So what does "TEOTWAWKI" stand for? "The End Of The World As We Know It."
With all of the apocalyptic movies and books which are available it's easy
to get the picture of what this might mean. Many of us are very concerned
for the future of our world and our country as we know it.

Some of us go to extremes to prepare for the end of the world as we know it.
Money, food, water, medical supplies, guns and ammunition are stored up for
that possible collapse of our society. Efforts are made to make ourselves
and our families as secure as we possibly can. Just do a search of the
Internet and you will find very quickly how wide spread the feeling of
immanent collapse is in our world.

The end result is, that no matter how much we plan and prepare for earthly
safety, it is still uncertain. There are always things for which we cannot
plan, things for which we cannot prepare. Life is like that, full of
surprises, full of things we never imagined might happen that do happen.

Personally, I have been preparing for TEOTWAWKI for around 50 years. When I
was a teenager, I came to understand that someday this world as we know it
will end. Notice what Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:9-14, "The Lord is not slow
in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you,
not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the
day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a
roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything
in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way,
what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives
as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will
bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will
melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to
a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear
friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be
found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (NIV)

So, God tells us the end is coming, but are we preparing the right things
for TEOTWAWKI? Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for
yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where
thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and
steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."(NIV)

I don't know about you, but as I might prepare some for a great disruption
to our social and economic system, I am preparing totally for the TEOTWAWKI
that God has prepared for us, how about you? Mark Twain shared these words
of wisdom, "Be careful to plan for your future, for that is where you will
spend the rest of your life."

Russ Lawson

SO WHAT'S YOUR SCRIPTURE VERSE?

This week we have been spending some time with our families in Ohio. We had
a family outing one day this week and ended up back at our son's house with
our kids and grandkids.

Our daughter-in-law shared that they were having trouble getting our 9 year
old grandson Christopher to write stories for a creative writing school
classes. Since I write, she asked if I could help motivate him. He is at
that stage (in a little boys) life that he likes gross or shocking things,
so I decided to work with that. We adults had just returned from an outing
to a local indoor shooting range and I had injured my thumb, so being the
creative writer that I am, I suggested he write a story titled, "The day my
dad shot off my grandpa's thumb." He thought that was a great idea and
commenced to put together a story of what happened (including the trip to
the emergency room where all was made right, etc.)

When he ended the story grandma said, "What about the scripture?" He said,
"What?" She said well, "Grandpa always works a scripture into his stories to
teach a lesson about what God would want us to do." At that point, we, as
adults offered suggestions as to an appropriate scripture or scripture
application. He rejected all of our suggestions and came up with a unique
scripture of his own. He said the scripture to use is, "'Do unto others as
you would have them do unto you,' because we shouldn't shoot off someone's
thumb!"

Well, I guess you can't argue with that logic and he did use verse of
scripture. As you look at your life today, the things you said, the things
you have done, what would be the scripture verse you would put with it? I
hope that the verse that might summarize our lives would be the words of
Jesus in Matthew 5:16, where he said, "Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven." (KJV) If not, maybe we had better take a close look at the way we
walk and talk in the "real world" where we live.

Russ Lawson

WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD

     This is an expression that many of us have heard from time to time.  It is supposedly one that means, "this is where we get  down to the plain facts," or "this is where we talk about the  real issues."
     Jeremiah is one of the most personable prophets in the Old Testament.  He is not afraid to voice his fears and concerns.  On one occasion he said the following:
     "O Lord, Thou hast deceived me and I was deceived; Thou hast overcome me and prevailed.  I have become a laughingstock all day long; Everyone mocks me.  For each time I speak, I cry aloud; I proclaim violence and destruction, Because for me the word of the Lord has resulted in reproach and derision all day long.  But if I say, "I will not remember Him or speak any more in His name," Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it." (Jer. 20:7- 9).
     You see, Jeremiah had learned one essential truth to being a servant of God: One must make the truth of God's word a part of themselves.  When this happens, there is no more Sunday only Christians.  It is impossible to be anything else but a committed Christian every day of your life.
     This, brethren, is where the "rubber meets the road."  Like Jeremiah, we might decide that we will not be as faithful, but when we get down to practicing this new decision - we can not follow through.  God is just too important to us.  His Word is too ingrained in us.  Isn't this what God really wants from us anyway? (Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:8-12)

 

--Denny Petrillo 

Augustine to God

"By loving the unlovable, You made me lovable."

 

Augustine to God

 

 

Run For The Wall

A while back I ran across the above quotation by author Tolkien and it got me to thinking about the word "wander." Of course, the first thought it brought to my mind was in regards to my recent trip from California to Washington DC and back. One of the definitions of "wander" is to "roam aimlessly about" and that is not the definition that fit my trip. There's another definition of "wander" & that is; "to travel the open road." That's the one for me. The segment from California to DC was highly structured and organized. The return segment was up to me and it was there that I occasionally "roamed", but I always had a destination ahead in mind.

As you've probably guessed by now, we're going to discuss the term "wander" for a few moments and see if we can't apply this word and it's various definitions to a spiritual lesson today. The most common usage of the word "wander" indicates things like; "to roam, to rove, to deviate or to go astray." Sometimes it relates to a "slip or trip," a "stumble" or "to err."

I'd like to tell you about a few things that happened to me or in my presence as I made my journey across our country. Besides all of the welcoming parades in many of the towns we passed through with the school kids waving flags and the breakfasts, lunches and dinners provided us, I made note of some special things that got my attention.

As we traveled across country on our Run For The Wall, donations are collected for a fund that helps a school in a small mining town in West Virginia. One of the ways of bringing in funds is to hold what is called a 50-50 drawing wherein the donors have a chance of receiving 50 percent of the funds collected in a drawing. In Junction City, Kansas a 6 year old boy made a donation and was the winner of the drawing. He was awarded $50. His grandmother asked him, "Can you eat $50 worth of candy?" He looked at her and returned $40 to the fund.

Another thing that I learned while on this journey was the method I will use if I ever decide to move from where I now live. During a breakfast conversation with the wife of the Goodland, Kansas Chief of Police, we asked her if they had any "drive-by shootings" in their city. She replied, "What's that?" If I ever move I will determine my new home by the answer to that question and one other one: "Do they have a graffiti removal crew?"

As to the emotion producing events, I considered it a good day if I only cried 3 or 4 times. It's hard to say what affected me the most during the journey, but it's a toss up between the classes of school children waving flags and singing to us, older WW2 veterans standing alongside the road saluting as we passed or the one little girl with her grandmother standing on an overpass in the middle of nowhere, waving an American flag. Or, a Medal Of Honor recipient speaking to us at dinner in New Mexico, thanking us for making this journey to remind America of the sacrifices of all its veterans and citing the words of Romans 13:7 "...honor to whom honor is due."

I have to mention one other emotion evoking incident I happened to observe. On Friday night, at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, is a very moving ceremony. After the bagpipes and bugles had been put away, the light-sticks had stopped glowing and everyone was leaving, an elderly gentleman, having the appearance of a retired commanding officer, came up to the section of the wall near me, put his hand on the wall and said, "Good night, fellas."

Now let's take a look at how the word "wander" applies to a spiritual lesson. To do so we have to consider the other definitions of this word. You know, Christians are on a journey too. A journey through our lives on this earth. I've mentioned to you before of a line from a western movie where an old cowboy says, "We travel between the eternities." The gist of my lesson here is - how we travel between our eternities.

On our journey, do we spiritually "wander" as in; "roaming aimlessly about?" When we think of the "way" Christians are supposed to travel as described in Matt. 7:14 do we sometimes "deviate" or "go astray" from this path? Carrying that thought another step, when we "go astray" or "deviate" from the "narrow way," aren't we liable to "trip and stumble?" Keep in mind that this "way" that Christ was speaking of in Matthew 7 is Himself, as He explained in John 14:6 "I am the Way" and then amplifies this by telling us in John 14:23 that it is His words (commandments) that defines the "narrow" path that leads to an eternal home with The Father.

Mankind, including God's Children, have "wandered" off the path since the dawn of creation. A great example to look at is the Children of Israel having to "wander" (roam aimlessly about) in the wilderness for 40 years (Num. 32:13). Another one is found in Jer. 14:10 where the prophet says that Israel "loved to wander (go astray)" and if they did not return to God's "way" Jeremiah warns them that "He will not accept them" and that He will "remember their iniquity." If the same scenario fit us, then the same warning applies.

Or, as Solomon puts it: "The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead." (Prov. 21:16)

Yes, as human beings, we can "wander" during our lives as in "traveling the open road" and not be lost. But we can "spiritually wander" and, in opposition to the words of JRR Tolkien, all who do so "are lost." And if they do not find their way back to "The Way," they will be "eternally lost."

In closing, let's adopt the principle of the Psalmist where he says,

"With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not wander from thy commandments." Psa. 119:10

Ron Covey

　

You are the salt of the earth

I recently ran across some writing that got me to wondering just how useful
I am to Christ. In Matthew 5 Jesus give a lot of different ideas concerning
what it is to be pleasing to God or what it is to find true joy. He also
spends some time dealing with the mission of those who would represent him
to the world. In verse 13 he says, "You are the salt of the earth. But what
good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will
be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless." (NLT).

The article I mentioned earlier was from Dr. Thomson's book "The land and
the book" (written around 1900), was a look at the history of the Holy
Lands. He wrote of this passage in history: "A merchant of Sidon having a
large supply of salt filled sixty five houses in a mountainous district with
it. These houses had merely earthen floors and the salt was next to the
ground. In a few years the salt next to the ground was entirely spoiled.
This salt, becoming insipid and useless, effloresced and turned to dust, not
to fruitful soil. It was not only good for nothing itself, but it actually
destroyed all fertility wherever it was thrown. This is the reason it was
thrown into the street. So troublesome was this corrupted salt that it was
carefully swept up, carried forth and thrown into the street."

I was reading another book on how to survive a disaster recently and it
emphasis the need to store up some salt as necessary to our survival. Salt
is important, not just for adding a little flavor, but for the preservation
of life. That is why Christ chose this illustration at the time. People were
familiar with problem and were familiar with how important salt was to their
lives.

I think in our modern times we have lost the understanding of how important
salt really is. It comes cleaned and packaged for us and is always
available. We never really think about it, we just reach for the salt shaker
and it's available to us. A few years ago we decided we would try and cut
back on our salt intake and bought a product called, "no salt." One thing
about it is that you can't fault that company for false advertising, it
didn't taste a thing like salt and I decided it was only good to be thrown
out (personal opinion).

The point of all of this is that Jesus said, "You are the salt of the
earth." The question is then, are you? Are you something that gives flavor
to life that enhances the taste people have for Christ or would they rather
throw you out when they see you coming? There is an old saying that goes
something like this, "If you aren't good for something, then you are good
for nothing!" What are you? Maybe it's time you take a good, close, hard
look at your life and consider how you flavor the lives of others!

Russ Lawson

4th of July fireworks

People of the older generation often decry the sad state of the younger
generation. They have different ideas, different likes and dislikes,
different music, different styles of dancing and a way different grasp of
technology.

The home has changed substantially also. In years past, the wife mainly
stayed at home, took care of the kids, managed the household, cooked,
cleaned, etc. Now it is not unusual for the husband to fill that role or at
least take a more active part in household matters than was done in years
past.

The idea of creature comforts and time saving devices have changed also. I
can remember party lines on the telephone, then the wonder of having a
private line in your home, now its not unusual for everyone in the household
have their own cell phone. You may remember when washing machines had
ringers to ring the water out of the cloths. Now we have driers and things
changed dramatically, no more hanging your cloths outside to dry, everything
from the convenience of your home. Then they came out with permanent press
clothes and the ironing board disappeared from the home.

This week our three year old great niece, Megan, was visiting my mother. Mom
had gotten out the ironing board and set it up and Megan asked, "What are
you going to do with the sled Grandma?" My mom said, it was obvious that she
had never seen an ironing board before.

Yes, our world changes, but there are some things which should never change.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it." I realize that this is a
"Proverb," not a directive from God which is true in every case, but the
principle is solid. We are all, to some extent, a product of our upbringing.
Some people are molded by the principles with which we were raised and some
of people have to rise above the principles with which they were raised.

Sometimes it is easy to tell what values are taught in a home. I'm reminded
of the story of the time a preacher visited a family and they asked him to
stay and eat with them. The preacher bowed his head before the meal and
prayed and afterward the little son asked him, "Why do you talk to your
food?" Obviously the little fellow had never heard anyone pray before and
didn't have a clue what was going on. He was lacking in training.

Years ago my wife and I developed the habit of praying often, even when we
parted company from friends and relatives. Our son Seth learned that lesson,
but didn't appreciate it at his young age. He made the comment to a friend
one time, "If the house was on fire, dad would stop us from rushing out so
that he could have prayer first!" I don't think he meant it as a compliment
at the time, but it was.

We are celebrating the 4th of July, probably the most important day in our
nation's history. Sadly, many of our nation's children don't really
understand the importance of this day. They think it is all about food and
fireworks. Stop and think for a moment and ask yourself, "What am I teaching
my children or grandchildren?" What have you taught them of the history of
our great nation? What have you shared with them regarding the men and women
who serve and have many times died to make it possible for them to enjoy the
food and fireworks?

If you are not giving them the guidance they need, don't be surprised when
they develop a different set of values or a different code of morals and
ethics of which you may not approve. As Solomon said, "Train up a child in
the way he should go," A modern translation puts it this way, "Direct your
children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will probably
hold to the path."

Russ Lawson

Georg Cristoph Lichtenberg

"The most dangerous of all falsehoods is a slightly distorted truth."

Georg Cristoph Lichtenberg, German scientist (1742-1799)

 

God's "spiritual gym" (1 Timothy 4:7)

       We have all heard the statement "Practice Makes Perfect."  I do not know about you, but I never really liked hearing this statement.  The reason I did not like it was because it usually meant I needed to work harder and put more effort into becoming better.  This statement has become so common that many times we just dismiss it.  However, if we put our pride aside, there is great truth to these words.  Let's put ourselves aside for a minute and really consider these words.
       We all know that practicing is going to make us better.  But why is it so important to practice?  For an athlete, this is how he gets stronger, faster, and better at sports. For a musician, this is how he figures out how to play the instrument, how to produce the correct sounds, and perform it in a flawless fashion.  But can this statement apply to Christians?  Of course!
       Let's not be deceived, Christianity is something that must practiced and fine-tuned.  We are not going to take a brand new Christian and expect him to know all of the commands of the Bible and follow them perfectly.  Not a single one of us, no matter how long we have been Christians, is able to do that.  Therefore, we can always use more practice.  Practice is how we become more familiar with Scripture. Practice is how we become better members, teachers, preachers, deacons, elders, etc.  Practice is how we become better at obeying God's commands while resisting the sinful desires each of us have.  Practice is an essential in Christianity.
       Arthur Rubinstein, the great musician had this to say about practice, "If I omit practice one day, I notice it, if two days, my friends notice it, if three days, the public notices it."  When we stop practicing as Christians, you will notice first, then your friends and family will notice, and eventually everyone will notice.  Even more importantly though, God will notice immediately (Hebrews 4:13).  This life is about seeking God and serving Him (Matthew 6:33; 4:10; 22:37).  May we never stop practicing and becoming greater people for the Lord (Ecclesiastes 9:10).  Let's think seriously about Paul's words in 1 Timothy 4:7, "Train yourself for the purpose of godliness." It is time to hit the "spiritual gym."

 

Brett Petrillo