Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin

His family had been told that there was no chance of finding their missing
boy alive. His body had not yet been discovered after five days of
searching in the rubble of the building in which he had been working when
the earthquake struck eastern Turkey. The building was one of about 2,000
that were leveled by the quake, killing at last 573 people and injuring
approximately 2,500 others.

Thirteen-year-old Ferhat Tokay was working in a shoe shop on the ground
floor of the building in Ercis, Turkey, when the 7.2 magnitude quake
occurred. He was instantly trapped, and despite his efforts was unable to
free himself.

But soon after rescue workers had sent his uncle and other relatives away to
get some rest with no glimmer of hope, they discovered Tokay - alive! The
workers were able to pull him from the rubble without injury.

A state-run news agency reported that Tokay survived, despite having no
food, by drinking rainwater that seeped through cracks in the wreckage
around him. While trapped, he was able to peer through a tiny gap in the
wreckage to see when it was day or night. He and his family were unsure if
he would ever see the light of day again. But he was rescued! *

Tokay's entrapment in the rubble illustrates our own bondage to sin. Jesus
said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin"
(John 8:34; see also Romans 6:16). In sin, we are ALL (Romans 3:23) under
its dominion and doomed for destruction (see Matthew 7:13-14). And, we
can't dig our way out! We are trapped!

But JESUS came to our rescue! By paying the price for our sins, He is able
to pull us from the wreckage and ruin of sin (Ephesians 1:7) - IF we will
accept His offer!

Jesus will save those who place their faith and trust in Him (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).

Trapped in the rubble of sin, don't despair! Jesus has come to rescue you!
Accept His offer of salvation, and you can be freed from sin.

Won't YOU?

David A. Sargent

Denver Broncos fans

Being a Denver Broncos fan, it pains me to say that the Oakland Raiders have had a respectable season this year.  Last week the Raiders brought in quarterback Carson Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals.  Palmer has had a decent career but hadn't played in a while.  Not to mention that had only been with the Raiders for a week and definitely didn't know their offensive system.  Despite this, the coaches put Palmer in during the 3^rd quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs.  The result?  The Chiefs dominated 28-0 and Palmer threw three interceptions.  What really stood out to me about this loss was the fact that Palmer was put into the game even though he only knew 15 plays by game time.

 

A couple of spiritual applications come to mind from this situation:

 

1. High Expectations Of New Christians.  I don't know what the coaches expected, but Palmer certainly was not ready to play in this game.  He didn't know the offense well enough and he just wasn't ready to be on his own.  The same is true with new Christians.  Even though it is rarely intended this way, congregations often bring people to Christ and then just let them coast their way to a halt.  New Christians need to be guided and taught continually.  How would you feel if someone convinced you to move to a new country (with new culture, language, food, etc), and when you arrived they left you on your own and no one helped you to learn and adjust?  It would be very frustrating.  The same is true with new Christians and many end up falling away.  Bible studies and mentoring shouldn't stop at conversion.  This should just be the beginning.

 

2. Expectations of Continued Growth.  Carson Palmer only knew 15 plays last game, but if he doesn't know more then that by the next game then he will likely find himself on the bench and soon without a football team at all.  There are expectations that Palmer will continue to learn and become a better quarterback.  The same is true in our spiritual lives.  When a person has been a Christian for a few years, or even 10+ years, and yet they are still Christian "rookies," there is a serious problem.  We must keep on learning and growing.

 

With Palmer being very new with this team and inexperienced with their offensive system, the result was a 28-0 blowout.  It's clear that Palmer must improve if the Raiders want to be successful.  Whether we are talking about a new Christian or a seasoned Christian, there also must be improvement in order to achieve spiritual success.  Sometimes we need to help the new Christian to improve, and sometimes we just need to motivate ourselves to improve.  The bottom line is, improvement is a must.

 

Brett Petrillo

 

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The country of Serendip

There is an old story handed down from the country of Serendip (present day
Sri Lanka). In this story there were three princes who traveled the country
and quite by accident would discover amazing and unexpected things. In 1754
after discovering these stories, Horace Walpole coined the word,
"Serendipity". The basic understanding of the word I prefer would be: "The
art of finding what you're not looking for." (From Horse-Feathers, by
Charles Funk).

As I thought about this understanding of the word, I though of how much of
our Christian life is a serendipity. How many things do we find unexpectedly
which turn out to amaze us. I think that is why we sing songs like, "Amazing
Grace," or "I stand amazed in the presence "or" Oh what wondrous love."

Our journey through life with Christ, the creator and sustainer of the
universe is amazing, especially when you consider his sacrifice for and his
fellowship with us. I can hardly read any section of the scripture that I
don't find some new understanding, run across some tidbit that I've somehow
over looked in the past or suddenly awaken to a new insight. Christianity is
never boring, it is always amazing, always a serendipity.

This has always been the effect that Jesus has had upon people. In Matthew
7:28 we are told that people were amazed at his teachings and the authority
he exhibited. In Mark 10:24 we see that his disciples were amazed at his
teaching. He revealed hidden treasures unexpectedly then as he does now.

The question is, what we do with the treasure, how we deal with the
serendipity of life in Christ. Well the scripture doesn't leave us hanging
on that on that point, but gives us some instructions concerning how to deal
with these unexpected treasures.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, "Don't store up treasures here on earth,
where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and
steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy,
and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the
desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)

May your life be a continual amazing serendipity!

Russ Lawson

What do ye more than others?

A couple of months or so ago, I taught a lesson based upon the above question asked by Christ in His sermon on the mount. For our lesson today I'd like to sort of amplify that lesson a little and discuss some thoughts that we didn't have time to cover in class. If there was a "Great Questions Of The Bible" list published somewhere, I believe this one asked by Jesus would occupy a spot near the top. With your indulgence, I'd like to opine some thoughts relative to this question for you to consider today.

First off, we're told in Titus 2:14 and 1 Pet. 2:9 that Christians are to be a "peculiar people." When you look up the definition of the Greek word "peculiar" used in those verses you find that it means "special" or, what I consider to be the best definition, "beyond the usual."

I like that definition. It's saying that we, Christians, are not supposed to be like everyone else. Oh yeah, I know that we have the same innate desires, needs and aspirations as all human beings. That we're subject to the same passions as everyone else but, we're supposed to control those natural motivations .

We're supposed to be of a different character than the rest of society when it comes to things where character is involved. Things like love, patience, compassion and service, to name a few. In character, Christians are supposed to be "beyond the usual."

We can easily see this by looking at the context of what Christ was saying when He asked the question "What do ye more than others." By looking at what He said prior to the question, you'll find that, practically, the whole 5^th chapter of Matthew is devoted to pointing out the difference between Christianity and the rest of society in general. Perhaps we can say it this way; pointing out a Christian's character as opposed to society's character.

And the reason it's different is simple - a Christian's character is based upon the character of their namesake and Lord - Jesus Christ. I'm hard-pressed to say what society's character is based on, other than whatever the prevailing, man-made mores of the people are at any given time.

Going back to Matthew 5 we see that, after showing several examples of the characteristic differences between His followers (Christians) and society in general, we come to verses 46 and 47. Notice in those two verses Christ asks His listeners (and us) a couple of other questions pertinent to the question serving as the basis for our lesson here today.

First He asks them, "if you only love those who love you...." and then secondly asks, "if you salute your brethren only....." - "What do ye more than others?"

In other words, He's asking, how are you any different? How is your character any better? To borrow a word He used earlier in this chapter (vs 20) He's asking, how does your character "exceed" society's character? AND THE ANSWER IS.....if our character is no different, it doesn't "exceed" society's character - IT DOESN'T!

Today we hear the phrase "economic downturn" a lot on the news, don't we? I'm sure that is "political speak" for "we're losing money!" Rapidly! And that phrase is sort of like another one I mentioned a while back - "very low food security" - which was used in place of "hunger." You see, we don't want to overly alarm anyone by using harsh sounding words. It's just my opinion BUT, somebody had better sound the alarm and do it pretty soon. Keep that thought in mind as it'll apply later.

Yes, our "economic downturn" is a bad situation and in need of being addressed. But, I'm sorely afraid that we're in danger of a "spiritual downturn" at the present time. As serious as society's "economic downturn" is, society's "spiritual downturn" is far worse.

Why? You may ask. Because the end results are far worse. Let's look at it in principle by recalling what the writer of the book of Hebrews said in regards to the comparison of the New Covenant (The Gospel) with the Old Covenant in chapters 8 through 10. I'll paraphrase this comparison here for brevity sake, but please read those passages and make sure that I speak it truthfully.

He said that the New was better than the Old because it was based upon better promises and thus, better rewards, IE: eternal rather than limited. It is also pointed out that the same principle applies to the punishment being greater for those not following the New Covenant.

Parabolically speaking, the "spiritual downturn" is worse than an "economic downturn" for the same reason we see in the difference between the New Covenant and the Old. Society's "economy" will suffer only for a temporal, or limited, time but, society's "spiritual" problem can bring eternal suffering.

You know, neither of these "downturns" came into being overnight. They've been developing over the years as society moved more and more away from God's precepts. From the precepts of our nations founding fathers. To borrow another phrase, this one from Deuteronomy, our national "feet" have been "sliding" for some time now. (Deut. 32:35) Allow me to illustrate what I'm saying by telling you a little story about a couple of frogs.

Once upon a time there was a frog who was dropped into a pot of hot water. Feeling the intense heat, he immediately jumped out and saved his life. But, there was another frog who was put into a pot of cold water - set on a burner over low heat. One degree at a time the temperature increased, but the frog became accustomed to it, stayed in the pot and was boiled.

Our "spiritual downturn" has been coming on us for a long time, just like the temperature increased slowly under the pot. I think society is like frog number 2, it needs to be made aware of it's dire circumstances. It needs the alarm to be sounded. I'm sounding mine right now and I hope all of you do the same wherever you are and whenever you have the opportunity.

Ron Covey

Harold Camping and the end of the world

I've been prepared for many years. During that time I've changed the locks on the house in which we live a time or two. I'm satisfied they're working properly, and we keep the doors locked. I can't help but wonder, though - will today be the day that a thief tries to break in? I hope not, but if so I feel we've done all we can within reason to keep him out.

 

Honestly, I don't think about thieves breaking into my house very often. But today is a good day to bring up the subject. Why? Because Harold Camping has predicted that today is when Jesus will return to earth a second time. Prepare for that event, he warns. I'll agree with that latter message.

 

But wait - Isn't Harold Camping the same fellow who predicted Christ's return back in May? That's true; the 90-year-old former civil engineer had said that the world would witness Jesus' return on May 21. That prediction caused quite a reaction with some. Some invested all or large chunks of their savings to purchase billboard space warning neighbors to get ready. Many put their full faith in this man's ability to see in Scripture the exact date of the Second Coming.

 

You and I know that Jesus didn't return on May 21. Camping admitted an error in his calculations, but announced October 21 as the corrected date. Not as much excitement has been aroused over this new date, though. No billboards have been rented in my town to publicize this date.

 

Let me be clear on this matter: I cannot tell you that Jesus will not return today. But I would be going against what the Bible teaches if I were to say that I know that He will come back today. What I'll admit is that I simply don't know. Nor do I think that any other person knows.

 

Jesus Himself taught this truth. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36). What "day" did Jesus have in mind when He said that? The next verse makes it clear: "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:37). How could Jesus have made His point more clearly?

 

A few verses later Jesus used the image we used above: "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:43,44).

 

Thieves generally do not inform their targeted victims ahead of time of the day they plan to strike. Why did Jesus choose this image? Because just as it's wise to always be ready for the thief, so it's even wiser to always be ready for the Lord's return.

 

Let there be no doubt: "But the day of the Lord will come ..." (2 Peter 3:10). Also be sure of this: "... as a thief in the night" (2 Peter 3:10).

 

No, I cannot tell you that Jesus will not return to earth today. But I have no basis on which to claim that He will. The best advice I can offer is to live as if this really is the day. Living by this philosophy, we'll be ready - whenever He comes.

 

Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you'd like to discuss these ideas further.

 

Timothy D. Hall.

http://www.networkedblogs.com/

There are some GREAT blogs at http://www.networkedblogs.com/. 

 

You can also find my material here at these links:

 

http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/daily-devotional-blog

 

http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/greek-word-study-blog

Funeral sermon for an elderly person

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. … He hath made every thing beautiful in his time…"

 

Today is our time to weep, mourn, embrace, speak, and love. I loved – the deceased -  because…

 

That reminds of a story that Jesus told about some workers in the vineyard. "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them … for the day and sent them into his vineyard. About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. "He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.' "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius…" (MT 20:1-16)

 

            *- the deceased - entered the vineyard of the Lord late in the day, and he didn't work as long as some others have. Yet the promise of Christ is the same for everyone who gives their life to Him.

 

            *Thank God for His mercy, grace, and love. – the deceased -  is now receiving the promised reward that God has in store for all of His people.

 

There are two observations that are here for those of us who remain.

 

            *Death is certain for all of us. Hugh has now walked the path to it's completion. And we are all walking along that same path. "It is appointed unto man once to die, and after that the judgment," the Bible says. Death may come soon to some of us, suddenly, or after a long illness. Rich or poor, strong or weak, death comes to us all. And we must be ready.

 

            *There is only one way to prepare for death and the judgment. That is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus told Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me           will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do            you believe this?" We must decide if we believe Christ or not. And if we say we do believe

Christ, then we must live our lives under the control of His will.

 

Today I would like to offer these comforts to the – the deceased -  family.

 

            *You have done your best for – the deceased -. You were very attentive to his needs. You cared for him. You sacrificed your days and nights, your personal family times, and your own needed rest so that you could offer your love to Him.

 

            *You can remember that death is not all. Beyond – the deceased -  passing, there is another life, another land. There is a new home. Apostle Paul wrote, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

 

            *You can see – the deceased -  again … for if we give our lives to Christ and He saves us … just as He saved – the deceased - … we believe will know him in Heaven. Romans 6:3-5 "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection."

 

When Dwight L. Moody was dying, he said, "earth is receding, heaven is coming down, and I am going home." And the same is true for – the deceased - 

 

King David wrote, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." John wrote, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on….they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." He knows every breath that we draw, every pain we endure, and every groan that we utter. And though it brings us grief, God is blessed for He has saved one of his children.

 

Theodore Roosevelt said, "… Both life and death are parts of the same Great Adventure."  I do not believe that – the deceased -  was ever afraid of an adventure. He lived a full life and left behind many exceptional memories, enriching all of our lives.

 

 In closing today, I would like for us to remember the words written by Mrs. A. S. Bridgewater:

 

We read of a place that's called Heaven,

It's made for the pure and the free;

These truths in God's Word he hath given,

How beautiful Heaven must be.

In Heaven no drooping or pining,

No wishing for elsewhere to be;

 

God's light is forever there shining,

How beautiful Heaven must be.

Pure waters of life there are flowing,

And all who will drink may be free;

Rare jewels of splendor are glowing,

How beautiful Heaven must be.

The angels so sweetly are singing,

Up there by the beautiful sea;

Sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing,

How beautiful Heaven must be.

 

John Dobbs 

Forsythe Church of Christ  Monroe, LA

 

What is the best book available on the market ?

 

                               "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not

                                     unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

We've been studying the book of Proverbs for quite some time now and we're slowly working our way through it. I prefer to think that we're making sure that we're getting everything out of it, but I sometimes get the impression that my class thinks we're stuck in low gear at the rate we're going through the book. I just tell them that I have two speeds of teaching and, if they don't like this one, they sure ain't gonna like the next one.

But, really I love this study because what we're seeing in Proverbs is the wisdom of God shown to us in everyday, practical situations. Situations that we all encounter while living in this plane called earth. And one of the things continually pointed to by Solomon, the writer of the book, is the difference between God's wisdom and the wisdom of man and in the noting of the difference, he shows us why God's is so much better. Both as to the physical (temporal) aspects and the spiritual (eternal).

I'd like to discuss some of these differences with you for a few moments today and I appreciate your consideration of my thoughts. Of course, there are many, many "differences" we could look at, but I'm just going to cover one of them in this lesson. However, it's a "big one."

The "difference" I'd like to study today is knowing what the "truth" is and how important it is for us to know the difference between God's "truth" (wisdom) and man's "truth" (wisdom). In taking the second clause first - the importance of it - let me just succinctly put it this way: it's the difference between eternal life and eternal death. Between residing forever in paradise or living forever in hell. I'd say that's pretty important, wouldn't you?

But you see, there are multitudes of people on this earth that "lean" more to their own or some other person's "truth" than of following God's "truth." And, sad to say, they have been here since God created the earth and put man on it in "His image" and gave him "dominion" over all other creatures. In other words, and in keeping with our lesson today, God bestowed on mankind the ability to choose his paths in life. One being the path of God's wisdom and the other, the path of man's wisdom. And, as we know from the previous paragraph, these paths lead to two distinctly different locations.

The one thing that we need to understand at this point is, that whether we're following our own "wisdom" or the "wisdom" of another person, we're following an "untruth." Any "wisdom" or "truth" different from God's is a false guide because it leads us down the wrong path. If we think that by following it we'll end up in heaven (paradise), we're following a false hope.

In the little book of Jude is found a phrase that so aptly describes those who are false guides (the Bible calls them "false teachers" in 2Pet. 2:1). Actually, most of the book of Jude is warning us about those who teach in opposition to God's wisdom and the writer provides us with several descriptors of them, but the one I like is the one that says that they are like "raging waves of the sea." (Vs. 13)

Anyone who has ever witnessed the raging and destructive nature of the ocean during a storm can easily understand the metaphor used there in Jude. I have seen that phenomenon more than once and I have no trouble relating to the comparison made by Jude of the "raging waves of the sea" to the destructive nature of "false teachers."

Well, let's go back to our first clause, the knowing of God's "truth." A man once asked another man what he thought the best book available on the market was for recognizing the many false religions (wisdom) surrounding us today. The answer he was given surprised him. The man simply answered, "The Word of God."

Do you know how the Secret Service trains it's agents to recognize counterfeit bills? How to know the difference between phoney money and the real thing? They just study the genuine bill because if they know what's real, what's genuine, they'll recognize a phoney. Is that any different than the answer given in the above paragraph? Absolutely not.

Here's another little illustration of that principle: A man who was a passenger on a steamboat was watching closely the pilot of the boat as he was steering it through an intricate channel. The passenger asked the man at the wheel how long he had been a pilot on the river and was told "I have been a pilot on these waters for over thirty years."

The passenger was impressed and replied, "Then you must know by now where every rock and bar and shoal is on this whole river." The pilot's answer to that is what fits with the principle of our lesson here. He said, "No, I don't. Not by a long ways." The passenger asked him, "Well then, what do you know?" The pilot told him, "I know where the deep water is."

Doesn't that little story bring home our lesson principle to us? We don't have to study and know about all of the false doctrines and their teachers that abound in the world today. All we have to study and know in order to recognize a false teacher, and untruth, is God's wisdom, His "truth." If we know it, we'll know something that isn't.

Let me close this little study today with these final thoughts. In John 18:38, Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" Pilate didn't realize it but, at that moment, he was looking directly at "truth." In responding to those who were believers in Him, Jesus said these words: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

And then, reading in John 14:6, in response to a question by Thomas, Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Here's the equation in a nutshell: Whatever God says is "truth." His "truth" came to this earth in the form of His Son and by His obedience to the Father and His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus became the personification of "The Truth."

Ron Covey

Occupy Wall Street

We've all watched news reports of "Occupy Wall Street", though we may
not be clear on the purpose of the movement.  Hundreds have been
encamped on Wall Street in New York City for nearly a month,
protesting corporate greed, the source of much of our nation's
financial woes (they claim).

Organized protests need a way to get their messages out.  In the past
that has meant amplification systems, such as a microphone and
loudspeakers or a simple megaphone.  New York City, however, requires
permits for amplified sound in public places, and that, authorities
claim, includes battery-powered megaphones.  And they're not willing
to issue a months-long permit.  How, then, can these protesters
broadcast their message?

The answer is "human megaphones".  One recognized leader will shout
out a message, and the crowd responds in unison with the same words.
Thus the message [THUS THE MESSAGE] of one person's voice [OF ONE
PERSON'S VOICE] can be heard by many [CAN BE HEARD BY MANY] because
many voices unite [BECAUSE MANY VOICES UNITE].

I may or may not agree with the message these protesters are shouting,
but I can't help but think their solution to the challenge is clever.

Yet this method of amplifying messages is not new.  The Lord's church
has been practicing human amplification since its beginning.

The first readers of Paul's letter to the church at Rome were a
diverse group.  There were some from a Jewish background, as well as
Gentiles.  Slaves made up a large segment of the early church and
there were Roman citizens, too.  Paul urged these Christians to be
united: "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-
minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may
with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5,6).  When many speak with "one mouth", more
people will hear the message.

Every worship assembly of Christians that follows God's will
accomplishes this purpose.  In another letter Paul wrote: "Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16).  One
person singing "Jesus Loves Me" is nice; dozens of voices singing that
same song in unison send a powerful and uplifting message!

The ultimate demonstration of this principle comes from heaven.  John
wrote about it: "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great
multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty
thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!'"
(Revelation 19:6).  You cannot doubt that John was impressed with what
he heard.  Though there was a multitude, their message of God's glory
was a "voice"; one voice amplified by a great number of tongues.

Salvation needs to be proclaimed to the entire world.  When voices
from diverse backgrounds are joined together in perfect Christian
harmony, the world is more likely to listen.  That's why Jesus prayed
for the unity of all of His followers (John 17:20,21).  Will we help
answer His prayer?

Timothy D. Hall

Renegotiating things

As we begin here today, I have to tell you that a combination of "words" and "situations" reported in the various news media are serving as the "stimulus" (recognize that one?) for my lesson today. I'm going to combine three "situations" with some Bible references and, hopefully, come up with a spiritual lesson. Well, I'm going to try anyway, so here goes.....

My three "situations" consist of a couple of fairly current news items and a college class and, unless you've been somehow cut off from all sources of news reporting, the "words" we'll use throughout our study will be very familiar to you. I doubt that you'll have any trouble picking them out as they come up in our discussion.

We've already seen the first word, "stimulus," used so let's just go on to the next one and see if we can't fit it into the subject matter of our lesson. This particular word also goes with our first "situation" and that "situation" is the recent threatened strike by the grocery workers union. Our "word" from that "situation" is - "negotiation."

It seems to me that our society, besides being a very "litigious" society, has become a "negotiating" society. Do you think this has come about because of the overabundance of lawyers in our midst? If we're not litigating something, we're negotiating something and both require lawyers being involved.

As to the grocery clerks "situation," all we heard on the news was that "negotiations" were ongoing and then we heard that they were "breaking down." But then, at the eleventh hour, through further "negotiations," the strike was averted and both sides were reported to be happy with how the "situation" ended.

Continuing on with our word "negotiation" let's move to my second "situation." If you pay any attention to the sports world, especially the winding down of the baseball season, you've no doubt noticed that a lot of players are "negotiating" for new contracts. Well, their agents, most of whom are also lawyers, are doing the "negotiating" on their behalf.

Have you ever noticed that, whenever a player has a good season, especially the pitchers, they want to "renegotiate" their contract and it's always in an upward direction? (IE: pay me more money) But, have you ever seen a contract "negotiated" downward when the player has a "bad" year? I haven't. Perhaps "negotiations" are just a one-way street when it comes to sports.

Okay, let's move our word "negotiation" to our third "situation" - the college class. I read an article written by a Physics professor at a certain college and he was very troubled by a phenomenon that seemed to be becoming more and more prevalent with his students. He reported that what was occurring in his classes was this: that approximately 10% of his students would call him, come by his office or in some way contact him trying to "negotiate" a passing grade after the class grades had been posted.

When these students saw that they had received a failing grade it suddenly dawned on them that "this just can't happen." Why, if I fail this class I'll lose my scholarship. I might even get kicked off the team or flunk out of school and have to face my parents. That's when they went into the "negotiating" mode. When they realized the ramifications of NOT doing the work that would have gotten them a passing grade.

Another thing that really bothered the professor about this "situation" was the general attitude of the "negotiating" students. He said that they felt that they "deserved" a better grade because they were willing to beg him for one. He also noted that they seemed bewildered and shocked when he would not change it for them. They thought that he was being unfair about this "situation" because they were being judged by their "performance" rather than their "desires."

Now let's look at our Biblical references and then see if we can draw a spiritual conclusion to our "words, situations and Bible references." Can you recall a "negotiation situation" in the Bible? Oh, there are probably several of them you might think of, but the one I'm going to use here is the parable of the 10 virgins found in Matt. 25:1-12. You remember them - 5 were wise and 5 were foolish.

It's really a very simple lesson shown there by Jesus. He said that 5 of them "did" and "were prepared" to enter into the bridegroom's house. But, 5 of them "did not," were "unprepared" and were not allowed to enter. We see that they tried to "negotiate" by crying out (begging) "Lord, Lord, open up to us." Reminiscent of the professor and his failing students, they wanted to be let in even though they didn't perform. And, just like the verdict issued by the professor, the answer the "foolish virgins" received was "Verily I say unto you, I know you not."

How about tying these thoughts in with that oft-cited passage from Matt. 7:21 where Christ said: "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Just sitting in class every now and then won't cut it. You have to "do" the class work.

Still using our 3^rd situation, the college professor and his students, let's read some verses found in the 22^nd chapter of Revelation, to wit: 11-14. You'll notice there that, at the time of judgment, those who were "unjust" will be "unjust still." And those that are "filthy" will be "filthy still." In other words, your grades have been posted and no amount of "negotiations" will change them.

Now take a look at what is said in verse 12 - that everyone will be rewarded "according to his work." Not according to what they desire, or what they'd like to receive, or even what they feel they deserve. No, they will be rewarded according to whether they performed the work as they were instructed.

Verse 14 brings it home to us and as you read it keep in mind what Jesus said in Matt. 25 about the wise and unwise virgins. "Blessed are they that 'do' his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

Here's the concluding thought: your earthly life is your classroom. Christ is the "Professor" and has issued the "lesson plan" that, if "done," will result in being awarded a "passing grade." If we, the students, fail to follow the "Professor's curriculum and "don't do" what's required by it, we will fail the class and will not be rewarded with a "passing grade." And no amount of "negotiating" or begging will change it.

When class is over, when the grades are posted, the "unjust" (the failures) will be "unjust still" and the "righteous" (the passing) will be "righteous still."

Ron Covey

North Dakota and Montana's Bakken Formation

  Several people have forwarded emails to me with a link to the United States Geological Survey website.  The news article on the site claims that there is a place where there is between three and 4.3 billion barrels of oil that could be taken from the ground and used as fuel for cars and other systems and machines using petroleum.  Where is it?  In North Dakota and Montana's Bakken Formation.  It is interesting that America imports a net of 9.4 million barrels of oil every day from 42 different countries (U.S. Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov/tools/faqs).

This is not an article on politics.  It does, however, make a dramatic illustration.  We do not fail to drill domestically because there are no resources.  For a variety of reasons, many of which are political, we are not drilling.  It should be obvious that gas prices and energy prices would drop dramatically were these resources to be recovered.  One might assume that economic relief or improvement would follow.

In the final analysis, regarding things eternal, this will not matter to us.  Yet, I am amazed that the majority of the world has a resource infinitely more valuable that it has left untapped.  That resource is a relationship with God.  People can be surrounded by Christians, examples of righteous living, evidence of the joy and happiness in the lives of God's people.  They see their faith and sense of purpose, and may even, on some level, envy and desire it for their own lives.  But, they fail to access it.  They remain "out" of Christ.

Paul reveals that all spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3).  Peter speaks of our unparalleled inheritance, our protection, our joy, and our future (1 Pet. 1).  John tells us to look and see the love the Father has shown us (1 John 3:1).  A wealth of resources and resources of spiritual wealth abound in living the Christ-life.  How could anybody know about this and not tap into such blessings?  Indeed, how?

 

--Neal Pollard  

A water strider

While on a recent out-of-town trip, I had the opportunity to get out early one morning with my camera. I walked down from the lodge in which I was staying to a scenic lake nearby. The rising sun warmed the air, and mist began rising from the surface of the water. Peace prevailed, and my spirit drank deeply.

 

As I strolled across the footbridge that spanned a narrow neck of the lake, I heard birds nearby. As I focused on a clump of jewelweed, I saw four or five hummingbirds sipping nectar. Looking into the water I could see tiny fish darting here and there. Ripples in the water told me that fish were on the hunt for bugs and larvae that had the misfortune to fall in.

 

While still on the bridge I notice some slight movement on the water's surface, which I quickly identified as a water strider. These creatures have always fascinated me with their ability to "walk on water". Then I realized that there were not just a few of these insects at work, but hundreds, probably thousands. I wondered how many other forms of life I fail to notice as I go about my way.

 

Astronauts in orbit have a unique perspective of the earth. From that distance, large land masses are easily seen, along with the great oceans that surround them. But hardly anything of man's doing can be detected. I've heard that portions of the Great Wall of China can be seen, and perhaps one or more of the pyramids of Egypt. But the unaided eye from space cannot see people.

 

Can God see people? When the size of our solar system is considered, we're not very significant. The solar system is just a small fragment of our galaxy, the Milky Way. And now we're being told that the number of galaxies in the universe would boggle the minds of rocket scientists of the previous generation. Do we appear even as large as the water striders?

 

Isaiah chose a different insect in developing this thought: "It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers ..." (Isaiah 40:22). In one sense, we are incredibly tiny in comparison to God. He dwells in the heavens; can we hope to be noticed?

 

In that same chapter, however, God's concern for those He created is stated beautifully: "He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young" (Isaiah 40:11). God is not only at a distance, but also close at hand. He gets involved in the lives of those who will let Him!

 

My favorite statement of God's personal notice of each of us comes later in Isaiah's prophecies: "Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you" (Isaiah 46:3,4).

 

As I shuttle busily about my life, I often fail to notice the creatures around me - even the human kind. But I must never judge God by my failings. We are not unnoticed to Him. He continues to care for those He made, and reaches out to us with never-ending love!

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Timothy D. Hall.

In all these things we are more than conquerors

                              "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors

                                           through him that loved us." Romans 8:37

While watching a football game on TV the other day, a commercial came on advertising a particular brand of athletic clothing and equipment. In the presentation of their ad, they used a Bible phrase that caught my ear. And, based on our knowledge of TV content, it's possible that they may not know that it's a phrase from the Bible, but we recognize it as such. It's from Romans 8:37 (see above) and the phrase is "more than conquerors." Of course, when I heard it spoken it immediately set my editorial juices flowing and today's lesson is the result of that flowage.

I think it interesting to take a word or a phrase from the Bible and develop an editorial lesson from it and this phrase intrigued me. What is meant by it? What point is the Apostle Paul making by the use of it? When you think about it, how can one be "more than a conqueror?" Like I said, I find this phrase interesting and I hope that you find my thoughts on it interesting too.

Like just about all studies of Bible topics, we need to look at the surrounding verses, or the context in which a statement is made. What, in general, is being talked about that would cause a particular phrase to be uttered. As to our phrase under consideration today I think we have to first look at the words "all these things" which immediately precede the "more than conquerors" phrase so let's do just that.

The words "these things" refers us back to the general and overall theme of the 8^th chapter of Romans. Note that Paul starts this chapter by saying that "there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Then verse 2 tells us that in "belonging to Him, His life-giving power has freed us from the power of sin which is spiritual death." Those first two verses sort of sets the tone for the rest of the chapter.

Reading on down the chapter, we see in verse 14 that by belonging to Christ ("led by the Spirit of God") then we are "sons of God." A little later, in verse 16 we see Christians (those belonging to Christ) being called "children of God." In verse 17 we start getting closer to understanding what the words "these things" means because it tells us there that "as children of God" we are then "heirs" of His "glory" but, that if we're going to share in Christ's "glory," we are going to have to share in "His suffering." Yes, not only in regards to baptism, we also know that bad things can and will happen to us in this earthly life.

But, no matter what the "sufferings" that come at and upon us, when compared with the "glory" we'll share with Him, none of them will match the rewards of this "glory." Or, as Paul says in verse 18, they're not even "worthy of being compared" with what lies ahead. And he adds in verse 25 that we must "patiently wait" for this "glory" to come. This thought fits right nicely with a phrase he uses in Rom. 12:12 where he says that we must have "patience in tribulation."

As we read on down we see in verse 30 that "those whom He called" (Christians, or those who are "in Christ") are those who are "justified." And Paul carries the equation on out to say that "those justified" are those to whom "glory" is awarded.

But now we get to the nitty-gritty of our original question of what the words "these things" mean. Now don't get confused about the words "these things" seen in verse 31 with "these things" we read in verse 37. You see, "these things" in verse 31 are referring to the wonderful "things" that were portrayed to us in the verses prior to verse 31. IE: The being designated "sons" and "children of God." And the "justification" and the subsequent "glory" awaiting those "sons and children."

The reason we need to understand the context in which phrases and statements are found is exemplified by looking at the difference in what is meant by these two separate uses of the words "these things." When we read "these things" in verse 37 it's referring to some "things" said just prior to that verse. What we find there defines verse 37's "things."

What we find "these things" to mean in verse 37 is those "things" that come under the heading of "tribulation" or "distress." Those things which we have to "suffer" in our present lives. Things enumerated in verse 36 like "persecutions, hunger, being destitute, in danger, or even being threatened with death." There was a time, in the days of the early church, when being a Christian could bring physical persecution and death upon you. We thank God that it isn't this situation in most of the world today, but that doesn't mean that those situations can't arise again.

So, now that we understand what the words "these things" are referring to, let's see if that doesn't give us a better understanding of how we can be "more than conquerors." I guess that I could orate and pontificate greatly on the answer to the question of "how" that can happen, but in reality, it's not all that complicated.

It simply means that if we, as Christians, truly belong to Jesus Christ, then we are also "sons of God" and if we continue throughout our lives as such, IE: being patient in whatever suffering or tribulation comes our way, then we will be "glorified" by God. It means that, if we don't let sin and the tribulations and cares of this world cause us to abandon Christ, then we'll have "overwhelming victory." Or as Paul wrote: "we're more than conquerors." Because that victory is "ours through Christ who loved us."

It's worth noting the last two verses of Romans the 8^th chapter because they tell us that nothing in and of this world can "separate" (IE: take away) us, God's children, from Him - not even "angels or demons" nor the "powers of hell." What these two verses tell me is, that there is no power in heaven or earth that can overpower God and force a child of His out of His hand.

But, the sad epitaph is, we can voluntarily leave Him. As long as we are holding on to His hand, there is no power that can remove us - can break that hold. Jesus used the metaphor of Christians being "My sheep" in John 10:28 and told His listeners on that occasion, that no one has the power to "pluck them out of my Father's hand."

Thus, the idea here is, don't turn loose of God's hand, or wander from the fold. If we do that, we will not be "conquerors" we will have been "conquered" by sin and the arch adversary of God - Satan.

Ron Covey

The Applejack Invitational Cross Country

The Applejack Invitational Cross Country meet in Lakeville, Minnesota, was underway when Andover High School runner, Josh Ripley, heard something unusual.  He was in the first mile of the 2-mile junior varsity race held on September 16, but he stopped to see what was wrong. 

"I had heard this scream, and as I rounded a corner, he came into view," Josh said.  What he saw was a competitor from Lakeville South, Mark Paulauskas, who had been injured.

"He was against a fence holding his ankle, and it was bleeding pretty badly," said Josh.

Josh picked him up and started running with him in his arms.  "He just picked me up and started carrying me and trying to calm me down.  He said, 'It's going to be OK.  I'm going to get you to your coaches,'" Mark said, estimating that he was carried about a quarter of a mile.

The two runners finally came to a point in the course where they came into the view of their coaches.  There was the 6-foot-5, 185 lb. Josh, from Andover High, carrying the 5-foot-5, 100 lb. Mark, a freshman at Lakeville South High, in his arms.

Josh handed off the injured Mark to his coach.  Mark was taken to a hospital emergency room, where doctors determined he had been accidentally spiked by another runner's shoe.  It took 20 stitches to close the gash, and the doctor's placed Mark in a walking boot to reduce the possibility of the wound re-opening. 

Having made sure Mark was in the care of his coaches, Josh resumed the race.  He was dead last when he returned to the course, but passed 50 other runners to finish 211th out of 261 runners.  However, he was greeted like a winner at the finish line.  Mark's coach and teammates met him at the finish line to thank him for what he had done for Mark.

"I'm just incredibly grateful for what he did," said Mark.

You and I can have reason to identify with Mark, because due to our sins, WE are fatally "injured" and destined to die (Romans 6:23).

But Someone has come to our rescue! 

Jesus, the Son of God, entered the race... the "human race" by putting on human flesh and ran to our aid.  Although we were "enemies" because of our rebellion (see Romans 5:10), Jesus paid the price for our sins by giving His life for us on the cross (Ephesians 1:7).  And because of Jesus, you and I can not only finish the race but also enjoy an eternal reward: the Crown of Life (James 1:12; Rev 2:10).

We can be victorious through Christ if we will accept His offer of salvation on His terms by placing our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27).

Won't YOU accept His offer of salvation and allow Him to carry you to victory?

And when you cross the ultimate "finish line," be sure to thank HIM for the victory!

David A. Sargent