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