http://mywebpages.comcast.net/davidriggs01/briefvs.htm
201. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Rev. 3:16)
"The board of absentees will meet each time a service of the church is in session. They will discuss various ways to keep attendance as low as possible. They will endeavor to see that there is no enthusiasm, and will help decrease the giving. The board will also seek to weaken the preacher's influence, and plan various ways to hinder any revival efforts or visitation programs. The board of absentees is composed of the following members. Mr. I.M. Unconcerned, Mrs. O.U. Hypocrite, Mr. and Mrs. U.R. Lazy, Mrs. C. Others, and Mr. I.M. Disgruntled." (Author Unknown)
202. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Rev. 3:20)
Holment Hunt, a famous English painter, in the late 1800's painted a masterpiece entitled, "Christ at the door." It is said that when Mr. Hunt had finished his painting, he displayed it for the critics. As it was unveiled, one of the critics replied with laughter, "You forgot to put a latch on the door." The great artist replied, "There is no latch on the door; the latch is on the inside."
When we examine a reproduction of Hunt's, "Christ at the door," we will see no latch on the door. Truly, the latch is on the inside. If Jesus comes into our lives, it will not be because He forced His way in, but because we opened the door by submission to Him.
203. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." (Col. 3:23-24)
When a slow-moving clerk in a small store was not around one morning, a customer asked the owner's young son, "Where's Eddie? Is he sick?" "Nope, he ain't workin' here no more," was the reply. "Do you have anyone in mind for the vacancy?" inquired the customer. "Nope! Eddie didn't leave no vacancy!"
We smile, but the statement which characterized Eddie, equally applies to many members of the church today. In serving the Lord, they are so weak and lukewarm that if they moved to another State their absence would scarcely be noticed. 1 Cor. 15:58 says, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
204. "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matt. 11:11)
John was truly a great man in many ways. He was a child of promise born to godly parents. He prepared the way for the Lord and bore witness of Jesus as the Christ. His preaching was plain and powerful, and many people went out to be baptized by him. He died a martyr.
Nevertheless, as Jesus said, "He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." This shows the greatness of the kingdom and the value of the blessings therein. Those who make up the kingdom have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Col. 1:13-14 says, "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."
How about you? Have you been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom? If not, why not obey the gospel today?
205. "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Pet. 1:20-21 NIV)
It is sometimes argued that one cannot use the Bible itself to prove that the Bible is the word of God. They say, "One cannot prove the Bible by the Bible." Their argument makes no sense. If someone claimed that he had found another writing of William Shakespeare, the contents of the document (mannerisms, style of writing, choice of words and phrases, etc.) would be the best proof or disproof of the claim. Men would carefully examine the contents of the writing to determine the authenticity of the alleged author.
Likewise, if one wanted to determine if the Scriptures are the word of God, the Scriptures themselves should be investigated. The evidence in the Bible is overwhelmingly sufficient to convince all fair-minded people that the Bible is indeed the word of God.
206. "...Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:14) "...That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work..." (Col. 1:10)
Once upon a time there were four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody . There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. But Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry because Everybody was asked to do it instead of Somebody. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, and Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody, and Nobody did the job that Anybody could have done in the first place. Thus, who got the job done? That's right, Nobody!
Let us be zealous and fruitful in every good work, and not depend on others to do our work for us.
207. "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus..." (Col. 1:28)
A pioneer preacher was said to have been preaching on "The Bible can be understood" to a small group who had gathered on the street when an atheist ridiculed him saying, "If the Bible is so easily understood, who don't more people understand it?"
The preacher answered, "If I want to grow turnips, though I might have good seed and the best of soil, I must first grub out the weeds. People can easily understand the Bible, but first one must grub out the denominational errors which have filled hearts. Once this is done, one can plant the good seed and have good results."
208. "He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Rev. 19:13-16)
The idea of hell and judgment are nowhere to be found in Betty Eadie's bestseller, Embraced By The Light, which was on the N.Y. Times bestseller list for more than 40 weeks, including 5 weeks as #1. Eadie allegedly died after undergoing a hysterectomy, and returned five hours later with the secrets of heaven revealed by Jesus. Eadie says that while she was in heaven with Jesus, He "never wanted to do or say anything that would offend me." Thus, her book demotes Jesus to nothing more than the role of a happy tour guide, not the King of kings and Lord of Lords who rules with a rod or iron. It is sad to think that multitudes enjoy reading such nonsense.
209. "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10)
From an experience of her childhood, Mrs. Floyd Crook recalls how a great truth was impressed upon her with special meaning. She writes, "I came home from school one day crying because I had been given only a small part in the children's program, while my playmate got the leading role. After drying my tears, my mother took off her watch and put it in my hand. 'What do you see?' she asked. 'A gold case, a face, and two hands,' I replied. Opening the back, she repeated the question. I told her I saw many tiny wheels. 'This watch would be useless,' she said, 'without every part - even the ones you can hardly see.' That object lesson has helped me all through life to see the importance of the small duties we're asked to perform."
210. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)
Some do not become Christians because they think they won't be able to remain faithful. Others, for the same reason, give up in despair. Jesus would say, "O ye of little faith." The Lord gives strength and help. To think otherwise is to distrust God. Christians are kept by the power of God through faith (1 Pet. 1:5; Phil. 2:13). God commands nothing unreasonable (Rom. 12:1), nor does He demand too much (1 John 5:3) He knows we will not be perfect (1 John 1:8-9), but He wants us to try. The "fearful" or "cowardly" will have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8).
Sometimes people must drive their cars toward home on a dark and treacherous night. They can't see all the way home before they start, neither can they see every curve, dangerous place, or the on-coming traffic from the beginning, but they start. They will travel across those things as they come to them, and with the blessing of God, return home safely. So it is in living the Christian life.
211. "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator." (1 Pet. 4:19)
In 1762, Charles Wesley (brother of John Wesley) wrote this inspiring hymn:
A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify;
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage,
To do my Master's will!
Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thy-self rely,
Assured if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.
212. "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matt. 20:26-28)
In a recent survey of 287 college students, nearly all of them expressed a desire for greatness; yet, very few perceived any connection between greatness and service. Jesus exemplified humble service by washing the disciples' feet. He said, "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." (John 13:13-15)
Let us follow in the steps of Jesus by serving others. Our humble service is what makes us great in the kingdom of God.
213. "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)
When Cortez landed at Vera Cruz in 1519 to begin his conquest of Mexico with a small force of 700 men, he purposely set fire to his fleet of eleven ships. His men on the shore watched their only means of retreat sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. With no means of retreat, there was only one direction in which to move, forward into the Mexican interior to meet whatever might come their way.
To be a disciple of the Lord, we also must purposely destroy all avenues of retreat. We must resolve that whatever price is required for being His follower, we will gladly pay. We have become citizens of the kingdom of God, and we will not retreat to the world.
214. "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy." (Psalm 103:8) "All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies." (Psalm 25:10)
The legend is told of a desert wanderer who found a crystal spring of unsurpassed freshness. The water was so pure he decided to bring some to his king. Barely satisfying his own thirst, he filled a leather bottle with the clear liquid and carried it many days beneath the desert sun before he reached the palace. When he finally laid his offering at the feet of his sovereign, the water had become stale due to the old container in which it had been stored. However, the king would not let his faithful subject even imagine that it was unfit for use. He tasted it with expressions of gratitude and delight, and his loyal servant went away with a joyful heart. After he was gone, others sampled the water, and expressed their surprise that the king had even pretended to enjoy it. The King said, "It is not the water I tasted, but the love that prompted the offering."
Many times our service is marked by multiplied imperfections, but our King looks at our love for Him, and says, "I will be merciful to My people."
215. "...Yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles." (Matt. 13:21)
"I was talking with a farmer about his soybean and corn crops. Rain had been abundant, and the results were evident. However, his comment surprised me. He said, 'My crops are especially vulnerable. Even a short drought could have a devastating effect.' 'Why?' I asked. He explained, 'Though we see the frequent rains as a benefit, during that time the plants are not required to push roots deeper in search of water. The roots remain near the surface. A drought would find the plants unprepared and quickly kill them.'" (From Neal Orchard)
Likewise, some Christians receive abundant blessings, fellowship, and teaching. However, when hardship, tribulation, or persecution enters their lives, they suddenly quit the Lord. Their roots have never pushed below the surface. Only roots that are deeply grounded in the Lord will endure in times of drought in our lives.
216. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)
During the depression a good man lost his job, exhausted his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his precious wife. The only thing he had left was his faith and it was weakening. One day he was combing the neighborhood looking for work. He stopped to watch some men who were doing some stone work on a church building. One of the men was skillfully chiseling a triangular piece of rock. Not seeing a spot where it would fit, he asked "Where are you going to put that?" The man pointed toward the top of the building and said, "See that little opening up there near the spire? That's where it goes. I'm shaping it down here so it will fit in up there." Tears filled this good man's eyes as he walked away and thought of how the words "Shaping it down here so it will fit in up there" applied to his life and eternity.
The blows of hammer and chisel hurt, but hold on to your faith. Keep praying. Keep believing. The Master has to do some shaping of us down here so we'll fit in up there.
217. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge." (Psalm 19:1-2)
In the town hall in Copenhagen stands the world's most complicated clock. It took forty years to build at a cost of more than a million dollars. That clock has ten faces, fifteen thousand parts, and is accurate to two-fifths of a second every three hundred years. The clock computes the time of day, the days of the week, the months and years, and the movements of the planets for twenty-five hundred years. Some parts of that clock will not move until twenty-five centuries have passed.
What is intriguing about that clock is that it is not accurate. It loses two-fifths of a second every three hundred years. Like all clocks, that timepiece in Copenhagen must be regulated by a more precise clock, the universe itself. The universe, a mighty astronomical clock, with billions of moving parts, rolls on century after century with movements so reliable that all time on earth can be precisely measured against it. (From "Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching," p. 45)
218. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
As part of a contest, a number of artists were invited to paint a picture of perfect peace. Eventually, the judges narrowed their choice to two entries. The first contestant created a scene of a quiet lake high in the mountains. The second one depicted a thundering waterfall above which the branch of a birch tree was bending. On the fork of that limb and in the gentle spray, a robin sat undisturbed in her nest. Both paintings were equally beautiful and spoke of tranquility, but the second won the prize. It showed by contrast, and in graphic detail, the absolute calmness that can be found in the midst of turbulent surroundings.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7)
219. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)
Some think that the grace of God and works are incompatible. On the contrary, salvation is both by grace and works. Suppose a particular rich uncle said to his nephew, "I will give you a million dollars if and when you graduate from college, are married, and name your first child after me." When the young man meets those conditions, will he have actually earned the million dollars? No, it was a gift. He simply received it by meeting the conditions. So it is with the grace of God.
Eph. 2:8-9 is teaching that we have not been saved by boastful works which we might devise ourselves; however, we are saved by the works which God ordained. The very next verse which follows Eph. 2:8-9 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10)
220. "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13) "And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:26)
Horatio G. Spafford, a successful Chicago lawyer, lost most of his wealth in the financial crisis of 1873. He sent his wife and four daughters on a trip to France; but on their way, their ship was struck by another, and sank. Of 225 passengers, only 87 of them survived.
Mrs. Spafford was among the survivors, but the four daughters perished. As soon as she reached land, she telegraphed to her husband: "Saved alone. Children lost. What shall I do?"
Spafford left for France to join his wife and return her to Chicago. In the depth of this bereavement, he wrote his only hymn: It is Well With My Soul. Perhaps the words of the first stanza will take on new meaning for us, as we ponder them.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrow like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."
221. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matt. 23:27-28)
On the French Riviera, it is such an important status symbol to have a balcony on an apartment that it is quite common to see balconies painted on the walls of apartment houses. People even paint wet laundry hanging on a clothesline just to give it a touch of reality.
Let us not be spiritual hypocrites painted to appear like a Christian, but let us be true, genuine, children of God.
222. "And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day..." (Jude 6)
The Word of God plainly teaches that there's a great day coming. It is the day in which God will judge all men (Acts 17:31). It is the last day wherein God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the gospel (Rom. 2:16; John 12:48). All the bodies of men will be raised on that last day (John 6:40,44,54; 11:24). It is the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Rom. 2:5). It will come as a thief in the night and the heavens will pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat (2 Pet. 3:10).
Are you ready for that day to come?
223. "There is a kind of man who curses his father, and does not bless his mother." (Prov. 30:11)
Mother's Are:
Blowers of noses and washers of ears,
Smoothers of bumped spots and wipers of tears,
Bathers of babies and umpires of spats,
Finders of boots and mittens and hats,
Helpers with lessons and makers of beds,
Shakers of dustcloths and combers of heads,
Button-sew-oners and winders of clocks,
Menders of dresses and darners of socks,
Tellers of stories and readers of books,
Judges and juries of conduct and looks,
Doctors of heartaches and hearers of prayers,
Generals directing all family affairs,
Tenders of home fires and builders of men,
Oh, for the gift of an adequate pen! (By Floyd Wood)
Oh, if we could only adequately tell the worth of mothers!
224. "For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." (Heb. 8:4-5)
Michael Angelo painted his magnificent "Last Judgment" in the Sistine Chapel in 1541, but over the centuries it had accumulated much dirt, grease, and grime. Some painters had gone in and made some repairs and changes, and by the 1900's, no one knew exactly what Angelo's painting was supposed to be. Thus, in 1990, an intense effort was made to restore the painting to its original form. When it was finally restored, artists were amazed that some of the creatures in Angelo's painting were totally different from what they thought they were. The painting had now been brought back to the original, and there was great delight on the part of many when they viewed its splendor.
Let us restore the original faith and practice by building according to the pattern. Moses had to build according to the pattern; otherwise, the things he wrote could not have accurately foreshadowed the New Testament order. If Moses had to thus build according to the pattern, certainly, we must do likewise.
225. "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of
the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives
power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall
faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall
renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint." (Isa. 40:28-31)
I asked for Strength,
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom,
And God gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity,
And God gave me a Brain and Muscle to work.
I asked for Courage,
And God gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love,
And God gave me Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favors.
And God gave me Opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted,
but I received everything I needed.
(Author Unknown)
226. "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" (Luke 15:20-24)
In a small town in Spain, a man named Jorge had a bitter argument with his young son Paco. The next day Jorge discovered that Paco's bed was empty. He had run away from home. Overcome with remorse, Jorge searched his soul and realized that his son was more important to him than anything else. He wanted to start over. Jorge went to a well-known store in the center of town and posted a large sign that read, "Paco, come home. I love you. Meet me here tomorrow morning."
The next morning Jorge went to the store, where he found no less than seven young boys named Paco who had also run away from home. They were all answering the call for love, each hoping it was his dad inviting him home with open arms. (From "A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul")
227. "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." (Col. 3:21)
Children must be handled with care. They need firm discipline administered in love. Don't alienate them by angering, deriding, or destroying their self-respect so that they lose heart. Prov. 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Let us do our best in rearing our children.
228. "...Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Heb. 10:25)
I once heard of an excellent example of faithfulness which occurred in a country church in central Kentucky. An older brother who was in very poor health, and unable to walk, insisted on being carried to worship services. For years, his grandchildren literally carried him in and out of the building before and after services. At times, he was in such bad health that he was unable to sit up, and his grandchildren would carry him in and lay him on the front pew. This they did until the day he died for they knew it was what their grandfather wanted.
In view of this, can we honestly say that our little aches and pains are a legitimate excuse for forsaking the assembling of the saints?
229. "But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward." (Jer. 7:23-24)
In the 1800's, when there was a split in the Lord's church over the Missionary Societies, those who promoted the Societies called themselves "progressive." This was supposed to mean that they were the ones "progressing" in the Lord's work. The true Christians began to call them "digressive," because, in reality, that was what they were.
The word "gressive" is from the Latin and means "to walk or go," and has many interesting compounds. "Transgressive" means "To step or go beyond" "digressive," "to turn aside" "retrogressive," "to go back" "progressive," "to go forward" "aggressive," "ready to go."
Let us have a marked readiness to go forward in the Lord's service, and shun falsehoods and worldly endeavors that take us backward.
230. "Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy." (Matt. 5:7)
In Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables, Jean Valjean served a 19-year sentence for stealing a loaf of bread in order to feed his sister's family. Finally, he is set free. A bishop is the only one who will befriend the embittered man. Valjean rewards him by stealing some of his silver. He is caught red-handed by the police. The bishop is called to the police station to prefer charges. Instead of doing that, he brings Valjean his candlestick holders as well. Valjean is forever changed. He extends grace to an orphan child and raises her as his own. He forgives the policeman who wanted to put him back in jail. Finally he dies, holding in his hand the two candlesticks that the bishop gave him. This embittered man learned to extend mercy because mercy had been extended to him.
Let us show mercy because we will receive judgment without mercy if we show no mercy.
231. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17)
It is not the ship in the water, but the water in the ship that sinks it. Likewise, it is not the Christian in the world, but the world in the Christian that destroys him. A Christian is one who is in the world, but not of the world. Paul said, "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Gal. 6:14)
Let us not be conformed to this world, but keep ourselves unspotted from it.
232. "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them...And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:38,41,47)
In the early eighteen hundreds, there was a protracted Union Meeting conducted by several denominational preachers. Obedience to the gospel was emphasized. A very large number obeyed the gospel during the Meeting. When the Meeting was over, the preachers told the new converts to join the church of their choice. However, the new members reasoned: "We are now members of the body of Christ and are united. If we join various denominations, we will be divided." Thus, they decided to be just members of the body of Christ and not join any denomination, and that's how a church of the Lord had its beginning those many years ago.
Similarly, today, when one obeys the gospel, the Lord will add him to His church. He, then, needs to work and worship with others who have done the same.
233. "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ..." (1 Pet. 1:13)
There is a story regarding two steamboats racing each other as they were traveling up the Mississippi to a port in Memphis. The captain of one of the boats got an idea. He ordered that some of the salt pork they were carrying be thrown into the furnace. Instantly, thick black smoke came billowing out, and the boat increased its power. This worked so well that they tried it again and again. At last, with whistle blowing and flags waving, their steamboat arrived in the port at Memphis far ahead of their rival. However, when the merchants came for their cargo of pork, they found that it had all been destroyed in the furnace to win the race.
Let us not forget our true purpose in life. Our main objective is to save our souls. All other endeavors are of lessor importance.
234. "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb. 3:12-13)
"I was driving down a bumpy country road when I saw a bag of cement beside the road. It appeared to have fallen off a delivery truck as it hit one of the bumps in the rough road. Being a person who does not like to see anything wasted, I stopped to pick up the lost bag of cement. When I reached down to pick up this heavy bag, to my surprise, I discovered it was not soft and limber as I had expected, but had solidified into an immovable piece of cement.
"Often our lives are like that bag of cement. They take on shapes that were not intended and become hardened in that shape. That bag of cement was meant to become a part of some beautiful structure but, because it did not reach its place of service, it became a useless rock in the form of a bag of cement." (Author Unknown)
Let us be meticulously careful not to be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
235. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matt. 23:27-28)
Andrea Miller, in her book, "The Single Woman," wrote an interesting confession that describes a modern day hypocrite. She said that she realized she was in reality living several lives. One was that of a young executive in a company, wearing professional clothes that made her look like a business woman. In the evenings and on the weekends, she redid her hair and dressed to acquire the "swinging singles" look. She would go to the singles' bars, and do the things the swinging singles did. However, when she would write home to her parents she took on another personality. To them, she was still that good little girl, being nice, and working hard. (Adapted from "The Single Woman" by Andrea Miller)
The question is, "Who are you?" Will the real "you" please stand up? Remember, we might be able to deceive other people, but not God.
236. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." (Col. 3:18-19)
Someone has rightly said that marriage is:
1. Never being too old to hold hands.
2. Remembering to say, "I love you" at least once a day.
3. Never going to sleep angry with one another.
4. Standing together facing the world.
5. Being able to forgive and forget.
6. Helping each other grow as individuals.
7. Expressing appreciation and gratitude.
8. Marrying the right person and being the right person.
9. Helping each other go to heaven. (Author Unknown)
Let us diligently work at making our marriages what they ought to be in the sight of God.
237. "And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35)
Many years ago, William Sydney Porter (1862-1910) wrote a short story regarding a young couple who loved each other immensely. They lived in New York City in the late 1800's, and they were very poor. Each wanted very deeply to give a wonderful gift to the other; but, they had no money. Consequently, the young man went and sold his only valuable possession, his gold watch, to buy a beautiful barrette for his wife's gorgeous long hair. The young man was shocked when on Christmas morning he discovered that his wife had cut her beautiful long hair, and sold it, in order to buy a gold chain for his watch.
The moral of the story, of course, is that what is given is not nearly as important as the motivation behind the giving. The important thing is our inward sincerity in wanting to give rather than desiring to receive.
238. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." (Isa. 66:2)
"We need to repent of the haughty way in which we sometimes stand in judgment upon Scripture, and must learn to sit humbly under its judgment instead. If we come to Scripture with our minds made up, expecting to hear from it only an echo of our own thoughts and never the thunderclap of God's, then indeed he will not speak to us and we shall only be confirmed in our own prejudices. We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency, and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior." (From John Scott)
239. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)
"Going down some old cement steps, I noticed an ant carrying a leaf on its back. The leaf was many times bigger than the ant. Then the ant came to a big crack in the cement that it couldn't cross. The ant stopped a moment. I wondered if the ant would turn back or proceed into the crack without the leaf. Instead, the ant put the leaf across the crack and then crossed the crack by walking across the leaf. On the other side, the ant picked up the leaf and continued on its journey. It made me think that the burdens of today will be the bridges by which we will be able to cross the hard places in life in the future." (By Bernabe Spivey)
There is no school that teaches us better than "the school of hard-knocks."
240. "But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict." (1 Thess. 2:2)
Some people might contend that religion has no place in the office, but a recent study proves
otherwise. It might be to your advantage, the study concludes, if you profess your religious
beliefs rather than keep silent about them. Professionals who actively expressed their religious
beliefs were perceived to be more intelligent, more trustworthy, more moral, and better adjusted
than those who did not. (From Roger Bailey and Philip Doriot via "Pulpit Helps")
Let us boldly speak the word of God at every opportunity regardless of what men might say or
think.
241. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth." (Rev. 3:15-16)
In the book, "The Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis, a devil briefs his demon nephew, Wormwood, in the subtleties and techniques of tempting people. Through the letters, the devil says that the objective is not to make people wicked but to make them indifferent. Satan cautions Wormwood that he must keep the patient comfortable at all costs. If he should start thinking about anything of importance, encourage him to think about his luncheon plans and whether or not it could cause indigestion. The devil then gives this instruction to his nephew: 'I, the devil, will always see to it that there are bad people. Your job, my dear Wormwood, is to provide me with people who do not care.'" (From Brett Blair)
Let us not be indifferent or lukewarm, but concerned, zealous, and active in the work of the Lord.
242. "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
The author is unknown of this simple little poem:
You may be an ambassador to England or France; You may like to gamble, or you might like to dance;
You may have beauty with long hair and curls; You may have riches with long strings of pearls;
There is someone your service is geared toward, Is it the devil, or is it the Lord?
Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." (Matt. 12:30)
243. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." (2 Cor. 4:3-4)
In 1995, "Jane's International Defense Review" reported that Norinco of China was offering to export a weapon that used laser beams to damage the eyes of enemies. The weapon is called the ZM-87 portable laser "disturber." The ZM-87 is effective to a range of two miles.
According to the "Chicago Tribune," "Jane's said the company states that one of its major applications is to injure or dizzy the eyes of an enemy combatant with high-power laser pulses, especially anybody who is sighting and firing, by means of an optical instrument, so as to cause him to lose combat ability or result in suppression of his observation and sighting operation." (From "Contemporary Illustrations," p. 23)
Satan likewise knows that blinding a soldier renders him worthless for battle; thus, he has many weapons to blind their minds.
244. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Prov. 16:25) "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Acts 26:9)
Those who trust in feelings rather than the Bible would do well to consider the story of a Dutchman who lost his little boy in Cincinnati. He said, "I hunted all day for my boy, and about night I found him sitting in the mud by the canal. He was muddy all over. When I found my boy, he cried and I cried. I hugged my boy and he hugged me; I kissed my boy and he kissed me. I took my boy over to the canal and washed his face, and HE WAS NOT MY BOY!"
I don't know if the Dutchman found his boy or not, but the lesson is well taken. People are often blinded by emotions and can't see things as they really are. Sincere people who are desperately seeking the right way may find a way they feel is right. They embrace it, and it embraces them. They are overjoyed and happy in their new discovery. However, if they could manage to bring their emotions under control, and carefully examine God's word, they would realize that their feelings had deceived them.
Let us not walk by feelings, but by a "Thus saith the Lord."
245. "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." (Col. 3:20)
Notice this wisdom from a Poster Board: "Attention Teenagers - If you are tired of being hassled by unreasonable parents, now is the time for action! Leave home and pay your own way while you still know everything!"
It seldom occurs to teenagers that someday they will know as little as their parents. They will probably be accused by their own teenagers of not knowing anything, just as they charged their own parents. It was Mark Twain who said, "Once I was in my twenties, I began to be amazed at how much my parents had learned."
Children need to obey their parents because the Lord so requires it.
246. "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly." (Prov. 13:24)
While browsing around in the attic, Junior came across an old report card which had been his father's. He brought it downstairs and compared it with the one he had just received at school and which he intended to show when his dad was in a good mood. When Dad was seated in his easy chair, Junior said, "Hey Dad, just look at this old report card of yours and then look at the one I just got. Why, your grades aren't any better than mine." The father said, "You're right, son. I guess the only fair thing to do now is give you what my Dad gave me!"
247. "Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thess. 5:21) "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." (Matt. 7:15-16) "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)
According to a recent Associated Press story, Norman and Melissa Cameron informed the Federal National Mortgage Association that they would not pay their $54,000 mortgage because, as they said, "We asked God, the Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, and He heard us and freed us from this mortgage bondage."
When someone says that God has told them something which plainly contradicts Scripture, we can know immediately that they are frauds.
248. "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Gal. 1:8-9)
Fake gems have been around for thousands of years, but as the technology for making them has advanced, counterfeits are now harder to detect with the naked eye. The color and appearance of simulated gems may be similar to that of natural gems, but very different physically and chemically. "Cubic Zirconia" is a well-known diamond simulation.
Before paying big money for jewels, experts advise buyers to verify a stone's value with gem-testing labs, such as Gemological Institute of America. Buyers must be very careful to ensure they are getting the genuine article.
Likewise, let us be careful not to accept a counterfeit gospel. When one accepts a simulated gospel, the curse of God rests upon him.
249. "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock..." (1 Pet. 5:2-3)
General Eisenhower would demonstrate the art of leadership with a piece of string. He would put it on a table and say, "PULL it and it will follow wherever you wish. PUSH it and it will go nowhere at all. It's just that way when it comes to leading people. They need to follow a person who is leading by example." General Eisenhower also said, "You do not lead by hitting people over the head. That's assault, not leadership." (From "Illustrations for Biblical Preaching" by Michael P. Green, p. 226)
250. "...Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Pet. 2:12)
An elderly man was walking along the edge of the water and stopped occasionally, picked up something, and tossed it into the ocean. He then walked a few more steps, picked up something, and tossed it into the ocean. A young jogger had been running along and was watching the man. Finally, his curiosity got the best of him. He stopped, and went over to the old gentleman and asked, "Excuse me, what are you doing?"
The man answered: "I am saving the life of these star fish. The storm washed them ashore last night, the sun will be up in thirty minutes, and then they will all die. I am throwing them back into the water to save their lives." The jogger was a bit astounded. He said, "Old man, don't you know that you have thirty miles of beach ahead of you and that millions of those star fish were washed ashore last night. What possible difference do you think that you are going to make." The old man took another step, picked up a star fish, and as he hurled it into the ocean, he said, "Son, it will make a difference in that one's life!"
Let us continue to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, for in so doing, we will not only save our own souls, but will make a difference in someone else's life.
251. "Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.'" (John 6:29)
To believe that Jesus is the Christ is the "work of God." Some argue that if "works" were necessary, it would nullify salvation by grace. However, they fail to understand the difference between meritorious works devised by men from those commanded by God. Salvation is not by "grace alone" or "faith alone," but by "grace through faith" (Eph. 2:8), and by "faith which works through love" (Gal. 5:6). Whenever one obeys the "works" which God ordained, it does not nullify grace, but complements it. Grace teaches us to obey (Titus 2:11-14). Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9).
252. "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." (Eph. 4:28)
According to U.S. News and World Report, John Papworth, an Anglican priest in North London, England contends it is morally justifiable to steal from large supermarkets who are putting the smaller stores out of business.
The apostle Paul somehow forgot to add that exception as he was writing the commands of the Lord! 1 Cor. 6:9-10 says, "Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."
253. "...We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor. 4:18) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1)
Africa has a small deer named "impala" which can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of more than 30 feet. However, these magnificent creatures can be kept in any enclosure with a wall only 3 feet high. Impalas will not jump when they cannot see where their feet will land. Thus, in order to contain them the enclosure must be a wall and not a see-through fence.
By examining the evidence, we have faith or trust in that which we cannot see. Through faith we are freed from all enclosures that entrap us. Through faith we are able to see that which is not seen.
254. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." (Psalm 32:1)
The above verse from Psalm 32, one of the penitential Psalms of David, was written after his sin with Bathsheba, the visit of Nathan the prophet, and his repentance and forgiveness.
There are many figures in the Bible used for the covering or forgiveness of sins: "remitted" (John 20:23), "blotted out" (Acts 3:19), "washed away" (Acts 22:16), etc. God regards sin as a defiled garment (Rev. 3:4), a diseased body (Isa. 1:6), filth and vomit (2 Pet. 2:22), etc. Sin separates (Isa. 59:1-2) and alienates (Col. 1:21) from God. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).
The greatest joy one can experience is when his sin is covered. He is happy in life and death, with others and himself, and can truly rejoice evermore with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Is your sin covered? Obey the Lord Jesus Christ and this blessedness will be yours.
255. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Prov. 22:6) "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4)
It is said of Boswell, the famous author, that he often referred to a special day in his childhood when his father took him fishing. The day was so fixed in his mind that he often wrote about the many things his father taught him on that day. After having heard repeatedly of that particular excursion, it occurred to someone to check the journal that Boswell's father kept and ascertain what he said about the fishing trip. Turning to that date, the reader found only one sentence entered: "Gone fishing today with may son; a day wasted."
Any day spent in teaching and training our children is certainly not a day wasted. May God help us to do our very best in the rearing of our children.
256. "For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns; broken cisterns that can hold no water." (Jer. 2:13)
The evening news reported regarding a photographer who was a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the group as they fell and opened their parachutes. On the film shown on the telecast, as the final skydiver opened his chute, the picture went berserk. The announcer reported that the cameraman had fallen to his death, having jumped out of the plane without his parachute. It wasn't until he reached for the absent ripcord that he realized he was free falling without a parachute.
The photographer had faith in a parachute which was never buckled on. Faith in anything other than God, the fountain of living waters, can be just as tragic spiritually. Let us never forsake the fountain of living waters for things of lesser worth.
257. "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." (Gal. 6:1)
On Monday, Feb. 6, 1995, according to the "Chicago Tribune," a Detroit bus driver finished his shift on the Route 21 bus and headed for the terminal, but somehow he took a wrong turn. He didn't arrive at the terminal at the scheduled time of 7:19 p.m., and a short time later his supervisors started looking for him. Meanwhile, the driver's wife called the terminal and reported her husband might be disoriented from medication he was taking.
For several hours, the forty-foot city bus and its driver could not be found. Finally, the state police found the bus and driver - two hundred miles northwest of Detroit. The bus was motoring slowly down a rural two-lane road, weaving slightly from side to side. The policeman pulled the bus over and later reported, "The driver had no idea where he was, and agreed that he had made a wrong turn somewhere. Apparently, this had not occurred to him during the four hours he drove without finding the bus depot."
Unless we restore those who have taken a wrong turn in life, they may never regain their bearings.
258. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." (Heb. 6:4-6)
There is an old, familiar nursery rhyme which says, "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again." Actually, this nursery rhyme was first presented in the form of a riddle. It asked, "What, when broken, can never be repaired, not even by all the strongest and wisest individuals?" The answer is: "An egg." Regardless of how hard men try, a broken egg can never be put back together again.
Likewise, under the conditions mentioned in Heb. 6:4-6, it is impossible to bring those individuals to repentance for they are in no condition to repent. When, and only when, they stop crucifying Christ, putting Him to an open shame, etc., they can be brought back.
259. "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." (John 1:18)
The word "declared" in the Greek is literally "exegeted." Thus, Jesus Christ has exegeted (explained, clarified, exposed) God the Father for us. God the Father was manifested in His deliverance of the Israelites from bondage, His giving of the Law of Moses, and His presence in the temple. However, none of these make known the Father as fully and completely as His only begotten Son. When we observe the life of Jesus, what He was like, what He did and taught, we see what God the Father is like. As Jesus said to Philip, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father..." (John 14:9)
Let us examine Jesus Christ through His New Testament for thereby we see both God the Son and God the Father.
260. "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
Becoming a Christian and living the Christian life is not by divine decree or accident, but by choice. We need to "choose this day whom we will serve" because in the Judgment Day the Lord will do the choosing for us. His choice then will depend on our choice now. Paul said, "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (Rom. 6:16)
What shall it be? Will you choose to follow in the way of Christ and live, or will you follow in the way of Satan and die?
261. "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36)
Recently, a huge tree in Colorado fell to the ground with a resounding crash after having stood majestically on a hill for more than 400 years. It was a mere sapling when Columbus landed in San Salvador. Over the centuries it had been struck by lightning 14 times, braved great windstorms, and even defied an earthquake. In the end, however, it was killed by some little beetles. Boring under the bark, they chewed away its fibers until one day that lordly king of the forest came thundering down.
Similarly, little, insignificant things often make substantial inroads into our spiritual lives, and if left unchecked can cause our downfall. Idle words spoken, prayer time omitted, too much indulgence in recreation, sports, watching TV, etc., can weaken us and cause our downfall. Let us take heed lest we fall.
262. "He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness." (Mal. 3:3)
Many years ago, a lady, after reading Mal 3:3, paid a visit to a silversmith and inquired regarding the refining of silver. She said, "But Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." God sees it necessary to put His children into a furnace, but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them.
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith said that he should further mention that he only knows when the process of purifying is complete by seeing his own image reflected in the silver. Likewise, when God sees His own image in His people, His work of purifying will be accomplished.
263. "Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law." (Psalm 119:18)
An ancient legend tells of three merchants crossing the Arabian desert. Traveling in darkness to avoid the intense heat of the day, they were passing over a dry creek bed one starless night when a voice from the blackness commanded them to halt. They were then ordered to stoop, pick up pebbles from the creek bed, and put them in their pockets. After obeying the strange command, they were told, "In the morning you will be both happy and sad. You are to leave this place, and camp nowhere near it."
Shaken and confused, and obeying the mysterious intruder, they traveled through the night. When morning came, the men anxiously looked into their pockets, and rather than finding pebbles as was expected, there were precious jewels. They, indeed, were both happy and sad. They were happy they had picked up the jewels, but sad because when they had the opportunity, they did not pick up many more.
This story beautifully expresses how Christians feel about the unsearchable riches of God's holy Word. We are thrilled we've absorbed as much as we have, but sad because we've not absorbed much more.
264. "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." (1 Cor. 1:26)
"General Eisenhower once rebuked one of his Generals for referring to a soldier as 'just a Private.' He reminded him that the Army could function better without its Generals than it could without its foot soldiers. 'If this war is won,' he said, 'it will be won by Privates.' In the same way, the common, ordinary, one-talent Christians are the very backbone of the church. We have our great evangelists, our super congregations led by dynamic elders, and our wealthy brethren who are able to finance great works. But, if the work of the Lord is to be done, if the gospel is to be taken to the lost, it will be the 'ordinary' Christians who will do it." (From Bible Illustrator)
265. "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes..." (Psalm 19:7-8)
After ten years of patient work, experts in London have finished what is said to be the most perfect yardstick in the world. It is made of platinum and iridium, and was designed to be used as the standard of the British government. Every year for ten years it will be examined and if it varies by a millionth of an inch it will be rejected.
We pose simple but important questions for the experts in London: "What measuring device will be used every year to measure your 'most perfect yardstick'?" "If your 'most perfect yardstick' is found to vary a millionth of an inch by some other measuring device, is not the other measuring device more perfect than the one you have made?"
The Bible is the Christian's complete and final standard in all matters of faith and practice. Its principles never change, and its precepts abide forever. Indeed, the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, and rejoicing the heart.
266. "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.' Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Pet. 4:8-10)
Becoming the first man to climb Mt. Everest proved to be a dangerous adventure for Sir Edmund Hillary. After scaling the mountain, Hillary lost his footing on the way down. His guide, Tenzing Norgay, held the line taut and kept Hillary from falling by digging his ax into the ice. Norgay later refused special credit for saving Hillary's life by saying, "Mountain climbers always help each other."
Likewise, members of the body of Christ "always help each other."
267. "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word." (Psalm 119:9)
This is My Date "Line": The parents of my girlfriend place their trust in me. I will not violate it. I will respect my girlfriend as I expect other men to respect my sister. I will respect womanhood, because my mother is a woman. I will ask my girlfriend to do nothing I would be ashamed of if my mother found it out. My girlfriend has given me the honor and pleasure of her company. It is wrong for me to expect more in payment for this date. My girlfriend will be a wife and mother someday. She must be an example to her children and the pride of her husband. I will help her to be as pure and decent as I want my wife to be. Manhood means strength of character as well as body. Lack of self-control is a sign of weakness. I want my girlfriend to know that I am manly. God is everywhere, sees everything, knows everything. Darkness may hide me from people, but it cannot hide me from God. (Author Unknown, From Dear Abby, 3-18-93)
268. "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ..." (1 Pet. 3:21 KJV)
Baptism is not merely an outward cleansing such as taking a bath, but is an act wherein one seeks to obtain a clear conscience before God. The American Standard Version renders the phrase "the answer of a good conscience toward God" as "the interrogation of a good conscience toward God" and adds a footnote which says, "Or, inquiry or appeal." The New American Standard Version say, "...An appeal to God for a good conscience." Thus, in the act of baptism, one makes an inquiry or appeal to God for a good conscience. It is in the act of baptism that one has the answer from God as he appeals for a clear conscience.
How about you? Have you made an appeal to God for a good conscience in baptism?
269. "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. 12:9-10)
One day, as a small opening appeared on a cocoon, a man sat and watched a butterfly as it struggled to force its body through the tiny hole. The butterfly appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could; consequently, the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body. It didn't happen. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon, and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening, were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes, struggles and hardships are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through life without any obstacles, we would never be perfected in the way God wants. James said, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)
270. "...Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever..." (1 Pet. 1:23)
Some claim that a church must be able to authentically trace its history back to Christ in order to be the true church. However, we do not need a continual succession back to the original church for that same church to exist today. We need only to plant the word of God, the incorruptible seed, in the hearts of individuals. Those who believe and obey the word constitute the church in any given locality.
If someone wanted to grow Florida watermelons in Kentucky, he would not need to go to Florida and stretch a vine back to Kentucky, but would only need to obtain the seed and plant it in Kentucky. Likewise, in order to have the true church today, a historical succession is not necessary. One needs only to plant the same seed which produced the church in the first century.
271. "And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5:40-41).
The story is told of a distinguished Botanist who was exiled from his native land and obtained a job as a gardener in the United States. On a cold winter day, his employer received a valuable plant. Unfamiliar with the plant and its needs, he placed it in the greenhouse under the glare of the sun. When the plant began to die, the man asked the gardener to look at it. Quickly identifying its origin, he explained, "This is a plant which thrives in cold weather." He immediately took it outside and exposed it to the frost, heaping pieces of ice around the flowerpot. Before long the plant became healthy and flourished again. (From Bible Illustrator)
Just as some plants thrive under harsh conditions, faithful Christians rejoice when they are required to suffer hardship and persecution for the name of Christ.
272. "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth..." (1 Tim. 6:3-5)
"To say something is 'counter-productive' means it produces an opposite result from the one intended. Bombings of abortion clinics are counter-productive. They solidify opposition to the pro-life movement, and they discredit the plea to be pro-life, since in bombings innocent bystanders are sometimes hurt or killed. In refuting false doctrine, to move from discussion of the issues to character assassination is counter-productive. It tends to turn off everyone except those who already agree anyway." (By Cecil May, Jr.)
273. "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Tim. 4:2)
An army Chaplin was ministering to a dying boy in World War II. He asked if there was any message he would like to send home. The young man replied, "Yes, tell mom and dad I died happy. Also, tell my Bible class teacher that I died a Christian, and I have never forgotten his teaching."
A few weeks later the army Chaplin received a letter from the Bible class teacher. The letter said, "God have mercy upon me. Only last month I resigned from teaching Bible classes, for I felt that my teaching was not doing any good; and scarcely had I, through my cowardly, faithless heart, given up my appointed work, when I got your letter telling me that my teaching had been the means of winning a soul to God. I'm taking up my work again and, in Christ's name, I'll be faithful to the end."
Let us steadfastly teach the will of God as we have opportunity.
274. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
Dear Ann Landers:
The reader signed "Georgia," who lived through the Depression and described how hard it was to be a teenager in the 1930's, said kids today have an easy time of it compared to teens in his day. You said you couldn't argue with him.
Well, I can. Let me ask your generation a few questions: Are your parents divorced? Almost every one of my friends come from a broken home. Were you thinking about suicide when you were 12? Did you have an ulcer when you were 16? Did your best friend lose her virginity to a guy she went out with twice? You may have had to worry about VD, but did you have to worry about AIDS? Did your classmates carry guns and knives? How many kids in your class came to school regularly drunk, stoned, or high on drugs? Did any of your friends have their brains fried from using PCP? What percentage of your graduating class also graduated from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center? Did your school have armed security guards in the halls? Did you ever live in a neighborhood where the sound of gunfire at night was "normal"? You talk a lot about being dirt poor and having no money. Since when does money mean happiness? The kids at school who have the expensive cars and designer clothes are the most miserable. When I am your age, Georgia, I won't do much looking back; I'll just thank God that I survived. (Signed: Other Side of the Story in Indianapolis)
275. "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." (Rev. 22:14-15)
In the Northern hill country of India, there are private paths which lead from the main one to the homes that dot the hillside. At some of the junctions, the owners build two posts and a gate. The posts are not connected to any fence. One can easily step around the gate if he so wishes. However, when the posts are strong, the gate heavy, and a padlock secures the gate, it is the owners way of stating that this is his own private path. In other words, his gate says, "No trespassers, please!" And, "Those who disregard the warning will suffer the consequences."
As one thinks about this arrangement, it is exactly the way God deals with us. God has arranged guidelines and laws which we are to observe and respect. If one so desires, he can step around God's laws. Some day, though, he will suffer bitter consequences for disobeying God.
Let us continue to do the will of God that we may escape the wrath to come.
276. "...The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power..." (2 Thess. 1:7-9)
The following words are from an engraving from the cathedral of Lubeck, Germany:
"Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us,
You call Me master, and obey me not,
You call Me light, and see Me not,
You call Me the way, and walk Me not,
You call Me the life, and live Me not,
You call Me wise, and follow Me not,
You call Me fair, and love Me not,
You call Me rich, and ask Me not,
You call Me eternal, and see me not,
If I condemn thee, blame Me not."
277. "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." (2 Cor. 13:5) "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure..." (2 Pet. 1:10)
Many times in the secular world it is necessary to take inventory to see where a business stands. This is also needed in the spiritual realm. Here are a few suggestions for a good personal spiritual check-up:
1. Do people where I work or attend school know I'm a Christian?
2. Is my Lord respected or reviled because of my lifestyle?
3. Do I murmur against the church or my brethren?
4. Does my speech match those in the world, or that of a Christian?
5. Do I read my Bible daily? Do I desire to study it?
6. Can other people work with me? Can I with them?
7. Am I a selfish person? Do I consider others needs before my own?
8. Do I practice what I preach to others?
9. Am I an asset or a liability to the church?
10. Do I faithfully worship with God's people?
(By Keith M. Greer - slightly adapted)
278. "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." (Acts 26:17-18)
Satan knows that every person is outside of Christ until he is baptized into Christ. (Please see Gal. 3:26-27). The devil is willing to let people believe on Christ and repent of their sins, because this alone has not changed their state and relationship. However, he makes baptism a great hindrance for many, because baptism is the final act which changes the state of all who would be saved.
How about you? Will you not turn from the power of Satan to God by obeying the gospel? If you have already obeyed, but through disobedience and neglect have let Satan gain control, will you not defeat him by renewing your allegiance and dedication to the Lord?
279. "So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them." (Ezek. 33:31-32)
"Millions of Christians live in a sentimental haze of vague piety, with soft organ music trembling in the lovely light from stained glass windows. Their religion is a pleasant thing of emotional quivers, divorced from the will, divorced from the intellect and demanding little except lip service to a few harmless platitudes. I suspect that Satan has called off his attempt to convert people to agnosticism. After all, if a man travels far enough away from Christianity, he is liable to see it in perspective and decide that it is true. It is much safer, from Satan's point of view, to vaccinate a man with a mild case of Christianity so as to protect him from the real disease." (From Early Christians of the Twenty-first Century, by Chad Walsh).
280. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:8) "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful." (Titus 3:14)
"300 total membership, 20 too old to work, 280 left to work, but 30 too young to assume much responsibility, 250 left to work, but 20 work out of town or are away in school, 230 left to work, but 40 work long hours six or seven days a week, 190 left to work, but 20 are tied down with small children, 170 left to work, but 34 handicapped by poor health, aches and pains, 136 left to work, but 32 hindered by unbelieving companions, 104 left to work, but 58 are unfaithful and do not attend regularly, 46 left to work, but 30 attend but refuse to work, 16 left to do the work, but 14 are tired and ask to be relieved, 2 left to do the work, YOU and I, but I'm too busy with other things, so YOU do the work." (Author Unknown)
Let us be zealous and fruitful in every good work, and not depend on others to do our work for us.
281. "...Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because 'All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever.' Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." (1 Pet. 1:23-25)
In 1874 the Scriptures were under severe attack by critics, and John W. Haley published a defense entitled "Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible." In the preface he wrote, "Finally, let it be remembered that the Bible is neither dependent upon nor affected by the success or failure of my book. Whatever may become of the latter, whatever may be the verdict passed upon it by an intelligent public, the Bible will stand. In the ages yet to be, when its present assailants and defenders are moldering in the dust, and when our very names are forgotten, God's Word will be, as it has been during the centuries past, the guide and solace of millions."
282. "...Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Heb. 10:25)
A preacher was once asked to define "Faithful Attendance at Worship," and this was his reply: "If your car started one out of three times, would you consider it faithful? If the paperboy skipped Mondays and Thursdays, would they be missed? If you didn't show up at work two or three times a month, would your boss call you faithful? If your refrigerator quit a day now and then, would you excuse it and say, 'Oh, well, it works most of the time.' If your water heater greets you with cold water one or two mornings a week while you were in the shower, would it be faithful? If you miss a couple of mortgage payments in a year's time, would your mortgage holder say, 'Oh, well, ten out of twelve isn't bad'? If you miss worship and attend meetings only often enough to show you're interested, but not often enough to get involved, are you faithful?" (From Illustrations Unlimited, by James S. Hewett, p. 87)
283. "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Gal. 5:4) "...Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled..." (Heb. 12:15)
Clearly, one can fall from the grace of God. Many who believe in "once saved, always saved" try to use the convenient dodge: "If one falls from grace, he was never saved to begin with." To the contrary, one cannot fall from where he has never been. As a country boy once said, "You can't no more fall from where you ain't never been than you can come back from someplace you ain't never gone!"
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Cor. 10:12)
284. "Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" (Luke 23:42-43)
In order to justify their rejection of "baptism for the remission of sins," many assert, "The thief was saved and he wasn't baptized!" Their argument is built on at least three bold assumptions: (1) The thief was never baptized. The thief could have been baptized under John (Matt. 3:5-6), or under Jesus (John 4:1). We don't know if he was baptized; they assume that he wasn't. (2) They can be saved in the same manner as the thief. The only way one could be saved as was the thief is having Jesus say to him, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." Of course, since Jesus has gone back to heaven, this could never happen. (3) They are under the same law as the thief. Christ's law did not go into effect until after His death (Heb. 9:16-17); hence, the thief lived and died under a different law than ours.
Will you not be baptized "for the remission of sins" as commanded in God's holy law?
285. "...Making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now..." (Phil. 1:4-5)
Years ago a young missionary couple were honored at a farewell service by their home congregation prior to leaving for Africa. The young husband said, "My wife and I have a strange dread in going. We feel as if we are going down into a pit. We are willing to take the risk and go, if you will promise to HOLD THE ROPES." One and all promised their support.
Less than two years had passed when the wife and the little baby died due to a dreaded fever. The husband, too, became ill. He was forced to return home. Arriving during the prayer meeting hour, he went directly to his home congregation. He listened to the prayers, after which he was invited to say a few words. The people were filled with remorse as he said, "I am your missionary. My wife and child are buried in Africa, and I have come home to die. This evening as I listened anxiously, as you prayed, for some mention of your missionary - to see if you were keeping your promise - but in vain! You prayed for everything connected with yourselves and your congregation, but you forgot to mention your missionary. I see now why I am a failure as a missionary. It is because you failed to hold the ropes!" (From Living Victoriously by J. Allen Blair, p. 17-18)
Let us have fellowship with those who are preaching the gospel by proving financial support and by praying for them and the success of their work.
286. "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:2) "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (2 Chron. 16:9)
Frequently, we encourage our fears by looking for trouble, rather than trusting God for grace and peace.
A man's sleep was frequently disturbed by a crowing rooster which belonged to his neighbor. He spoke to his neighbor about it, but the neighbor said, "He only crows a few times during the night." "That may be" replied the man, "but if you only knew how I suffer waiting for him to crow!"
Many of us are like that. Failing to trust in God who longs to sustain us by His grace and peace, we anticipate trouble. How we need to recognize our assurance in God, and worry no more!
287. "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" (Matt. 6:25)
According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, the word "worry" comes from an old English word which means literally "to choke or strangle." Truthfully, that's what worry does to us. It chokes and strangles us, leaving us in a miserable, depressed condition.
Worry is a self-imposed curse which we can be avoided. Someone has rightly said, "If it's bad enough to worry about, it's bad enough to pray about." Paul said, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)
288. "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' So he went out and wept bitterly." (Matt. 26:75)
In secular history, when we read of the great achievements of successful people, we are seldom told about their failures. For example, we read of the amazing record of Babe Ruth, a total of 851 home runs. But there is another record that is buried and never mentioned. Babe Ruth struck out more than any other man in history - 1,330 times. Thus, 1,330 times he suffered the humiliation of walking back to the dugout, but he never allowed failure to slow him down or weaken his effort.
We all make mistakes. Let us learn from those mistakes and make improvements.
289. "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." (Col. 2:6-7) "...Yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles." (Matt. 13:21)
"I was talking with a farmer about his soybean and corn crops. Rain had been abundant, and the results were evident. Thus, his comment surprised me: "My crops are especially vulnerable. Even a short drought could have a devastating effect." "Why?" I asked. He explained, "Though we see the frequent rains as a benefit, during that time the plants are not required to push roots deeper in search of water. The roots remain near the surface. A drought would find the plants unprepared and quickly kill them." (By Neal Orchard)
Likewise, some Christians receive abundant blessings, fellowship, and teaching; however, when hardship, tribulation, or persecution enters their lives, they suddenly quit the Lord. Their roots have never pushed below the surface. Only those who are deeply rooted and grounded in the Lord will endure when tribulation and persecution comes.
290. "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." (Mark 9:41)
"Recently, I asked an Indian tailor in Southern Thailand to repair some trousers for me. In my haste to get to my next engagements, I soon forgot I had left the trousers with him. How surprised I was to receive a phone call in my hotel room 150 miles away. The tailor had tracked me down and was planning to have someone deliver the trousers to me. The cost of repair was fifty cents. The world seldom operates like that anymore; and, all too often, Christians fail to operate like that as well." (From Christian Leadership Letter, p. 3)
Let us continue to go the second mile because we belong to Christ.
291. "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ." (Philippians 1:9-10)
Psalm of Single-Mindedness
I don't want to argue theories of inspiration,
- but to submit to Your Word.
I don't want to explain the difference between eros, philos, and agape,
- but to love.
I don't want to sing as if I mean it,
- but I want to mean it.
I don't want to tell it like it is,
- but to be like You want.
I don't want to think others need me,
- but that I need others.
I don't want to tell others how to do it,
- but to do it myself.
I don't want to have to be always right,
- but to admit when I'm wrong.
I don't want to be a professional,
- but a friend.
I don't want to be insensitive,
- but to hurt when other people hurt.
I don't want to scorn the clichés of others,
- but to mean everything I say, including this.
(By Joe Bayly, Slightly Adapted)
292. "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor." (Prov. 29:23)
During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier. Their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. When the rider asked why he was not helping, he answered with great dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!"
The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, "Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again."
1 Pet. 5:5-6 says, "Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time..."
293. "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." (Prov. 21:23) "A fool also multiplies words." (Eccl. 10:14) "A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back." (Prov. 29:11) "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." (Prov. 10:19)
William Penn, leader of the early American colonists who eventually named their state of Pennsylvania in his honor, gave these rules regarding conversation:
"Some are so foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer, which is uncivil, as well as silly.
"Consider both WHAT is fit, and WHEN it is fit, to speak.
"In all debates, let truth be thy aim, not victory or unjust interest; and endeavor to gain, rather than to expose, thy antagonist."
294. "The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment." (Prov. 12:19)
Rosalie Elliott had made it to the fourth round of a national spelling contest in Washington. The 11-year-old from South Carolina had been asked to spell the word "avowal." In her soft southern accent she spelled the word, but the judges were not able to determine if she had used an "a" or an "e" as the next to the last letter. They debated among themselves for several minutes as they listened to tape recording playbacks. The crucial letter, however, was too accent-blurred to decipher. Finally, the chief judge put the question to the only person who knew the answer. He asked Rosalie, "Was the letter an 'a' or was it an 'e'?" By this time, being surrounded by whispering young spellers, Rosalie knew the correct spelling of the word. Still, without hesitation, she replied that she had misspelled the word and she walked from the stage. The entire audience stood and applauded, including some fifty newspaper reporters. Even in defeat, she was a victor. Indeed, more has been written about Rosalie Elliott over the years than about the "unknown" winner of the event! Being a person of truth, even when it is against us, will bring great honor. (From God's Little Devotional Book For Men, p. 19)
295. "The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them." (Prov. 11:3) "A man will be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised." (Prov. 12:8)
In the book The Day America Told the Truth, by James Patterson and Peter Kim, it is reported that when a national survey asked respondents to rank various professions for their honesty and integrity, TV evangelists came out almost at the very bottom, below lawyers, politicians, car salesmen, and even prostitutes. Out of the seventy-three occupations compared in the integrity rating, only two ended up lower on the scale than TV evangelists: organized crime bosses and drug dealers.
It is evident that most people do not trust TV evangelists, and rightly so, because many of them not only use pressure tactics to obtain money, but also preach a perverted gospel.
296. "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.' Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." (Prov. 31:28-31)
It was mid-October, and the trees along the Blue Ridge Parkway were ablaze with color. At an overlook, we stood next to a woman who was showing the view to her elderly mother. "Isn't it wonderful of God to take something just before it dies and make it so beautiful?" the daughter commented as she gazed at some falling leaves. "Wouldn't it be nice if he did that with people?" the mother mused. The younger woman looked at the stooped, white-haired figure beside her. "Sometimes He does," she answered so softly that she thought no one heard. (From B.G. White inIllustrations Unlimited, p. 379)
297. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:21)
The contest between Stanton and Lincoln for the office of president began with Stanton treating Lincoln with contempt. He called Lincoln "a low cunning clown" and nicknamed him "the original gorilla." A person was a fool, Stanton claimed, to wander about in Africa trying to capture a gorilla when he could find one so easily in Springfield, Illinois. However, Lincoln did not respond in kind. And, when Lincoln was elected president, he appointed Stanton as his war minister because he was the best man for the job. He treated Stanton with every courtesy. On the night when the assassin's bullet murdered Lincoln in the theater, in a little room where the President's body lay, there stood Stanton, looking down on the silent face of Lincoln in all its ruggedness. Stanton spoke through his tears, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen."
"...Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Pet. 3:9)
298. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." (Rom. 1:16)
The little word "the" is a definite article and is a special kind of adjective which points to a particular or specific time, person, place, or thing. If you were standing near a large parking lot filled with cars and were asked by a friend to put some object in "a" car, you would likely approach the nearest car and put the object in it. However, if the friend had said, "Put this in 'the' car," you would immediately ask, "Which one?" You would realize that the definite article "the" refers to one, and only one, car.
Similarly, when the Bible refers to "the faith" (Gal. 3:23; Jude 3), or "the church" (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18), it means that so far as God is concerned, there is only one faith and one church.
299. "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." (Rev. 3:1) "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." (Heb. 4:13) "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." (Prov. 15:3)
Luther E. Smith, a professor at Emory University, in a speech to students about living honestly, said, "'Faking it' for a class session is one thing, but it's so easy to find ourselves making 'faking it' a lifestyle. We 'fake it' with others. We 'fake it' with God. This summer I saw a bumper sticker that said: 'Jesus is coming. Look busy!'" (From Chronicle of Higher Education, Oct. 11, 1996).
Let us not make "faking it" a lifestyle because God has a perfect knowledge of all that we say and do.
300. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Rev. 21:4)
It matters not what else you do in life, if you miss heaven you have been a complete failure. You might gather about you great riches and fame and leave thousands of friends to mourn your departing, but if you are not ready for heaven, you have been a miserable failure. On the other hand, you may die in a charity home for the poor and be buried in a potter's field without a single friend to mourn, but if you receive heaven, your life was a marvelous success.
You can't afford to miss heaven; for, if you miss it, you miss all. It is the place of eternal rest (Heb. 4:9-11). Sickness, pain and death will not be known there (Rev. 21:4). It is an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that does not fade away (1 Pet. 1:4). It is that city built by the living God (Heb. 11:10).
You don't need to miss heaven. Humbly submit yourself to the will of God (Matt. 7:21). Let His word guide you in all things (2 Tim. 3:15). Let no man beguile you of your reward (Col. 2:18). Overcome temptations (James 1:12). Suffer for His cause with rejoicing (Matt. 5:11-12). If you do these things, heaven will be yours someday for the God of heaven who cannot lie has promised it.