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601 "...I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." (Rev. 3:1)
A German soldier was wounded. He was ordered to go to the military hospital for treatment. When he arrived at the large and imposing building, he saw two doors, one marked, "For the slightly wounded," and the other, "For the seriously wounded." He entered through the first door and found himself going down a long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one marked, "For officers" and the other, "For non-officers." He entered through the latter and found himself going down another long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one marked, "For party members" and the other, "For non-party members." He took the second door, and when he opened it he found himself out on the street.
When the soldier returned home, his mother asked him, "How did you get along at the hospital?" "Well, Mother," he replied, "to tell the truth, the people there didn't do anything for me, but you ought to see the tremendous organization they have!" (From John Seamands)
The soldier's comment describes many churches of our day. They are well organized, but they accomplish very little.
602. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Prov. 14:34) "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Psalm 9:17) "Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth..." (Amos 9:8)
"I have toured America, and I have seen most of what you offer. I've seen the richness of the fields and the wealth of your mines. I've seen your industrial might, the beauties of the rivers, the streams, the lakes, and the grandeur of the mountains. I've noticed the abundance of the forests and the marvelous climate with which you are blessed."
"In none of these things did I see the cause for the greatness of America. It wasn't until I went into your churches that I saw the reason for America's greatness. America is great because America is good; and as long as America is good, America will be great. If it ever ceases to be good, it will cease to be great." (Written in 1830 by Alexis de Tocqueville after touring America)
603. "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:3)
"Last night my little boy confessed to me some childish wrong; and, kneeling at my knee, He prayed with tears, 'Dear God, make me a man Like Daddy--wise and strong; I know that You can.' Then, while he slept I knelt beside his bed, confessed my sins, and prayed with bowed head, 'O God, make me like a child, like my child here, pure, guileless, trusting thee with faith sincere.'" (From Andrew Gillies, in Pulpit Helps, June, 1992)
604. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matt. 6:33)
A man bought a new hunting dog. Eager to see how he would perform, he took him out to track a bear. No sooner had they gotten into the woods than the dog picked up the trail. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed the ground, and headed in a new direction. He had caught the scent of a deer that had crossed the bear's path. A few moments later he halted again, this time smelling a racoon that had crossed the path of the deer. Then a turkey, a rabbit, and so on, until finally the breathless hunter caught up with his dog, only to find him barking triumphantly down the hole of a field mouse.
Often Christians start out with high resolve, putting the kingdom of God first in their lives, but their attention is soon diverted to things of lesser worth. One pursuit leads to another until they've strayed far from their original purpose. Let us do our best to put first things first.
605. "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2)
"In pruning a vine, two principles are generally observed: first, all dead wood must be ruthlessly removed; and second, the live wood must be cut back drastically. Dead wood harbors insects and disease and may cause the vine to rot, to say nothing of being unproductive and unsightly. Live wood must be trimmed back in order to prevent such heavy growth that the life of the vine goes into the wood rather than into fruit. The vineyards in the early spring look like a collection of barren, bleeding stumps; but in the fall they are filled with luxuriant purple grapes. As the farmer wields the pruning knife on his vines, so God cuts dead wood out from among His saints, and often cuts back the living wood so far that His method seems cruel. Nevertheless, from those who have suffered the most there often comes the greatest fruitfulness." (From The Gospel of Beliefby Merrill C. Tenney, p. 227-228)
606. "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)
How To Forfeit Peace:
1. Resent God's ways.
2. Worry as much as possible.
3. Pray only about things you can't manage by yourself.
4. Refuse to accept what God gives.
5. Look for peace elsewhere than in Him.
6. Try to rule your own life.
7. Doubt God's word.
8. Carry all you cares.
(From Lists to Live By, p. 204)
607. "The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath." (Prov. 11:23) "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4)
Daily choices:
We can choose to be in a good mood or we can choose to be in a bad mood. Let us choose the mood of rejoicing in the Lord.
When bad things happen, we can murmur and complain or we can choose to learn from our bad experiences. Let us endure and grow wiser.
When others come to us unjustly complaining, we can choose to be unhappy with them or we can be thankful that things aren't any worse than they are. Let us emphasize the positive side of life.
608. "Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed
hands, they found fault." (Mark 7:2)
Let us suppose I am looking for a field of corn to buy. I travel around seeking for a field which contains good corn. Finally, I see a field which strikes my fancy. The owner says that he will sell it. I then enter the field to see if the corn suits me. As I pass down the rows, the stalks are tall and strong. Almost every stalk has two massive ears hanging from it. However, I pay them little attention. I am looking for something else. Finally, I find it. Over in a low wet corner I find a scrawny little stalk with one little nubbin on it. I pull up the stalk, nubbin and all. I take it to the owner and say, "This is very poor corn. Just look at that nubbin!"
Anyone can easily see that I wasn't being fair. I wasn't really looking to see what the field of corn was like. I was just trying to find fault with it. It would seem that I was not really interested in buying the field. I was just looking for the nubbin, and in my search for the nubbin, I overlooked all of the good corn. (From Gospel Messenger)
There is an old proverb which says, "He who is looking for faults in his brethren will surely find them."
609. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2)
The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."
The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.
The barn door opened again. Unbelievable! He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber - as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.
The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed; but, the bull had no tail!
The lesson from the above story is that we must take advantage of opportunities when they are available to us. This is especially true in the spiritual realm. Let us avail ourselves of the present time and opportunity because it may soon be gone forever.
610. "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Heb. 13:5-6)
The story is told about a bird which became bored with God's way of sustaining him. He did not like the chore of scratching among the leaves for worms and, thus, he made a deal with a fox to give up one of his feathers for a worm each day. The fox would lay a worm upon a rock and then depart. The clever bird could see no harm or danger in this since the fox departed after placing the worm upon the rock. It was a more preferred "method" than the one given by him from His Maker.
Day after day, the clever bird received his worm and waxed fat, until one day, after having flown to the ground and eaten his worm, he found that he had sold so many feathers that he could no longer fly. He suddenly realized that he had fattened and plucked himself for the fox's dinner!
Often, when we are not content with what we have, in our pursuit to make things better, we only make things worse.
611. "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" (Matt. 25:40)
The little church building's aisles swelled with the unusually large gathering until there were no more pews to squeeze into. A few more latecomers shuffled down the aisle and leaned against the wall. Then I noticed Andy's entrance. His smile beamed with a special joy until he saw that "his" spot on the back row was filled. Regular attendees usually left the seat empty, knowing that Andy would arrive late from the home for the mentally handicapped. Confusion masked his face as the opening song ended and he had found no place to sit. With characteristic simplicity, Andy made his way up the center aisle to the large clearing just below the podium. He lowered his huge body to the floor, crossing his legs Indian style.
As the rest of us sat down, another man, a leader in the church for many years, left his place in the pew and started up the center aisle toward Andy. It took a long time for Marvin to reach the front. Respect for this eighty-year-old servant, much loved by all of us, or perhaps sheer curiosity, brought a hush over the whole church. Even the minister gripped the sides of the podium and watched. Slowly Marvin shifted his lean frame onto his cane and lowered his aged body to the floor beside Andy.
With tears in his eyes, the minister closed his Bible over his sermon notes and said, "Our sermon has just been preached." (Author Unknown)
612. "...Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." (Heb. 12:1-2) "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)
The snow covered the ground where three lads were playing. A man came along and said to them, "Would you like to try a race and the winner receive a prize?" The boys agreed, and the man told them that his race was to be different. He said, "I will go to the other side of the field, and when I give you the signal, you will start to run. The one whose footsteps are the straightest in the snow will be the winner."
The race commenced and the first boy kept looking at his feet to see if his steps were straight. The second lad kept looking at his companions to see what they were doing; but the third boy just ran with his eyes steadfastly fixed on the man on the other side of the field. The third lad was the winner, because his footsteps were straight in the snow. He had kept his eyes on the goal ahead of him.
Let us patiently run with our eyes centered on the Lord, the author and finisher of our faith.
613. "And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Tim. 2:5) "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matt. 7:22-23)
At a girls' basketball game recently, in the last seconds of the game, a girl threw a basketball the entire length of a basketball court and she made the basket. But, it didn't count because she had one foot out of bounds, beyond the line at the other end of the court. Talk about the three-point shot! She threw it further than a whole court. She should have gotten five points for that shot. They should have a whole new scoring system! But instead, it did not count because a referee noticed that one foot was outside the line. She was actually farther than she had to be. It still didn't count." (From Earl Palmer)
In that last great day, many religious people will be condemned because their faith and practice
was not in accord with the law of God. "Yes," they were very religious, and "Yes," they did many
wonderful works in His name; yet, they will be rejected because they were not serving God
according to His rules.
614. "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for
eternal life." (John 12:25)
Bible Paradoxes:
We see unseen things (2 Cor. 4:18).
We conquer by yielding (Rom. 6:16-18).
We find rest under a yoke (Mt. 11:28-30).
We reign by serving (Mark 10:42-44).
We are made great by being the least (Luke 9:48).
We are exalted by being humble (Mt. 23:12).
We become wise by being fools (1 Cor. 1:20-21).
We are made free by becoming bondservants (Rom. 6:18).
We wax strong by being weak (2 Cor. 12:10).
We triumph by defeat (2 Cor. 12:7-9).
We find victory by glorying in our infirmities (2 Cor. 12:5).
And, we live by dying (John 12:24,25; 2 Cor. 4:10,11).
615. "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:3)
Christ Taught a Christian Must Become as a Child:
1. Humble (Matt. 15:21-28; 18:4; Rom. 12:3).
2. Grow (1 Pet. 2:1-5; Heb. 5:12-14; 2 Tim. 2:15).
3. Obedient (Eph. 6:1-3; Heb. 5:8-9; Acts 5:29; 2 Thess. 3:14).
4. Pure (1 Tim. 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:19; James 1:27).
5. Free from Malice (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:26; Gal. 5:19-21).
6. Desire to Imitate Father (1 Cor. 13:11; 3 John 11; Phil. 4:9).
7. Confess Wrongs (James 5:16; 1 John 1:9; Matt. 5:23-24).
8. Dependent on Father (1 Tim. 5:8; Matt. 6:11, 33).
9. Loves Family Fellowship (Heb. 10:25).
10. Loves God's Word (2 Tim. 3:14-15; 2 Tim. 1:5). (From Frank L. Smith in Pulpit Helps, June, 1992)
616. "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them." (Eccl. 12:1) "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. 3:18)
"I once saw, lying side by side in a sculptor's workshop, two heads made of metal. One was perfect. All the features of a manly, noble face were clear and distinct. The other, however, had scarcely a single, recognizable human characteristic. It was marred and spoiled. The sculptor said, 'This one is badly distorted because the metal was allowed to cool before it was stamped out, and therefore it wouldn't take the impression.'" (From Bible Illustrator)
Likewise, many souls might have been stamped with the likeness of the Savior while they were still warm with the vitality of early youth, but they allowed themselves to grow cold through pleasure, sin, and error. Thus, now they are misinformed, hardened, and lost forever.
617. "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)
Recipe for Raising Children
1 Cup of Proverbs 22:6
2 Tablespoons of Proverbs 19:13
1 Dash of Proverbs 23:13
1 Teaspoon of Proverbs 3:5
1/2 Cup of Titus 2:3 through 7
Mix all ingredients, add a pound of persistence, one cup of love, and whip until right consistency. Please add a pinch of Ephesians 6:4. This recipe is recommended by the Creator of Mankind. (From The Bible Friend)
618. "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has taught Him?...To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?" (Isa. 40:12-13,18)
A little boy came to his father and asked him, "Dad, who made God?" The father, engrossed in the evening paper, responded, "Beats me, son." The little boy would not be put off. "Dad, why is the earth round?" The dad answered, "I don't know, son." The boy played for a minute, then asked, "Dad, is there life on other planets?" The father patiently answered, "Nobody knows the answer to that." Finally the boy asked his father, "Dad, do you mind me asking you all these questions?" The father put down his paper, "Why not at all son," he said, "how else are you going learn?"
Instead of being engrossed in our own interests, let us take advantage of every opportunity to teach our children about God.
619. "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." (Prov. 3:7)
"Are there any alligators in this river?" asked the man in the water. "No, not a single one," assured his friend who was standing near. The swimmer was still disturbed. Again he asked: "If there are no alligators, what are those gray forms I see? Are you sure there are no alligators?" "Certainly," replied this newly made friend who was standing on the bank. "There are no alligators down there. Those gray forms you see are sharks that have chased the alligators away."
There is the tendency for persons nowadays to think that modern technology, education, psychology, medicine, etc. can solve all of our problems. So often, though, all we do is swap alligators for sharks. (From Bible Illustrator)
620. "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matt. 6:26)
While driving to a speaking engagement in Southern California, a preacher passed through San Juan Capistrano. The line "when the swallows come back to Capistrano" immediately came to his mind, and he began humming that old song. He recalled that for more than 150 years those golden-breasted birds have spent their summers in the eaves of the old mission located there. They always arrive on March 19 and leave on October 23, never missing those dates. Not once have they varied over the years. Even leap year does not change the times of their coming and going. And the swallows invariably start out before daylight on their southern flight.
Now, how would you explain this unusual phenomenon? Nature's guidance? Luck? Coincidence? Well, let me tell you. The swallow's Creator has put within those little creatures an instinct that tells them with uncanny accuracy when to head south and when to return. Their survival depends on this innate sense of timing. What meticulous care God exercises to guide the swallows and all the fowls of the air! But consider how much greater value we are to God than these tiny birds. (From Bible Illustrator)
621. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Tim. 4:7-8)
John Audubon, the well-known naturalist and artist, practiced great self-mastery in order to learn more about birds. Counting his physical comforts as nothing, he would rise at midnight, night after night, and go into the swamps to study certain nighthawks. He would crouch motionless in the dark and fog, hoping to discover just one more additional fact about a single species. During one summer, Audubon repeatedly visited the bayous near New Orleans to observe a shy water bird. He would stand almost to his neck in the stagnant waters, scarcely breathing, while poisonous water-moccasin snakes swam past his face. It was not comfortable or pleasant, but he beamed with enthusiasm and is reported to have said, "But what of that? I have the pictures of the birds!" (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 71)
If a man rendered such discipline and perseverance just for pictures of birds, how much more should we be committed to obtaining the crown of glory which the Lord will give to those who serve Him?
622. "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13)
A woman became very ill. After a time of hospitalization she returned home, but was confined to bed. Her eight-year-old daughter was not aware of the terminal status of the illness. This little girl stood outside the bedroom door one afternoon as the doctor, along with her father, visited her mother. She overheard the doctor say, "Yes, I will be frank with you. The time is not too far off. Before the last leaves have gone from the trees you will die." The little girl's presence was not detected.
Sometime later the father came to the breakfast table to find that his little girl was not there as he had expected. After searching for her, he saw her out in the front yard. His heart was broken as he watched her picking up leaves that had begun to fall. She was using thread to tie them back onto the limbs of the tree. (From Rex Humbard)
623. "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." (2 Cor. 10:12)
The Indians asked their Chief in autumn if the winter was going to be cold or not. Not really knowing an answer, the chief replied that the winter was going to be cold and that the members of the village were to collect wood to be prepared. Being a good and wise leader, he then went to the nearest phone booth and called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is this winter to be cold?" The man on the phone responded, "This winter is going to be quite cold indeed." So the Chief went back to speed up his people to collect even more wood to be prepared. A week later he called the National Weather Service again, "Is it going to be a very cold winter?" "Yes," the man replied, "it's going to be a very cold winter." So the Chief went back to his people and ordered them to go and find every scrap of wood they could find. Two weeks later he called the National Weather Service again: "Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?" "Absolutely," the man replies, "the Indians are collecting wood like crazy!" (From Alan Smith)
If one's conduct in matters of faith and practice is based solely on comparing himself to others, he has no true standard of authority.
624. "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts." (Jer. 15:16)
An old man once said, "For a long period, I puzzled myself about the difficulties of Scripture, until at last I came to the resolution that reading the Bible was like eating fish. When I find a difficulty, I lay it aside, and call it a bone. Why should I choke over the bone when there is so much nutritious meat for me? Some day, perhaps, I may find that even the bone may afford me nourishment."
The Psalmist said, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." (Psalm 119:97)
625. "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Cor. 11:23-26)
The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt stands as a monument to the pride of the Pharaoh Khufu (also known as Cheops). The pyramid's base covers 13 acres. This awe-inspiring memorial is estimated to contain 2.3 million blocks of stone, each weighing from 2 to 15 tons. Some 100,000 men spent 20 years building the Great Pyramid, but the sands of time have worn away its surface and thieves have stolen its treasures.
Unlike that memorial, the one initiated by our Lord on the night of His betrayal speaks not of pride, but of love and sacrifice. Its beauty can't be diminished by time, nor its treasures pilfered by thieves. Each time believers share the bread and cup together, the power of Jesus' memorial is as fresh as the night it was first observed. (Author Unknown)
626. "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man..." (Eph. 3:16)
We signed up for a hike with a ranger, who told us a remarkable thing. He said, "When a tree's life is threatened, stressed by the elements of fire, drought, or other calamity, it twists beneath its bark to reinforce and make itself stronger. On the surface, this new inner strength may not be visible, for the bark often continues to give the same vertical appearance. Only when the exterior is stripped away, or when the tree is felled, are its inner struggles revealed." (From Marilyn J. Abraham)
In our stress, grief, or hardship, God can strengthen us in ways which are not visible to the world.
627. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Gal. 6:7-8)
A man was in court and was accused of burglary. His lawyer took the position before the judge that it was not his client's fault, but it was his arm's fault. The lawyer said, "My client's arm reached through a window and took some things; thus, he is not guilty. Only his arm is guilty." The judge said, "OK, I hereby sentence the thief to three years in prison. He can accompany his arm if he so chooses." The thief then took off his plastic arm, left it on the bench of the judge, and walked out of the courtroom!
Though a person may out-wit a judge in a court of law, he will never escape the consequences of his sins before God. The only means of forgiveness is by complying with God's terms of pardon.
628. "That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2) "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:17) "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4:12)
Sometimes, the air in a room may look fresh and clean. However, when the bright sunlight penetrates the room, dust and other impurities can be clearly seen. In a similar way, when we study God's word, we begin to see impurities. With God's help, and the power of His word, we can clean up those impurities and be more like our Creator.
629. "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
Several years ago, there was a massive volcanic explosion in the state of Washington when Mount St. Helens erupted. Sheriff Bill Closner said, "People were in the danger areas around the mountain because they refused to obey road blocks. The bottom line is that nobody would listen."
As a result of their unwillingness to listen, many were needlessly destroyed. Let us not be foolish sinners who will not listen to God's warnings. Let us do our best to not sin, but when we do, let us humbly confess our sins, and strive to do better.
630. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Rev. 21:7-8)
For many days an old farmer had been plowing with an ox and a mule together and working them pretty hard. The ox said to the mule, "Let's play sick today and rest a little while." But the old mule said, "No, we need to get the work done, for the season is short." But, the ox played sick, and the farmer brought him fresh hay and corn and made him comfortable. When the mule came in from plowing, the ox asked how he made out. "We didn't get as much done, but we made it all right," answered the mule. Then the ox asked, "What did the old man say about me?" "Nothing," said the mule.
The next day the ox, thinking he had a good thing going, played sick again. When the mule came in again very tired, the ox asked, "How did it go?" The mule said, "All right, I guess, but we didn't get much done." Then the ox also asked, "What did the old man say about me?" "Nothing to me," was the reply, "but he did stop and have a long talk with the butcher." (From1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 71)
631. "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now 'If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?'" (1 Pet. 4:17-18)
Apart from obedience to the gospel, there is no promise of forgiveness. In effect, the sinner of the world who hasn't obeyed the Lord is depending on his own moral goodness to save himself. However, no one can be saved by his own moral goodness. Let's suppose that someone has a sour lemon tree in his back yard, but he doesn't want a sour lemon tree; he wants a sweet orange tree. Thus, he pulls off all the sour lemons and ties oranges in their place. Does he now have a sweet orange tree? No; in reality, all he has is a sour lemon tree with oranges tied on it. So it is when one is depending on his own moral goodness without changing his state before God.
632. "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one." (Psalm 53:1-3)
To those individuals acquainted with the Holocaust of World War II, the name of Simon Wiesenthal is certainly a most familiar one. World-famous for his ceaseless pursuit of Nazi war criminals, he often speaks to college audiences about his activities.
"Could it happen again, even in the United States?" Wiesenthal is often asked by American college audiences. His reply is, "Yes. All you need is a government program of hatred and a crisis. If it happened in a civilized nation like Germany, which was a cultural superpower, it can happen anywhere." (From Simon Wiesenthal, Dallas Times Herald, April 22, 1979)
Certainly, men can be exceedingly evil and corrupt. It is only through the fear of God that men change and begin to love, rather than hating and destroying one another.
633. "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell." (Prov. 9:17-18)
"Near our vineyard there was a pear tree, loaded with fruit, though the fruit was not particularly attractive either in color or in taste. I, and some other wretched youths, conceived the idea of shaking the pears off this tree and carrying them away. We set out late that night (having, as we usually did in our depraved way, gone on playing in the streets till that hour) and stole all the fruit that we could carry. And this was not to feed ourselves; we may have tasted a few. But, we threw the rest to the pigs. I had no wish to enjoy what I tried to get by theft; all my enjoyment was in the theft itself and in sin. Our real pleasure was in doing something that was not allowed." (From The Confessions of St. Augustine, p. 45)
Man, through his depravity, enjoys the pleasures of sin. Let us remember that the pleasures of sin are only passing and temporary at best. Though "stolen water is sweet," it leads down the path to hell.
634. "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)
Several years ago a submarine was being tested and had to remain submerged for many hours. When it returned to the harbor, the captain was asked, "How did the terrible storm last night affect you?" The officer looked at him in surprise and exclaimed, "Storm? We didn't even know there was one!" The sub had been so far beneath the surface that it had reached the area known to sailors as "the cushion of the sea." Although the ocean may be whipped into huge waves by high winds, the waters below are never stirred. (From Bible Illustrator)
The Christian's mind is guarded from the distracting waves of worry because it pours out its requests to God. There, sheltered by His grace and encouraged by His word, the believer can find perfect tranquility.
635. "Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned. Aliens have devoured his strength, but he does not know it; yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet he does not know it. And the pride of Israel testifies to his face, but they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek Him for all this." (Hosea 7:8-10)
Some fraternity members put Limburger cheese very gently on a brother's moustache while he slept. He woke up about an hour later and said, "This room stinks!" He walked into the hall and said, "This hall stinks!" He walked into the living room and said, "The living room stinks!" Then, greatly perplexed as to where the smell was coming from, he walked outside and exclaimed, "This whole world stinks!" And the real problem was right under his nose - just like the sin in our lives. (From1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 343)
636. "But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary...that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." (1 Cor. 12:20-22, 25-27)
The legendary football coach Vince Lombardi was asked what it took to make a winning team. He said, "There are a lot of coaches with good ball clubs who know the fundamentals and have plenty of discipline but still don't win the game. Then you come to the third ingredient: if you're going to play together as a team, you've got to care for one another. You've got to love each other. Each player has to be thinking about the next guy and saying to himself: 'If I don't block that man, Paul is going to get his legs broken. I have to do my job well in order that he can do his.' The difference between mediocrity and greatness is the feeling these guys have for each other." (Quoted in Leadership, Vol. 15, No. 3)
As members of the Lord's church let us truly love and care for one another. Let us take seriously the Lord's command to "love one another" so that we can be a winning team.
637. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come..." (2 Tim. 3:1)
The paradox of our time is that we have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but fewer solutions; more medicine, but less wellness.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but more broken homes.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life, but not life to years. (Author Unknown)
638. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Gal. 6:7-8)
An individual is driving down the highway and encounters a sign which says, "Dangerous Curve Ahead." Immediately, he must make a choice. He can either observe the sign and slow down, or he can maintain the same rate of speed, or he can defy the warning and speed up. Whatever response he makes, it will not change the truth of the sign. The curve remains dangerous, regardless of whether he acknowledges it or not.
As in our driving on the highways, we must also make spiritual choices, and the choices we make have their consequences, whether we acknowledge them or not.
639. "Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (Prov. 9:8-9)
A woman in our church was married for only a short time when she found out her husband was a homosexual. Soon after, he left her. As I talked with her, she said something I shall never forget. "After I was divorced, several of my friends came to me and said they knew he was gay. When I asked them why they didn't say anything to me, they said, 'We didn't think it was any of our business.'"
Her friends were dead wrong. They violated a scriptural principle. After hearing her story, I made up my mind never to stand by quietly and watch a friend make what I was sure in my heart was a mistake. This resolution has made me very unpopular at times. People have left my church over things I have confronted them about. But when I start thinking that maybe I should keep my mouth shut, I always remember what Solomon said, "He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue (Proverbs 28:23)." (From Charles Stanley)
Psalm 141:5 says, "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it."
640. "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him." (Prov. 22:15) "Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell." (Prov. 23:13-14)
Every baby starts life a little savage - completely egotistic and self-centered. Babies want what they want, when they want it, be it a bottle, mother's attention, or a dry diaper. Deny a baby these "wants" and he or she is seized with rage. Babies have no morals, no knowledge, no skills for survival. All children, not just certain children, are potential delinquents! If permitted to continue in the self-centered world of their infancy, where they gave free rein to every impulse and had every want instantly gratified, all children would grow up in that mold of depravity. That is the stuff of which are made criminals, killers, and rapists. (From 1550 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 343)
Of course, there are a few exceptions to the above rule. Some small children have a wonderful, delightful disposition, and are very easy to discipline. However, most children require much diligence on the part of parents in using the "rod of correction" so that their souls can be saved.
641. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Tim. 4:3-4)
President Abraham Lincoln loved to employ this brain-teaser to make a point to constituents. He would ask, "How many legs would a sheep have if you called his tail a leg?" Naturally, they would meekly respond, "Five." He would respond, "Wrong! You are mistaken. The sheep would still have just four legs. Calling something a leg doesn't make it so." He used this particular quiz on a delegation that was pressing him for an immediate proclamation of emancipation. His point was well-taken. (From Who Broke the Baby? By Jean Staker Garton, p. 35)
Similarly, many people today label doctrines as "truth," when, in fact, they are only fables.
642. "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding." (Prov. 23:23) "...They did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thess. 2:10-12)
Truth is avoided when it is painful. We can revise our maps only when we have the discipline to overcome that pain. To have such discipline, we must be totally dedicated to truth. That is to say, we must always hold truth to be more important, more vital to our self-interest, than our comfort. Conversely, we must always consider our personal discomfort relatively unimportant and, indeed, even welcome it in the service of the search for truth. (From The Road Less Traveled By M. Scott Peck, p. 50)
Let us genuinely love the truth that we might be saved.
643. "A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends." (Prov. 16:28) "And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not." (1 Tim. 5:13)
I am more deadly than the screaming shell of the cannon. I win without killing. I tear down homes, break hearts, wreck lives. I travel on the wings of the wind. No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless. My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea and often as innocent. I never forget and seldom forgive. My name is "Gossip." (From Morgan Blake, Sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal)
644. "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:17-18) "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Gal. 6:10)
One night in 1935, Fiorello H. La Guardia, mayor of New York, showed up at a night court in the poorest ward of the city. He dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench. One case involved an elderly woman who was caught stealing bread to feed her grandchildren. La Guardia said, "I've got to punish you. Ten dollars or ten days in jail."
As he spoke, he threw $10 into his hat. He then fined everyone in the courtroom 50 cents for living in a city "where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat." The hat was passed around, and the woman left the courtroom with her fine paid and an additional $47.50.
645. "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God..." (Rom. 2:4-5)
What would you think of a doctor who, on discovering you had a tumor buried deep in your body, responded, "Take two aspirin and you'll be just fine." How about a fireman who responded to a three-alarm fire by saying, "It'll probably burn itself out soon enough," or a policeman who, on arriving at the scene of a robbery, merely shook his head and said, "Boys will be boys!" In each case the response is inappropriate to the situation. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 346)
Often, man's response to sin is far to inappropriate. A hard and impenitent heart brings God's eternal wrath.
646. "...It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment..." (Heb. 9:27) "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
There is a tombstone on which is engraved:
Pause now, stranger as you pass by;
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so soon you'll be.
Prepare yourself to follow me!
Someone placed a piece of wood at the foot of the tombstone on which was inscribed:
To follow you
I'm not content,
Until I know
Which way you went!
(From Pulpit Helps, March 1994, p. 14)
647. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
THE ATHEIST: "He who believes and is baptized will NOT be saved."
THE UNIVERSALIST: "He who does NOT believe and is NOT baptized will be saved."
THOSE WHO BAPTIZE INFANTS: "He who does NOT believe and is "baptized" (sprinkled? poured?) will be saved."
MANY RELIGIOUS PEOPLE: "He who believes and is saved will be baptized."
Again, Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved."
648. "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)
At their school carnival, our kids won four free goldfish (lucky us!), so out I went Saturday morning to find an aquarium. The first few I priced ranged from $40 to $70. Then I spotted it right in the aisle: a discarded 10-gallon display tank, complete with gravel and filter for a mere five bucks. Sold! Of course, it was nasty dirty, but the savings made the two hours of clean-up a breeze.
Those four new fish looked great in their new home, at least for the first day. But by Sunday one had died. Too bad, but three remained. Monday morning revealed a second casualty, and by Monday night a third goldfish had gone belly up. We called in an expert member of our church who has a 30-gallon tank. It didn't take him long to discover the problem: I had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. My uninformed efforts had destroyed the very lives I was trying to protect. (From Richard L. Dunagin)
Unfortunately, in our efforts to clean up the lives of others we sometimes use "killer soaps" -- condemnation, criticism, and nagging. Let us strive to maintain humility and gentleness in our efforts to restore others.
649. "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)
When I was around thirteen, and my brother was ten, our father promised to take us to the circus. But, at lunch there was a phone call. Some urgent business required his attention downtown. My brother and I braced ourselves for the disappointment. Then we heard him say, "No, I won't be down. It will have to wait." When he came back to the table, Mother smiled and said, "The circus keeps coming back, you know." "I know," said Father, "but childhood doesn't." (From Arthur Gordon)
650. "Do not say, 'I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.'" (Prov. 24:29)
After a particularly lousy landing by the co-pilot of an Australian commercial airline, that co-pilot heard the Captain say into his microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen, XXX Airlines wishes to apologize for that rough landing provided today by our First Officer."
Some months later, the same crew were together and, you guessed it, the Captain had an even worse landing. The First Officer immediately jumped on the intercom announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, XXX Airlines wishes to apologize for that rough landing provided today by our Captain." The Captain immediately responded, angrily, "What did you say that for?" The First Officer replied, "Remember a couple of months back? I owed it to you!" "But I never keyed the mike!" responded the Captain. (From Australian Aviation Magazine)
Lev. 19:18 says, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD."
651. "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more...I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." (1 Cor. 9:19,22) "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men..." (2 Cor. 5:11)
Author Rudyard Kipling tells how, on a world tour, at a certain port General Booth boarded the ship. He was seen off by a horde of tambourine-beating Salvationists. The whole thing revolted Kipling's fastidious soul. Later he got to know the general and told him how much he disapproved of this kind of thing. "Young man," said Booth, "if I thought that I could win one more soul for Christ by standing on my hands and beating a tambourine with my feet, I would learn to do it." The real enthusiast does not care if others think he is a fool. (From Illustrations Unlimited By James S. Hewett, p.500)
Paul said, "...Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16)
652. "Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wondrous works." (Psalm 119:27)
Seven Wonders of God's Word:
1. The Wonder of Its Inspiration.
2. The Wonder of Its Preservation.
3. The Wonder of Its Translation.
4. The Wonder of Its Circulation.
5. The Wonder of Its Confirmation.
6. The Wonder of Its Acclamation.
7. The Wonder of Its Illumination.
(By Jasper Abraham Huffman)
653. "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (Col. 3:12-13)
There are areas in our lives where, in our efforts to be right, we may go wrong, so wrong as to lead to spiritual deformity. To be specific, let me name a few:
1. When in our determination to be bold, we become brazen.
2. When in our desire to be frank, we become rude.
3. When in our effort to be watchful, we become suspicious.
4. When we seek to be serious and become somber.
5. When we mean to be conscientious and become overscrupulous. (From A.W. Tozer)
2 Tim 2:24-25 says, "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth..."
654. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Pet. 3:10)
The May 1984 National Geographic showed through color photos and drawings the swift and terrible destruction that wiped out the Roman Cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in A.D. 79. The explosion of Mount Vesuvius was so sudden, the residents were killed while in their routine: men and women were at the market, the rich were in their luxurious baths, and slaves were at toil. They died amid volcanic ash and superheated gasses. Even family pets suffered the same quick and final fate.
The saddest part is that these people did not have to die. Scientists confirm what ancient Roman writers record - weeks of rumblings and shakings preceded the actual explosion. Even an ominous plume of smoke was clearly visible from the mountain days before the eruption. If only they had been able to read and respond to Vesuvius's warning! (From Michael Bogart)
Peter went on to say in 2 Pet. 3:11-12, "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?"
655. "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matt. 6:1) "All their works they do to be seen by men." (Matt. 23:5)
The story is told of a newly promoted colonel who moved into a makeshift office during the Gulf War. He was just getting unpacked when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a private with a toolbox coming his way.
Wanting to seem important, he grabbed the phone: "Yes, General Schwarzkopf. Of course, I think that's an excellent plan." He continued: "You've got my support on it. Thanks for checking with me. Let's touch base again soon, Norm. Goodbye."
"And what can I do for you?" he asked the private. The private mumbled, "Uhhh, I'm just here to hook up your phone." (From Allan Smith)
Wanting to impress others seems to be a natural tendency in all human beings. Nonetheless, let us be careful to heed the teaching of our Lord.
656. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise." (Prov. 12:15) "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools..." (Rom. 1:22).
Fifty-six year old Eric Abbott has been rescued at sea by British rescue crews twelve times in twelve months, twice on a single day. Abbott built his own boat and uses an outdated map. One day he used his radio to call for help, claiming he was off the coast of Wales. In reality, he was near the coast of Northern Ireland. Abbott, however, refuses to take the requisite classes to get his skipper's license, claiming he is "too intelligent" for that. This reminds me of those who are too intelligent to be instructed by God's Word, but instead feel the need to instruct God about what kind of God He should be. They are way off course. (Author Unknown)
Prov. 30:12 says, "There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness."
657. "And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:19-21)
William Saroyan was a man who achieved great success in the literary field. His works had been acclaimed throughout the world; his name was a familiar entry on the best-seller lists; and, he had been awarded the Pulitzer Prize. But now, he lay dying of cancer which had spread to several of his vital organs.
One evening, as Saroyan reflected on his condition and what the future held for him, he placed a call to the Associated Press. After identifying himself to the reporter, he said, "Everybody has got to die. But I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?" He then hung up the phone. (From Reader's Digest, Dec. 1981, p. 136)
We may become successful and famous in this world, but what good will it do us when we lie dying? Let us be wise and prepare ourselves so that we can be rich toward God.
658. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16) "...The prayer of the upright is His delight." (Prov. 15:8) "For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers..." (1 Pet. 3:12)
A young boy was doing his best to lift a rock that was too large for someone his size. He grunted and puffed as he tried various methods for lifting the rock. But, in spite of all his efforts, the rock wouldn't budge. He father walked by and, after watching his son's struggle, asked if he was having trouble. The boy answered, "Yes, I've tried everything, and it won't move." The father replied, "Are you sure you have tried every possibility - that you have used every resource at your disposal?" The boy looked up with frustration and exhaustion and grunted out, "Yes!" With kindness, the father bent over and softly said, "No, my son, you haven't. You haven't asked for my help."
How often are we like the little boy, struggling with our problems but unable to solve them - because we have not asked our heavenly Father's help. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 55)
659. "Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, 'Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.' But they thought to do me harm." (Neh. 6:1-2)
There is an old fable which states that a hunter raised his rifle and took careful aim at a large bear. When about to pull the trigger, the bear spoke in a soft, soothing voice, "Isn't it better to talk than to shoot? What do you want? Let us negotiate the matter." Lowering his rifle, the hunter replied, "I want a fur coat." "Good," said the bear, "that is a negotiable question. I only want a full stomach, so let us negotiate a compromise." They sat down to negotiate, and after a long time the bear walked away alone. The negotiations had been successful. The bear had a full stomach, and the hunter had a fur coat!
Nehemiah refused to meet with Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem in the plains of Ono because he had nothing to negotiate or compromise with them. There is no room for negotiation or compromise in our stand for God's truth and righteousness.
660. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2)
A television documentary showed a lot about the behavior of sheep. One scene was of a packing house where sheep were slaughtered. The sheep had to walk from their large pen up a narrow ramp and then turn right. In order to get the sheep to move up the ramp, a "Judas goat" was trained to lead the sheep up the ramp to their death. The goat was placed among the sheep and then walked confidently to the ramp as the nervous sheep watched. After the goat got about five feet up the ramp, he stopped and confidently looked around at the nervous sheep, who then began to follow. Near the top of the ramp the goat turned left, as a gate was opened only for him and then closed. The sheep, however, continued up the ramp and turned right, to their death. (From1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 78).
The major cause for the use of drugs and alcohol among teenagers is that they want to do what most of their piers are doing. They think that if most other teenagers are doing it, it must be good to do. We encourage all our young people to not be conformed to "Judas goats," who will lead them to their destruction.
661. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Gal. 6:10) "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Eph. 5:15-16) "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)
When Clare Boothe Luce, then seventy-five years old, was asked, "do you have any regrets?" she answered: "Yes, I should have been a better person - kinder, and more tolerant. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, and I remember a girlhood friend of mine who had a brain tumor and called me three times to come and see her. I was always too busy, and when she died, I was profoundly ashamed. I still remember that after fifty-six years."
Diligently doing good as we have time and opportunity brings no regrets.
662. "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service." (John 16:1-2)
When some people are converted, they make the mistake of thinking that the battle is over and the victory is already won. However, after serving Christ for a few months, they realize that conversion is like enlisting in the army. There is a battle at hand and many more to follow.
Acts 14:21-22 says, "And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'"
663. "Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." (Jonah 1:17) "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matt. 12:40)
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because, though they are very large mammals, their throat is very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. The teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah." The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."
664. "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." (Matt. 12:30)
At the outbreak of the Civil War, a certain individual could not decide which cause to support, the North or the South. He had friends on both sides; thus, he decided to be neutral. He wore a gray jacket and blue trousers, thereby dressing for both the Confederacy and the Union.
One day, the neutral man was caught in the middle of a skirmish between the two armies. He stood up and shouted that he was neutral in this fight and expected to be allowed to leave the field before the battle closed in on him. However, Union sharpshooters, seeing the gray jacket, riddled it with bullets. And, Confederate marksmen, seeing the blue pants, filled them with lead.
We have no way of knowing if the above story is true or not; however, the point is well taken. In important issues one cannot be neutral. He must make his stand one way or the other.
665. "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks." (Rom. 14:5-6)
George Norris, a Senator from Nebraska, after making a very unpopular decision in the view of his constituents, stated, "I would rather lie in the silent grave, remembered by both friends and enemies as one who remained true to his faith, and who never faltered in what he believed to be his duty, than to still live, old and aged, lacking the confidence of both factions." (From Profiles in Courage, by John F. Kennedy, p. 161-162)
We admire those who bravely stand for their convictions even though we may disagree with them.
666. "'Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.' This He said, signifying by what death He would die." (John 12:31-33) "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Heb. 2:14-15)
While on a trip to the zoo one day, a boy and his father saw a huge lion. The lion was prowling around his enclosure and letting out chilling roars. The boy became very frightened and screamed in terror, but his father remained calm and unafraid. Why? The boy was frightened because he saw only the lion, while the father was unafraid because he saw the cage enclosing the lion.
Satan walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. However, through the work of Christ, he has his limitations. A way of escape will always be provided for those who seek it (1 Cor. 10:13).
667. "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly." (Prov. 13:24) "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him." (Prov. 22:15) "Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell." (Prov. 23:13-14)
A man walked up to two boys who were fighting in the park. He took one aside and began to spank him for his bad behavior. An observing bystander came up to the man and asked indignantly, "Why didn't you do anything to the other boy." The man responded, "This boy is my own son and the other is not."
Truly, those of us who love our children will do our best to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
668. "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Rev. 21:8)
King Heroin is my shepherd,
I shall always want.
He maketh me to lie down in the gutters.
He leadeth me beside troubled waters.
He destroyeth my soul.
(Author Unknown)
The word "sorcerers" in the Greek is "pharmakeus" from which comes our words "pharmacists" and "pharmacies." Its basic, primary meaning is "those who dispense or take drugs or potions." Truly, those who have become addicted to drugs have the wrong king as their shepherd; and, to say the least, their king is a very cruel, evil king who leads them to destruction.
669. "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands." (Prov. 14:1)
I saw them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a dusty town.
With a "heave ho" and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and the side wall fell.
I asked the foreman if these men were as skilled
As the men he'd hire, if he were to build.
He laughed and said, "Oh, no indeed.
Common labor is all I need.
For those men can wreck in a day or two,
What builders had taken years to do.
I asked myself as I went my way,
Which kind of role am I to play?
Am I the builder who builds with care,
Measuring life by the rule and square?
Or am I the wrecker who walks the town,
Content with the role of tearing down?
(Author Unknown)
670. "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully." (1 Tim. 5:14)
In USA Today, Michael Medved reported that a third of all babies now being born in the U.S. are born to unmarried mothers. There are some women "raising" children without a husband who had no choice in the matter; however, to "conceive" a child without a husband is a choice! Mr. Medved said that music star, Madonna, well summed up American's attitude when she said, "We can't decide whether marriage is really something that's necessary."
The Bible is profoundly clear on the matter: "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Heb. 13:4)
671. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:31-32)
In one of the Peanuts comic strips by Charles Schultz, the television is on, but there is no one in the room listening to it. The announcer is talking about a golf tournament that is in process. He says, "Smith has to make this putt to win the championship, or there will be no tomorrow." Just as he says, "There will be no tomorrow," in walks Lucy. She immediately goes into a panic and starts running around and yelling to the other children, "The world is coming to an end. They just announced it on television." Her panic quickly spreads as we see all the peanuts kids as they go wildly screaming about. Finally, in the last square all of the children are huddled on top of Snoopy's doghouse waiting for the end of the world.
When someone claims that he knows when the world is coming to an end, we can rest assured that he knows no more about it than did Lucy.
672. "Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, 'Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts...'" (Luke 20:45-46)
An admirer once asked Leonard Bernstein, celebrated orchestra conductor, what was the hardest instrument to play. He replied without hesitation: "Second fiddle. I can always get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm or second French
horn or second flute, now that's a problem. And, yet, if no one plays second, we have no harmony." (From Illustrations Unlimited, by James S. Hewett p. 450)
Instead of exalting ourselves as did the Scribes and Pharisees, let us learn to play "second fiddle." 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..."
673. "But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (Luke 12:20)
While attending a funeral at the Forest Lawn Mortuary in California, at the cemetery, I asked the mortician, "What was the most expensive funeral you ever had here?" The mortician didn't have to search his memory. He said, "A man embittered at his ex-wife and children had left them almost nothing, but had provided bountifully for his own final, ostentatious farewell. He had assigned $200,000 (about a half-million in 1985 dollars). First, a bronze casket was bought for around $18,000, and a beautiful rose window was created for $25,000. But, after these and other expenditures, the mortuary still had about $100,000. What next? Their solution was orchids--one hundred thousand dollars worth! And how many attended this $200,000 extravaganza? Exactly three!" (From Gil Beers in Christianity Today, May 17, 1985, p. 12)
674. "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Col. 3:2) "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way." (Psalm 119:37)
As a young boy, one of my favorite pastimes was hunting frogs along the banks of a pond near our home. While stalking those green leapers, I was unaware of their unique visual powers which enabled them to elude me so easily. Later, I learned that the frog's optical field of perception is like a blackboard wiped clean, and that the only images it receives are objects that directly concern him, such as his natural enemies or the food he needs for survival. Therefore, these amphibious little creatures are never distracted by unimportant things, but are aware only of essentials and whatever may be dangerous to them.
Although such restricted eyesight would result in an unimaginable handicap to man, nevertheless, a spiritual lesson can be learned from the frog's "blackboard." In the Christian life we frequently become preoccupied with the vain things of the world. We allow our lives to become so cluttered with materialistic and insignificant concerns that we lose perspective of the "things that endure." Let us ask God for help in fixing our attention on what is good and lasting. (Author Unknown)
675. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2)
There is an old legend about a fly that buzzed past a spider's web. The spider called out to the fly, "Come in and sit for a spell." The fly said, "No, sir. I don't see other flies in on your web, and I am not going in alone." But, presently, he saw on the floor below a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid because lots of other flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing. Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, "Don't land there, stupid! That's flypaper!" But the fly shouted back, "Don't be silly. Those flies are dancing. There's a big crowd there. Everybody's doing it. That many flies can't be wrong!" The fly landed and died on the spot!
Exodus 23:2 says, "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil..."
676. "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) "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2)
In the book Twilight of a Great Civilization, Carl Henry observes, "We are so steeped in the anti-Christ philosophy - namely, that success consists in embracing not the values of the Sermon on the Mount but an infinity of material things, of sex, and of status. We do not sense how much passes for Christianity which in reality is an apostate compromise with the spirit of the age." (From Bible Illustrator)
As Christians, we must strive to maintain our uniqueness and not be conformed to this present evil world.
677. "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." (1 Cor. 6:18) "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Heb. 13:4)
Dear Abby:
You blew it when you told "Glad I did it in St. Paul" that couples who are serious about marriage should take a few weekend trips together to test their compatibility.
Abby, my husband and I did not live together, nor did we have sex until after we were married. Not only did this allow us to get to know each other without the confusion of a physical relationship blurring our thinking, it also developed the self-control that has carried over into every aspect of our life together -- including our arguments. Premarital sex in today's society can be very risky. You should be preaching abstinence, not condoning what could be very dangerous behavior. (Not Holier Than Thou -- Just Glad I Waited in Portland, OR, from Dear Abby, 4-2-93)
678. "Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Rom. 3:15-17)
The homicide rate for males between the ages of 15 and 24 is 22 homicides per 100,000 for the United States, more than four times higher than the next highest country. Homicide is the most likely cause of death for young males, and accounts for 42 percent of all black male deaths. The youth arrest rate for murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault increased 26 percent between 1989 and 1999. The cost of incarcerating young offenders runs about $29,600 per person, or $1.7 billion a year. Seven percent of the youths account for 79 percent of all youth- committed serious, violent offenses. A total of $4.2 billion a year is spent on 260 delinquency prevention programs, which are spread among 17 agencies within seven federal departments. (From Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, General Accounting Office)
The way to decrease violent crime among young people is to change their hearts with the gospel of Christ. Many churches today have miserably failed in teaching their young people to fear and respect God and His laws.
679. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 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." (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
According to ABC's Primetime Live, sexually active teenage girls wish they were virgins again. The prime-time news magazine aired a segment dealing with the epidemic of teen pregnancies. Diane Sawyer cited statistics (no sources) that by the end of the ninth grade 33% of American girls have had sexual intercourse and 70% by the end of high school. She supported this contention with interviews of several sexually active teenage girls, some as young as the eighth grade, and claiming as many as 10 different partners. At the end of the segment, Sawyer reported that "every single one of these sexually active girls confided with us that they wish they'd said 'no.'"
When tempted by Potiphar's wife to commit fornication, Joseph said, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Gen. 39:9)
680. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them." (Ex. 20:4-5) "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21)
A two-inch-long discolored eyetooth is reverenced by 400 million Buddhists as the most sacred object on earth. The tooth is supposed to have been reclaimed from Buddha's funeral pyre in 543 B.C. and was brought to Ceylon 800 years later. Today the tooth sets upon a golden lotus in the glorious temple of the tooth in Kandy, Ceylon. It is surrounded by rubies and tons of flowers. Each year a hundred thousand faithful Buddhists come from many countries to gaze at the sacred tooth. They bring gifts of gold, silver and jewels to place within the temple. (From Bible Illustrator)
Paul said, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." (1 Cor. 10:14)
681. "And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not." (1 Tim. 5:13) "A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends." (Prov. 16:28)
"Take a grain of falsehood, a handful of runabout, and the same quantity of limber-tongue, six sprigs of backbite, a spoonful of don't-you-tell-it, add a drop of agony, and a little discontent and jealousy, strain it through a bag of misconstruction, cook it in a meddlesome pot, hang it on a string of street-yarn, and shake well before using." (Author Unknown)
Prov. 17:9 says, "He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends."
682. "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)
Some time back my wife and I were having lunch at our favorite restaurant. My wife ordered a cup of bean soup. I ordered the same; but, supposedly, the larger portion. After our soup was served, I said, "I think we have the same amount of soup." After we had finished, I filled her cup with water and poured it into my bowl. They were exactly the same, but my bowl cost almost twice as much as her's. The shape of the containers made one appear larger than the other. The eyes can be easily deceived.
While this may have been irritating, it has no real effect on us. The difference between 8 ounces and 12 ounces is not life-changing. Far more serious is the deception perpetrated by the spiritual charlatans that abound among us. (From Ralph Joiner)
Col. 2:8 says, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."
683. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matt. 4:10) "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:20)
A congregation had invited a "big name" preacher to preach for them one Sunday. As it turned out, however, he couldn't go and, thus, he sent his brother to speak in his place. As word got around the congregation that morning, several people started to leave. The fill-in preacher then stood up and made this announcement: "Those of you who came to hear my brother speak may leave at this time; those of you who came to worship God may stay on."
Joshua said, "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)
684. "For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other." (Isa. 45:18)
Standing at the South Pole is like being in the eye of a hurricane -- it's deceivingly calm. The quietness seems inconsistent with the fact that mighty winds originate there. How is this possible? As warm air from the equator flows in over the polar region, it descends, becomes cold and dense, and sinks to the frigid surface. Since the ice-covered plateau tapers off toward the oceans, and no mountains or other obstacles stand in the way, gravity pulls the heavy, cold air down the smooth slopes. The wind picks up tremendous speed as it moves northward toward the equator. Gradually it is heated by the sun and begins to rise, creating a circular pattern to drive the earth's weather machine that is so vital to our existence. (From Bible Illustrator)
Psalm 90:2 says, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."
685. "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isa. 57:15)
To worship is:
To quicken the conscience by the holiness of God.
To feed the mind with the truth of God.
To purge the imagination with the beauty of God.
To open the heart to the love of God.
To devote the will to the purpose of God.
(By William Temple)
John 4:24 says, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
686. "Greet the friends by name." (3 John 14)
During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. (Author Unknown)
687. "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Tim. 4:2)
Anthony Dearinger, a preacher at the Independent Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Ill., demonstrated how God will pitch the Devil into Hell on Judgment Day, by picking up a 12-year-old boy from the pew where he was sitting with his parents and throwing him six feet. Dearinger has since been convicted of child endangerment. Good thing the sermon wasn't about the crucifixion! (From "This is True," by Randy Cassingham)
Preachers do not need gimmicks or wild demonstrations in their preaching. All they need to do is boldly and convincingly preach the word of God.
688. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 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." (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
Gay activists say they want tolerance. They claim that everyone has the right to his own beliefs. However, when Tufts Christian Fellowship (TCF) at Tufts University near Boston denied a leadership position to a young lady who holds that homosexuality is not a sin, a position contrary to that taken by TCF, she pressed charges of discrimination against the group which is now being told to rewrite its constitution to make it congenial to homosexuals. What gays want is not tolerance, but for everyone to approve of their lifestyle.
Speaking of homosexuals, Rom. 1:28 says, "God gave them over to a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting..."
689. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Col. 2:8)
The Washington Post reported that the government HUD program is funding the National Institute for Medical Options which includes "gemstones, colors and incense" with the power to heal. Michelle Lusson, ordained by a Florida Episcopal church with a "doctor of divinity," believes in ancient healing practices based on Greek and Roman gods and goddesses and the colors that correspond to each. The Washington Post stated, "Real doctors decry Lusson's work as nonsense."
Col. 2:18-19 says, "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head..."
690. "What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, the molded image, a teacher of lies, that the maker of its mold should trust in it, to make mute idols? Woe to him who says to wood, 'Awake!' To silent stone, 'Arise! It shall teach!' Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet in it there is no breath at all. But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him." (Hab. 2:18-20).
Hideyoshi, a Japanese warlord who ruled over Japan in the late 1500's, commissioned a colossal statue of Buddha for a shrine in Kyoto. It took 50,000 men five years to build, but the work had scarcely been completed when the earthquake of 1596 brought the roof of the shrine crashing down and wrecked the statue. In a rage Hideyoski shot an arrow at the fallen colossus. "I put you here at great expense," he shouted, "and you can't even look after your own temple!" (From Bible Illustrator)
Speaking of idols, the Psalmist said, "They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them." (Psalm 135:16-18)
691. "If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman's husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life..." (Ex. 21:22-23)
Those who support abortion may tell themselves that it is no great wrong to dispose of what is, after all, only a tiny clump of cells. However, please consider that all of us human beings are clumps of cells, and although the clump they destroy may be tiny, it is no tinier than all of us once were. In morality, size doesn't matter. At any state of pregnancy, and by whatever method, abortion is the intentional taking of a human life.
The Greek word "brephos" is used in Luke 1:41 to refer to the unborn child, and is the same word translated "babies" in Luke 18:15 where it states, "they were bringing even the babies to him." Thus, unborn children and babies were considered the same in the New Testament.
692. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!" (Isa. 5:20-21)
The American Civil Liberties Union is at it again. Although the organization spends much money defending the "right" to display pornography in public, they consistently fight the right to display religious messages publicly. The Indiana chapter of the ACLU has forced the courthouse in Bedford, Indiana to remove a monument displaying the Ten Commandments from its lawn because U.S. District Judge, Sarah Evans Barker, ruled that it was tantamount to government endorsement of a particular religion. In other words, the government may fund immoral messages for public consumption but may not fund moral messages.
Prov. 17:15 says, "He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD."
693. "...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)
Here are my reasons why I quit attending sports:
1. The people I sat next to didn't seem friendly.
2. The seats were too hard, and the weather was bad.
3. I went to many games but the coach never came to call on me.
4. The referees made decisions that I couldn't agree with.
5. The games often went into overtime, and I was late getting home.
6. The band played numbers I'd never heard before, and it wasn't my style of music.
7. It seems the games were always scheduled when I wanted to do other things.
8. There were hypocrites among those who attended.
9. I was taken to too many games by my parents when I was growing up.
All similarities to excuses people give for not attending worship are intentional. (Author Unknown)
694. "But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary." (1 Cor. 12:20-22)
One day it occurred to the members of the body that they were doing all the work and that the belly was having all the food. So they held a meeting and after a long discussion decided to strike work until the belly consented to take its proper share of the work. So for a day or two the hands refused to take the food, the mouth refused to receive it, and the teeth had no work to do. But after a day or two, members began to find that they themselves were not in very active condition. The hands could hardly move, the mouth was all parched and dry, while the legs were unable to support the rest. Thus, they found that even the belly, in its dull quiet way, was doing necessary work for the body, and that all must work together or the body would go to pieces. (From Aesop)
695. "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." (1 Cor. 15:58)
Do more than exist - live! Do more than touch - feel! Do more than look - observe! Do more than read - apply! Do more than hear - listen! Do more than think - ponder! Do more than intend - act! Do more than plan - fulfill! Do more than say - perform! Do more than care - love! Yes, we need to be people who desire to do more, and not like those who look for ways to do less! (From The Vegas Drive Messenger)
696. "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech..." (2 Cor. 3:12) "...By good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:18)
Alvey Augustus Adee (1842-1924), a U.S. Diplomat, served for 47 years in the State Department, rising to second assistant Secretary of State. When Adee was asked by President McKinley the best way to say "no" to six European ambassadors who were coming to see him to try to prevent war against Spain, he wrote on the back of an envelope: "The Government of the United States appreciates the humanitarian and disinterested character of the communication now made on behalf of the powers named, and for its part is confident that equal appreciation will be shown for its own earnest and unselfish endeavors to fulfill a duty to humanity by ending a situation the indefinite prolongation of which has become insufferable." The president read this message verbatim to the ambassadors. (From The Little Brown Book of Anecdotes, by Clifton Fadiman, p. 7)
Let us use great boldness and plainness of speech as we teach the gospel so that none will misunderstand or be deceived.
697. "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Eph. 4:29)
To appreciate the power of the tongue, we need only picture the people of Great Britain in the early days of World War II, gathered in their living rooms listening to Prime Minister Winston Churchill deliver one of the most stirring speeches of the war: "The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us...Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say: 'This was their finest hour.'"
The heroism so evident in Britain's battle against Nazi Germany may have lain dormant in the British people had not Churchill's words helped galvanize their will. Taming the tongue so it can accomplish great good is crucial not only for wartime leaders, but for us in the everyday course of our walk with Christ. (From Bible Illustrator)
698. "Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few." (Eccl. 5:2)
Consider this: The Lord's Prayer contains 56 words; the Gettysburg Address, 266; the Ten Commandments, 297; the Declaration of Independence, 300; and a recent U.S. government order setting the price of cabbage, 26,911.
It's not how long we talk, it's what we say that is so important. (From the book Positioning)
699. "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits
sexual immorality sins against his own body." (1 Cor. 6:18)
The Fox TV show "Temptation Island" exhibited four couples who has been dating at least a year.
They separated the couples and sent them to different places on the tropical island to live among
twenty-six barely clothed single males and females to see if their relationship was strong enough
to withstand such temptation. God did promise an escape for every temptation, but He does not
invite us to take a flying leap into the middle of it (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18). It is scary to think
about television descending this far! (From the Brookhill Workman)
700. "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 call and election sure..." (2 Pet. 1:10)
In ancient Greece it was customary for peddlers who walked the streets with their wares to cry out, "What do you lack?" Their idea was to let people know they were in the vicinity, but also to arouse the curiosity of people who would come out of their houses to see what the peddler was selling. It might be something they lacked and needed, or simply something they desired.
It is good for us to ask ourselves, "What do I lack?" Let us take an honest inventory of ourselves, and make whatever changes necessary to be better servants of the Lord.