THE POWERFUL LOVE OF GOD
I had just met the man sitting in my office. He had made an appointment to see if he could change his wife's mind. She had cheated on him (again), but this time she had left him and was living with her boyfriend. She demanded a divorce and wanted him out of her life forever.

But he felt differently. He still wanted to save his marriage. He had forgiven her before and would be glad to forgive her again. They had raised two children together. They had built a life together. He couldn't imagine a future without her. When I asked what made him want her back so badly, he simply said, "Because I love her."

It amazes me what love can do. Here was a man who was not even a believer, but he did know about love. He may not have known God, but he certainly had learned how to love like God does. He didn't have a godly sense of right and wrong, but he had a godly sense of mercy and grace. He reminded me once again about the powerful love of God.

God's Love Seeks Sinners
This man had built his whole life around a woman he loved. She had repaid that love with lies and deception. She had cheated more than once and had just walked out on him. Yet he loved her and was in my office looking for ways to convince her to come back and give him the chance to prove he could forgive her.

God's love is like that. He loved us when He made the world and put us in it. He loves us every day...(Matt. 5:45). And how does mankind repay the lovingkindness of God? By sinning against Him and rejecting His will. (Isa. 53:6a; Rom. 3:23). We accept God's blessings, but we reject God's will. We bask in His love, but we refuse to follow His ways. Yet, God still loves us.

(John 3:16). God looked on our rebellion and reached out to us, because He loves us. We do not deserve it, but God still loves us and reaches out to us through His Son. (Luke 19:10). God sees our sinfulness, but loves us too much to leave us in our sin. He sent Jesus to seek our salvation because of His powerful love.

God's Love Pays the Price
As the man told his story, I was amazed at how willing he was to take his wife back. Her sin wounded him deeply, but he loved her enough to overlook her mistakes and forgive her. He even said he would pick up the pieces and get on with their lives as if nothing had happened. All she needed to do was come home.

Amazingly, God loves us enough to pay a similar price. God loves us in spite of our sin. But he loves us enough to remove our sin through the death of His only Son. (Isa. 53:6). God took our sin and laid it on Jesus. Jesus, in seeking to save that which was lost, accepted our guilt and took our sin. (II Cor. 5:21; I Pet. 2:24). Jesus took our sin so that we could come back to God and live with Him as if nothing had ever happened. God gave us a fresh start, forgiving us of our sin so that we can pick up our lives and live with Him again. Jesus did this because of His love for us...(John 15:13).

God Loves Us Enough to Forgive
I have worked with many couples who were going through the trauma of adultery. There is a sense of rejection, a sense of horror, a sense of loss. But worst of all is the broken trust. I have had many spouses, men and women, tell me they couldn't forget what had happened. It was painful and fresh for months, and sometimes years, after the sin was first exposed. But this particular client had previously forgiven his wife. He was willing to do so again. He was even able to put her past out of his mind so that her sins no longer plagued him.

God's love for us does the same. God seeks us and pays the price for our sin. But God forgives us at that moment and never again mentions the sins which He forgives. (Rom. 5:8). Some people don't like to think that God can love sinners. It is hard for them to imagine a God who would love people who are living in direct disobedience to His will. But God loves each of us enough to forgive us of any and all of our sins. Have you lied? God loves you and will forgive you. Have you committed sexual sins? God loves you and will be merciful. Have you cheated, stolen, wounded anyone? God loves you and will take you back as if nothing had happened.

(Psa. 103:12). God takes us back, willingly paying the price for our sins. But He goes beyond that great gift and offers us an inner peace that comes from knowing we will never face those sins again. (Heb. 8:12). God remembers us, but forgets our sins. God loves us but will not mention our former mistakes again. This is what John means when he speaks of God's love. (I John 4:17-18). We have nothing to fear from God. Once He forgives us of our sin, that sin will never be brought up again. His love assures us of His mercy toward our sins.

God's Love Commands Our Attention
This man had not been able to convince his wife to come home. He was still trying. He and I discussed ways to communicate with her so that she would consider coming back. One thing he had been able to accomplish: she knew he still loved her. He sent her cards, he sent flowers, he called and left loving, tender messages. She rejected all of them, but he had her attention!

God's love accomplishes the same thing for us. As we experience His goodness we are overwhelmed by His great love. All of us are sinners, all of us have gone astray and followed our own way. But God keeps blessing, keeps forgiving, keeps reaching out to us. No matter what your sin was or what your sin is, God will still be trying to get your attention. You may be like Peter and one look from Jesus will remind you of your need for God (Luke 22:61). You may be like Saul and face a startling event that forces you to see your need for God (Acts 9:1-9). But God's love is so potent that it will get your attention.

And, once God's love has you in its grasp, it literally will take control of your life. (II Cor. 5:14-15). Christ's love is so powerful that it will compel us to follow in Christ's path. Once you and I experience this great love, nothing else will stand in our way. From that moment we will dedicate our lives to God so that we can bask in His love for us. As a result we...(Eph. 5:2). Walking in love means we have accepted His will as our own. We now live for Him as He lived (and died) for us.

Trust Yourself to His Love
I don't know the end of this man's story. I have only had one session with him. I don't know if his love will compel his wife to come home or not. I don't know if we can find the right words, or the right actions or communicate the right message to convince her of his love for her. All I know is that his love is strong, unconditional and determined. I suspect she will have a hard time resisting his unyielding love for her.

The same is true with you. Will God's love have its effect on you? Will you trust yourself to come back to this God and experience more fully what His love is like? Will you accept His love for you and receive the mercy and grace you need? Will your life get a fresh start as God pays the price for your sin? All you must do is die to self and live for him (Matt. 16:24-26). All you must do is surrender control of your life, not to a cruel, dictatorial God, but to the love of Christ (II Cor. 5:14). All you must do is let His blood remove your sin as you are born again of water and the Spirit (Titus 3:3-5). Then, you can begin to return God's love. As Jesus said...(Matt. 22:37-39).

God's love is potent. It is so powerful, yet so mysterious. It is amazing, and it is awesome. Yet, glimpsing it can change your life. And so my prayer is the same as that of Paul...(Eph. 3:17-19).
[by David Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 32, Aug. 9, 1996, p. 1-3]

TESTING OUR LOVE
The world about us must often wonder at the reality of our religion when they see the enmity manifested by some within the Lord's army. Sometimes we show more zeal and intensity in pointing out our brothers' problems than in bluntly exposing the errors of denominational doctrine. (Eph. 4:15). Following that admonition will be a blessing to saint and sinner alike...(Heb. 13:1).

Since Christ "pleased not himself" (Rom. 15:3), we need to "esteem others better than ourselves" (Phili. 2:3), also. We dare not "sow discord among the brethren" (Prov. 6:19) because of an arrogant spirit and stubborn attitude and motive. Some folk are renowned for healing rifts and spreading joy, while others bring chaos and unhappiness wherever they go. When we lived in Australia, we read of a dramatic action on the famous Sydney Bridge. A man went there late at night to commit suicide, but he saw another man about to jump to his own death. The first man, forgetting himself, pulled the other man back to safety. The newspaper headline put it simply: "Two Who Did Not Jump!"

The way of love is self-effacing and loses itself in caring for others. Let us a notice a few hindrances to love. Gossip hinders love...(Prov. 18:21). Selfishness hurts, and we should care...(Rom. 12:15). Jealousy is a bar to love...(Prov. 14:30). Shallowness destroys love, also...(I Cor. 3:3).

There are also some aids to brotherly love. Get to know one another (Heb. 13:3). Practice genuine hospitality (I Pet. 4:9). Realize our own sin (Psa. 69:5). Always look for the good in the other person (II Tim. 4:11). And remember that Christ died for you...(I Cor. 15:10).

The life of brotherly love never ignores sin or error, but it does look for the best and always strives to avoid suspicion. As Paul wrote...(I Cor. 13:5-6). We use correction to prevent souls from being lost and the cause of Christ from being hindered (I Cor. 9:12, 16). We cannot ignore untruth, nor dare we "pass by on the other side" as the Priest and Levite did when someone was in need (Luke 10). Brotherly love causes us to "seek peace and pursue it" (I Pet. 3:11).

The apostle Paul, in Gal. 6, writes of "the three bears" for the Christian. "Each man shall bear his own burden" (Gal. 6:5). "Bear ye one another's burdens" (Gal. 6:2). "I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus" (Gal. 6:17). When we live the sacrificial and joyous life of brotherly love, we will obey the enthralling ideals found in Eph. 4:1-3.... Notice the component points of that challenge: "Walk worthily of the Lord...in lowliness and meekness...forbearing one another in love...keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

When the above lofty message is combined with our steadfast commitment of presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1-2), the angels of heaven will rejoice, and the world will take notice that we have "been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
May His spirit divine all my being refine,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

The life of brotherly love transcends earthly woes, heartaches and tragedy. Such a sweet fellowship among brethren overwhelms earthly kin who care not for things eternal. Jesus pointed out that His family was made of those who do the Father's will (Mark 3:35). We inherit, in Christ, by brotherly love, "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (I Pet. 1:8).
[by Johnny Ramsey from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 32, Aug. 9, 1996, p. 3-4]

SAVED BY FAITH OR WORKS?
"Dear brother Clem: There is an apparent contradiction between Rom. 4:2 and James 2:21. What is the explanation? Please answer in the paper. -R.L., KY"

The "apparent contradiction" is no contradiction at all. There are two different kinds of works being discussed. Note the readings. (Rom. 4:2-3). Abraham could not work enough to earn salvation, or justification. All the works he could produce would never be enough. The exact same principle is true with us. If we are saved, it must be "by faith" as was true with Abraham.

But does this mean it didn't matter what Abraham did, as long as he claimed to have faith? Look at the other passage...(James 2:21-22). When God told Abraham to offer Isaac, he immediately responded by obeying - no argument, no quibble. This is always the response of faith! By doing what God told him, Abraham was not trying to "earn" salvation by his works; he was simply striving to please God. That same principle is true with us today.

Abraham could not "earn" salvation by working. Neither can we. But neither could he be saved without responding to God in "obedience of faith" (Rom. 1:5; Rom. 16:26). Nor can we. Because we believe God, we do what He says. It is in this sense that scripture declares...(James 2:24).
[by Clem Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 32, Aug. 9, 1996, p. 4]

SOME SINS WORSE THAN OTHERS?
"Dear David: I agree with your answer to the person struggling with homosexuality. But, do you really believe that some sins are not worse than others? Jesus seemed to suggest this in John 19:11. We may not be able to distinguish what is better or worse (since we think our sins are small and others' are worse) but some sins are more damaging, don't you agree? -T.P.B., TN"

Jesus tells Pilate...(John 19:11). It looks to me as if Jesus is talking about guilt here, not degrees of sin. Judas was the one who was most guilty for the process that would lead to Jesus' death. Pilate played a role as well, but his guilt for the event was less than Judas'.

Does that mean that Judas' sin was worse than Pilate's? Well, I agree that in life some mistakes are more damaging than others. I believe (and Uriah's family would probably agree) that David's adultery with Uriah's wife (II Sam. 11) was not nearly as damaging as his subsequent murder of his faithful soldier. Murder is more damaging because its consequences are more enduring.

But, to God, every sin is offensive and repellent. Please recall, it was only the eating of forbidden fruit (not adultery or murder or mayhem) that caused Adam and Eve to be driven from the garden (Gen. 3). (I John 1:5). God will not stay where there is sin of any kind. You are right to realize we measure the severity of sin by judging others and comparing ourselves with others. But to God every sin (even your "little" sin) is evil and disgusting. I believe that we need to force ourselves to see all sin as severe and damaging. Then maybe we will stop excusing our so called "little" mistakes and realize that to God, they are just as ugly as murder or adultery or the other more damaging sins. [by David Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 32, Aug. 9, 1996, p. 4]

THE PATH OF DISCIPLESHIP
No one who ever walked the earth challenged people as Jesus did. He challenges our priorities, our values, our motives, our dedication. He calls us to be His disciple, which means "Learner, follower," and indicates one who learns from a leader and determines to follow that leader. For us to be His disciples, Jesus demands a change in the way we live, even the way we think. Jesus explains part of this in the following great challenge He gives to all who hear His teaching. He had just explained that He must soon be killed by the "chief priests and scribes" of the Jews, a fact that would not usually provoke lasting loyalty. But then Jesus also said...(Luke 9:23).

We like to dwell on the "fact that salvation is free." But Jesus shows that it costs. It cost the Lord His life to make salvation available for us...(Heb. 2:9). Our salvation was certainly not "free" to Him! But, in a sense, neither is it free to us. To be a disciple of Jesus demands a response on our part, and that response will cost us. In the challenge found in the text above, part of that response is found. Luke 9:23 suggests at least four steps which are essential, if we would follow Jesus.

"If Any Man Will Come After Me"
The startling claims of Jesus and His dynamic personality demand a decision from all who hear Him. When asked...(Matt. 26:63-64). When Jesus claimed...(Matt. 27:43), no one could look at Him as just another man. His words carry new importance. Jesus exhorts...(Matt. 11:28).

The Lord calls us to come after Him, and (in effect) is exhorting us, "Make up your mind." A firm decision is imperative. Just before his death, Joshua told Israel...(Josh. 24:15). Once we really make up our minds to follow a course of action, the path becomes much easier. Elijah, challenged. by false prophets and ill-supported by Israel, confronted the people...(I Kings 18:21). In the ensuing test with the false prophets, Elijah was vindicated as God's prophet, and the people finally chose to do God's bidding.

The apostle Paul, imprisoned for preaching Christ, continued his preaching in jail. His message to the governor, Felix, was simple...(Acts 24:25). Felix faced decision-making time, but he failed: "Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time: and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me." That "convenient season" never came, and it never will! Following Jesus is not a matter of convenience, but of conviction. When Paul preached to King Agrippa, that nobleman said...(Acts 26:28). But "almost" was not good enough. It never is. Jesus calls for a decision: "Come."

"Let Him Deny Himself"
This part of the challenge of Jesus is easy to understand. It is difficult to obey. The idea of "Me first" and "Look out for number 1" is pretty well ingrained in most people, both by nature and by society. It is hard to dethrone self and put Christ in control. But that is exactly what Jesus requires. The Lord put it this way in Matt. 6:33.... The apostle Paul certainly understood this principle. He wrote...(Gal. 2:20). That is what it means to "deny self." It was no longer Paul's will, Paul's way, Paul's life. Only Jesus Christ was important, and He was in control.

Shall we bring sacrifices to God? (Rom. 12:1-2). God doesn't ask for dead animals in sacrifice, He asks for us as living sacrifices. That means no longer living for self, but for Him. The apostle Paul shows that we must crucify the old man of sin and be buried in baptism in order to be raised to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:3-6). That process calls for a whole new way of thinking...(Col. 3:1-5). Only when we "deny self" can we live for Christ.

"Take Up His Cross Daily"
The cross of each person may be different from that of others, but just as Jesus bore His cross, so we must accept ours. Jesus said...(Matt. 11:29-30). The Lord never promised that living for Him would be an easy road to travel. Jesus suffered because of Who He was, and if we are His, we will suffer, also. (II Tim. 3:12). The apostle Peter wrote...(I Pet. 4:12). But then he goes on to exhort, (I Pet. 4:16).

Jesus has called us for a purpose, His eternal purpose (Eph. 3:10-11). He reveals it clearly...(Eph. 2:10). Just as the life of Jesus is characterized by...(Acts 10:38), so our lives are to be identified. This is really the reason Jesus died on the cross to save us...(Titus 2:14). It is by our "works" that we show our faith (James 2:18). In fact...(James 2:17), and it is by works that "faith is made perfect" (James 2:22). As we "live by faith" (Rom. 1:17) daily, our works will show that Jesus is our Lord.

"And Follow Me"
If we are to be His disciples, Jesus requires whole-hearted loyalty and single-minded devotion. (I Pet. 2:21-24). How do we follow Jesus? By doing as He did by living as He lived, by serving as He served, by obeying God as He did! (Heb. 5:8-9). If we follow in His steps, we will do the will of the Father, just as Jesus did.

Many decry obedience today as "legalism," and say that being a stickler for doing everything just as God said is not necessary. But listen to Jesus...(Matt. 7:21). The Lord Jesus gives a simple test for our following Him...(John 14:15, 21; I John 5:3). Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3), and if we want to follow Him, we will be looking to that place...(Col. 3:1). We need to develop "the mind of Christ" (Phili. 2:5) that concentrates on heaven, not on the earth. That change of attitude will change the way we live. It is really very simple. If we "follow Jesus," we will do as He did.

After Jesus had said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me," He went on to explain the consequences. (Luke 9:24). On the same subject, the Lord said further...(Matt. 16:26). Yes, it costs to follow Jesus. But, friend, it costs a whole lot more to not follow Him! Hear Him and accept His offer today, "Come unto me."
[by Clem Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 30, July 26, 1996, p. 1-3]

SOMETHING TO STRIVE FOR
We all need a goal to spur us on to nobler endeavors. Psa. 73:24 is a brilliant reminder of God's grace. Hope of eternal life in the company of the redeemed is one of our richest joys and deepest desires. Paul used this powerful incentive to cause him to press on to higher ground and loftier motivation. Victory in and through Christ even overwhelms the tomb...(Rom. 8:31, 37-39).

O land of rest for thee I sigh,
When will the moment come
When I shall lay my armor by
And dwell with Thee at home?

When we receive the end our faith, the salvation of our souls, all earthly toil and tribulation shall fade into oblivion (I Pet. 1:9). The land of fadeless day beckons loyal pilgrims to a lifestyle of optimism and peace beyond comprehension by carnal folk with secular vision. How can we be so blessed to receive abundant beauty in spirituality now, and in the world to come the sublime presence of Deity (Mark 10:29-30). The treasures of heaven await us after the toils of life have vanished.

Into the heart of Jesus,
Deeper and deeper I go,
Longing to know the reason
Why He should love me so.

When we meet problems on earth, His grace will surely sustain us...(John 14:27). The Lord walks beside us in...(Psa. 23:4). Content just to be a Christian, regardless of tribulation or abject persecution, will give us "all joy and peace in believing" (Rom. 15:13). His experience in the crucible of suffering will truly succor us (Heb. 2:18).

O heart bowed down with sorrow,
O eyes that long for sight,
There is gladness in believing,
In Jesus there is light.

An abundant entrance into God's everlasting kingdom awaits the loyal servants of the Lamb who follow Jesus wherever He goes (Rev. 14:4). Remaining steadfast provides eternal victory...(Acts 2:42). Each moment of every day we must look beyond temporary heartache and earthly tragedy for God's tomorrow and the sterling hope that gives meaning to walking by faith (II Cor. 5:7). We "know whom we have believed," as the apostle Paul wrote in II Tim. 1:12, and we realize that God is able to provide us with that rest that remains for the people of the Lord (Heb. 4:9).

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

Christians are told to console one another in the eager anticipation of Christ's coming and the vibrant victory found in the resurrection of the dead. God gives abundant spiritual ammunition to strengthen our resolve to never turn back (Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:11-14; I Thes. 4:13-18). We absolutely live in the "hope of eternal life" (Titus 1:2). To hear our Master beckon us home will be enough to cheer us toward that marvelous goal: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Let us never forget the three-fold challenge to abide, remain and continue in the grace of our benevolent Father! (I John 2:24-25).
[by Johnny Ramsey from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 30, July 26, 1996, p. 3-4]

IS EXTRAMARITAL SEX A SIN?
"Dear brother Thurman: I have been a widow for thirty years, but am now very attracted to a widower. He tells me that, because we are not married, having sex would be no sin. How do I deal with this? As I have already committed the sin, must I now go before the church and confess it? No one else knows about it."

Sex outside of marriage is wrong, and I am glad that you recognize it as the sin it is. The Old Testament clearly shows that sex between unmarried people was wrong (Lev. 18-20; Deut. 11). The New Testament teaches the same thing...(I Cor. 7:1-2). God has intended that...(Heb. 13:4). Notice that a distinction is made between "adulterers" (sex by married person with one not his/her spouse) and "fornicators." The sin of fornication, in this text and some others, is obviously sex with unmarried people.

Should you confess before the church? There is no passage of scripture that says so. If your sin is known only to God and to the man, those are the two to whom you must "confess." You need to make it clear to the man involved that you will never again participate in fornication with him. And you need to ask God's forgiveness, with the determination to live a holy life. There is no scripture that would indicate that you need to confess the sin to people who don't even know about it.
[by Clem Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 30, July 26, 1996, p. 4]

HIV CAN BE CAUGHT WITHOUT SIN
"Dear David: In the Mar. 29, 1996, issue you respond to an inquiry concerning a young man with HIV. The letter didn't say so, but you clearly infer the young man contracted this dread disease through a sinful lifestyle. The letter (as we read it) did not say so. HIV can be caught from blood transfusions or from birth through the mother. The young man may not have sinned at all. Let's not be judgmental. -M.A., TX"

You are right, the inquiry as we ran it did not state how the young man contracted HIV. The original letter (much too long to run due to space) was clear in that the young man was living a homosexual lifestyle. You are also correct that HIV can be transmitted in other ways. You are equally right in calling my attention to this. Without that important piece of information my response could sound harsh and so was poor editing on my part.

I was very encouraged by the response to this inquiry. All the mail we received took me to task for assuming sin on the part of the young man. The next time someone accuses Christians of being too judgmental, I will remember the overwhelming number of letters, faxes and calls that reminded me not to jump to conclusions about people's sin and not to be judgmental. Thanks.
[by David Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 30, July 26, 1996, p. 4]

EQUAL BEFORE THE LORD
I often hear from individuals who feel completely out of touch with God. These people look at their lives and feel inadequate. They don't think God can use them due to their sinfulness. Or, they think God can't use them because they have no obvious talents. Since they are uneducated or without great wealth, God cannot use them. Or, maybe because they had sinned in the past, or were divorced, then God would be unable to use them.

The problem with this thinking is that it ignores the whole purpose of God. The Lord has always used people of little influence to accomplish His will. God seems to want only those who have little skill or value and turns those people into great servants who accomplish great things. God does this by making all of us equal before Him. In that equality comes the one resource we need to be of service to God.

God Chooses the Foolish Things
Paul wrote the Corinthian church and reminded them of their equality before the Lord. They were arguing over who was greatest and most effective. They debated each other, claiming greater gifts and talents than the other. But Paul reminds them of God's mysterious ways. (I Cor. 1:26-27). The apostle tells us that God purposefully chooses the weak, the ignoble and the less than wise in order to accomplish His will.

Would you have chosen a David, the youngest of eight brothers to become king over Israel? Looking at how King David's life turned out it is easy to agree with God's choice. But when David was selected, everyone in his family thought it should have been his oldest brother. Even the prophet Samuel thought so (I Sam. 16:6). But God had the youngest, the least son in this family, in mind and Samuel anointed him to replace the failed King Saul.

Would you have selected a suspected murderer to lead your people out of bondage? Moses had killed an Egyptian when he was a young man (Exo. 2:11-15). Moses fled to the desert where he married and lived in anonymity until he was eighty years old. Then God called him from his sheep herding to lead His people. Neither David nor Moses was wise, mighty or noble, but each went on to be among God's greatest servants.

This principle still applies to people today. Where we might dismiss someone due to a sordid past (like Moses), God may see a great servant waiting to be discovered. No matter what your sins have been, God can still use you effectively. In fact, God can use you to become a great leader in His kingdom, even though you have sinned wickedly in your past.

This applies to you, if you don't seem to have much to offer God. Maybe you are not well educated or maybe you don't have much money. Perhaps you don't have any particular talent or gift to bring to God's service. Neither did David. But God used that young man to defeat a giant, to fight the Philistines and to sit on the throne of Israel. God uses those who seem to have no particular talents to do the greatest deeds.

God Does This For His and Our Sakes
(I Cor. 1:28-29). God chooses the weak and inferior in order to demonstrate to all the world that it is not the cleverness of man that makes God's will go forward. God doesn't need smart, or educated, or even well-to-do people to accomplish His will. The Lord deliberately selects those of us without much to brag about in order to show the world how God works. He nullifies the things that are (education, wisdom, power, wealth, health, prestige) by using and succeeding with people without those resources. This is done to establish that it is God's power that succeeds, not ours.

Moreover, God does this for our sakes. He wants us to realize that we were not chosen to serve Him because we have something to offer Him. Instead, we were selected because we do not have anything to offer Him. God can then use us to lead His cause in triumph. God wants people to come to Him on an equal footing, all of us weak and in need of His power.

Who did God use at Jericho? A harlot named Rahab who hid the spies and was spared the destruction of that city (Josh. 2:1-14). A sinful woman with a sinful livelihood was chosen by God to help bring down a powerful city. Look at Judah, who disobeyed God several times and even had children by his daughter-in-law, mistaking her for a prostitute (Gen. 38) and yet was chosen to be the most powerful tribe in Israel and the forefather of the Messiah. God uses sinful people who will accept their broken status and submit to His will.

This is also true with those who seem to be ordinary and without talents. Mary was a young woman, probably in her mid teens, when the angel told her she would have a child whose father was the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38). Mary was a simple, ordinary teen-age girl who was not special, except that the power of God descended on her and she helped changed history. The apostle Peter was a working man, a fisherman. But Jesus called Peter to follow, and Peter went on to play a leading role in the spreading of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

God chose these people, not because they were special, but to prove His power in changing lives. It wasn't because Rahab was a prostitute or that Judah was wicked that God chose them, it was in spite of their wickedness God used them to demonstrate His love and mercy to all of us. God didn't pick Mary or Peter due to some innate qualities in either of them. God chose them because they were ordinary in order to prove to us that God's power can take ordinary people and do wonderful things. Whether sinful or weak, God can use any person.

God Uses Jesus to Change People
(I Cor. 1:30-31). God used the greatest shame of all to redeem us. He sent His only Son to live as a mere carpenter in a backwards area of the world. From a little village in Galilee, Jesus came to preach and teach. From that humble beginning, Jesus' path took Him to the cross, the most repugnant and despised death possible in His day. A man of humble beginnings who died a terrible death reserved for the worst sort of criminal was and is still used by God to forgive mankind. In this "foolishness" God has shamed the so called wise and brought righteousness and grace to all the world.

Too many people believe they must be good enough for God to take them back. Others believe they must have special talents to be of service in the kingdom. But God used Jesus to bring us our redemption. He used His sacrificed Son to change us, to forgive us. Our only source of pride before God is our claim on His Son. Without Jesus none of us could be of use to God. But in Jesus Christ, every person, regardless of background or ability can be used to alter the world. The only boast we can make before God is that we belong to Christ. We cannot boast in anything we have or anything we have done. We can only rely on and take pride in our redemption as purchased by Jesus in His death.

We are all equal before God. Whether in the kingdom for years or newly born again, each of us can only boast in one thing: Jesus and His death. We can only be of use in one way: by relying on His grace to sustain us. We can change the world only through one power: God's willingness to use us.

Equal Before God
We are all the same in God eyes. Each of us is a sinner (Rom. 3:10, 23). We each are lost, cut off from God by our sin (Rom. 6:23). But, God saves each of us due to His love and in spite of our sin (Rom. 5:8). Whether male or female, slave or free, smart or dumb, rich or poor, we are all equal in Christ, all made free by the same process...(Gal. 3:26-28). God uses each of us, not because we are special or have special talents, but because in Christ Jesus we all started the same (lost) and wound up the same (forgiven) all by the same process (faith, repentance and baptism). None of us can boast except in how God forgave us through Christ. None of us is special, only that God has saved us through Christ.

This means you must not wait until you are good enough to serve God. God can use you now. You must not wait until you uncover or develop some hidden talents. Serve God now. This means if you are in sin you must not delay, but come to God through Jesus Christ by trusting Him, by leaving sin and being baptized in Christ. Then, in Christ, you can boast about your relationship to God. Then God can start to use you by His power. Come to Him today!
[by David Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 29, July 19, 1996, p. 1-3]

ACTION TOWARD WITHDRAWN MEMBER
"Dear brother Clem: A man was a member of a neighbor congregation, and they withdrew from him. He came to this congregation and placed membership. What should be the attitude of this congregation, and the leadership here, toward him? What should we do to straighten things out?"

The apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church...(II Thes. 3:6, 14). The church was to withdraw from the man who failed to walk uprightly according to the gospel, for such a man would bring shame to the church. As the Lord had commanded earlier in Corinth...(I Cor. 5:6-7, 13). Two reasons are thus given for withdrawing: first, to make the sinning brother ashamed and bring him to repentance that he might be forgiven; second, to keep the church pure.

There is no specific case in the scriptures of any member who had been withdrawn from seeking to "place membership" in another congregation. In Corinth, for instance, the man withdrawn from repented and was restored to fellowship (II Cor. 2:6-8). But, based on the scriptures above and the reasons for withdrawing, certain facts become evident. If a congregation has scriptural reasons for withdrawing from a man, other congregations should honor that. To provide a "haven" for such a one undermines the purpose of withdrawing: to make the sinner ashamed and bring him to repentance. On the other hand, there are many cases where one has been withdrawn from without real grounds - personal conflicts with other members (usually leaders), a misunderstanding, false and unproved allegations, etc. Too, withdrawal is sometimes done without due consideration for the person and God's word. (II Tim. 4:2).

So what is the congregation to do when a member comes from another congregation, having been withdrawn from, and seeks to place membership? It is nearly always best to "hear both sides" to ascertain the facts. So, the withdrawing congregation should be contacted, their accusations and proof of same should be examined. Also, the man himself should be heard, and his replies to the accusations investigated and evaluated. Obviously, if it is possible, the man himself and the leaders of the withdrawing congregation should be brought together and heard together. If wrongs actually have been committed, they should be acknowledged and corrected right then. That would settle the matter. Personally, if I were the man involved, and if I were innocent, I would welcome the chance to meet with my accusers with unbiased witnesses present - especially the leaders of the church with which I now intend to worship and work (I Cor. 6:2-5).

The situation as presented in the question above is a difficult one, if the parties do not agree to meet and resolve it. It puts the congregation where the man seeks to place membership in a very awkward position. The elders of that church have some hard decisions to make and some difficult actions to perform. Study those scriptures above, follow the principles given in them, and pray that God will help you to do the right thing in the right way.
[by Clem Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 29, July 19, 1996, p. 3-4]

SHALL WE PRACTICE CHURCH DISCIPLINE?
"Dear brother Thurman: Why do we ignore church discipline today? What does the Bible say? -F.B., MD"

Church discipline is clearly taught in the scriptures. It begins with instruction and exhortation to live as the Lord directs (I Thes. 5:12-14), and if change is not made, then withdrawal from the ungodly is the final step (II Thes. 3:6, 14-15). Please notice the following points:
1. The Lord disciplines those whom He loves (Rev. 3:19).
2. Earthly parents discipline children because they love them (Heb. 12:5-11; Prov. 13:24).
3. Churches are to practice discipline in order to save those erring members (II Thes. 3:14-15).
4. Churches are commanded to discipline members in order to prevent other members from straying away, also (I Cor. 5).

In an age of rebellion and lack of respect for authority in every realm, it is to be expected, sadly, that many will misunderstand the purpose and motive of congregations that practice discipline. When people err from the truth and need discipline, their fellow members need the courage and love properly to carry out the discipline God teaches. In a day when people are told to "do your own thing," and where humanism and hedonism rule supreme, it will never be popular to stand up for the standards of Christianity as taught in the Bible. But we are grateful to our brethren who are consistent with the New Testament in withdrawing from ungodly members. We applaud their stand, and only apologize for those who will not stand up for Jesus and the purity of the church which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). The church is in the world, but we must not allow the world to overwhelm the church (John 15:19).
[by Johnny Ramsey from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 29, July 19, 1996, p. 4]

SCRIPTURAL CHURCH WITH NO ELDERS?
"Dear brother Clem: Is it absolutely necessary for a congregation to have elders to be scriptural? What can we do if we do not have qualified men to serve? -S.M., KY"

Churches of Christ existed for awhile in the days of the apostles without elders. When Paul and Barnabas returned from their first missionary journey...(Acts 14:23). Some of these churches had probably been in existence for two to six years without elders. But make no mistake about it, it is God's plan that each church of Christ have elders...(Titus 1:5). That is Bible, and it is still God's plan.

As important as it is for a church to have elders, it is imperative that they be the kind of men God requires. The characteristics listed in I Tim. 3:1-6 and Titus 1:5-11 are not merely suggestions! It is clearly much better for a congregation NOT to have elders than to have the wrong kind! If members of a congregation decide they just don't want elders, and fail to teach and prepare people for that godly work, I would have a real problem with that - and I think the Lord would, also. But if, in spite of the best efforts of the members of that congregation, there is no one yet qualified to be an elder, that does not mean the church is not scriptural.
[by Clem Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 45, no. 29, July 19, 1996, p. 4]

Dear Ruth:
Would like to visit.
Love Always,
Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "I must go to the store and buy something for dinner." She looked in her purse and found only one dollar and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us?" A man and woman dressed in little more than rags. "We have no home and live on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, we would certainly appreciate it."

They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.
She said, "I only have this meager amount and I am having an important guest coming to visit. I was planning on serving that to Him."
The couple said, "Oh, thanks anyway."

The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and he headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest."

She handed the man her grocery bag. She asked, "and are you cold not having a coat?" He said, "Yes, Thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering. So Ruth gave the woman her coat. Now Ruth was without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.

But the man and his wife said, "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him.

Then the postman arrived and Ruth was startled thinking, "the mail never comes twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it. The letter read:

Dear Ruth:
Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus

PUMPKINS, ACORNS, AND GOD
The story is told of a very wise and very young man who one day went into a field to think wise thoughts. As he strolled through the wild grasses and flowers, he discovered a pumpkin patch. In the middle of the pumpkin patch was a hugh oak tree. Being a very wise and very young man, he felt it his duty to investigate this plant life combination.

The very wise and very young man studied the frail vines that had been chosen to support and nurture the pumpkins. Then he noticed the magnificent limbs of the oak tree which were only used to support and nurture tiny acorns.

The very wise and young man decided that God had definitely made a mistake. What a waste! Those strong limbs are better suited to support the great weight of ripe pumpkins, and the humble vines could more easily carry the tiny acorns.

After making such an important discovery, the very wise and very young man sat down in the shade of the magnificent limbs of the oak tree. Just as he was beginning to feel very pleased by his wisdom, an acorn dropped from the tree and hit him on his very wise, young nose.

Maybe God was right after all.
[from Eustis church of Christ bulletin, July 26, 1992]

Lord, I am willing
To receive what You give
To lack what You withhold
To relinquish what You take
To suffer what You inflict
To be what You require.
And, Lord, if others are to be
Your messengers to me,
I am willing to hear and heed
What they have to say.
Amen

THE VOID OF HUMANISM
Humanism is a very subtle, disarming, and sophisticated way of saying atheism. Leading humanists have put together two statements which in a relative way represent their thinking. These are entitled Humanist Manifesto I (1933) and Humanist Manifesto II (1973), hereinafter identified by (HM I) and (HM II). "Those who sign Humanist Manifesto II disclaim that they are setting forth a binding credo; their individual views would be stated in widely varying ways."

That humanism is nothing more than atheism is explicitly stated: "As non-theists, we began with humans not God, nature not deity." (HM II) "Humans are responsible for what we are or will become. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves." (HM II)

Linguistic Void
It is confusing to read the writings of humanists, who use a variety of terms which, given Biblical theism, have objective meaning, but, when used by humanists have no objective reference - terms such as "truth," "right" and "wrong," "good" and "evil," "human," "freedom," "rights," etc. Ask any humanist if there is such a thing as sex perversion. Ask him what distinguishes human from the nonhuman. Humanists have difficulty in deciding whether unborn children are human or not, and some endorse the murder of innocent children (abortion). Perhaps more telling than this is that some humanists have no difficulty in deciding that some individuals cease to be human. One of the signers of Humanist Manifesto II, Dr. A.G.N. Flew, world renowned atheist, who is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Reading, England, makes this statement:

"About whether I have met anyone who was not unequivocally either human or non-human: yes, I am afraid I have. I have met people who were very senile. I have also met people who were mad. Both cases raise very serious and bitter problems. Can we say that these former people are people any longer?" (Warren-Flew Debate, p. 65)

Are Dr. Flew's feelings yours? Ought all to feel about humans as does he? When humanists use the terms "truth," "wrong," "human," "freedom," etc., we must remember that, they have no objective values whatsoever.

Religious Void
That humanism may be identified as a religious movement is shown from their use of the words "religious humanists" to describe themselves. (HM I and HM II) But note how void the religion of humanism is. What possible objective purpose for man could be deduced from human opinions with no objective authority behind them? Is it good to be a religious humanist? Ought all men to be religious humanists? Is it wrong not to be a religious humanist?

The very fact that man feels morally obligated cannot be satisfactorily explained by religious humanism. The concept of ought is not learned; it is innate within man created in the image of God. If man is nothing but matter in motion, why does he feel a sense of moral oughtness? The humanist has no answer and can produce no answer, given his limited, nonobjective, nonauthoratative, materialistic view of reality. Humanism can never satisfy the demands of the conscience! It may be the religion of some, but it is very foolish and nonsubstantive.

Moral Void
When it comes to ethical matters, Manifesto II states:
"We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational, needing no theological or ideological sanction. Ethics stems from human need and interest."

This is interesting. Here is a nonautonomous and nonsituational affirmation that ethics is autonomous and situational. Given situation ethics, whatever atheistic religious humanists believe would be "true" and Biblical theism would also be "true." But this is contradictory and irrational. Of course, though, we should not expect atheists or humanists to be consistent for they have no means of knowing what is right or what is wrong; the very most they can offer is an autonomous human opinion. Surely thinking people can see the moral void created by humanism.

Humanists pride themselves in talking about the individual. They speak long and loud about sexual freedom. Manifesto II states: "In the area of sexuality we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized. While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression, neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered "evil." Without countenancing mindless permissiveness or unbridled promiscuity, a civilized society should be a tolerant one. Short of harming others or compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their life-styles as they desire. We wish to cultivate the development of a responsible attitude toward sexuality, in which humans are not exploited as sexual objects, and in which intimacy, sensitivity, respect, and honesty interpersonal relations are encouraged. Moral education for children and adults is an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity."

It is interesting that they say they do not approve of sexual exploitation, but how does one go about deciding what exploitation is, given humanistic atheism and no objective moral code. How could anything be morally binding upon anyone?

Why do they limit their endorsement of human sexual activity to consenting adults? By what authority does one set of human opinions authorize or limit the conduct of another? They talk about a tolerant society but yet establish restrictions. What group of human beings shall say where the line should be drawn, and why?

They talk about the line being drawn to the extent that no one is harmed. Does this refer only to physical harm? Are human beings not harmed mentally and psychologically by sexual promiscuity? What about innocent human beings who are conceived by humanism's toleration of sexual misconduct and are later murdered by abortion? Does no harm come to the innocent child?

The moral void of humanism is demonstrated by the dilemma in which Dr. Flew (one of the signers of Manifesto II) found himself when attempting to answer some true or false questions posed by Dr. Warren during the Warren-Flew Debate. To the statement, "Value did not exist before the first human being," he replied, "True." He was consistent here because he, like all humanists, affirmed that ethics or morals are completely autonomous and situational. But when asked by Dr. Warren if in murdering six million Jewish men, women, and children the Nazis were guilty of real (objective) moral wrong, he also answered "True," (Appendix, p. 248), showing that he, like all humanists, has a CONSCIENCE that will not let him be consistent with his autonomous situational ethics. If moral right and wrong is only autonomous and situational no group or individual can objectively and rationally criticize the actions of the Nazis. Humanism is morally void!

The Blind Faith of Humanism
Religious humanists continually affirm humanism as being the ultimate and absolute "religion" which is supposed to have surpassed "traditional, dogmatic, or authoritarian religions that would place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience...." (HM II). In the Preface to Manifesto II we read these interesting concessions:

"It is forty years since Humanist Manifesto I (1933) appeared. Events since then make the earlier statement seem far too optimistic. Nazism has shown the depths of brutality of which humanity is capable. Other totalitarian regimes have suppressed human rights without ending poverty. Science has sometimes brought evil as well as good. Recent decades have shown that inhuman wars can be made in the name of peace. The beginnings of police states, even in democratic societies, widespread government espionage, and other abuses of power by military, political, and industrial elites, and the continuance of unyielding racism, all present a different and difficult social outlook."

Wait a moment! I thought ethics according to the humanist are autonomous and situational. By what standard do they condemn the autonomous and situational decisions of the Nazis, the abuse of science and political beliefs, etc.? The quote affirms the failure of humanism!

To illustrate the blind faith of humanism, note that Manifesto II offers the following guarded statements:
"The future is, however, filled with dangers. In learning to apply the scientific method to nature and human life, we have opened the door to ecological damage, overpopulation, dehumanizing institutions, totalitarian repression, and nuclear and biochemical disaster."

Who cannot see the moral void and blind faith of humanism? As the writers of Manifesto II indicate, when they look to the past they must affirm the failure of humanism. When they look to the future they have no way of controlling or determining the limit and extent, use or abuse, of scientific technology. The blind faith of humanism is explicitly stated in the following:

"As we approach the twenty-first century, however, an affirmative and hopeful vision is needed. Faith, commensurate with advancing knowledge, is also necessary. In the choice between despair and hope humanists respond in this Humanist Manifesto II with a positive declaration for times of uncertainty."

Upon what is humanistic faith based? The past? The future? The present? Nothing! Upon what do the humanists base their appeal for human beings to make a choice between despair and hope? Nothing! What does the humanist have to offer as a positive declaration for times of uncertainty? Nothing but blind, unjustifiable, irrational, "nonmoral," opinions and actions of men.

Conclusion
Under the title "Contemporary Humanism," Eugene Liggitt in the Twentieth Century Encyclopedia, Vol. I, (an extension of The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge), p. 538, makes the following observation:

"Another self-styled humanism is the Continental movement led by Jean Paul Sartre. Under influence from Kierkegaard and Heidegger, being is for Sartre the final reality and nothingness is its content. This nothingness is an objective metaphysical entity to which we subjectively respond in anxiety or dread. Man is utterly alone. He is condemned to be free and no help can come to him from the outside. He aspires always striving for the impossible which cannot be. Free and alone, he is doomed to frustration and eternal incompleteness."

This is a true description of the void of humanism!
[by Jackie Stearsman from The Word of Life, vol. 10, no. 11, Nov., 1981, p. 1-2]

"TAKE HEED, BRETHREN..."
In the early fifties a brother possessed with considerable charisma visited a South Georgia town for a series of lectures. On radio, as well as at the place of meeting, the brother lamented the "liberal practices" of the churches of Christ in the city. He was especially concerned about the practice of the "pastor system," i.e., the matter of churches employing a "full time, salaried preacher." Such was proof of apostasy, pure and simple, according to the powerful speaker. Before the series closed it was affirmed, "There is not a true church of Christ in this city!"

The South Georgia meeting was typical of lectures delivered by the same brother all over the country, and the result was typical of that era as well. Following this effort a "new congregation," composed of members from various existing congregations, was formed. This "new" church was careful to avoid the employment of a full time preacher. They would also oppose such things as Christian Schools, especially such schools as proposed to "train our preachers." In their view they constituted the only "true" church in the area.

After a few years had passed the powerful speaker appeared to speak in a series at the meeting house of the newly formed group. He would be "located" and somewhat "salaried," but all were assured this did not violate their rule against located men, as the meeting would "soon" end.

Before the series would end it would become evident that the gifted brother had changed his mind. For while in his first visit to the city he could find no church he considered "loyal" to Christ, it seemed that now he could find none that he considered "disloyal." Salaried preachers and Christian Schools were still considered a "curse," but anyone who confessed that Jesus was God's Son was to be "fellowshiped."

At the close of the unusual meeting it was discovered that the "new" church showed signs of considerable change. The changes, as might be expected, were precisely those advocated by the brother possessed with considerable magnetism. The church that could find no one worthy of their fellowship suddenly discovered that the "law of love" covered a multitude of sins, and that we might enjoy "unity in diversity."

This brief excursion into our relatively recent past is presented to remind us of how easily we may be led into error. If we permit ourselves to rely too heavily upon what the "church" or some "influential, talented brother" teaches, rather than inquiring in earnestness, "What does the Bible teach?", we find ourselves vacillating on important issues that affect our souls' destiny. There is no excuse for 20th Century Christians being blown about with every wind of doctrine. We have God's final and complete revelation.

We may also profit from the past by realizing that there is a time when lines of fellowship must be drawn. It is a mark of discipleship to seek unity and to promote love among Christians. But it is a mark of apostasy when we embrace the fallacious notion that "unity in diversify" is a Biblical concept. This is not to suggest that lines of fellowship should be drawn up regarding every difference of opinion; not at all, but it is to suggest that the Bible clearly teaches that we must not sanction or fellowship those who live in sin and/or teach things contrary to the doctrine of Christ. (II John 9-11).

With a deluge of worldliness and humanism threatening to destroy the faith of many, and with the frontal attacks made upon historical Christianity from many sources in our time, we need as never before to be a united people. We must exhaust every effort, therefore, to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Any thing less would be an effort unworthy of the name we wear. (James 2:7). The reputation of no man or school is as important as our unity in the Lord. Big preachers and big schools do not determine truth and error. These issues are settled by a "thus saith the Lord" and nothing else.

In our desire to maintain unity we must be certain that we not run off in the opposite direction; allowing that which God would not allow, and recognizing those as "faithful brethren" whom God would not recognize. The umbrella of love should cover all men, both those in Christ and those out of Him, but "love" does not demand we wink at sin and error, or that we extend the right hand of fellowship to those who insist upon perverting the gospel of Christ. (Gal. 1:6-9; Rom. 16:17; Eph. 5:11). From the extreme of drawing lines of fellowship over matters of human judgment and opinion we seem to be swinging to the extreme of ignoring false teachers and teachings for the "sake of unity." Both are wrong, and both present Satan with an effective tool of leading God's people into sin.
[by R.W. Gray from The Word of Life, vol. 10, no. 11, Nov., 1981, p. 4]

JOIN WITH ME IN PRAYER
Relax and let God be the only Person on your mind while you read this prayer. If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc., we should give the same respect to this prayer. Friends that pray together, stay together.

Let's pray...
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day.
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.
You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.
I ask now for Your forgiveness. Keep me safe from all danger and harm.
Let me start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day and give my best in all that is put before me.
Clear my mind that I can hear from You.
Broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example - to slip away and find a quiet place to pray.
It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Thy Will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak and unsaved.
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who refuse to share a word from You.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that will only read this and not speak this aloud in their own lives.
I pray for those that will dismiss this without sharing it with others.
I pray for those that don't believe.
(But) I thank you that I believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in His hands for Him to fight.
I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly.
This is my prayer. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

In Brooklyn, New York, Chush is a school that caters to learning disabled children. Some children remain in Chush for their entire school career, while others can be main-streamed into conventional schools.
At a Chush fund-raising dinner, the father of a Chush child delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out, "Where is the perfection in my son Shaya? Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do. Where is God's perfection?
The audience was shocked by the question, pained by the father's anguish and stilled by the piercing query.
"I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that he seeks is in the way people react to this child."
He then told the following story about his son Shaya:
One afternoon, Shaya and his father walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball.
Shaya asked, "Do you think they will let me play?"
Shaya's father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shaya's father understood that if his son was chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging. Shaya's father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shaya could play.
The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said "We are losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning."
Shaya's father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. Shaya was told to put on a glove and go out to play short center field. In the bottom of the eight inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scored again and now with two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base.
Shaya was scheduled to be up. Would the team actually let Shaya bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game?
Surpassingly, Shaya was given the bat. Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it. However as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya should at least be able to make contact.
The first pitch came and Shaya swung clumsily and missed.
One of Shaya's teammates came up to Shaya and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shaya. As the pitch came in, Shaya and his teammate swung at the ball and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shaya would have been out and that would have ended the game.
Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.
Everyone started yelling, "Shaya, run to first. Run to first."
Never in his life had Shaya run to first.
He scampered down the baseline wide-eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shaya, who was still running. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the Third baseman's head.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second."
Shaya ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home.
As Shaya reached second base, the opposing short stop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, "Run to third." As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming, "Shaya run home." Shaya ran home, stepped on home plate and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."

FUNNY
Funny how simple it is for people to trash different ways of living and believing and then wonder why the world is going to hell.
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding life choices, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of morality is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Funny isn't it?
Funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them.
Funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what I think of me.
Funny isn't it!

BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS (about 400 yrs.)

I.	Political Circumstances
	A.	The Persian Period 430-332 B.C.
		1.	Earlier, Cyrus and Darius had built the Persian Empire.
		2.	Artaxerxes and Xerxes followed along with other Persian monarchs until the empire fell in 331 B.C.
	B.	The Greek Period 331-167 B.C.
		1.	Alexander the Great conquered the world in 331 B.C.
		2.	Showed special consideration to the Jews and did not destroy Jerusalem.
		3.	Permitted the Jews to settle in Alexandria, Egypt.
		4.	Upon Alexander's death the kingdom was divided among his Generals. Ptolemy was given the region which included Judea.
		5.	Until 198 B.C. Judea was ruled by the Ptolemies of Egypt. Conditions for the Jews were peaceful and tranquil. Alexandrea became a center of Jewish culture mixed with Egyptian and Greek.
		6.	After 198 B.C. the Syrian kings re-conquered Judea. Under the leadership of Antiochus the Great, Syria re-established herself as a Greek province. The Greek kings of Syria were called the Seleucids.
	C.	The Period of Independence 167-63 B.C.
		1.	It may also be refered to as the Period of the Maccabees.
		2.	A revolt against Syria was led by Mattathias, a priest, who had four sons, Judas, Jonathan, Simon, John, and Eleasar.
	D.	The Period of the Romans 63 B.C. till time of Christ.
		1.	Rome took control of Judea in 63 B.C. under Pompey.
		2.	Antipater (Edomite) was appointed ruler over Judea.
		3.	Herod, his son, rebuilt the temple.
II.	Religious Circumstances
	A.	Writings
		1.	The Old Testament Canon.
			(1)	By time of Ezra, the Old Testament had been brought together.
			(2)	Reference to Old Testament books by Josephus (Jewish historian of the lst century A.D.). Named 22 books or actually, 24 sometimes Ruth was added to Judges and Lamentations was added to Jeremiah. Five books were of Moses, 8 books of the prophets, and 11 books of 'Writings'.
		2.	The Apocrypha Books (hidden-secret)
			(1)	Some 14 books written sometime from the lst to the 3rd century B.C. were looked upon as being without inspiration.
				(a)	Not in the Hebrew Old Testament
				(b)	Never recognized by Jews as part of Hebrew scripture
				(c)	Never quoted or refered to by Jesus.
			(2)	Some were historical: I-II Maccabees; some poetic: Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus; some ethical: Tobit, Judith, Susanna; Fiction: Bel and the Dragon.
		3.	Other observations
			(1)	Old Testament was translated into Greek (The Septuagint). It was begun under the reign of Ptolemy Philadelpus of Alexandria in the 3rd Century B.C.
			(2)	The Targums. These were copies of the Old Testament scriptures in Aramaic with commentary.
			(3)	The Talmud. A collection of Jewish traditions and law, an oral interpretation of the scriptures.
	B.	Religious Institutions
		1.	The Synagogue
			(1)	Came about during the captivity among the dispersed.
			(2)	Took the place of the Temple in cities removed from Judea.
		2.	The Sanhedrin
			(1)	Originated in 3rd Century B.C.
			(2)	Composed of 70 members
			(3)	Disappeared in 70 A.D.
		3.	The rise of Jewish sects and parties: Sadducees, Pharisees, Herodians, Scribes, etc.

THIS IS NOT A HAMBURGER STAND
I had a call early one Sunday morning and the person asked, "How long will your services last and do you serve the Lord's Supper first or last?" They were probably traveling and wanted their crackers and grape juice to go. Many are demanding today that we be quick and convenient. It seems that many religious leaders are taking the Burger King approach, "Have it your way," but we're not a hamburger stand. We're the body of Christ. It is tempting today to apply the fast food approach but it will be deadly to the church. One church in California already has drive-in services. You simply put the speaker in your car, listen to a brief message, hang it up and get on your way. Will some offer a drive-in window where one can get the Lord's Supper and go fishing or hunting? Will we eventually have home delivery? Yes, the hamburger people say, "We can hold the lettuce. We can hold the pickle. We can hold the onion." It seems that some even hold the patty. The same cry has come to church: Hold the water. Hold the works. We want a grace-only salvation. Hold the preaching. Hold the doctrine. Hold the singing. We are not at liberty to hold anything that God's word specifies. Many in our great brotherhood today cry change, adapt and conform or die. We must not panic because we're not growing like the hamburger stands. We must not let the liberals exploit our frustration by saying, "You would grow if you were more liberal." The Catholic church has tried to accommodate their people for years and every year their numbers shrink.

We're not in the growth business. At least this is not our priority. We are to sow, plant and water. God will give the increase. Paul saw this day and said...(II Tim. 4:2-3). And what was Paul's recommendation? Preach the word not relevance, not mere peace and harmony, not the end justifies the means. Nor are we in the people pleasing business. Paul said...(Gal. 1:10). His business and ours is to please Christ.

Maybe the church is like a hospital emergency room where men and women from all walks of life come in sick, hurt, bleeding, and dying. Yet they all ask for the same thing - please help me. They don't ask how soft are the mattresses? They don't ask the temperature of the room. They don't notice whether the carpet and curtains match. They don't walk out because there is someone in the next bed they don't like. They don't go back home because no one spoke to them. They don't leave because the doctor has on a green jacket instead of a white one.

Until we can convince the world of its sick, lost and dying condition and lift Jesus up as the great physician and the only hope in this world, men will continue to be picky. The prodigal was picky until he was destitute. Then he said, "Make me a servant." The church is facing a spoiled, pampered, indulged generation and we must not give in.
[by Bob Plunket from North Jackson Ave. church of Christ newsletter, Bartow, Fla., Apr. 19, 1992, p. 3]

The front page of last Monday's Roanoke newspaper was covered with articles concerning abortion. Both state and national levels were addressed. The articles were pro-abortion in their philosophy and gave Christians more reasons to be involved with this issue.

There they were. Young and old, male and female in a crowd of about 500,000 pro-abortionist trying to promote their cause in Washington. Their signs read "Pass The Freedom of Choice Act Now!", "Keep Abortion Legal", "We Will Decide From State House to White House" and other sentiments. But, the one that caught my attention and kept it set forth this attack: "Religion Is A Bad Joke And Pro-Life Is The Cruel Punchline!"

Since the religious community is the primary opponent to abortion we should not be surprised at this assault. After all, the world wants to "...imagine a vain thing..." and has set itself "... against the Lord, and against his anointed..." (Psa. 2:1-2).

Religion is a bad joke if it is not true religion. By that I mean if it is not the true religion of the Bible. Paul expressed it this way...(I Cor. 15:19). But, Jesus gave us this promise...(Luke 11:28).

I found it repulsive that a pro-abortionist would carry a protest sign that describes pro-life as being "cruel". Abortion is the unprovoked killing of an innocent, unborn child as it lives in the only place in America where the law does not protect human life, his mother's womb. What should be the most peaceful, and nurturing place on earth has become a house of death.
Neither religion nor abortion is a joking matter.
[by Tommy Blewett from North Jackson Ave. church of Christ newsletter, Bartow, Fla. Apr. 19, 1992, p. 4]

JESUS HEALS THE PARALYTIC
(Mark 2:1-12).
1. How do you think the paralytic man felt before he was forgiven and healed? How do you think he felt afterward?
2. This man obviously had physical problems. Why do you think Jesus forgave his sins?
3. To blaspheme is to speak irreverent of God or to act as God. Why did the scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy?
4. How did Jesus show His authority to forgive sins?
5. What can you say about the paralyzed man's friends?
6. The crowd was an obstacle to the paralyzed man and his friends at first. Based on the life of Jesus, what other things kept people from Him?
7. What kind of things keep people away from Jesus today?
8. The paralyzed man has a physical and a sin problem. Which is the most common of the two today?
9. What was the reaction of the teachers of the law when Jesus forgave the man's sins?
10. What was the final reaction of the crowd in Mark 2:12 when the man got up and walked out?
11. What does it take today for people to wake up and praise God?
12. How can we convince the world that the authority to forgive sins by Jesus was made possible by God's willingness to send Him that He might redeem us?

THE CHURCH
The Church / Kingdom in Prophecy

I.	The church was in the eternal plan of God. (Eph. 3:8-11).
II.	Old Testament prophecies
	A.	Isa. 2:1-3 The Lord's house shall be established
	B.	Isa. 9:6-7 Unto us a child is born
	C.	Government upon his shoulders
	D.	The throne of David
	E.	Over his kingdom
	F.	Dan. 2:44 In the days of these Kings God will set up a Kingdom
	G.	Dan. 7:13, 22 To him (one like the son of man) was given dominion and glory and a Kingdom.
III.	New Testament prophecies
	A.	Matt. 3:1-3 John declares the Kingdom at hand
	B.	Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:14 Jesus declares the Kingdom at hand
	C.	Matt. 10:5-7 The Twelve declare the Kingdom at hand.
	D.	Mark 9:1 The Kingdom to come during the life time of those with Jesus.
	E.	"Power" associated with the coming of the Kingdom (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4).
	F.	Matt. 16:13-19 Keys to the Kingdom given.
	G.	Keys were to be used by the living (Mark 9:1).
	H.	Acts 2:47 "The Lord added to the church..."

The prophecies of both the Old and New Testaments concerning the Kingdom, the house of God, the church are all fulfilled in the events in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

THE CHURCH
The Church and Salvation

Intro.
Some contend that membership in the church is not essential to one's salvation. They teach that one is saved and then "joins the church of his choice." Some believe that one can be saved out of the church as well as he can be saved in it. This lesson presents the Biblical truth that to be saved is to be in the church, and that outside the church there is no salvation.

I.	The church, the individual and the blood
	A.	The church was bought with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).
	B.	Individually we are bought with the blood. (I Cor. 6:20; I Pet. 1:18-19).
	C.	If we are bought with the blood, we are a part of the church. If we are not a part of the church, then we are not bought with the blood.
II.	We are reconciled unto God in one body, and since the body is the church, if we are not in the church (body), then we are not reconciled to God. (Eph. 2:14-16).
III.	To be in Christ is to be in His body (church).
	A.	Eph. 1:3 in Christ
	B.	Eph. 5:30 members of His body
	C.	The same act of obedience that puts one into Christ (Rom. 6:3) puts one into the body (church). (I Cor. 12:13).
	D.	Salvation, redemption and forgiveness are in Christ. (Acts 4:8-12).
	E.	Eph. 1:7
	F.	If one is not in the church (body), he is without salvation, redemption and forgiveness.
IV.	The LORD adds the saved to the church. (Acts 2:47).
V.	The LORD is the savior of the church. (Eph. 5:23).

THE CHURCH
Unity of the church

1.	Jesus prayed that all believers would be one. (John 17:21).
2.	Jesus built one church - (Matt. 16:18).
	a.	He did not say "I will build my churches" as of many, but "my church" as of one. (see Gal. 3:16)
3.	Paul pleaded for unity in Corinth. (I Cor. 1:10-17).
4.	Paul declared the one body (church) in his teachings. Should we do any less than he did?
	a.	Eph. 2:14-19 He Reconciled both (Jew & Gentile) in one body
	b.	Eph. 4:1-6 There is one body
	c.	Rom. 12:3-8 Many members but one body.
	d.	I Cor. 12:12-20 We were all baptized into one body.
	e.	Remember that the body is the church (Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18, 24).
5.	While there may be unity in diversity as illustrated in Rom. 14:1-6, there is a perverted gospel (Gal. 1:6-9) and a going beyond what is written (I Cor. 4:6; II John 9) that is not acceptable.
6.	The denominational structure that is found in the religious world is a violation of God's will for the unity of his body. The party spirit that Paul condemned in Corinth (I Cor. 1:12-13 and I Cor. 3:3-4) seems to be the seed for a full scale division later to occur. Christ has called upon his followers, both in personal teaching and through apostolic teachings, to be one, to be united, to speak the same things.

WAS SAUL SAVED ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS?
When Saul understood he was standing before Jesus of Nazareth whom he was persecuting, he was brought to a realization of his sinful actions against Christ and His church. Regarding himself as the chief of sinners (I Tim. 1:15), he asked...(Acts 22:8-10).

Unreasonable Assumptions
If Saul were saved on the road to Damascus, (1) he was not aware of it, because he asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" (Acts 22:10); (2) the Lord did not know he was saved, for He told him to...(Acts 22:10); (3) Christ misinformed Ananias, and Ananias misinformed Saul when he told him to...(Acts 22:16); (4) Saul's saved state was a miserable one rather than a joyous one, because he was without sight, food, and water for three days (Acts 9:9); and (5) Saul was saved being passive rather than active, for Ananias asked...(Acts 22:16). Tarry is from the Greek word mello, which means "to be about to do something; intention; unto this, for this purpose, for this intent." Saul was in a state of intention, about to do something for a definite purpose, but up to this point, he did not know what to do. He had not been told what to do, so he spent his time praying (Acts 9:1). Ananias was saying to the praying Saul, "your intentions are good, but for the purpose of receiving the forgiveness of sins, there is something you are to do, arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Two Objections Answered
To prove that Saul was saved on the road to Damascus, it is asked, "Why did Ananias call him 'brother' Saul (Acts 22:13), and why did Paul say, 'I was born when I saw Jesus'?" It was common for the Jews to address one of their own nationality as brother, so Ananias was recognizing Saul as a Jewish brother, but not as a Christian brother. Paul addressed the unsaved Jews the same way...(Acts 22:1). Paul did not say, "I was born when I saw Jesus," but...(I Cor. 15:8). The word "born" is not the word used to denote spiritual birth which involves baptism, but is from the Greek word ektroma, which means "an abortion, an untimely birth; from ekitrosko, to miscarry." Therefore, "born" has reference to time, "as one born out of due time," that is, in point of time he regarded himself as one inferior to the rest of the apostles, and refers to it as an immature birth. Truly, his being called by the Lord to the apostleship was unnatural when compared to the rest of the apostles according to time. The others were called being believers, while he was called being a persecutor and a very devout Pharisee (Acts 26:5).

According to the inspired recordings of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 and Acts 22, he was not saved on the road to Damascus.
[by William B. Kughn from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 23, June 12, 1986, p. 2]

HE TOOK OUR PLACE
Let me share a story with you that has meant much to me down through the years. It makes me more grateful to Jesus every time I think of it. Maybe it will mean as much to you.

A school teacher in a little, drab, midwestern community desired to bring a little bit of beauty into the lives of the children who were entrusted to his care. He purchased some beautiful pansies, prepared a flower garden in the school yard and tenderly nourished the frail little plants until they had become beautiful flowers. But children will be children, and time and time again they ran through the flower bed. The teacher, realizing that steps must be taken if the flowers were to be spared, made a ruling that anyone bothering the flowers would receive seven strokes from the ruler.

All went well until one day, one of the older boys approached the teacher, leading his little sister by the hand. In her other hand, tightly clutched, was a rapidly wilting bouquet of pansies.

"Mary," asked the teacher, "did you pick the pansies?" Mary nodded her head. "And do you know the rules?" Again the little head nodded in despair. "Then hold out your hand." Slowly, the little white hand was extended, but before the ruler could be brought down, a larger brown hand covered the little hand, as the big brother asked, "Teacher, is there anything in the rules about whose hand it must be?" No, there was not, and seven times the ruler fell sharply across the hand of the big brother. When the punishment was ended, the little girl, tears pouring down her cheeks, threw her arms around her big brother and thanked him for taking her punishment.

How deserving of punishment are we! There was nothing in the rules which said who had to take the punishment. It was the Son of God who received the punishment which we so rightly deserved. When was the last time you said, "Thank you, Jesus, for taking my place"?
[by J. Wayne Kilpatrick from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 23, June 12, 1986, p. 2-3]

RULES OF BIBLE STUDY
Study The Bible

There is a great deal of difference in just reading the Bible and studying it. Webster defines the word study as follows: A busying one's self about a thing; zeal, application of learning; the act or process of applying the mind in order to acquire knowledge, as reading and investigation of any subject; careful attention to and critical examination and investigation of any subject; to fix the mind closely upon a subject; to meditate; to ponder.

Notice some of the words: zeal, learning, the mind, acquire, careful attention, fix the mind closely, meditate, and ponder. All of these words and phrases are suggestive of careful thought and attention with the purpose of retaining in the mind and applying in the life the truth that is learned. In view of this, how much study of the Bible do you engage in? How does this definition fit your study of the Bible?

We are commanded to study the Bible. (II Tim. 2:15). The word translated study is defined as "to use speed, to hasten; to be eager, diligent." It is translated forward in Gal. 2:10; endeavoring in Eph. 4:3; labor in Heb. 4:11; diligent in II Pet. 3:14. It is interesting to look at some of the different translations of the passage.

The ASV has "give diligence." "Do your utmost to at least let God see you are a sound workman, with no need to be ashamed of the way you handle the word of truth" (Moffat). The RSV renders it "do your best."

Is there any book that you are more eager and diligent in studying than the Bible? Are you at your best in studying it? When the Bible comes up for discussion, do you have to apologize for your lack of knowledge?

Study is work. Study of the Bible demands desire to know and understand. It requires concentration and patience, but its rewards are far beyond whatever the cost may be.

Feel A Deep Need For Truth
Little profit comes from the study of the Bible unless there is a recognition of the need of knowing the truth. If one is a sinner, he should realize the depth of sinfulness and separation from God, and the fact that he must learn the truth in the Bible to be saved. If one was lost in a desert and found a map, how would one study the map? Would it be with a passing notice? Would it be consulted occasionally? Would one feel that it made little difference whether the map was followed? How many treat the Bible the way they would treat a map, if lost and trying to find their way out of a wilderness? We are travelers from time to eternity, and we cannot guide our steps. (Jer. 10:23). The Bible is the most important book one will ever study.

Study To Practice What You Learn
Many seem to have the idea that the study of the Bible is simply a mental exercise. They read with no thought of trying to put into practice the things learned. Jesus said...(John 7:17). An infidel may learn some things the Bible teaches, but he will never learn the truth that saves unless he seeks to do what it teaches. A girl may memorize a cookbook, but she will never become a cook until she puts something into the oven. I read that a child learns 10% of what he hears, 80% of what he sees, and 90% of what he does.

Is your knowledge of the Bible growing? How much more do you know today than yesterday, last week, last year? You may know as much as you are willing to eagerly and diligently search out to do.
[by Franklin Camp from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 23, June 12, 1986, p. 3]

HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE
As I was walking down life's highway many years ago
I came upon a sign that read Heavens Grocery Store.
When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide
And when I came to myself I was standing inside.
I saw a host of angels.  They were standing everywhere
One handed me a basket and said "My child shop with care."
Everything a human needed was in that grocery store
And what you could not carry you could come back for more.
First I got some Patience.  Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course I would need some of that too.
I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost It was all over the place.
And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.
My basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace,
And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for free
I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.
Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,
For I thought I had everything to do the Masters will.
As I went up the aisle I saw Prayer and put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside I would run into sin.
Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.
Then I said to the angel "Now how much do I owe?"
He smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go."
Again I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?"
"My child" he said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."

FAMINE IN THE LAND
(Amos 8:11). Conditions today indicate a fulfillment of this prophecy of Amos. You need not go to distant lands to find Bible illiteracy. People of this nation are ignorant of the scriptures. Notice contestants on Jeopardy and other quiz shows - how knowledgeable they may be on all other categories, only to fail miserably on the Bible. Part of the guilt belongs to the pulpit; part on the failure of individuals to study the Bible privately, or in "church." The lack of moral sense in our nation indicates that the spiritual moorings have been ripped away.

A Gallup poll conducted some time ago revealed that: 60% of our citizens did not know what "the Holy Trinity" is...66% did not know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount...79% were unable to name a single Old Testament prophet.

We get a chuckle from the little boy who thought Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife, and that the "epistles" were the wives of the apostles. But, the little boy has grown; he is now a man; and he still knows no better! He has become a trained technician, a skilled surgeon, a super salesman, an astute attorney, a successful school teacher - but he remains Biblically illiterate! It was funny when he was a boy; it is not so amusing now that he has become a man suffering from spiritual malnutrition! "...A knowledge of the Bible without a college course is more valuable than a college course without a Bible" (William Lyon Phelps).
[by Joe Barnett from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 23, June 12, 1986, p. 4]

DON'T DO IT!
James Whitcomb Riley wrote these beautiful words:
"It is no use to grumble and complain;
It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice.
When God sorts out the weather and sends the rain -
Why, rain's my choice!"

Adjustments to what you cannot change is much more profitable than complaining about it. Changers and adapters - not complainers - lead our world. Grumbling about the weather will not change it, but you can change your clothes to fit the weather! (Num. 11:1).
[by Olden Cook from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 23, June 12, 1986, p. 4]

WHAT IS PERSONAL WORK?
1. It is discussing Christianity with a friend.
2. It is giving him an article on a particular subject.
3. It is telling and showing your neighbor the happiness of being a Christian.
4. It is inviting the postman to worship with you.
5. It is ringing doorbells in the name of Christ.
6. It is teaching or hosting a cottage class.
7. It is visiting in the home of a student in your Bible class.
8. It is telling an employer about Jesus.
9. It is planting the Word in someone's heart.
10. It is bringing a friend to ladies' Bible class.
11. It is writing a letter to a loved one expressing your interest in his soul.
12. It is having a prospect in your home for dinner and fellowship.
13. It is the encouragement given to a new member.
14. It is any deed that shows the love of God working through you.
(Heb. 10:24).
[from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 23, June 12, 1986, p. 4]

IF WATER BAPTISM IS ESSENTIAL, EXPLAIN THE THIEF ON THE CROSS!
(Heb. 9:16-17).
Before Christ's Death:

The incident involving the thief on the cross took place prior to the death of Jesus. The "new testament," of which Jesus is the testator, had not been sealed with His death at that time. It is an established fact that a "will" or "testament" is not of force until after "the death of the testator." As long as the testator lives, he has the privilege to set, arrange, and ratify his last "will and testament." But, when he dies, the "testament" is established, and the stipulations therein must be followed and obeyed.

Jesus, having power to forgive sins while He lived on earth (Matt. 9:6), could say, "thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). It was during this time that Jesus spoke to the believing and penitent thief on the cross...(Luke 23:43). But, when Jesus died on the cross, He sealed the "new testament" with His death. He then became "the mediator of the new testament" (Heb. 9:15) that contains His "will" in regard to the simple plan of salvation.

After Christ's Death:
Just before the Lord ascended, He said...(Matt. 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47).

Since Jesus died and arose from the dead, He claims all authority, and is authorized to serve as the "mediator" between God and man. It was by His absolute power and work of the mediation of God's grace, He commanded them to "go, teach, and baptize." Peter respected the Lord's authority and preached "repentance and remission of sins" on Pentecost. He later affirmed that...(I Pet. 3:21). The thief was instructed by the Lord prior to His death and before He issued the great commission. Everyone on this side of the cross is under the great commission that commands "belief, repentance, and baptism." The "will of Christ" has not changed, and all must respect His authority by teaching and obeying the Lord's command to "believe, repent, and be baptized." It is a tragic thing to use the thief on the cross as an example for our salvation today and to minimize baptism.
[by William B. Kughn from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 20, May 22, 1986, p. 2]

THERE IS MORE THAN ONE KIND OF UNITY!
A lanky, lean snake got in touch with a fairly fat frog. The frog was flattered by the attention of the snake, yet he was a bit apprehensive as to what was on the snake's mind.
"Unity is on my mind," declared the lanky, lean snake, "Unity between snakes and frogs."
"Unity?" asked the fairly fat frog. "What is the benefit of unity between snakes and frogs?"
"Oh, many things!" exclaimed the lanky, lean snake. "1. for example, envision close communion between snakes and frogs. It will provide for warmth and energy, especially when snakes and frogs get together at meal time. I mean close communion. Yes, sit, real close communion."
"But, how could the two of us ever get together to talk about unity?" asked the fairly fat frog.
"We could have a Summit," declared the lanky, lean snake.
"A Summit?" gulped the fairly fat frog. "A Summit? Do you mean a Summit like the Russians and Americans have? What would we do at a Summit?"
"Eat, er, I mean, plan programs where we can work together," said the snake.
"Where could we have such a Summit?"
"At my place, of course."
"But, what would we talk about?"
"Will we discuss the evenly spaced row of ivory teeth you have?" asked the faintly fearful frog.
"Oh, of course not!" exclaimed the lanky, lean snake. "Only knuckleheads bring up such subjects. If anyone wants to press that subject, we will not invite him."
"Now, I wouldn't want to be classified as a knucklehead," said the fairly festive frog, "but there are many who are concerned about your evenly spaced row of ivory teeth."
"Well, I certainly have no intentions of giving up my teeth. I have had this evenly spaced row of ivory teeth for over 100 years, and I am joined to them."
"Speaking of 100 years ago, didn't a lot of your ancestors take away a number of our congregating places?" said the fairly fat frog who, with flaccid fervor, sought to stem the failing of his fleeting faith. "In fact," he continued, "as I recall, many faithful friends were forced from their property because of that evenly spaced row of ivory teeth."

Flashing a toothy smile, the lanky, lean snake sighed, "That's negative. We will make this Summit meeting positive, positive, positive. Negatives, like loss of property, will not be discussed. Everything must be on the upbeat. We must not dwell on the differences between snakes and frogs. That would be detrimental to our goal. Remember, the goal is for snakes to unite with frogs. There are con artists who want to keep frogs at enmity with snakes. People who point out differences between snakes and frogs are erecting walls instead of building bridges. When they dwell on my evenly spaced row of ivory teeth or my wide mouth for swallowing things, they become architects of anarchy and masons of mutiny. It cannot be expected that snakes will be transformed into frogs. We will just have to accept unity in diversity. Untold harm has been done to the cause of snake and frog unity by stressing differences. Things argued into prominence would long since have died, if not given artificial respiration through debate. Snakes do not like to debate; they would rather eat."

"What will we discuss then?" asked the fairly fat frog whose feeble faith had finally fizzled.
"We will discuss cooperation in meetings and missions. We can talk about your coming to my den for dinner and/or I to your pad for plate lunch. We must emphasize the importance of togetherness between snakes and frogs. In fact, snakes and frogs need to be one body. Snakes and frogs must unite."
"Jolly," said the fairly fat frog. "Perhaps you can come to our tadpole school to lecture on snake and frog unity!"
[by Jim E. Waldron from The Edifier, Keyser, West Virginia via The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 20, May 22, 1986, p. 2-3]

DO YOU BELIEVE WE ARE SAVED BY WORKS OR GRACE?
(Eph. 2:8-9).
Salvation:
The verb "saved" means "to deliver from spiritual death, or rescue," and denotes a state of salvation. The deplorable state of the Gentiles and Jews separated them from God. The Gentiles had been dead "in trespasses and sins," walking "according to the course of this world" (Eph. 2:1-2). The Jews, in their unconverted state, had their...(Eph. 2:3). In fact, "the scripture hath concluded all under sin" (Gal. 3:22) who "come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). It is this lost state from which all need to be saved, but man cannot save himself by his own righteousness nor offer a sacrifice to atone for his sins. Salvation must be provided by someone who knows and loves him. Only God...(Eph. 2:4), could reach down from heaven and deliver us from sin. Salvation from above has two sides, the divine and the human.

The Divine:
The divine side of salvation is of grace. It describes the work of God in providing salvation for all. God's unmerited favor and mercy motivated Him to send Christ into the world to save man from sin (Matt. 1:21); to send the Holy Spirit from heaven to lead the apostles into all truth (John 16:13); to establish the church according to God's eternal purpose (Eph. 3:10); and give unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness in the gospel that contains the power to save (II Pet. 1:3; Rom. 1:16). Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the gospel are the results of God's work of grace.

The Human:
The human side of salvation is of faith. It describes the work of man in accepting God's provisions for salvation. The "one faith" (Eph. 4:4), without which we cannot please God (Heb. 11:6), comes by hearing "the word of God" (Rom. 10:17), the "word of his grace" (Acts 14:3). When this faith is received in the heart (mind), it brings about obedience to the commands of God's grace to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 16:31); to "repent" (Acts 17:30); to confess "that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37); to "be baptized for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38); and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12). It is only then, when we obey these commands, we become "his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph. 2:10), making contact with God's grace that carries us the rest of the way. Salvation is not by the "works of the law" (Gal. 2:16) nor meritorious works (Eph. 2:9). Salvation is not by grace alone nor faith alone. Salvation is by the good works commanded by grace and obeyed through faith in Christ; therefore, salvation is by grace, faith, and works! This is what I must believe and teach according to the scriptures.
[by William B. Kughn from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 21, May 29, 1986, p. 2]

I COR. 13 ... REVISITED
Though I have studied Greek and Hebrew for three years, if I have not love, I am become a scholarly windbag.
And though I teach a Sunday school class, and come to every Sunday evening service, and though I have missed only one week of visitation when I had the flu, if I have not love, I am nothing.
And though I give every week and always have my Bible study lesson on time, and though I send my kids to a Christian school, and have driven the kids' Sunday school classes to the lake once, and though I invited one of the ministers and his family over for dinner, if I have not love, the whole thing means nothing.
Love keeps on loving, even when the other person doesn't love back.
Love doesn't get jealous when others seem to get ahead in a material way.
Love doesn't show off when we seem to get ahead while others may be struggling to keep even.
Love isn't rude to persistent salesmen at the door, or wrong numbers, or salespeople who are just trying to make a living on the phone.
Love is gracious when life's little aggravations seem to be stacking up against us.
Love is not happy when a lazy partner at work gets laid off.
Love keeps on loving when embarrassed by the ways of those close to us.
Love isn't thwarted by 10 hours of screaming kids, diapers, dirty dishes, a perpetual mess in the living room, and endless demands for food.
Love never fails. Whether there be knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, you'll eventually forget it. Whether there be kids in a Christian school, they'll graduate. Whether you give every week, your wallet may get stolen.
And now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love; genuine love, which keeps on loving because God did.
[from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 21, May 29, 1986, p. 2-3]

"I WILL NOT GIVE UNTO JEHOVAH THAT WHICH COST ME NOTHING" (II Sam. 24).
This in essence was the reply King David gave to Araunah when he was offered the opportunity to make a sacrifice to God that involved, for him, no personal expense. As the result of a sin committed by David, a plague was devastating Israel. To end this plague, David was commanded to "rear an altar unto Jehovah in the threshing floor of Araunah."

As David approached the appointed place, Araunah went out to meet him, offering his service to the King. When David explained that he wanted to build an altar unto God, Araunah not only offered to give him the floor, but to supply him with threshing instruments and yokes for wood and oxen for the burnt offering. To this generous offer, David replied: "Nay, but I will verily buy it of thee at a price; neither will I offer burnt offerings unto Jehovah my God which cost me nothing."

What a contrast to the attitude of many today. Some will not consider coming to a worship service, unless their time is free. If they have no relatives that need visiting, no friends to entertain, no TV programs to watch, no money to earn, no rest to "catch up," and no recreation that beckons, perhaps they will attend an assembly with Christians - if it's not too long!

When it comes to the matter of giving, some who want to be known as Christians will use their money for savings, a car note, a house payment, new furniture, clothes, toys, tobacco, hairdressers, entertainment, etc., and if there is anything left over, they will give it to the Lord, provided it is not over a dollar. In essence, they say by their actions: "I will give nothing unto Jehovah which costs me something"!
[by David Harkrider from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 21, May 29, 1986, p. 3]

EVER FEEL LEFT OUT?
When it is announced at the assembly that someone is sick, do you...
Send them a card? Offer help? Organize help, if necessary? Visit them at home or in the hospital?
When a work is planned, do you...
Arrange your plans so you can be there? Look for ways you can contribute to the upkeep and improvement of the building (not only on the work day)? Always manage to be "too busy" because it's your only day off?
When new souls are added to the Lord, do you...
Introduce yourself and welcome them? Visit and encourage them? Help supply any physical or spiritual need?
When you think there isn't enough social activity, do you...
Invite groups of Christians into your home? Plan and carry out recreational activities for either adults or children? Offer to supply transportation or help for activities which others plan? Complain that no one is doing anything?
When Bible classes are provided, do you...
Attend faithfully and encourage others to do so? Prepare your lesson? Contribute to the class discussion with comments or by asking questions? Sit with your mouth shut, waiting for the class to be more interesting than it was the last time?
When someone is absent from the assembly, do you...
Call to find out why? Exhort and encourage them? Offer transportation when needed? Even notice they were missing?
[from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 21, May 29, 1986, p. 3]

CHRISTIAN, WHERE IS YOUR BIBLE?
Christian, where is your Bible;
When did you see it last?
Since you sat and scanned its pages,
How many days have passed?
You have read your daily papers,
And with novels regaled yourself,
But when did you read your Bible
That lies untouched on the shelf?
Christian, where is your Bible?
What is the place that you give
To that book you say is your hope in death,
And teaches you how to live?
Don't say your life is too busy;
For many a soul is dead
Because the Book of Eternal Life
Lies somewhere unused, unread.
[from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 21, May 29, 1986, p. 3]

THE GREAT GIFT
The air strip on Carriacou was built right across the main road. They have a man hired to sit on each side of the air strip and operate a long bar that lets down across the road when an airplane is landing or taking off. I would always wave at this old gentleman as I traveled back and forth across the air strip, going to and from my work area, because he seemed friendly; but I did not have time to stop; I was always in a hurry. But, thank God, two of our workers were not in such a hurry. One day they stopped and talked to this old gentleman a few minutes. They found out that he was 80 years old, and seemed to know a lot about the Bible but said he could not read the Bible anymore because his eyes are not too good. If he had a Bible with large print, he might read with a magnifying glass. They studied with him a while, but they said that they wished he had a Bible, so he would know that what they were teaching came directly from the Word of God. One of the workers had a large print Bible and gladly donated it to the cause. When they went for a second study, they presented this Bible to Andrew, and with emotion, he said, "You have given me the best gift a man can receive from God. I want to be baptized."

When they told me this story, it really touched my heart because it makes me wonder how many people we pass every day without taking the time to mention Jesus. I passed by this old gentleman on the island of Carriacou with only a wave of the hand. Thank God that others took the time to stop and teach him the way of truth!
[from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 21, May 29, 1986, p. 4]

LORD, SEND ME
Lord, may I touch with soft caress
A soul who seeks your tenderness.
Lord, let me speak in gentle tone
To cheer someone who stands alone.
Lord, let me work to plant Your seed,
Bring forth harvest to meet the need
Of troubled soul who is nearby.
Oh, tune my ears to hear the cry.
I pray, oh Lord, I may be used
To lift the fallen, love the bruised.
There are souls adrift on troubled sea;
Here am 1, oh Lord, send me.
[by Tom McLain from The Chapel Hill Courier, vol. 5, no. 21, May 29, 1986, p. 4]

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