We all claim "I have faith in Him"...fine...but does the faith have you? (Heb. 11:24-25.)

A person's mind may be so broad that it is shallow.

Life is a one way street and we are not coming back.

Wise men still seek Him.

Wise men are not always silent but they know when to be.

It may be well to stand tall in this life, but Heaven is entered only on the knees. [Key concepts: Humility, Prayer]

One part of knowledge consists in being ignorant of such things as are not worth knowing.

A real friend is one who doesn't think it permanent when you make a fool of yourself. [From Sycamore Sunbeam]

The Christian life is like an airplane - when you stop you drop.

Some of us don't know what we want, but feel sure we don't have it.

It is easy to misconstrue the actions and words of those we dislike.

Don't laugh at the fallen; there may be slippery places in your own path.

Any questions? Why was Timothy and not Titus circumcised?

(Acts 16:1-3; Gal. 2:1-3.)

The apostle Paul is described in these passages as taking Timothy and Titus with him on his missionary journeys. They were evangelists (II Tim. 4:5; II Cor. 8:23) and companions of Paul on occasions (I Thes. 3:2; II Cor. 8:23). As was his custom, Paul went to his fellow-Jews first whenever he visited a new place and preached the gospel to them (Acts 17:1-3). Paul stated that (I Cor. 9:20), but he never compromised the gospel of Christ. However, in matters of expedience, where no scriptural principle was affected, he was prepared to be conciliatory.

Circumcision was an Abrahamic covenant rite required for Jews, the descendants of Abraham. It did not originate in the Mosaic Old Covenant law (John 7:22). Hence it was appropriate for Paul to advise Timothy (of part-Jewish descent) to submit to the rite in order to conciliate the Jews. However, Titus was a Gentile, a non-Jew, for whom circumcision would have had the significance of becoming a proselyte to the Jewish religion (Exo. 12:48), and so he was not compelled to comply.
[from Truth in Love p. 11]

The church is an independent, non-denominational fellowship in Christ owing allegiance only to the head of the church, Jesus Christ our Lord (Eph. 5:23). It is a local Christian fellowship, like many thousands of others world-wide among which there is no organisational control from any centralised headquarters or "mother church". Each local church, when possible, appoints members as elders and deacons according to the Holy Spirit's criteria listed in the Scriptures (I Tim. 3; Titus 1; Acts 20; I Pet. 5). The elders exercise spiritual oversight only of the congregation in which they have been appointed.

The Bible is the only constitution to which the church members look for direction in matters affecting worship and Christian living (II Tim. 3:16-17). Members seek to comply with the New Covenant which their Lord established through his death on the cross (Heb. 9:15; Heb. 12:22-24) and which Jesus commissioned his apostles to teach thereafter (Matt. 28:18-20). The inspired apostolic teachings are recorded and preserved in the New Testament record for our guidance in knowing God's will for us (Eph. 5:17).

The Lord's terms for our salvation have been clearly given through his apostles (Acts 2:36-38), likewise the means of worship (Acts 2:42) in which his followers engage after being added by the Lord himself to his church (Acts 2:47).

After being added by the Lord to his church, his followers are obliged to meet together diligently to encourage one another in love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24-25).
[from Truth in love, no. 432, Oct. 30, 1988, p. 1]

NO CHASING MEMBERS, NO CHANGING MESSAGE
(John 14:6)

Jesus sends his followers to tell his message of love and salvation to all in all the ways they can (Matt. 18:18-20). But this commission does not entitle us to coerce people to become members nor to alter his message to attract them.

Jesus and his apostles did not compromise the gospel. Take the example of Jesus and the rich young man recounted in Matt 19:16-24: The young man asked Jesus, "What good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" Jesus reminded him of the commands of God and quoted some of these. The man replied, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus then pointed out that, being rich, the young man had not observed God's command regarding giving to the poor (Deut. 15:7-8).

"Jesus said to him, 'If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property."

Note that Jesus made his message very clear. When the young man "went away grieved", Jesus did not run after him to force him to "come, follow me"; nor did Jesus change his message to make it less offensive to him.

Preachers of Jesus' gospel are frequently urged to "go for numbers" and to use worldly means to increase church membership. Preachers are often urged to avoid certain Bible topics, and to preach only on others, so as "not to offend".

Remember that the power is in the gospel, not in the preacher (Rom. 1:16); in the treasure, not in the earthen vessels (II Cor. 4:67); and it is God who causes growth, not men (I Cor. 3:7).
[from Truth in Love, no. 41, Oct. 23, 1988, p. 1]

GUIDE TO BETTER LISTENING
(Matt. 7:24; Luke 11:28; James 1:23-25)

From these directions from the Lord we see that, while the preacher must tell the word of God, the listener must do what it says. To be a better listener, then, is to be a better doer of the word. The preacher has the responsibility to tell the word of God just as it is in the Bible. The listener has the responsibility to attend to that word and go and practice it.

If we, as listeners, are not attentive, allow our thoughts to wander or be distracted, or want to hear something different from God's word, we will not hear what God wants us to do.

If, on the other hand, listeners hear God's word as the preacher presents it, they must make a deliberate commitment to go and do it. The preacher's task is in the telling, the listener's duty is in the hearing and doing (Luke 8:15).
[from Truth in Love, No. 39, Oct 9, 1988, p. 1]

THE GLORIOUS SON OF MAN (Mark 14:62)

Jesus is either deity or a deceiver. If He is not what He claimed, He deserves not worship but contempt. Yet Jesus calls Himself the "Son of Man." His Person can never be seen apart from His human as well as His heavenly origin. Quoting from Daniel, who saw the Messiah's glory (Dan. 7:13), Jesus applies the prophecy to Himself. Jesus calls Himself "Son of Man" seventy-eight times in the Gospels. It is clear, therefore, that He is the God-man.

Jesus' profession of His deity is here linked to a prophecy of His coming in power and glory, which will be the crowning proof of His deity. "Sitting at the right hand of the Power" speaks of His exalted place a Lord of all. The "right hand" is the place of full authority. The clouds with which He comes speak of the glory of God--a cloud of glory will attend the exalted Messiah when He comes. The wise person will receive and glorify Him now rather than meeting Him in judgement on that day.
[From Sycamore Chapel Church of Christ [newsletter] April 2, 1989]

SELF-CONTROL

The fact that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit focuses our attention on it. What does it mean? What is its real and full significance? In a wide sense it means the mastery over all evil tendencies and denotes moderation in one's whole manner of living. There is no higher adventure than the control of self. And no greater success.

We are commanded: (James 1:19)
And that is self control.
(Gal. 5:16)
And that is self control.

"Self reverence, self knowledge, self control these three alone lead life to sovereign power." Alfred Tennyson.

This being true, then the person who controls himself attains the highest accomplishment and thus is the mightiest hero.

While a superb reason for self control is the rewarding motive for it is the incorruptible crown.
(I Cor. 9:25).
[From Sycamore Chapel Church of Christ [newsletter], March 19, 1989]

DEAD WEIGHT
I've been dead weight many years,
around the church's neck.
I've let the others carry me,
and always pay the check.
I've had my name on the rolls,
for years and years gone by;
I've criticized and grumbled, too,
nothing could satisfy.
I've been dead weight long enough,
upon the church's back.
Beginning now, I'm going to take
a wholly different track.
I'm going to pray and pay and work,
and carry loads instead;
And not have others carry me
like people do the dead.
[from Sycamore Chapel Church of Christ [newsletter], Mar. 19, 1989, p. 2]

LORD OF ALL CREATION (Mark 4:39)

Whenever we feel overwhelmed by the thought of the vastness of the universe and our apparent insignificance, let us focus on the Lord our God, who is clothed with the splendor and majesty that become His unique greatness. The God of creation is also the Lord of providence, sustaining what His hands have made. We must regain a vision of this God, and find in Him the security and mastery we need. He is the refuge we seek in the conflicts of life, and in submission to His sovereignty we discover perfect freedom. May He ever be the theme of our devout meditation and exuberant praise.
[From Sycamore Chapel Church of Christ [newsletter], Mar. 12, 1989, p. 3]

WHAT WILL THE PREACHER SAY AT MY FUNERAL?

Several years ago I had a lengthy study with a Christian friend who had been out of duty for many years. He is much older than I, and on one of our many visits I asked him, "If I should preach your funeral, what would you like me to say about you?" My friend thought this was an important question, and he told me that it gave him something to think about.

You see, some funerals are very hard for the preacher to preach. I am often called upon to do funerals for non-Christians. I do not think that funerals are appropriate times to "clobber" people with the gospel, and it is very hard to find words of comfort or hope for these families. Also, I often preach funerals for those who are "members of the church of Christ" but who have not been active in the kingdom for years or who may have had only nominal connections with the Lord's body. It is certainly not my business to judge anyone, but this does not seem an appropriate time to read (Rev. 14:13).

Of course, there are easy funerals to preach, too. When faithful saints die, their funerals are really affirmations of faith and hope, and they are a joyful worship service.

Here, then, is in important question: With the life that I am now living, what will the preacher say at my funeral?
[By Gordon Gower from Tauranga church of Christ [newsletter], vol. 30, no. 1, p. 2 Jan. 1, 1989]

He who fears God has nothing else to fear.
[from Tauranga church of Christ [newsletter], vol. 30, no. 2, p. 2, Jan. 8, 1989]

One of those curious human traits is our ability to forget. We forget appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, names and many other things. Almost anything that can be remembered can also be forgotten. Sad to say we sometimes even forget God, but, probably much more often we forget the blessings and good things that He has done for us. In doing so we display our ability to forget selectively, to forget some things but not others. It is this selective forgetting ability that can lead us away from God or lead us to Him.

One day, sooner or later, Christ will return again and the battle will be over. Everlasting life, or death, will begin with each of us securely in the place that we have prepared. There, throughout all eternity, what will you remember?

Let's commit ourselves now to excellence. Let's resolve to use the same selective forgetting that Paul used of what lay behind and (Phili. 3:13-14).

Let's remember that this is indeed our Father's world and He is in control. And together we shall give our lives in service to Him.
[By Lester P. Bagley from Tauranga church of Christ [newsletter], vol. 30, no. 2, p. 1-2, Jan. 8, 1989]

MOST WANTED MEN
1. The man who puts God's business above any other business.
2. The man who brings his children to church rather than sends them.
3. The man who is willing to be the right example to every boy he meets.
4. The man who thinks more of his Bible class than he does his Sunday sleep.
5. The man who measures his giving by what he has left rather than what he gives.
6. The man who goes to church by Christ's commandment rather than to please himself or someone else.
7. The man who has passion to help rather than to be helped.
[from The Outreach, vol. 19, no. 9, Mar. 18, 1989, p. 2]

TIPS ON HOW TO GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE
1. Keep chains on your tongue; always say less than you think. Cultivate a pleasant, persuasive voice. How you say it often counts more than what you say.
2. Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully.
3. Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind word to somebody. Praise good work done, regardless of who did it. If correction is needed, criticize helpfully, never in a destructive manner.
4. Be genuinely interested in others. Let everyone you meet feel that you regard him or her as a person of importance.
5. Be cheerful. Keep the corners of your mouth turned up. Hide your pains, worries, and disappointments under a smile.
6. Keep an open mind on all controversial questions. Discuss without arguing. It is possible to disagree and yet be friendly.
7. Never engage in gossip. Make it a rule to say nothing about another unless it is something good.
8. Be careful of other people's feelings. A laugh at another's expense is rarely worth the effort, and it may hurt where least expected.
9. Pay no attention to cutting remarks that others may make about you. Learn to live above such comments.
10. Don't be too anxious about your rights and having favors repaid. Let the satisfaction of helping others serve as its own reward.
[from the Arlington bulletin via Church of Christ Newsletter, Saffron St. Christchurch, 1988 and Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Apr. 17, 1996, p. 2]

My Lord knows that way through the wilderness. All I have to do is follow.
[from Church of Christ Newsletter, Saffron St. Christchurch, 1988]

To know God's will is life's greatest treasure. To do God's will is life's greatest pleasure.
[from Church of Christ Newsletter, Saffron St. Christchurch, 1988]

The Lord has need of it
Peter lent a boat,
To save Him from the press,
Martha let her home,
With busy kindliness.
One man lent a colt,
Another lent a room;
Some threw down their garments,
And Joseph lent a tomb.
Simon lent his strength,
The cruel cross to bear;
Many brought their spices,
His body to prepare.
What have I to lend?
No boat, no house, no lands;
Dwell, Lord, within my heart.
I put it in Thy hands.
[from Tauranga church of Christ [bulletin], vol 30, no. 10, p. 2, 5 March, 1989]

I AM ONE

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I WILL DO IT.
[from Tauranga church of Christ [bulletin], vol. 30, no. 7, p. 2, 12 February, 1989 and from North Shore News, December 10, 1989)

He was going to be all that a mortal should be TOMORROW.
No one would be better than he TOMORROW.
Each morning he stacked up the letters he's write TOMORROW.
It was too bad indeed he was too busy to see Bill, but he promised to do it TOMORROW.
The greatest of workers this man would have been TOMORROW.
The world would have known him had he ever seen TOMORROW.
But the fact is he died and faded from view and all that was left when living was through;
Was the mountain of things he intended to do TOMORROW.
[from Tauranga church of Christ [bulletin], vol. 30, no. 8, p. 2, 19 Feb 1989]

WHY GO TO BIBLE SCHOOL?
Because It:
B = builds character
I = instills eternal truths
B = beautifies the life
L = leads to better understanding
E = encourages the indifferent
S = supplies information
C = calls out latent talents
H = helps spread the truth
O = opens doors of service
O = offers opportunity to develop
L = leads to appreciation of God and friends
[from the Acts of Parkers Road, Nelson, p. 2, February 5, 1989]

TRUE PROMISES
God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our life through.
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day.
Rest for the labor, light for the way;
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
[from Capital newsletter, Wellington, March 1989]

You will never have a friend if you seek one without faults. (Prov. 17:17.)
[from Capital Newsletter, Wellington, March 1989]

A friend is a person
Who will help you in the hour of sickness;
Who will lend you a dollar without deducting the interest;
Who will help you up hill when you are sliding down;
Who will defend you in the hour when others speak evil of you;
Who will believe in your innocence until you admit your guilt;
Who will say behind your back what he says to your face;
Who will shake hands with you whenever he meets you, even though you wear patches; and
Who will do all these things without expecting any return.
[by Dorothy C. Retsloff via the Church in Otumoetai Newsletter, p. 1, March 1989]

HE IS STILL SITTING THERE!
(Mark 12:41)
Everyone knows that our actions are greatly influenced by who is watching us. Haven't you noticed how the working pace speeds us when the employer enters the room? Children stop jumping on the couch when their father's approaching footsteps are heard. We look to our grooming when we know that soon we will be in the presence of one whose favor we seek.

Think seriously with me about our gift to the Lord! If Jesus were sitting beside us on the pew and we knew that our gifts would pass under his gaze, would this cause us to be more generous? Mindful of the supreme sacrifice that he made for us, would we be ashamed to offer him what we usually give?

The Bible so clearly teaches that even though our Lord is not present today in body, he is still present each time we gather in his name and he knows exactly what we give and how much sacrifice it presents.

We all need to remember that Jesus is still sitting there watching us give. We will have to answer in the great day of days if we do not prove to him the sincerity of our love.
[by Mac Layton via Hutt Valley church of Christ [bulletin], p. 4, 9 April, 1989.] [Key concept: Christian giving, Sacrifice]

CALMNESS

We often forget this, most of us; but it is true. Noise, anger, explosive tones, superlatives, exaggerations of passion, add nothing to the force of what we say, but rather rob our words of the power that belongs to them. But the utterance that shows a spirit subdued by truth and mastered by wisdom is the utterance that sweeps away opposition, that persuades and overcomes. Go into a heated political convention, and you will find that it is not the men who get angry and storm and swear who carry the day. But the men who never lose their tempers and never raise their voices; who keep talking quietly and placidly as if they were discussing the weather. This is a truth that all of us who seek to influence our fellow beings, in the family, in the church, in the school, in society, in politics, anywhere, must lay to heart. We are prone to forget it; but we make a great mistake when we do forget it. The soft tongue breaketh the bone (Prov. 25:15). The tamed tongue subdues the adversary.
[by Gladden via the Church in Otumoetai Newsletter, vol. 5, no. 7, p. 1, 2 April 1989] [Relevant scripture: Prov. 15:1; James 3]

FAITHFULNESS

When Pompeii was destroyed, there were very many buried in the ruins of it, who were afterwards found in very different situations. There were some found who were in the streets, as if they had been attempting to make their escape. There were some found in deep vaults, as if they had gone thither for security. There were some found in lofty chambers; but where did they find the Roman sentinel? They found him standing at the city gate, with his hand still grasping the war weapon, where he had been placed by his captain; and there, while the Heaven threatened him; there, while the earth shook beneath him; there, while the lava stream rolled, he had stood at his post; and there, after a thousand years had passed away, was he found. So let Christians stand to their duty, in the post at which their Captain has placed them.
[by Evangelist via the Church in Otumoetai Newsletter, vol. 5, no. 6, p. 1, 19 March 1989] [Key concept: Perseverance]

THE BIBLE

This old book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its histories are true, its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the travellers map, the pilgrims staff, the sailors compass, the soldiers sword and Christians charter.

Here paradise is restored, heaven in opened and the gates of hell are disclosed. Christ is the grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the judgment, and be remembered forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor and condemns all who trifle with its contents.
[from Hutt Valley Church of Christ [bulletin], p. 2, 2 April 1989]

RESTORE THE JOY OF MY SALVATION

Do you remember the day that you put off the world and the ways of sin? Do you remember the tremendous joy that accompanied your salvation? What a relief was felt to know the shackles of Satan had been removed, that the blindness had been stricken from you sight and that you no longer had to walk in darkness.

David knew the joy that went with being a man after God's own heart. Blessings had been bestowed upon him for his faith, courage and dedication to God, but for a time David also had to struggle with the consequences of his own sin. He had been guilty of murder and adultery (II Sam. 11-II Sam. 12), he numbered the fighting men of Israel rather than trusting in the power of God and for these sins David payed a high price.

The 51st Psalms (Psa. 51) records the penitent response of David towards the sin that encompassed his life. (Psa. 51:1-2; Psa. 51:12-13)

What beautiful truths David teaches in those verses. Many times the reason that we are not successful in teaching the transgressors and converting sinners to the way is because we have lost the joy of our salvation. We have allowed the tares of the world to grow up and choke out the precious word that once filled our hearts. Restore the joy of my salvation. If only we can recapture the enthusiasm and fire that once moved us to obey Christ then we too will say, (Psa. 51:14-15)
[by T.H.W. via Hutt Valley church of Christ, p. 3, 16 April 1989]

Fasting (see Esth. 4)
Revenge, avenge, vengeance (see Esth. 8)
Portions (see Esth. 9)
Lovingkindness, loving-kindness (see Prov. 16)
Reproof, reprove (see Prov. 12)
Boasting, boastful, boasts (see Prov. 25)
Anger, Angry (see Prov. 29)
Friends (see Prov. 17)
Scoffer, scoffing (see Prov. 14)
Children (see Prov. 7)
Pride, proud (see Prov. 16)
Diligent, diligence (see Prov. 10)
Generous, generosity (see Prov. 22)
Humble, humility (see Prov. 11)
Knowing God (see Prov. 9)
Values (see Prov. 19)
Cheating (see Prov. 20)
Apologetics (see Prov. 30)

THANK GOD FOR YOU!
Thank God for you, good friend of mine,
Seldom is friendship such as thine;
How very much I wish to be
As helpful as you've been to me--
Thank God for You!
When I recall from time to time,
How you inspired this heart of mine,
I find myself inclined to pray,
"God bless my friend this very day"--
Thank God for You!
Of many prayer quests, one thou art,
On whom I ask God to impart
Rich blessings from His storehouse rare,
And grant to you His gracious care--
Thank God for You!
So often, at the throne of grace,
There comes a picture of your face,
And then instinctively I pray,
That God may guide you all the way--
Thank God for You!
Some day I hope with you to stand
Before the throne at God's right hand,
And say to you at journey's end,
"Praise God, you've been to me a friend"--
Thank God for You!
[From Sycamore Chapel Church of Christ bulletin, March 4, 1990]

THE FIRST STEP TOWARD GOD

The Bible begins with the most significant declaration ever made. "In the beginning, God..." (Gen. 1:1) From that point, the Bible moves on to reveal to man who God is and what God has done. God always makes the initial move toward man. Man's problem is that sin separated him from God. In Christ, God provided a sacrifice for sin, and that forgiveness cannot be earned. However, unless man makes a step toward God, forgiveness cannot take effect. There is a first vital step. One expression of it is in Heb. 11:16. To please God, one must have faith, but we must know what kind of faith. The verse lists two important elements. One must believe that God is, that He exists. One must also seek Him if he expects to find reward. The two elements are belief and action that is in harmony with the belief. Countless examples in scripture show the link between these two elements. Read all of Heb. 11 and note that each example of faith shows belief and the logical action harmonious to the belief. Heb. 11:6.
[from "Living the Word" by Bill Denton...published in Sycamore Chapel CofC bulletin, March 11, 1990]

The United Way charitable fund supports the Planned Parenthood program. This money goes to provide abortions.

LIVING DAILY WITH JESUS... SPIRITUAL AND SECULAR DUTIES
(Preliminary reading: Matt. 6:19-21, 24-34; Matt. 8:21-22; Matt. 13:22; Luke 10:38-42; Luke 12:16-34; Luke 14:16-26; Eph. 4:8; I Thes. 4:11-12; II Thes. 3:10-12; I Tim. 5:8.)
Situation: A Christian finds it difficult to apportion time to spiritual duties and secular demands.
Your reaction:
(a) All for church and nothing for the rest?
(b) All for the rest and nothing for the church?
(c) God will provide, I don't do anything?
(d) God expects me to use my "common sense"?
(e) God helps those who help themselves?
(f) Charity begins at home?
(g) If I work for God, God will work for me?
(h) I must provide for myself and my family first?
(i) God first, family next, myself too?
(j) Other suggestions?
(k) What would Jesus expect me to do? (II Cor. 9:8.)
[from The Truth in Love]

It seems that when I want to do what is right, that is the very time that sin overcomes me. I don't understand! I catch a glimpse of God's holiness, and something in me wants to please him, to be like he is. And still...still, there is something else in me that is actually at war with God and his holiness. What a mixed-up, good-for-nothing, helpless person I am. What or who can pull me out of this nose-dive into hell?

We have all had such moments of depressed reflection. In fact, the apostle Paul said something very much like that (Rom. 7:21-24). Perhaps he was describing his feelings prior to becoming Christ's. Or perhaps he sometimes felt that way as a Christian, too. Either way, most of us understand what he meant. In a less personal way, Carl Jung acknowledged, "It is becoming more and more obvious that it is not starvation, nor microbes, nor cancer, but man himself who is mankind's greatest danger." It is our own evil, our own selfish wants, which will bring us down if something doesn't come along to change the situation.

And it has. Something has come along! Paul's own sigh of relief after his agonized appraisal was...(Rom. 8:1). God, himself, has provided the amazing solution...(Rom. 8:3-4).

Think about God's final solution to sin, how we can be freed from sin's enslavement, and how many "ordinary" people live their lives in the knowledge of God's love and salvation. God's reaching out toward us, our rightful response, and how Christians in the Bible behaved in their new condition - they told others the good news, and how people's lives are different because of Jesus Christ.

If you have not considered yourself capable or worthy of belonging to God, claiming Jesus as your Lord and Savior, perhaps you will see that you can. If you are already a Christian these thoughts should refresh your spirit with a review of the beauties of the friendship between you and God because of Jesus Christ.
[from Power for Today]

The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is.
[by Phillips Brooks from Power for Today]

WHAT DO WE DO WITH CHRIST'S COMMANDS?
Commands to be taught (Matt. 28:18-20; John 8:31-32)
Teachers to teach it (II Tim. 2:2; II Tim. 2:15)
Teachers to practice it (I Tim. 4:12-16; Heb. 13:7)
Hearers to obey it (James 1:22-25)
[from The Truth in Love, no. 36, Sept. 13, 1992, p. 1]

CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOUR
(Heb. 2:9-10)
God said Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness...(Gen. 1:26). In so doing, God made man (Heb. 2:7; Psa. 8:5). The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the one name (Matt. 28:19), shared in creation (Gen. 1:1-2, 26; John 1:1-3; Heb. 1:10), and planned our salvation (I Pet. 1:2).

The Son humbled himself to appear as the man Jesus Christ (Phili. 2:5-8; Rom. 1:3; I Tim. 2:5) who also bore the name "Immanuel" which means "God with us" (Matt. 1:23). And...(II Cor. 8:9). God's Son became like us (Heb. 2:9).

Only God could plan and execute the way of salvation for us. No man was adequate to be the Saviour of mankind, and only "God with us" as Jesus (="God saves us" Matt. 1:21) could achieve our salvation (II Tim. 1:8-10; Rom. 3:21-25).

Every time Christians meet together to remember their Lord's death and to proclaim this message until he comes (I Cor. 11:23-26), we think on so many things he has done for us. Among these things is the fact that he chose to do this (II Cor. 8:9). Since his resurrection and return to the Father's right hand, he is "now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death" for us. Praise him.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 35, Sept. 6, 1992, p. 6]

SOME CLAIMS OF JESUS
Jesus claimed:
1. To come down from heaven (John 6:38)
2. To have existed before Abraham (John 8:58)
3. To have glory with his Father from eternity (John 17:5)
4. To be equal with God the Father (John 5:18; Phili. 2:6)
5. To be the Son of God (John 10:36)
6. To be the expected Messiah (John 4:25-26)
7. To be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies (Luke 4:16-21)
8. To be greater than the Temple (Matt. 12:6)
9. To be Lord of the Sabbath (Matt. 12:8)
10. To have authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:10)
11. To have all authority (Matt. 28:20)

THEY WENT OUT FROM US
(I John 2:19)
This comment by the Holy Spirit through the apostle John is one of the saddest statements in the Bible. Many of us have battled through many years of personal inadequacies as Christians, suffered misunderstandings from some of our brethren, and seen so many come into the Lord's church but allow themselves to become disillusioned and leave. There are times when one feels the membership of a local church is not living up to the standards set by their Lord and his word. There are occasions when earnest preachers wonder whether all the effort in preparing and presenting thoroughly Scriptural sermons has been worth it - few seem to have heard what was said, and fewer seem to practice what was taught. The faithful examples of mature saints go unheeded by others. And it sometimes seems there is bickering and grizzling and groaning and fault-finding on every hand - it's always someone else's fault - They're not doing it right; they're doing it wrong; they're not loving; they don't understand; there's no communication; and so it goes on.

One can't help feeling very sympathetic towards the Son of God as he wrestled with the same problems among the people who followed him around Galilee and Judea. Some complained that he did not give them what they wanted (John 6:41). They grumbled that his words were too hard for them (John 6:60). For such reasons...(John 6:66).

People are still doing it - leaving Jesus and his church - for similar reasons. If they remain religious, they join a denomination for a more comfortable niche (No, the truth doesn't matter!). Or they give up religion and become worldly cynics.

Jesus' words to his apostles...(John 6:67), cause the sensitive reader to feel intensely sad. But how warming was Peter's response...(John 6:68). Please don't fail Jesus and your brethren by finding fault and leaving.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 34, Aug. 30, 1992, p. 1]

CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS
(James 2:14-17)
Whenever a person believes in and responds to Jesus Christ in order to be forgiven sins and to be saved, that person ought to know there is a continuing commitment thereafter to practice the Christian life (Eph. 5:1-2). The Christian is reminded that...(James 2:8), and to...(James 2:12; James 1:25).

While no one can so live as to merit salvation, everyone saved by faith is expected to do good works...(Eph. 2:8-10). By God's grace, and through our faith, we receive God's gift of salvation. Therefore we do good works.

It is no good being saved and then failing, refusing or neglecting to do good works (Matt. 25:31-46). This is the point of James' message to Christians. Some have mistakenly thought there is a contradiction between Paul's letter to the Romans and James' letter. But since both writers were inspired by the Holy Spirit, there can be no contradiction. Paul wrote that, like Abraham, if we believe then we are credited with righteousness (Rom. 4:18-24). James wrote that, like Abraham, if our faith is accompanied thereafter by appropriate deeds, our salvation is confirmed (James 2:18-24).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 34, Aug. 30, 1992, p. 6]

GOOD MANAGEMENT BEGETS GOOD BEHAVIOUR

The Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul, included among the criteria for appointment of men as elders and deacons in the church the requirement that, for an elder...(I Tim. 3:4 NIV, Or "with all dignity" NASB) and that, for deacons, they should be...(I Tim. 3:12).

The English translators chose the word "manage" (or "rule" KJV) for the original Greek word "proistemi" in the text. Both elders and deacons are required to "manage" their children well. One who manages or controls his household and children well obtains subjects whose good behaviour reflect good management and so they may be described as well-behaved or dignified children.

The same requirement given in Paul's letter to Titus (Titus 1:6) also enlarges on the responsibility of children to respond obediently towards their fathers, and so an elder should be a man "having children who are faithful (KJV) and are not...wild and disobedient" (NIV). Hence it is intended that an elder be a man who so supervises his children that they are observed to be faithful, submissive and respectful to him, and not otherwise. No less can be expected of men who are deacons. Notice that Jesus, as a child, is described as continuing "in subjection" to his parents (Luke 2:51). Children are commanded to "obey" their parents, and fathers are expected to bring their children up...(Eph. 6:1-4).

From the Scriptural instructions for elders and deacons, it is seen that not only the behaviour of the men concerned testify to their suitability or otherwise for appointment, but also the behaviour of their children. To test whether the men proposed are suitable to be elders and deacons, the congregation needs to observe whether their management of their children is shown in "faithful", respectful and obedient behaviour, or in the kind of behaviour described as "wild and disobedient". The former conduct indicates that good management begets good behaviour, while the latter indicates poor parental control.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 34, Aug. 30, 1992, p. 7]

THE GOSPEL
(Rom. 1:16)
G=God-given. Through his Son (Heb. 1:1-2). His Holy Spirit guided the NT writers (John 14:26). Gospel is not man-made (Gal. 1:11-12).
O=Ordinances (commandments). Believe (I John 3:23). Repent (Acts 17:3). Be baptized (Acts 2:38). Grow in faith (II Pet. 1:5-10).
S=Salvation. The power of God leads to salvation (Rom. 1:16). Salvation depends on obeying the gospel (I Pet. 4:17-18).
P=Promises. Forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Eternal life (I John 2:25). Christ with us (Matt. 28:20). All things work for good (Rom. 8:28).
E=Edifying. Example - the apostle Paul (I Tim. 1:12-16).
L=Lasting. God's word abides forever (I Pet. 1:25). God's word judges us at the last day (John 12:48).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 34, Aug. 30, 1992, p. 9]

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, He learns justice.
If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.
[by Dorothy Law Nolte from Power for Today]

GOD'S PLAN FOR US
Eph. 1:9-10; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:4-5; Col. 2:12; Eph. 1:13; Col. 2:6
[from Power for Today]

Perhaps you'll find this little prayer as helpful as I did. It goes like this.
Oh live in us this day.
Oh clothe thyself thy purpose get again in human clay.
Work through our feebleness thy strength.
Work through our meanness thy nobility.
Work through our helplessness poverty of soul thy grace thy glory and thy love.

You've seen the magic wireless
And dazzling signs of spare;
Then is it any wonder
That God can answer prayer.
[by W. Rhoads from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 24, 1993, p. 2]

John 15:7. Note well that we must hear Jesus speak if we expect him to hear us speak. If we have no ear for Christ he will have no ear for us. In proportion as we hear, we shall be heard. Moreover what is heard must remain, must live in us, and must abide in our character as a force and a power. We must receive the truths which Jesus taught, the precept which he issued, and the movements of the Spirit within us or we shall have no power at the mercyseat. Suppose our Lord's words were to be received and to abide in us. What a boundless field of privilege is opened up to us. We are to have our will in prayer because we have already surrendered our will to the Lord's command. Thus are Elijahs trained to handle the keys of heaven and lock or loose the clouds. One such man is worth a thousand common Christians. Do we humbly desire to be intercessors for the church in the world and, like Luther, to be able to have what we will of the Lord. Then we must bow our ear to the voice of the well beloved and treasure up his words and carefully obey them. He had need harken diligently who would pray effectually.
[by C.H. Spurgeon from Checkbook of the bank of faith for Feb. 24]

THE TATER FAMILY

First, there was COMMON TATER. Whenever anything needed to be done, he was the first to get behind it and offer great suggestions about how the job could best be accomplished. When it came time to do anything, however, Common Tater could never be found or was "too busy" doing some other "important" project. When the job was completed, Common Tater would come back, notice flaws in the way the job was carried out, and criticised those foolish fellows who had made so many mistakes.

Then came AGGIE TATER. He never said much - openly. When he had a quarrel with someone, that person would be the last to know about the problem. Aggie would tell enough other people until a greatly exaggerated version of truth eventually got back to the accused person. Good ole Aggie delighted in the wonderful confusion and dissension his wrangling had caused. Where there was a fight, there was Aggie.

Next, there was SPECK TATER. He didn't do much except stand on the outside looking in. Speck was easily upset. His most common complaint was that no one cared about him or that no one was willing to cater to his needs. The fact that he did little or nothing to encourage and edify others meant little to Speck. With all his energies focused on how bad HE felt and how badly HE was treated, Speck had nothing left to give anyone. HE was his only, all-consuming responsibility.

Finally, along came little IMI TATER. Being the youngest in the family, he saw what his brothers did and, in his naive innocence, did exactly the same. And so a whole generation of the Tater family did the same Tater things in the same Tater ways. I just wonder if the next generation will be any different?
[from Rotorua Weekly Reporter, no. 45, 8 Nov. 1992]

FAILURE

Have you ever met someone who's goal in life was to be a failure? Well, have you ever met someone who's goal in life was to be successful? Obviously success is much more appealing to us all.

Failure, however, has one redeeming quality. It can be a great teacher. Thomas Edison searched for years trying thousands of different materials to find a successful light bulb filament. When asked if he felt like quitting because of all those failures he replied that every single failure contributed to his success. How? Was he just some crazy optimist that didn't know when he was beaten? No! Each failure taught him of one material that would not work and so narrowed the possibilities for the next trial.

We, too, as Christians can learn a lot from failure. In studying the Old Testament we see the repeated failures of the Israelite people. In Num. 13 we see these former slaves approaching the Promised Land failing to have faith in God. When 10 of the 12 spies return with the report that conquering the land is impossible, the Israelites chose to believe them rather than the two who speak of faith in God. In Num. 14, after God has said they must return to the wilderness for 40 years, we find these same people trying to conquer the land. Still not faithful or obedient to God, they suffer a crushing defeat in battle - failure again.

Faith only works when it's firmly placed in God. Failure is only failure when we don't learn from it and go on to succeed. Success is only success when we do God's will, God's way. Let's long remember and proudly proclaim with Paul...(Phili. 4:13).
[by Lester P. Bagley from The Outreach, 30 Sept. 1992]

Count your blessings - not our crosses,
count your gains - not your losses,
count your joys - not your woes,
count your friends - not your foes,
count your courage - not your fears,
count your laughter - not your tears,
count your health - not your wealth,
count on God - not yourself. Phili. 3:8-11
[from The Outreach, 23 Sept, 1992]

The church is filled with 50 year old men who started brilliantly, who worked in places of real prominence and in the process have loss the very ways of doing their work that gave them some insight as to what to do with their power. They are just holding on and frantically hoping to survive.
[by John Claypool from his book The Wittingburg Door]

LIVING CHRISTIANITY
In the home it's kindness,
In business it's honesty,
In society it's courtesy,
In work it's faithfulness,
Toward the unfortunate it's pity,
Toward the weak it's help,
Toward the wicked it's resistance,
Toward the string it's trust,
Toward the penitent it's forgiveness,
Toward the fortunate it's congratulation,
Toward God it's obedience.
[from The Outreach, 26 Aug. 1992]

It is good to be a Christian and know it; it is even better to be a Christian and show it.
[from The Outreach, 19 Aug. 1992]

THIS IS HOW WE KNOW WHAT LOVE IS
(I John 3:16-18)
Again as so often in the New Testament, here is the important association of knowing God's word and doing God's work. "We can know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us". Thus we learn from God's word the supreme example of his love in what Jesus did for us. As a result, "we ought to lay down our lives for our brethren". That is, we put into practice God's love recorded in his word.
Eph. 5:1-2
Notice I John 3:1.... Then, as "children of God", we have been given the remarkable privilege of being called upon to "imitate God...as dearly loved children and live a life of love". Think earnestly about this and we can appreciate the breath-taking realisation that the great Creator of the universe cares about us! Since God did so much, and continues to do so much for us, how can his love be in us if we don't love our brethren who are also his children?

We are urged not to give lip-service only to love but, rather, to show love in our actions and prove it to be a truth in our lives that all can see.

In breaking bread together, the children of God show their love for Jesus and for each other. God in Christ died for us so that we might live eternally with him - how great a love our Father has shown us!
[from The Truth in Love, no. 39, Oct. 4, 1992, p. 6]

THE LORD HAS MADE HIS SALVATION KNOWN
(Psa. 98:1-3)
The righteous and devout man Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit to greet the baby Jesus in the temple by praising God...(Luke 2:25-32).

Simeon would have known the Scripture passages, such as this psalm and others, which acknowledge God's salvation to the nations and aptly describe Jesus' mission.

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the Pharisee Saul and commissioned him as his apostle...(Acts 26:17-18).

Years later, that same Pharisee, converted and known as Paul, wrote to the Christians at Colosse, that God...(Col. 1:13-14).

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.

As we break bread on this first day of the week in memory of our Lord's sacrifice for us, let us praise him and thank him for the salvation he has made available to us through his Son.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 38, Sept. 27, 1992, p. 6]

THE SIN OF NOT DOING GOD'S WILL
(James 4:17)
1. It is sin not to believe in Christ (John 8:24)
2. It is sin not to repent (turn to God) (Luke 13:3)
3. It is sin not to be baptized (Luke 7:30) (Likewise, baptism in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38) is God's purpose for us. Therefore it is sin to reject his command)
4. It is sin not to meet with the church (Heb. 10:25)
5. It is sin not to ease others' needs (Matt. 25:41ff)
6. It is sin not to separate from the world (I John 2:15-16)
7. It is sin not to separate from error (II John 10-11)
8. It is sin not to love our brethren (I John 3:14).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 38, Sept. 27, 1992, p. 9]

Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realising that life is made up of little things.
[by Frank A. Clark]

If you want a place in the sun you've got to put up with a few blisters.
[by Abigail Van Buren]

There is no traffic jam on the extra mile.

You never get a second change to make a good first impression.

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE RIGHT

This is a frequent question asked of those who seek to teach others about Jesus and his church. If we stop to think about the implications of such a question, it suggests that no one can know the truth. It also excuses the questioner from having to justify his or her own position which is being challenged.

If we believe the Bible to be God's word to us, we must accept that God sent his Son into the world to make it possible for us to be reconciled to him. God has said that...(Rom. 3:23). God has also said that...(Isa. 59:2). There is no way we, through our own efforts, can overcome that gulf between God and ourselves. But, God tells us that he...(II Cor. 5:18).

Having done all of this for us, through what Jesus has achieved on our behalf, it is likely that God would make it difficult or impossible to know how to be reconciled to him? Did God tantalise us with a truth which could not be known for certain? How could we think such things of the Creator who loves us?

Jesus said to those who believed in him...(John 8:31-32). So anyone can know the truth by adhering to Jesus' teaching. When we do that, we know that we are right with God (II John 9).

Jesus told his apostles that the Holy Spirit of God would guide them into "all the truth" (John 16:13). Before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prayed for his apostles that God would...(John 17:17). And Jesus also prayed...(John 17:20). Thus, for example, when the apostle Paul brought Jesus' teaching to the Jews in Berea, they were described as "double-minded", because...(Acts 17:11).

How can anyone know whether he or she is right or not? Simply by "examining the Scriptures...to see if (whatever is taught and practised in the name of Christ) is true" or not.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 38, Sept. 27, 1992, p. 1]

HEY, THAT'S NOT AN ELEPHANT!
The Blind Men and the Elephant - after John Godfrey Saxe
It was six men of Hindustan,
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see an elephant
(Though all of them were blind)
That each by observation
Might satisfy the mind.
he first approached the elephant,
And, happening to fall
Against its broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"Why, bless me! but the elephant
is very like a wall."
The second, as he felt the tusk,
Cried, "Ho! what have we here
So very round, smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
The wonder of an elephant
Is very like a spear."
The third approached the animal,
And, happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hand,
Thus boldly up he spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the elephant
Is very like a snake!"
The fourth reached out his hand,
And felt about its knee.
"What most this beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he:
"'Tis clear enough the elephant
Is very like a tree!"
The fifth who touched the ear,
Said, "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an elephant
Is very like a fan!"
The sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
that fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the elephant
is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Hindustan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong;
Though each partly in the right,
They all were in the wrong!

To this humorous Indian fable, rendered into a poem, John Godfrey Saxe added another verse:

So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an elephant
Not one of them has seen.
So Saxe created a poem to express his dismay at the confusion of religious denominations which held different opinions about the teaching of Christ - each is "partly in the right, but all were in the wrong!" - just like the blind men's misconceptions about the elephant.

The simple solution, of course, is for everyone to remove their blindfolds and just look at the Scriptures, without adding to or taking away anything, and without changing anything.

Recognising an elephant

Children are more perceptive than the teachers and followers of denominational doctrines. Consider the following pictorial analogy: God created the elephant and every child soon learns what an elephant looks like. Thereafter, every time someone shows them something purported to be an elephant, children will quickly know whether it is really an elephant or not. They have seen the original and make an instant mental comparison with the image of the true beast in their minds.

Recognising the church Jesus created

Jesus promised...(Matt. 16:18) and he is now...(Eph. 1:22-23). There is one body (Eph. 4:4) and the saved are...(I Cor. 12:27).

Just as children can know the difference between a real elephant and false ones, so we can differentiate between the true church of Christ and the many imitations which men have devised. The one true church is described in the New Testament and we only need to know that description to distinguish the claims of those who are of that church from those who are of false churches.

God's way of salvation

Jesus said...(John 14:6). He promised his apostles that the Holy Spirit...(John 14:26). Just before Jesus returned to heaven, he commissioned his apostles to teach his future followers to...(Matt. 28:20). A little later, the apostles did exactly as Jesus commanded them and told people that...(Acts 2:21). Those people were told how they should do this - by believing in Jesus (Acts 2:36) and by repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:38). They were told to "be saved" (Acts 2:40) and those who accepted the apostles' directions "were baptized" (Acts 2:41). Thereafter, we are told...(Acts 2:47).

This is God's way of salvation. It was consistently taught and practised everywhere by faithful believers in New Testament times (as a reading of the book of Acts reveals). God has not changed his terms for salvation.

When you visit a church which does not teach and practise God's way of salvation, or modifies it in some way, is it the true church of not? (Gal. 1:6-9). There are some professing Christians who do not know how to discern the true church from the false (Heb. 5:12-14). This is worse than being a child who thinks every animal is an elephant! Christians ought to...(Acts 17:11). By the choice they make, some people show they don't care.

Does it really matter?

In the New Testament, the body of the saved is called...(Acts 20:28). Jesus Christ (who is also known as "God with us" (Matt. 1:23) is described as...(Eph. 5:23). These Scriptures show us plainly how important the church is to God, in spite of the fact that so many say that "one can be a Christian without being in the church". Likewise, these Scriptures show us plainly that there is only one church and it is Christ's church.

The popular dismissive comment that "one denomination is as good as another" is equalled by the common direction to "join a church of your choice". Such statements reveal a poor appreciation of what the Lord's church means to him. It's equivalent to a child saying "one animal is as much like an elephant as another" when, in fact, none of them is an elephant; or a child saying "choose any animal you like, and call it an elephant" when, in fact none of them is an elephant.

In New Testament times, local congregations of Christians were known as "churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16). This is not a denominating title, but a description of ownership - the church is of Christ and belongs to Christ. People don't have a choice of churches when they are saved for, as we have been, upon obeying the Lord's terms for forgiveness of sins, they are saved and added by the Lord to HIS church (Acts 2:47). Why, then, do something different and go and join another church? When a child sees a true elephant, does he or she think that false "elephants" are just as real? Compared to children, adults may dissemble and deceive themselves (Luke 18:17).

The purpose for the Lord's church

When the first people heard and obeyed God's way of salvation and were added to the company of the saved, they...(Acts 2:42). They also busied themselves meeting others' needs (Acts 2:45).

That is a simple summary of Christian service to God and man. We are not at liberty to make it more complicated, nor to change it, nor to think we can further simplify it. The child knows that when God created the elephant, he didn't have to create other kinds of "elephants" to do what the true elephant is designed to do perfectly. Why are adults so easily deluded into accepting substitute churches for the true one?

The bulk of the apostles' teaching in the New Testament is devoted to giving God's directions for Christian living - all so simple, and yet many want to change it around and divert people from God's way, ostensibly in his name. Take note of Jesus' warning in Matt. 7:21-27 - don't heed false teachers.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 38, Sept. 27, 1992, p. 2-3, 12-13]

Every day we are challenged to let go of our own plans and security and to reach for the promises that God offers.

We have learned to be skeptical of promises. Most promises are made out of selfish motives: "If you will pick up your toys, I will...." "I will pay you when you...." "I will lower your taxes if you will...." "If you buy our soap, it will make you...." But God's promises are not cleverly disguised traps. His promises are clear. We trust them. And we will have the peace of finding that when we trust his promises, we have grasped God himself.

When we think about letting go of our own plans, we usually think of how far we might fall if we let go. Instead of looking down into the chasm of uncertainty, look at the outstretched hand of God. His open hand gives us courage. We believe our Father's promises!
[from Power for Today, vol. 19, no. 5, Sept.-Oct., 1973, p. 1]

THE CHILD IN MY HAND
My child,
By design and plan
You can grow up
To be a man.
In stature and in wisdom
You will grow.
And dear, I know
We mold and shape your destiny:
A firm hand here,
A gentle touch - to deftly guide -
We love so much -
And with God's help
We know we can
Help you grow up.
[by Inez Baucum from Power for Today, vol. 19, no. 5, Sept.-Oct., 1973, p. 2]

LIFE IN CHRIST

LIFE! What treasure is more priceless, more jealously guarded, more anxiously preserved? From its first flashing spark to its last dull flicker, every possible human effort is expended to keep life's fire burning.

Still, strange as it sounds, living is not life. There are plenty of living dead people! They may appear by every human standard to be filled with life: successful, intelligent, prosperous, beautiful. They wear the right clothes, go to the "in" places, see all the right shows. Life is one constant round of parties, hair-stylings, tennis sets, weekend trips, financial seminars, and "happy hours." But the inside of life, the real person, is shriveled and dead. The Bible speaks of those who chase a good time as living dead men (I Tim. 5:6).

Then it is possible for one to be utterly dead in his relationship to God. Apart from God's grace in Jesus Christ we are all "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). Going through all the motions of living, these people are dead, dead to God. They have not yet received God's mercy and forgiveness. The things of God may even appear stupidly foolish to such world-centered people (I Cor. 2:14).

The first spark of our physical life came from God. Just so, new life, real life, Life with a capital L, comes only from God. Jesus lived to give us that life. (John 10:10) He lived, died, and lives again in order that we also might live.

That's why Jesus talked about being born again, born from above (John 3:3). Even an old man like the learned Jewish leader Nicodemus could experience a new birth! Through a birth of water and the Spirit, each person can have a new start (John 3:5). The experience of rebirth begins when one sincerely listens to God's Word and willingly accepts it into his life. The Bible compares that listening reception to a new, spiritual conception. The Word of God begets us anew with imperishable seed (I Pet. 1:23). When that believing acceptance of the Word leads a person to be baptized in obedience to Jesus, the action of God's Spirit gives him a new life. It truly is a birth "of water and the Spirit." In obedience to Jesus' command God "saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). So life begins.

But it is only the beginning. Like newborn infants we now thirst for the pure spiritual milk of God's Word. It supplies the spiritual nurture for our growth toward ultimate salvation (I Pet. 2:2). The new purpose of our life now centers in Jesus. We are alive in him. Having received Christ Jesus the Lord, so we live in him (Col. 2:6).

No one can paint the rising sun's glory with charcoal, and none can do full justice to the rich colors of Christ's life in us. Still here is an attempt to say, "Life in Christ is like this. Let's live it together."

It is our fervent prayer that all may be blessed to live abundantly in Jesus Christ. May we more truly be able to say, "For me to live is Christ" (Phili. 1:21)
[by Dan Anders from Power for Today, Vol. 21, no. 4, July-Aug., 1975, p. 1-3]

A MOTHER'S BEATITUDES
Blessed is the mother who understands her child, for she shall inherit a kingdom of memories.
Blessed is the mother who knows how to comfort, for she shall possess a child's devotion.
Blessed is the mother who guides by the path of righteousness, for she shall be proud of her offspring.
Blessed is the mother who is never shocked, for she shall receive confidences.
Blessed is the mother who teaches respect, for she shall be respected.
Blessed is the mother who emphasizes the good and minimizes the bad, for in like manner the child himself shall make evaluations.
Blessed is the mother who treats her child as she would be treated, for her home shall be filled with happiness.
Blessed is the mother who answers simply the startling questions, for she shall always be trusted.
Blessed is the mother who has character strong enough to withstand the thoughtless remarks and resentments of the growing child, for, in due time, she shall be honored.
[by Leonora Zearfoss from Power for Today, Mar.-Apr., 1977, p. 2]

EXPECTATIONS

Our Lord...He doesn't expect much. A little time, a thank-you from the heart. Penitent feelings, the simple words, "Forgive me." A blessing freely given to another...a word, a gesture of encouragement, a whisper of love. The heart, giving, loving, forgiving, forgiven. Silently proclaiming His ownership.
[by Linda Schott from Power for Today, vol. 32, no. 3, July-Sept., 1986, p. 3]

I WANT TO TAKE THE CURE!
I have a dear friend who says, "I'm so glad I got Parkinson's Disease because it is the only way I ever would have found out about Jesus." Though she had been religious, she did not know Christ. When her disease was diagnosed she began to pray, to talk, to cry, to shout to the Lord. As she talked and read the word and obeyed, she knew him as Savior and Lord.

We all have a terminal disease! God diagnosed Israel's disease as Sin, and its symptoms were the tremors of empty worship, the running sores of unjust wages, and the blackouts of gross pride. After the diagnosis, God offered the miracle cure. But the patient wanted a second opinion. Israel did not believe that anything was wrong.

God did not give up. He sent out many doctor-prophets to dispense the "miracle cure" to anyone who recognized their symptoms. The cure was simple - as it always is with God: it was a cure of the heart -"rend you hearts," "call on My name." But the doctors He sent with the cure did not become highly paid and well respected community leaders. In fact, they were treated as quacks and ignored.

But the Divine Healer kept on sending them. He sent visual aids along with them telling about the horrible death the disease would bring - a linen belt rotted in the dirt, a beloved wife turned to prostitution, an eagle planting seeds, a copper pot heated to melt impurities. But the diseased said, "Why do we need any cure?"

Even when Israel's disease reached the invalid stage, the sick nation begged for help from the patient in the next bed (the sinful nations around them) rather than from the doctor. After constant rejection, the Healer had to say, "You will get well, but only after amputation and death." He was a reluctant surgeon, continuing to offer the simple cure, "set your heart to honor my Name." But the inevitable came - Israel and Judah were humiliated, conquered, cut off.

Doctors and medicine are hot topics with us. We know about the latest cures and surgeries almost as quickly as they are tried. But those who treat the easily cured cancers tell us that knowing what to do for cancer does not help if the patient will not come in for tests and treatment. Many still die every year from undiagnosed curable cancers.

I may look good, feel OK, no one sees my sin. It grows, undiagnosed - and therefore incurable. God's miracle cure is still the same cure of the heart: repentance, turning to Christ, having our old sinful selves buried with Him in baptism, rising to walk in the Light with the Spirit. God has not changed - He has still chosen us to be His, and He still has healing in His wings. Knowing Him, remembering who He is, is the first step.

As Paul said and my friend with Parkinson would say, "I have found the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." To miss this simple knowing is to miss the cure, to miss life itself. (I John 3:1).

May a study of the prophets cause you, as it has us, to see our disease, to see the cure and to see the Healer who waits for our stubborn will to yield to His love.

O how slowly have I often
Followed where Thy hand would draw!
How Thy kindness failed to soften!
How Thy chastening failed to awe!
Make for me Thy rest more ready
As Thy path is longer trod.
Keep me in Thy friendship steady
Till Thou call me home My God. (by Thomas Grinfield)

[by Steven S. and Emily Y. Lemley from Power for Today, vol. 33, no. 3, July-Sept., 1987, p. 1-2]

YOUR ALABASTER BOX

Do not keep the alabaster box of your love and friendship sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier. The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go.
[by George W. Childs from Sycamore Chapel, Sept. 27, 1992, p. 2]

Each day there are showers of blessings
Sent from the Father above,
For God is a great, lavish giver
And there is no end to His love -
Grace is more than sufficient,
His mercy is boundless and deep,
And His infinite blessings are countless
And all this we're given to keep
If we but seek God and find Him
And ask for a bounteous measure
Of this wholly immeasurable offering
From God's inexhaustible treasure -
For no matter how big man's dreams are,
God's blessings are infinitely more,
For always God's giving is greater
Than what man is asking for.
[by Helen Steiner Rice]

HE WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD
(John 2:18-22)
The account of Jesus' righteous anger displayed in driving the men of commerce out of the temple courts (John 2:14-17) is followed by that of the Jews who demanded a miraculous sign from Jesus to prove his authority for what he had done. If Jesus believed he had that higher authority, let him prove it by a miraculous sign! As he did on other occasions, Jesus refused to perform signs to pander to wrong motives (Matt. 12:39). Instead, he foreshadowed the greatest sign of his authority.

In the context of the temple, Jesus spoke figuratively foretelling his death and resurrection. He spoke on other occasions of his death and resurrection in terms of the prophet Jonah's experience (Matt. 12:39ff; Matt. 16:1-4). On each occasion, the Jews did not grasp his meaning. In fact, when he was finally arrested and accused, Jesus' statement was distorted and used against him (Mark 14:57-58). Even Jesus' apostles did not understand his meaning until after his resurrection. Then they recalled what he had said, and the fact that the scripture prophecies and Jesus' words tallied strengthened their faith.

As we meet to remember Jesus' death and resurrection in the observance of the Lord's Supper, we acknowledge the apostle Paul's words that...(I Cor. 15:3-4). And as the apostle Peter wrote...(I Pet. 1:8), because we believe "he was raised from the dead".
[from The Truth in Love, no. 43, Nov. 1, 1992, p. 6]

CAN A SAVED PERSON EVER BECOME LOST AGAIN?
(Luke 19:10)
Everyone, other than infants (Mark 10:13-16), is lost outside of Christ and can only be saved in him (I Tim. 2:3-6; Acts 4:12; John 14:6), by obeying his terms for salvation (Heb. 5:9; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38), and by continuing to obey him thereafter (Matt. 28:20; John 14:21).

Human beings were created with the ability to do right and, hence, to choose to do the opposite - evil. God wants us to do the former and not the latter. However, all reaching accountable age have chosen to disobey God and do evil (Rom. 1:18ff) and so...(Rom. 3:23). Rom. 5:8. Even so, God does not force anyone to become saved. He begs us to be reconciled to him (II Cor. 5:20), he urges us to (Acts 2:40), and...(John 1:12). And God does not force anyone to stay saved (Heb. 10:35-39).

It follows, then, that all who become Christians are not divested of their ability to make choices between obeying God and failing or refusing to do so. The apostolic letters of the New Testament are full of God's urgings to Christians to obey him in daily living in Christ, by choosing to "walk by the Spirit" and not to "carry out the desire of the flesh" (Gal. 5:13-25).

Some religious people falsely teach "once saved, always saved". By this they mean that once a person is saved, that person can never be lost. This is not what God's word teaches and this should be obvious from the many warnings given to Christians against falling away. Every saved person was once a lost soul, but can any saved person become lost again?

The usual Bible passages offered in support of the false teaching include:

1. John 6:39. This is true, for God knows those who are his. And these include those who obey him in order to become Christians (Acts 2:36-38), who remain faithful to him to the end (Luke 8:15) by abiding in his teaching (II John 9), and who are recognised by him to be of his family (Gal. 3:26-27). It does not include those who profess to be his followers, but have shown they do not obey him (Matt. 7:21-27). Nor does it include those who become his followers for a time, but fall away (Luke 8:13-14; I John 2:19).

2. John 10:27-29. Jesus' promise is true on his and the Father's part. No one can snatch the saved out of God's safe keeping; but, and this is often overlooked, a saved person may choose to leave His protection! Hence the many scriptures urging the saved to "persevere to the end" (Matt. 24:12-13), to "continue in the faith" (Col. 1:22-23), to...(Heb. 2:1; Heb. 3:12-14; II Pet. 1:10-11). Notice that our eventual salvation to eternal life is CONDITIONAL on us staying faithful to God.

3. I Pet. 1:3-5. Again, as with other passages often offered to support the so-called "perseverance of the saints" (the other description of the "once saved, always saved" doctrine), this promise assures us of the PERSEVERANCE OF GOD, but not the "perseverance of the saints"! The saints are urged to continue faithful to God in order to benefit finally from his perseverance.

No one can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39), so long as we "keep ourselves in the love of God" (Jude 20-21).

There is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1), so long as we...(Rom. 8:4, 13).

Christ confirms us to the end (I Cor. 1:8), so long as we...(Rom. 11:22).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 44, Nov. 8, 1992, p. 3, 12]

MAY A CHRISTIAN FALL AWAY AND NOT REPENT?
(Heb. 6:4-6)
The force of this sombre warning to Christians is often weakened by some who say wrongly that it only applies to people who are not really saved. They point to the fact that the passage refers to those who have (only) "tasted of the heavenly gift", suggesting that they have not fully partaken of "the heavenly gift" and are, therefore, said to be not truly Christians. But this is a wrong understanding of the term, because exactly the same is said, by the same writer, of Jesus who was "made for a little while lower than the angels...that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone" (Heb. 2:9). No believer would suggest that Jesus did not truly die!

The apostle Peter wrote of some Christians who...(II Pet. 2:20). Then he added the solemn judgement that...(II Pet. 2:21).

The apostle John wrote of brethren committing "a sin leading to death" and not to pray that God may give them life (I John 5:16). This sin leading to death is obstinate impenitence. We can't pray that God will forgive someone who refuses God's forgiveness (Matt. 23:37-38). We can try to persuade that person to repent (Luke 13:3; Luke 24:47) in order to be forgiven by God, but if there is a wilful rejection of this means for forgiveness, God is denied what he so much wants to do (Eze. 18:32; Rom. 2:4-5).

The passage in Heb. 6:4-6 is not addressing erring Christians who will acknowledge their sins and repent (turn back to God), because forgiveness is readily given to them when they confess their sins (I John 1:9). The warning Christians should heed is that some may reject God and wilfully snub his appeal to repent (Heb. 10:26-31; Rom. 10:1-3; II Cor. 12:21).
[from The Truth in Love, no. 44, Nov. 8, 1992, p. 13]

LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE
(II John 4-6)
In his second, short letter, the apostle John commended those who were "living by the truth". Repeatedly the word "truth" appears. We can "know the truth" (II John 1) and we love others who are "in the truth" (II John 1), and the truth "lives in us" and "will be with us forever" (II John 2).
(II John 3)
The apostle rejoiced because of those who were "living by the truth" (II John 4). We also see the coupling of "truth and love" (II John 3), and John reminds us his readers of the Lord's command "that we love one another" (II John 5). The demonstration of this kind of love is in our "obedience to his commands", shown by living "a life of love" (II John 6; John 14:21-24; John 15:9-17; Eph. 5:1-2; I John 2:3-6; I John 5:1-3).

Truth and love are remembered in the weekly observance of the Lord's supper - Jesus declared himself to be...(John 14:6), and his life was a continuous demonstration of his love, culminating in his death on the cross for us.
(Rom. 5:8)
We continue to proclaim his death until he comes (I Cor. 11:26), because we are convinced that he rose from the dead and will one day return to take us to be with him in the presence of the Father in heaven for ever. This is a truth which we want to share in love with others, so that many may be saved and blessed in that great day when he comes again.
[from The Truth in Love, no. 44, Nov. 8, 1992, p. 6]

THE SAVED AND THE LOST
(Luke 19:10)
1. Fruitful and unfruitful soils (Matt. 13:3-8; Matt. 13:18-23)
2. Wheat and tares (Matt. 13:24-30; Matt. 13:36-43)
3. Good fish and bad fish (Matt. 13:47-50)
4. Sheep and goats (Matt. 25:31-46)
5. Believers and disobedient (John 3:36)
6. What shall we do? (Acts 2:37-38)
[from the Truth in Love, no. 44, Nov. 8, 1992, p. 9]

MORE ON PRAYER

Prayers recorded in the Bible are the most powerful of all. It is obvious that Paul was a man of God, who prayed.

Make these prayers your own.
1. For personal prayer: When the second person pronoun "you" is found, insert the first person pronoun instead. Example: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know him better."
2. For intercessory prayer: Insert the name of the person for whom you are praying. Example: "And this is my prayer: that Jim's love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight..."

There is power in prayer. Get ready for results! "Pray continually." (I Thes. 5:17).
[by Bob Mize from Power for Today]

A BETTER LIFE IN LATER LIFE

Many people are beginning to develop a positive attitude toward aging, and it is high time. Aging is not a disease, but a normal process of life. There are at least four ways that age can be measured: chronologically, biologically, psychologically, and sociologically. "Chronological age," says Bernice Neugarten, "is a poor basis for grouping people who have attained biological maturity. Study after study of the happiness, intelligence, personality, or health of adults has shown that chronological age is a poor index of the differences between people." Chronological age merely counts the number of years a person has lived, and may be useful for statistical purposes; but it is not reliable in measuring the functional capacity of an individual. Biological age can be used to account for physical and mental differences, psychological age takes into account the adapting capacity of a person, and sociological age measures the survival elements and social roles of an individual.

Old age is a new experience for Western civilization. Never in the history of the Western world have so many people lived so long. More and more Christians are realizing that the last portion of the life-span is tremendously important, that we have more years to account for, and that we need to make them count. The years past sixty-five constitute a developmental period in which rewards and achievement can be great.

So much of our working lives has been geared to earning to live instead of learning to live that we need to learn to adjust to a new way of life. Since retirement years can amount to as much as one-fourth of your life, you should prepare for them just as you prepared for your first career.

The psalmist has said...(Psa. 92:12-14). There is great satisfaction in doing any good work well, and the joy of doing your best is experienced in the here and the hereafter. Christians, in one sense, are ageless, and are never too old to live creatively.

Dr. L.C. Sears, in God's Keys to Happiness, says, "Age possesses three worlds at once. It still possesses its youth, for all that was really good and worthwhile still lives, vivid in memory, and we can live it over with joy whenever we wish. But we also have the present, with understanding, wisdom, change, and vision the years have brought. Then finally, we have the future, for it is now just within our reach."

Walter Pitkin wrote Life Begins at Forty and Walter Pitkin, Jr., wrote Life Begins at Fifty, but people are learning now that life can begin at any age when they seek it sincerely.

In his poem, "Ulysses," Tennyson says:

Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the paths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
Old age is not an end, but a beginning;
not a penalty, but a privilege;
not a defeat, but a victory,
and "the last of life, for which the first was made," can be a many-splendored experience.
[by Virgil Bentley from Power for Today]

THE FUTURE IS AS BRIGHT AS THE PROMISES OF GOD

A famous missionary of the nineteenth century was sent to Burma. His wife became ill, he lost a child, and he was imprisoned in a pit where he suffered excruciating pain. His sponsoring church wrote to ask him what he thought about the future of his mission work. He replied in these unforgettable words, "The future is as bright as the promises of God." Praise God for his promises!

Let us be thankful that God has never broken a promise. There is victory in our future (II Cor. 15:57-58).

The devil is the original discourager. He wants you to believe that what you do doesn't matter. In fact he wants you to think that YOU don't matter, that you are a failure. But God is saying to us throughout the scriptures, not only that we ourselves are of more value than any material thing in the world, but that our every thought, word, and deed is important.

Do you sometimes feel that what you do is so little that it doesn't make any real difference? Do you get tired of doing good? Do you think that your kind deeds are unappreciated? Don't you believe it! The heart of a Christian message is that God knows and cares, that you really matter, and that what you do matters eternally.

In our day of mass communications the media so often focuses on the evil. There seems to be something in human nature that finds it exciting to hear bad news. But those of us who have accepted the "good news" must not turn back to the TV set and believe the lie that badness is "in" and goodness is fading fast. No. God is at work and his power is not diminished. (Phili. 2:12), or as Today's English Version puts it "Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose."

Don't sell God short. He...(Eph. 3:20). His power is sufficient to supply all our spiritual and physical needs. We are often like a small child in a house with every imaginable modern convenience, but who doesn't know how to turn the switch or put in the plug.

As I study both sacred and secular history and as I observe people around me I am constantly amazed at God's power at work in his children. There is an amazing vitality and persistence in the force of truth, goodness and love which cannot be explained apart from the power of God. Over and over again men and women of faith have thought that all was lost, only to be surprised at the power of God to overcome evil with good.

The very heart of our faith is that we know what the final outcome of the battle between good and evil will be. We don't have to wait for the score. Christ has already told us that we won! Our sins have been covered by his blood; and every hour that we work every word of truth that we speak will count. Nothing that is done in his name will be wasted. No wonder we are so happy. No wonder we are surprised by joy. Never forget that "the future is as bright as the promises of God."
[by Helen M. Young from Power for Today, May/June 1977]

POWER FOR THIS DAY
Father, do thou this day free me -
From fear of the future;
From anxiety for the morrow;
From bitterness toward anyone;
From cowardice in face of danger;
From laziness in face of work;
From failure before opportunity;
From weakness when thy power is at hand.
But fill me, I beseech thee, with -
Love that knows no barriers;
Courage that cannot be shaken;
Faith strong enough for the darkness;
Strength sufficient for my tasks;
Loyalty to thy kingdom's goal;
Wisdom to meet life's complexities;
Grace to meet life's perplexities;
Power to lift men unto thee.
[from Power for Today]

TV TRIALS - HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT?

In 1979 our television screen blacked out. No jiggling of the antenna or tuning of the dials could make the picture come back; within a minute the audio faded and we were one American family without a TV. With pre-school children, we had discussed the problems of controlling the TV watching time - not using it as a babysitter or as an excuse for family time. We had recently commented that controlling TV was probably harder than doing without one. So when our set broke, we decided to accept the gift of no TV - we didn't fix it, we didn't buy a new one, and we waited to see what would happen next.

After several months, we looked back to see five changes in our lives without TV.

1) We had marked increase in family interaction! Not necessarily conversation or philosophical discussions, but more eye to eye, voice to voice, uninterrupted talk. There was no electronic distraction to keep us from a fussy afternoon with toddlers or a breakdown of week-end plans.

2) We all read more. Toddlers who needed the comfort of an adult voice, wanted to be read to more than before. As a couple, when the daily news was talked over, we turned to books for "entertainment."

3) We had talked about "teachable moments" for spiritual lessons, but without TV these moments were easier to spot, and we were not too dulled to take advantage of them. In fact, family nights seemed a little blurred without TV - every night was family night.

4) We eventually felt a lessening of minor family tension. We hadn't realized what tension was created by trying to decide how much TV to watch, which show to watch, and when to turn it off. Also, the pent-up emotions, the muscle tension, and the physical hunger that explode in children after the tube is turned off was absent, and that was a surprising relief.

5) Our children loved to play games, build forts, and create plays - not having TV gave plenty of uninterrupted time for this. Their creativity at making forts and spaceships out of couch pillows and empty boxes expanded. Their initiative in "figuring out" something to do increased dramatically. Of course, there was the normal complaining about being "bored" and not having anything to do - but after sitting in their rooms until they thought of something to do, these complaints lessened.

We were looking for changes in our children, but we changed too. We had more time for each other, which is rare in a preschool household. Instead of starting conversations after the "News" or the late night show, we talked earlier and longer. We enjoyed listening to music that had been gathering dust, and we talked about what we read.

There were some disadvantages too: a friend turned down our Sunday dinner invitation because he would miss his football game; babysitters were panic-stricken at the prospect of no TV; and we couldn't converse about last night's sit-com.

We claim no special virtue for our "TV fast," but we did learn some things about ourselves and about TV that we won't forget. Our children are older. In place of toddlers and a first grader, we have one in high school, one in junior high, and one in fourth grade. After an absence of television for nearly two years, we re-introduced it and have spent several years in the typical ambivalence most Christian families have toward television.
[by Steven S. and Emily Y. Lemley from Power for Today, Apr.-June, 1988]

BEGINNING NOW

"In the beginning," is the way God begins His magnificent history. Even if we have begun new Januarys for 60 years, beginnings still have expectancy and hope about them. Babies, first grade, weddings, second honeymoons, freshly tilled earth or new puppies - it is part of our God-likeness to believe in beginnings. So let's begin this January at the very beginning, Genesis, and let's commit to read through the Bible.

So let's begin. Gen. 1:1 is truly the beginning.  No one was there to see it but the Trinity. What singularly to have been there when there was nothing, and to see and feel the shock of something strike. The light appeared, then the waters and the heavens and the earth. Read the familiar words and visions arise of violent waves against wind and dark versus blazing light. We see hurricanes whip up huge waves in small portions of the ocean - but this involved the whole world, all the water we know and all the sky we see, and all the earth which we will never see. Did God hear crashes and booms and rumbles as earth moved to mountains and seas swirled down to fill and cover caves and valleys - all finding their "place"? Or was it all done silently and smoothly with the voice of God a whisper, and the elements so tuned to Him that they moved in orderly submission? Did the angels watch and praise? Did Lucifer feel the first innocent urge to explore and then command, as all saw the grandeur that the WORD produced?

Creating now, in this world gone wrong, takes concentration, persistence, planning, and quiet. Sometimes it happens quickly when the song is written on the back of an envelope. And sometimes it is so slow as sculpture is hacked and pushed and pulled out of a huge slice of granite. There are times when creation seems an easy extension of love as a mother beads a dress for a beloved daughter or bakes a pie for a favored son. But often creating is painful as a young couple labors over a sick child, or a man comes home with bloody hands after a day of harvest.

Though God has good reason to struggle with his stubborn post-Eden creation, perhaps this first Creation was also fretted over and pulled and patted and straightened - as Love worked to prepare the garden and the God-imaged man and woman who would joyfully tend it. Let us be encouraged by this miraculous and magnificent Beginning as we begin our new year of tending and creating, toiling and resting. We can find joy in God's creation and renewal by meditating on His power. He is the same God with the same power, even though we are not as much like Him as we once were in Eden. Though the blood of Jesus we are made new with new visions for God's universe and new energy for our own homes and neighborhoods and offices. He does make all things new - even the things which have gotten old and tattered. As we promise to do His work in the world this year, let us also promise to depend entirely on His creating and recreating power to see and accomplish that work.

And as we listen to Him speak through the scriptures, we will not be surprised if the things He calls important are different from the things we have been investing in - and we will not be surprised that His power can turn our hearts to His priorities. May God be glorified in our reading and study, and may He recreate us this year, beginning now.
[by Steven S. & Emily Y. Lemley from Power for Today, Vol. 33, no. 1, Jan-Mar, 1987, p. 1-3]

THAT IS WHY I'M HERE!

In the stillness of the shadows, of the mighty oaks and elms,
I find the strength and courage, to ask just who I am.
What purpose did He have in mind, when He put me here,
who is this man that God has made, to me it's so unclear.
He's blessed me in so many ways, but why I cannot see,
if ever lived a worthy man, it surely isn't me.
I guess that all I really know, about who I might be,
is that I have no value, but what He gives to me.
I am a man that God has made, and though I made Him sad,
He lives each day within my heart, for that my soul is glad.
Who I am I may not know, but why I'm here is clear,
to glorify the name of God, that is why I'm here.
[by Stephen R. Reagan from Power for Today]

PEACE AND PRAYERS AND BABIES

I have been married ten years and am the mother of two children under the age of two. I have wanted to be a mother as long as I can remember, but when trying to start a family after two years of marriage my husband and I faced the possibility of being unable to have children. Six more years passed before the birth of our son. They were years filled with questions, tears, and sorrow of miscarriage, and long seasons of discontent. However, these things were overshadowed by other blessings from God. They were also years blessed with realizations of truth, the joy of laughter and service, and a journey of knowing contentment only in the Lord.

Now my situation is completely different as my whole life seems consumed in mothering. Sometimes as I wring out dirty diapers late at night I long for those solitary evenings that I used to enjoy so much spent with a good book and a cup of tea. Now my life is filled with lost sleep, piles of laundry, dirty dishes and diapers. But, far outweighing these are the joys of nursing my baby, the laughter of discovering life with my toddler, and the awe of realizing how much God must love me as I feel such love for my children.

Whatever our life situation, there have always been two choices. One is full of joy and contentment while the other leads to bitterness and discontent. And it is our attitude that determines which way that scale is tipped. Although it is sometimes difficult to see any joy or purpose in tragedy or delay, it is a mistake to think we can do nothing about our attitude. As Christians we have the greatest source of joy, peace, and wisdom available to us that is capable of touching every aspect of our lives.

How often do we pray specifically for these things in our own lives? The times I have asked God to supply what I knew was lacking in my inner being He has so faithfully and immediately made that power work in my life. In my childless years, the biggest struggle was to be peaceful and content and not to resent the joy of others when they were blessed with children. My husband and I prayed specifically about these things and God gave us victory in them.

Now I struggle with impatience with my children and self-pity for all the demands made on me. Yet when I pray for God to give me the emotional and physical strength to meet my family's needs joyfully, He does. It is that simple. When I do not ask and try to make it on my own strength my family suffers as well as myself.

I have seen God supply what was lacking in my own life and the lives of others many times when we only thought to pray specifically about these things. "Father, help me to love my husband more. Help us to be more aware of each other's needs." "Lord, help me to enjoy this joy that is necessary for me to have at this time." "Help me to do my job correctly and to feel competent." "Father, let me love with your love this person I must work with and don't like." "Help me with the children you gave me." God is there ready to give all that is necessary.
[by Pamela Chisholm from Power for Today]

NEW BEGINNINGS

A new beginning - a new year. A year predicted by writers to be gloomy and suppressive. Now that the new year is finally here we see that it has as much potential for freedom as any year ever has. We still have the freedom to choose God. We still have the freedom to choose time with our families. "For freedom Christ has set us free." And with freedom comes our own responsibility.

To set our attention, our gaze, our movement and our plans on Jesus - the incarnate, the crucified, the victorious Lord of the universe - is more powerful than any explosive. His power gives life to our families and gives hope to our churches and gives daily control to our personal lives.

We can look at the frightening aspects of the new year - the threats of war from all sides, the children across the globe who are dying of starvation, and the moral breakdown we feel everywhere - these are of deep concern to us and we respond to them with prayer and dedicated work. But we look at these through the eyes of Jesus not through our own eyes, which close with fear at the sight...(I Tim. 1:7).

Looking at the new year we are drawn quickly to our source, the Christ. It is He who gives us rescue and daily abundance. Give us power for this day, O Lord, as we begin our walk with Thee this year. Through Christ. Amen.
[by Steven S. & Emily Y. Lemley from Power for Today]

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