Pastoral Resources

Where the going’s smooth and pleasant

You will always find the throng,

For the many—more’s the pity—

Seem to like to drift along.

But the steps that call for courage,

And the task that’s hard to do

In the end results in glory

For the never-wavering few.

There is a beautiful figure in one of Wordsworth's poems about a bird swept from the rough and rocky country habitat by the strong winds of a storm. The bird battled desperately, trying to get back to its familiar home, but all in vain. At last, it yielded to the wind, thinking that the storm would carry it to its death, but the gale carried it across the waves and brought it to a sunny land with green meadows and forest glades.

How many of us have been like that little voyager, fretting and fighting against the will of God? We think life can never be the same again when we are carried seaward by the storm, until at last, we cease our struggling and yield to the wind, only to find that we have been carried to a place far better. God's Word encourages us to praise the Lord in the midst of raging waves and the strong winds of the storm. We can be assured that in God's own time and way, He will bring us to a better haven He has prepared for us. Remember: none lives so pleasantly as he who lives by faith.

Izzy Nickless asked me to visit a friend of hers in St. Luke’s Hospital in August, 1987. I took Norm Evans and went to the men’s room. We chatted for a few minutes and I left him a “Steps to Peace With God” booklet and told him I’d be praying for his recovery. He had been cutting trees for firewood and one landed on top of him. He broke some ribs, punctured a lung, and crushed some vertebrae in his back. He was in a good deal of pain, but mending.

When I said I’d be praying for him, he commented, “Where was God a few days ago?” I replied that the very fact he was alive to question God’s existence and care argued that God was there protecting him! - J.U.

Somerset Maugham, the English writer, once wrote a story about a janitor at St. Peter’s Church in London. One day a young vicar discovered that the janitor was illiterate and fired him. Jobless, the man invested his meager savings in a tiny tobacco shop, where he prospered, bought another, expanded, and ended up with a chain of tobacco stores worth several hundred thousand dollars. One day the man’s banker said, “You’ve done well for an illiterate, but where would you be if you could read and write?” “Well,” replied the man, “I’d be janitor of St. Peter’s Church in Neville Square.”

Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure;

Where your treasure is, there is your heart;

W here your heart is, there is your happiness.

- Augustine

A strong horseshoe magnet may be held over an old rust-eaten, shapeless nail without meeting any response. A bright, ringing nail will leap to the magnet, attract another, and through it draw yet another, until several are attracted.

That is how Christians are. A really genuine, active, shining Christian has a tremendous attraction to Christ, is magnetized by His love and purity, attracted by His power. And through that Christian, Christ can draw others to Him to share the same power and attraction.

But a rusty, unpolished, corroded Christian, cranky, defiled and selfish, has very little attraction, and through him the power of Christ to win the world cannot flow.

God has enough power to wipe out every vice and every evil doctrine in this world, but first of all, there must be conductors. And rusty, untaught, unprepared, and unpracticed church members neither draw others near to God nor are drawn near themselves.

Our religion must be intensive before it can be extensive.

A large family sat around the table for breakfast one morning. As the custom was, the father returned thanks, blessing God for the food. Immediately afterward, however, as was his bad habit, he began to grumble about hard times, the poor quality of the food he was forced to eat, the way it was cooked, and much more. His little daughter interrupted him saying, "Father, do you suppose God heard what you said a little while ago?" "Certainly," replied the father with the confident air of an instructor. "And did He hear what you said about the bacon and the coffee?" "Of course," the father replied, but not as confidently as before. Then his little girl asked him again, "Then, Father, which did God believe?"

Years ago my Father was searching for our family roots and had occasion to visit several cemeteries and read inscriptions. There was a tombstone on which was engraved,

"Pause now stranger as you pass by;

As you are now, so once was I.

As I am now, so soon you'll be.

Prepare yourself to follow me!"

Someone had placed a piece of wood next to the tombstone. On it was written,

"To follow you

I'm not content,

Until I know

Which way you went!"

(God says there are two ways to go!)

One day a brother was in a strange part of town and in somewhat of a rush. He needed to get some money from his bank, so he obtained directions to one of its branches-one he had never been to before.

The brother followed the advice, and sure enough there was a bank right across the street from the big store he was told to seek. He rushed in and handed over his book and other forms to the smiling teller.

"I'm sorry, sir. I can't accept this," she said. "Why not? I am sure it is all in order. I wrote it out very carefully," he countered.

"I am sure you did, but this is not our bank. The one you want is across the street." Shamefaced, he retreated to the other bank, the right one, which was also across the street from the big store, only on the other side.

In a similar way, how many people rush to a god, any god, seeking comfort, solace or salvation, only to find that it is not the God, our heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit?

One may rectify going to the wrong bank, but one cannot recover from banking on the wrong god.

If you want your father to take care of you, that's Paternalism. If you want your mother to take care of you, that's Maternalism. If you want Uncle Sam to take care of you, that's Socialism. If you want some dedicated Communists to take over the government and take care of you, that's Communism (we would say slavery). If you want and are able to take care of yourself, that's Americanism. If you surrender all to Christ, and want God to take care of you, that is true Christianity. Of course, you'll be called a "square" or an "extremist," or a "crackpot," but you will have the best for time and eternity.

Several cotton farmers were whiling away a winter afternoon around the potbellied stove. They soon became entangled in a heated discussion on the merits of their respective religions. The eldest of the farmers had been sitting quietly, just listening, when the group turned to him and demanded, “Who’s right, old Jim? Which one of these religions is the right one?”

“Well,” said Jim thoughtfully, “you know there are three ways to get from here to the cotton gin. You can go right over the big hill. That’s shorter but it’s a powerful climb. You can go around the east side of the hill. That’s not too far, but the road is rougher’n tarnation. Or you can go around the west side of the hill, which is the longest way, but the easiest.

“But you know,” he said, looking them squarely in the eye, “when you get there, the gin man don’t ask you how you come. He just asks, ‘Man, how good is your cotton?’”

The story is told of four high school boys who couldn’t resist the temptation to skip morning classes. Each had been smitten with a bad case of spring fever. After lunch they showed up at school and reported to the teacher that their car had a flat tire. Much to their relief, she smiled and said, “Well, you missed a quiz this morning, so take your seats and get out a pencil and paper.”

Still smiling, she waited as they settled down and got ready for her questions. Then she said, “First question—which tire was flat?”

A certain woman went down from Washington to Richmond and ran over a spike which punctured her tire and left her stranded by the side of the road. After raising the hood of her car and tying a scarf to her radio antenna, she locked the door handles and sat in the car, praying for the Lord to send help!

By chance, there came a limousine that way with a bumper sticker that read, "Smile, God Loves You!" When the occupants saw the stranded woman, they passed by in the far lane-without smiling.

And likewise, there came a sports car with a CB radio and a bumper sticker saying, "Honk If You Love Jesus!" The man who was driving passed by in the far lane without honking and without using his CB to tell the Highway Patrol about the woman's dilemma.

But a certain working man, as he traveled to his job, came to the spot where the woman was and, when he saw her raised hood, white scarf, and flat tire, he had compassion on her. He stopped his old beat-up pickup-which had no bumper sticker-and crossed the four-lane highway, and offered to change the tire. The woman opened the door and gave him the key to the trunk. The man took out the spare tire, jacked up the car, removed the flat tire, and replaced it with the spare.

When he had finished, the woman tried to pay him. He refused the money, saying, "If my wife were stranded on the highway with a flat tire, I'd want some Good Samaritan to stop and help her out."

He returned to his bumper-stickerless truck, smiled, honked at her, and went his way.

Which of these three was neighbor unto her who had a flat tire?

Some years ago I read about a speedboat driver who had recently survived a racing accident. He said that he had been at near top speeds when his boat veered slightly and hit a wave at a dangerous angle. The combined force of his speed and the size and angle of the wave sent the boat spinning crazily into the air. He was thrown from his seat and propelled deeply into the water—so deep, in fact, that he had no idea which direction the surface was. He had to remain calm and wait for the buoyancy of his life vest to begin pulling him up. Once he discovered which way was up, he could swim for the surface.

Sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by confusing options, too deeply immersed in our problems to know “which way is up.” When this happens, we too can remain calm, waiting for God’s gentle tug to pull us in the proper direction. Our “life vest” may be other Christians, Scripture, or some other leading from the Holy Spirit, but the key is recognizing our dependency upon God and trusting him.

Dr. Seamands tells of a Muslim who became a Christian in Africa. “Some of his friends asked him, ‘Why have you become a Christian?’

He answered, ‘Well, it’s like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions, and you didn’t know which way to go, and there at the fork in the road were two men, one dead and one alive—which one would you ask which way to go?’“

Difficult Passages in the Epistles, R. Stein, Baker, 1988, p. 21

Missionary John G. Paton was invited to dinner with a wealthy friend. Paton noticed that the servant poured a glass of whiskey for his host. Somewhat embarrassed, the man explained, “I take a little whiskey for my cough on my doctor’s prescription.”

Paton asked “How long have you been doing this?” “Eight years,” came the reply.

“Is your cough getting any better?” asked Paton.

“No,” answered the man.

“Well,” said the missionary, “if I had a doctor who prescribed for me for 8 years and it didn’t help me, I would quit taking his prescriptions and get a new doctor.”

Roughly one half of all fatal highway accidents--which average between 50,000 and 55,000 year after year--involve alcohol. Each year, alcohol on the highways results in physical injuries to 125,000 people.

Jones was sitting with his wife behind a palm on a hotel veranda late one night when a young man and girl came and sat down on a bench near them. Hidden behind the palm, Mrs. Jones whispered to her husband, “Oh, John, he doesn’t know we’re here and he’s going to propose to her. Whistle to warn him.”

“What for?” said Jones, “Nobody whistled to warn me.”

Many have heard of the painting that hangs in the Louvre in Paris commonly known as “Whistler’s mother.” A model failed to show up one day, and the elderly lady patiently sat while her son worked on the canvas. When the painting was shown at the Royal Academy, Whistler simply titled it an “Arrangement in Grey and Black.”

James Whistler was known for his piercing wit and fiery personality. He complained that people didn’t appreciate his paintings and once sued a critic who had accused the artist of “flinging a pot of paint in the public’s face.” He constantly criticized the British, sometimes dressed outlandishly, quarreled frequently and even mistreated his subjects. “You can’t call that a great work of art,” one man protested after sitting for a portrait. “Perhaps not,” Whistler replied, “But then you can’t call yourself a great work of nature.”

In her book, First Lady from Plains, Rosalynn Carter told of the “wonderfully odd” things she learned about White House history while a resident there. It seems that the children of President James A. Garfield rode large three-wheelers around as they carried on pillow fights in the East Room. Teddy Roosevelt’s five children slid down the staircases on trays stolen from the pantry, walked the halls on stilts, and once took a pony into a second-floor bedroom after riding up on the president’s elevator!

Opaque fluid is the magical liquid that covers over your errors, your typos, your unfortunate slip-ups. You brush on the liquid and start all over again—hopefully this time with no unfortunate slip-ups.

Opaquing fluid is forgiveness, an obliteration of a goof with no telltale traces that the goof happened at all.

The Queen Mary was the largest ship to cross the oceans when it was launched in 1936. Through four decades and a World War she served until she was retired, anchored as a floating hotel and museum in Long Beach, California.

During the conversion, her three massive smokestacks were taken off to be scraped down and repainted. But on the dock they crumbled. Nothing was left of the 3/4 inch steel plate from which the stacks had been formed. All that remained were more than thirty coasts of paint that had been applied over the years. The steel had rusted away.

When Jesus called the Pharisees “Whitewashed tombs,” He meant they had no substance, only an exterior appearance.

- Robert Wenz

Although George Whitefield disagreed with John Wesley on some theological matters, he was careful not to create problems in public that could be used to hinder the preaching of the gospel. When someone asked Whitefield if he thought he would see Wesley in heaven, Whitefield replied, “I fear not, for he will be so near the eternal throne and we at such a distance, we shall hardly get sight of him.”

During the tenure of the great orator Henry Ward Beecher, a visiting minister (Beecher’s brother) once substituted for the popular pastor. A large audience had already assembled to hear Beecher, and when the substitute pastor stepped into the pulpit, several disappointed listeners began to move toward the exits. That’s when the minister stood and said loudly, “All who have come here today to worship Henry Ward Beecher may now withdraw from the church. All who have come to worship God keep your seats!”

The book Tom Brown's School Days contains a story about a boy who had the courage to stand up to ridicule.

Tom Brown was a student at Rugby Boys School when a new boy enrolled. On his first night in a room with 12 beds and 11 other boys, he knelt to say his evening prayers. Tom turned his head just in time to see a heavy slipper flying through the air toward the head of the new boy.

When the lights went out a little later, Tom Brown thought of his mother, and the prayers she had taught him to say, which he had never done since he came to Rugby. He decided that the next time he went to bed, he, too, would say his prayers.

The next night, the other boys in the room, ready to laugh and scoff at the newcomer who said his prayers, were amazed to see Tom Brown, whom they all respected and feared, kneel down at the side of his bed and pray.

That boy's courageous prayer, in spite of the ridicule, won him the respect of all his companions. He later became one of the most distinguished men of the Church of England.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phi 4:6).

In a 1983 Gallup poll Americans were asked “who do you think Jesus is.”

70% of those interviewed said Jesus was not just another man.

42% stated Jesus was God among men.

27% felt Jesus was only human but divinely called.

9% states Jesus was divine because he embodied the best of humanity.

Also, 81% of Americans consider themselves to be Christians.

Look over the following list and record who you think should be responsible for each chore. If you think it is something a man should typically do, put an “M” in the self column, if you think it is something a woman should typically do, put a “W” down. If you think the task should be shared equally, use an “E”.

Then, ask your partner to do the same, using the partner column.

 

Self

Partner

MEALS

1. Makes breakfast

______

______

2. Prepares dinner

______

______

3. Plans meals

______

______

4. Does grocery shopping

______

______

CHORES

5. Does laundry

______

______

6. Does dishes and cleans up after meals

______

______

7. Does major cleaning (bathroom, kitchen, floors, etc.)

______

______

8. Does other cleaning (dusts, vacuums)

______

______

9. Takes out the garbage

______

______

10. Does ironing, sewing, mending

______

______

ARRANGEMENTS

11. Takes care of finances, bills, insurance

______

______

12. Makes appointments

______

______

13. Runs errands (post office, bank, gets household items)

______

______

CHILD CARE

14. Gets child up, dressed and ready in the morning

______

______

15. Arranges for babysitters and/or day care

______

______

16. Takes child to appointments, lessons, practices

______

______

17. Monitors child’s homework, activities, etc

______

______

18. Bathes child and gets child ready for bed

______

______

MISCELLANEOUS

19. Arranges for and does car repairs and maintenance

______

______

20. Arranges and does home repairs and maintenance

______

______

21. Does lawn and yard work

______

______

Now, compare your answers. Where do you agree and where do you differ? Why do you think the way you do? How were things done in your family? Much of what we think and feel comes from our view of gender roles.

"I did," said the sticks. "I did," said the paper. "I did," said the boy. "No, I did," said the wind. But they all flew the kite together. If the sticks had broken, the tail caught in a tree, the paper torn or the wind has lulled, the kite would have come down. Each had a part to play. The application is inescapable. We each have a work to do. If the work of the Lord is to be a success, then all parts must be played by every member of the church. We have the work of visiting, giving, preaching, and countless other jobs to do to make the church and its work successful. We must all work together and each do what he can to help. It is a matter of teamwork (1Co 3:6-9).

The Apostle Paul failed; Peter failed; every one of the twelve apostles failed.

David, Israel's greatest king, "a man after God's own heart," failed.

Moses, giant among the Israelites, giver of the law, deliverer of his people, failed.

Jacob, father of Israel, failed; Isaac, son of promise, failed.

Abraham, progenitor of Israel, father of the faithful, prototype of those who are righteous through faith, failed.

Even our first parents, in their human perfection, failed.

Who has not failed?

It is not failing that is the problem; it is what one does after he has failed.

To take failure as final is to be a failure. To see in failure the school of the Spirit is to let failure contribute to one's growth in Christ.

If you’re unsure, don’t bother requesting the answer from Cooperstown, N.Y. Clint never came close to making it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In fact, it’s very doubtful that his picture appeared on any bubble gum cards.

This guy wasn’t a legend in his own time—not even in his own mind. He was only a memory maker for his family, and a few die-hard fans who were inspired by his tremendous fortitude. Clint played catcher for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1950s. During his career he earned the nickname of Scrap Iron, implying that he was hard, weathered, tough. Old Scrap broke no records—only bones. He had little power or speed on the base paths. As for grace and style, he made the easiest play look rather difficult. But armed with mitt and mask, Scrap Iron never flinched from any challenge. Batters often missed the ball and caught his shin. Their foul tips nipped his elbow. Runners fiercely plowed into him, spikes first, as he defended home plate.

Though often doubled over in agony, and flattened in a heap of dust, Clint Courtney never quit. Invariably, he’d slowly get up, shake off the dust, punch the pocket of his mitt once, twice, and nod to his pitcher to throw another one. The game would go on and Courtney with it—scarred, bruised, clutching his arm in pain, but determined to continue. He resembled a POW with tape, splints, braces, and other kinds of paraphernalia that wounded people wear. Some made fun of him—calling him a masochist. Insane. Others remember him as a true champion.

Background

Jesus has been acclaimed as the greatest religious leader who ever lived, as being the most influential person to have lived on our planet, and as being unique to the degree that no one can be compared to Him.

But considering Jesus Christ merely on the basis of an exemplary life and His superior moral teaching will not remove the stumbling blocks to Christianity raised by an unbelieving world. The real test of what one thinks of Him must revolve around who He claimed to be and what He accomplished during His brief mission to our planet. Our conclusion must be that there is no Christianity without Christ; all centers in Him.

The predominant theme of the Scriptures is the Person and the work of Jesus Christ. He is God. He became a human being, died by crucifixion, and was buried. He rose again from the dead. He is the only, all-sufficient Savior of the world. He will come again to this earth. Removing this from the Scriptures robs them of all coherent meaning and continuity.

Jesus Christ is God:

Deity is the only explanation for all that He was and all that He did.

(1) He was pre-existent with the Father. “The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:2, 3, KJV). (Also see John 17:5 and Colossians 1:17.)

(2) He is the Son of God.

His enemies admitted: “He...said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18, KJV).

Peter confessed: “And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69, KJV).

Jesus affirmed: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30, NIV).

(3) He was sinless, as only God can be.

Jesus challenged His enemies: “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” (John 8:46, KJV).

Peter testified: “...Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:21, 22, KJV).

Paul stated: “For he...made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21, KJV).

(4) He forgives sin, as only God can.

The Scribes said: “Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7, KJV).

Jesus said: “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins...” (Matthew 9:6, KJV). (Also see John 8:11.)

Peter wrote: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24, KJV).

(5) He performed miraculous works.

He healed the sick: Matthew 8:9-13; Luke 4:31-44; 5:12-15; John 4:43 to 5:16; and other references.

He fed the hungry: John 6; Mark 8, etc.

He raised the dead: Luke 7:11-18; John 11:1-46.

Jesus Christ Became Man:

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us...full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, KJV). (See also Philippians 2:7, 8.)

(1) His miraculous birth was prophesied 800 years before His coming: “Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, KJV).

(2) The prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:30, 31, KJV).

(3) Jesus demonstrated human characteristics: He became tired (John 4:6). He thirsted (John 19:28), He ate food (Luke 24:40-43), He showed feelings (Mark 6:34), He wept (John 11:35), He knew temptation (Hebrews 4:15), and He died (John 19:30).

Jesus Christ Accomplished the Works of His Father:

(1) He died on the Cross. This is the fundamental theme of the Gospel.

The fact of His death—One-fourth of the Gospels are dedicated to His Passion and Resurrection. (a) For this purpose He came into the world (John 12:27). (b) His death was prophesied hundreds of years before He came (Isaiah 53:3-8).

The meaning of His death. (a) It was a ransom for sin (Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 1:18). (b) It was to pay the penalty for sin (Romans 3:24; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). Man is the object of God’s wrath because of rebellion and sin, but God took the initiative in satisfying His wrath by sending His own Son to Calvary. (c) It is a reconciliation. The enmity between us and God has ended (Romans 5:10), and we are restored to God (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). (d) It is a substitution: He died in our place (1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21). (e) In summary, the matter of sin has been completely dealt with (1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:12).

(2) He was resurrected from the dead: This is unique and fundamental to Christianity.

The reality of the Resurrection (John 20:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:4).

The credibility of the Resurrection: (a) Jesus predicted it: Matthew 13:39-41; Luke 24:1-7. (b) The tomb was empty: John 20:11-13. (c) Many witnesses saw Him alive: the women (Luke 23:55, 56); Mary Magdalene (John 20:1, 2, 11-18); Peter and the other disciples (John 20:3-9, 19, 20, 24-31; 21:1-14).

The Results of His Work:

(1) He ascended to His Father (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:6-11).

(2) He is our eternal Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 1 John 2:1.

(3) He is our Savior: “Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21, KJV). “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31, KJV).

He is the only Savior. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NIV).

He is a complete Savior. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25, KJV).

He is a personal Savior. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9, 10, KJV).

The Consummation of His Work:

(1) He shall return again to this earth (Acts 1:11; Hebrews 10:37; John 14:3).

(2) Believers in Christ shall be bodily resurrected to begin a new, undying life (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).

(3) He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords over His new creation (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 22:3-5).

Consider the themes of the sixty-six books:

In Genesis, He is the Creator God.

In Exodus, He is the Redeemer.

In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.

In Numbers, He is your guide.

In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher.

In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.

In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.

In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer.

In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse;

In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.

In 1 Kings and 2 Kings, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords

In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest.

In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.

In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.

In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.

In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles,—but

has the power to do something about them.

In Psalms, He is your song—and your reason to sing.

In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense out of life and live it successfully.

In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.

In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.

In Isaiah, He is the mighty counselor, the prince of peace, the everlasting father, and more. In short, He's everything you need.

In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your sin-sick soul.

In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful one upon whom you can depend.

In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel—the one who assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again.

In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, the everlasting God who never runs out of time.

In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to comeback—even when you have abandoned Him.

In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.

In Amos, He is the husbandman, the one you can depend on to stay by your side.

In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.

In Jonah, He is your salvation,bringing you back within His will.

In Micah, He is judge of the nation.

In Nahum, He is the jealous God.

In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.

In Zephaniah, He is the witness.

In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies

In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.

In Matthew, He is king of the Jews.

In Mark, He is the servant.

In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.

In John, He is the Son of God.

In Acts, He is Savior of the world.

In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.

In I Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.

In II Corinthians, He the triumphant one,giving victory.

In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.

In Ephesians, He is head of the Church.

In Philippians, He is your joy.

In Colossians, He is your completeness.

In I Thessalonians, He is your hope.

In I Timothy, He is your faith.

In II Timothy, He is your stability.

In Philemon, He is your benefactor.

In Hebrews, He is your perfection.

In James, He is the power behind your faith.

In I Peter, He is your example.

In II Peter, He is your purity.

In I John, He is your life.

In II John, He is your pattern.

In III John, He is your motivation.

In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.

In the Revelation, He is your coming King.

"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.'' (Colossians 1:17)

A big, mean lion met a monkey in the jungle. The lion pounced on the poor monkey and said, "Who is king of the jungle?" The frightened monkey replied, "You are, O mighty lion." So the lion let him go. The next animal the lion met was a zebra. He pounced on it and roared, "Who is king of the jungle?" "You are, O mighty lion." So the lion let him go. The lion next met an elephant and asked the same question. The elephant grabbed the lion, twirled him around the threw him 50 feet. The lion picked himself up and huffed, "Just because you don't know the answer is no reason to get so rough."

There is no city in the world, perhaps, where the treasures of art are more appreciated than Florence, Italy. It is told that an American visitor to the Pitti Palace, after viewing some of the paintings there, said to his guide: "Are these the great masterpieces that everyone tells me about? I don't see much in them to arouse such enthusiasm."

"It is not these paintings that are on trial sir," the guide answered, "but it is you who view them."

So it is with the Word of God. Sometimes we run across scoffers, men who sneer at divine revelation, who say that they cannot feel much enthusiasm about the Bible. But the Bible is not on trial. Whether men believe it or not, it is the Word of God, "which liveth and abideth forever" (1Pe_1:23).

An interesting fable is told of a rich man who wanted to help a poor man. The rich man hired the poor man to build a house on the hillside and went away on a long journey. The carpenter said to himself, "My boss is away and I can use cheap materials for the parts of the house which will not show. The house will be weak and undesirable but nobody will know except me."

But when the rich man returned he said, "The house is not for me: it is for you!"

The carpenter accepted the key in astonishment. Instead of a first class home he now had a fourth-class home.

God gives us a job, a life to build. We have to live in the house we build. If we do a shoddy job, we cheat one person-ourself.

All of the power of Heaven and earth

God had invested in Him

He's to die on the cross

Descend into hell

Meet the devil

And take the keys from him

So He yielded Himself

To the death on the cross

Cried “It’s finished!” and bowed to die

In the regions of hell

The devil celebrated,

“We've destroyed the King!” he cried.

In the midst of the celebration

Footsteps were heard

Walking the corridors of hell

The shouting stopped

When a voice rang out

Twas a voice that rang like a bell

Satan trembled as he recognized Him

Who came to deliver His own.

“Oh shut and lock the gates!” he cried.

“Don't let Him ascend to His throne!”

So the gate swung shut In the face of the King

To prove God's salvation untrue

But He shook hell’s gates

And cried, "Lift up your heads

The King is coming through!"

So out of the devil’s prison house

Went a procession led by the King

Shouting — "Now, O grave,

Where is your victory?

And where, O death, thy sting?"

Who is this King of Glory?

The Lord God mighty in battle is He.

Who is the King of Glory?

Maker of Heaven and earth supreme.

Who is the King of Glory?

The One that not even death could stop.

Who is this King of Glory?

Why He's the babe in the manger

And the little boy from the carpenter shop.

One out of five Americans age 18 to 24 can’t find the U.S. on a world map.

75% of adult Americans surveyed were unable to locate the Persian Gulf (after years of war there, involving the U. S.).

45% couldn’t pick out Central America.

25% were unable to find the Pacific Ocean.

Of 18 to 24 year olds, only 30% could find Britain on an unlabeled world map.

35% located Japan.

40% located Central America.

A worldly kind of person came to the preacher, defending her practice of attending worldly entertainments. She said, "But, pastor, I can take Jesus Christ with me wherever I go." The pastor after a few moments of thought quietly replied, "Indeed, is that so? I didn't know that was the order of the Bible. Is it for you to lead Jesus to where you want to go or for Him to lead you where He wants you to be?"

Two psychiatrists meet at their 20th college reunion. One is vibrant, while the other looks withered and worried.

“So what’s your secret?” the older looking psychiatrist asks. “Listening to other people’s problems every day, all day long, for years on end, has made an old man of me.”

“So,” replies the younger looking one, “who listens?”

One of the greatest atheists of the past was Robert G. Ingersoll. In spite of his atheism, he had for a friend the famous preacher, Henry Ward Beecher. In the preacher's study was an elaborate celestial globe which had been sent him with the compliments of some manufacturer. On the surface in delicate workmanship were raised figures of the constellations and stars which composed them. The globe struck Ingersoll's fancy one day when he was visiting the preacher. He turned it around and around with admiration. "That is just what I want," he said, "Who made it?" "Who made it, do you say, Colonel?" repeated Beecher. "Who made this globe? Why nobody, of course. It just happened." Well, we all know better than that. We know that things don't just happen but they have a cause, and there must be a First Cause of all things. That is as far as the mind of man will take him. The logical conclusion-there must be God, the Creator.

"Who made you?" someone once asked a little girl. She replied, "God made me that much," indicating with her two hands the ordinary size of a newborn infant, "and I growed the rest myself." The little girl said this in her simplicity. Profound thinking must surely lead us to the same conclusion-that God made us for He made all things. But we may be tempted to think that we have done a great deal ourselves, not acknowledging even God's providential care.

Who is responsible for what decisions around the home? A USA Today survey asked 4500 men and women.

The answers:

Women are responsible for deciding what’s for dinner and then preparing it, managing the household budget, raising the children.

Men and women share the responsibilities for deciding where to go on vacation, how much to spend on major purchases, how much insurance to carry and where to buy it.

Men are responsible for deciding what to watch on television.

World ownership, as Frederick F. Shannon observes, is a matter of spiritual capacity. The true owner of the world is the soul capable of appreciating it. Individual response to the eternal love and wisdom is owning it. As an illustration, consider a magnificent organ. Who owns it-the person who made it or the one who paid for it? The organist himself? In reality the person who holds an indisputable title-deed to that organ is the man most capable of enjoying the music. As Shannon says, "God leases the universe to all who can pay for it by the invisible coin of appreciation. Deity hangs a sign in the window of every star, on the leaf of every tree, on the face of every flower, on the peaks of history, on the souls of immortal men and women-and that sign reads: "For Rent! The only rental fee is the capacity to enjoy."

In Mark Twain's day, "square" was one of the best words in the language. You gave a man a square deal if you were honest. You gave him a square meal when he was hungry. When you got out of debt, you were square with the world. And that was when you could look your fellow man square in the eye.

Then a lot of characters ran down the word. Result: A square today is a man who never learned to get away with it; a Joe who volunteers when he does not have to; a guy who gets his kick from trying to do something better than anyone else can; a boob who gets lost in his work.

This country was discovered, put together, fought for and saved by "squares"-Nathan Hale, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin. We need to get back to this nation's old beliefs in such things as ideas, pride, patriotism, loyalty, devotion-even hard work.

He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.

Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.

Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest.

Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.

Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.

Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.

Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.

Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.

Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.

The abode of God (1 Kings 8:30)

The abode of the angels (Mark 13:32)

Believers will be there in due course (1 Pet. 1:4).

The New Testament uses striking imagery to bring out the wonder and loveliness of heaven (gates of pearl and a street of gold— Rev. 21:21). Heaven means eternal joy in the presence of God.

An envious actress congratulated another actress on a book she had recently written. “I enjoyed it,” she purred, “who wrote it for you?”

Came the answer: “I’m so glad you liked it. Who read it to you?”

Have you heard about the elderly woman on a busy street corner who was confused and hesitant to cross because of the heavy traffic? Finally a gentleman came up to her and asked if he could cross the street with her.

Gratefully she took his arm, but grew progressively more alarmed as he zigzagged randomly across the street, to the blare of horns and screech of locked brakes.

Finally on the opposite curb, she said angrily, "You almost got us killed! You walk like you're blind." "I am," he replied. "That's why I asked if I could cross with you."

Jesus said of the Pharisees of His day: "They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Mat 15:14). We need to be very careful not to entrust our souls to the guidance of someone who cannot see the clear teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our eternal destiny is too important to put at such risk.

Ninety-five percent of all Christians have never won a soul to Christ.

Eighty percent of all Christians do not consistently witness for Christ.

Less than two percent are involved in the ministry of evangelism.

Seventy-one percent do not give toward the financing of the great Commission.

One particular denomination did a survey on its leadership ministries. The results are as follows:

63% of the leadership in this denomination, including deacons and elders, have not led one stranger to Jesus in the last two years through the method of “Go Ye” evangelism.

49% of the leadership ministries spend zero time in an average week ministering outside of the church.

89% of the leadership ministries have zero time reserved on their list of weekly priorities for going out to evangelize.

99% of the leadership ministries believe that every Christian, including leadership, has been commanded to preach the gospel to a lost world.

97% believe that if the leadership had a greater conviction and involvement in evangelism, that it would be an example for the church to follow.

96% of the leadership believe their churches would have grown faster if they would have been more involved in evangelism.

Because of this, our results in evangelism have been mediocre, at best.

“Street Level Evangelism, Where is the Space for the Local Evangelist,” by Michael Parrott, Acts Evangelism, Spokane, WA, 1993, pp. 9-11.

Whoa! What in the world is happening with our kids today? Let’s see…I think it started when Madalyn Murray O’Hair complained that she didn’t want any prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you had better not read the Bible in school-the Bible that says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said, OK.

Remember Dr. Benjamin Spock, who said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem? And we said, OK, we won’t spank them.

Then someone said that teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. And our administrators said whoa, no one in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don’t want any bad publicity, and we surely don’t want to be sued.

Then someone said, let’s let our daughters have abortions if they want, and we won’t even have to tell their parents. And we said, that’s a grand idea.

Then someone else said, let’s give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the “fun” they desire, and we won’t have to tell their parents. And we said, that’s another great idea.

And then some of our top officials said that it doesn’t matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs. And we said, as long as I have a job and the economy is good, it doesn’t matter to me what anyone does in private.

So now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with “we reap what we sow.”

Whoa! What a concept!

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin or your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable...The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers...of love is Hell.

Any task we do as Christians should be done with wholehearted dedication, for God is never satisfied with a halfhearted effort. H. A. Ironside learned this early in life while working for a Christian shoemaker. Young Harry’s job was to prepare the leather for soles. He would cut a piece of cowhide to size, soak it in water, and then pound it with a flat-headed hammer until it was hard and dry. This was a wearisome process, and he wished it could be avoided. Harry would often go to another shoe shop nearby to watch his employer’s competitor. This man did not pound the leather after it came from the water. Instead, he immediately nailed it onto the shoe he was making. One day Harry approached the shoemaker and said, “I noticed you put the soles on while they are still wet. Are they just as good as if they were pounded?” With a wink and a cynical smile the man replied, “No, but they come back much quicker this way, my boy!”

Young Harry hurried back to his boss and suggested that perhaps they were wasting their time by drying out the leather so carefully. Upon hearing this, his employer took his Bible, read Colossians 3:23 to him, and said, “Harry, I do not make shoes just for the money. I’m doing it for the glory of God. If at the judgment seat of Christ I should have to view every shoe I’ve ever made, I don’t want to hear the Lord say, ‘Dan, that was a poor job. You didn’t do your best.’ I want to see His smile and hear, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’” It was a lesson in practical Christian ethics that Ironside never forgot! - H.G.B.

In all the daily tasks we do,

The Bible helps us clearly see

That if the Work is good and true,

We’re living for eternity.

- D.J.D.

In God’s eyes it is a great thing to do a little thing well.

It was in 1873, in Dublin that D.L. Moody heard British evangelist Henry Varley utter those life changing words: “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” It was after an all-night prayer meeting in Dublin, at the home of Henry Bewley. Varley did not even remember making the statement when Moody reminded him of it a year later.

“As I crossed the wide Atlantic,” Moody said, “the boards of the deck...were engraved with them, and when I reached Chicago, the very paving stones seemed marked with them.” The result: Moody decided he was involved in too many ministries to be effective and therefore began to concentrate on evangelism.

A preacher and an atheist barber were once walking through the city slums. Said the atheist barber to the preacher: "This is why I cannot believe in a God of love. If God was as kind as you say, He would not permit all this poverty, disease, and squalor. He would not allow these poor bums to be addicted to dope and other character-destroying habits. No, I cannot believe in a God who permits these things."

The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkempt and filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck and he had a half-inch of stubble on his face. Said the minister, "You cannot be a very good barber or you would not permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut or a shave."

Indignantly the barber answered: "Why blame me for that man's condition. I cannot help it that he is like that. He has never come in my shop; I could fix him up and make him look like a gentleman!"

Giving the barber a penetrating look, the minister said: "Then do not blame God for allowing these people to continue in their evil ways, when He is constantly inviting them to come and be saved. The reason these people are slaves to sin and evil habits is that they refuse the One who died to save and deliver them."

It was Dwight L. Moody who said, "Many men fold their arms and say, 'If I am one of the elect-in other words, one of those God willed to be saved-I shall be saved; and if I am not, I shall not. No use bothering about it.' I have an idea," he said, "that the Lord Jesus saw how men were going to stumble over this doctrine of election, so after He had been thirty or forty years in heaven, He came down and spoke to John. On the Lord's Day in Patmos He said to him: 'Write these things to the churches.' John kept on writing. His pen flew very fast. Then the Lord, when it was nearly finished, said: 'John, before you close the book, put in one more invitation: "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." ' "

The elect are the whosoever wills, the non-elect are the whosoever won’ts. - D.L. Moody

Actress Amy Irving, expecting a baby in June by director Steven Spielberg, says the two have signed a contract in which “Steven’s legally responsible for everything a father would be if we were married.”

“We’ve got a family lawyer who came up with a support agreement,” Irving revealed. Spielberg “has the same rights and responsibilities as a father.”

“Somewhere down the line, Steven and I may celebrate our love for each other and get married,” she said. “We’re so married in our hearts it seems redundant to think of a wedding now.”

Then why all the contracts?

It's not for money, It's not for fame,

It's not for any personal gain.

It's just for love of fellowman.

It's just to lend a helping hand.

It's just to give a tithe of self.

That's something you can't buy with wealth.

It's not medals won with pride.

It's for that feeling deep inside.

It's that reward sown in your heart.

It's that feeling that you've been a part

Of helping others far and near

That makes you be a volunteer!

(Psa 100:4)

"I do not have to thank anyone for anything I have," an old miser grumbled. "Everything I have I got the hard way-by the sweat of my own brow."

"But who gave you the sweat?" asked his neighbor.

The old miser hung his head in guilty silence. He could not ignore the fact that God had given the "sweat," the strength to work hard and gain material wealth.

Yes, everything that we are or that we possess is because of God's lovingkindness. Therefore, it is good for us all to pause at least once a year and say, "Thank You, God." Actually, everyday should be one of thanksgiving. Why? Because of spiritual and material blessings.

Mrs. Green thanked Tom, the grocery boy, for delivering a loaf of bread.

"Do not thank me. Thank Grocer Jones," Tom smiled. "He gave me the loaf to deliver."

But when she thanked the grocer, he said, "I get the bread from Baker Brown. He makes it, so he deserves the thanks."

So Mrs. Green thanked the baker. But he told her that Miller Milligan should be given the gratitude. "Without Miller Milligan's flour, I could not make bread," Brown replied.

The miller told her to thank Farmer Foster because he made the flour from Foster's wheat. But the farmer also protested, "Don't thank me; thank God," Foster said. "If He did not give my farm sunshine and rain, I could not grow wheat."

Yes, even a common loaf of bread can be traced back to God, the Giver of "every good and perfect gift" (Jos 1:17).

A minister's son was caught skipping school for three days. His father reprimanded him and prayed for him and though the boy wept and was truly contrite, he was still punished.

"Son, one of the facts of life is that where there is sin, there is suffering," the father said.

"You have been living a lie for three days, so for 72 hours I am banning you to the attic, with a bed and three meals a day, but you must stay up there and make amends," he charged.

The boy did as he was told. When supper was served, the minister prayed with his wife, but he was restless and could not eat. When it was time to go to bed he knew he would have no rest.

"Honey, I am going upstairs to sleep with our boy," he told his wife.

He found his son wide awake and he hugged him and lay down beside him. Each night, the father took the place of punishment with his child.

How like our own God, who despite our transgressions loves us enough to send His Son to be with us, and to die for us.

A missionary in India spoke near a fountain on the subject, "Jesus, the Water of Life." A Muslim interrupted, "Your religion is like this little stream of water, but Islam is like a great ocean!" "Yes," said the missionary, "but there is this difference: When men drink ocean water they die of thirst. When they drink the water of life which Christ gives, they live forever!" The stream is small, but it can satisfy your thirst. Jesus Christ came into the world as a little baby that He might show that no one is so little or so insignificant that the great God will not come to dwell within him.

Take the excuses. There wasn't one that wasn't a lie. The devil made them all; and if the sinner hadn't one already the devil was there at his elbow to suggest one, about the truth of the Bible, or something of that sort. One of the excuses mentioned was that the man invited had bought a piece of ground, and had to look at it. Real estate and corner lots are keeping a good many men out of God's kingdom. It was a lie to say that he had to go and see it then, for he ought to have looked at it before he bought it. Then the next man said he'd bought some oxen, and must prove them. That was another lie; for if he hadn't proved them before he bought them he ought to have done so, and could have done it after supper just as well as before it. But the third man's excuse was the most ridiculous of them all. "I have married a wife and therefore cannot come." Why did he not take his wife along with him? Who likes to go to a feast better than a young bride? He might have asked her to go too; and if she were not willing, then let her stay at home. The fact was, he did not want to go.

In relation to God the Father.

1. To do God’s will: Hebrews 10:7,9.

2. To demonstrate God’s love: John 3:16; Romans 5:8; I John 3:16; 4:10.

3. To reconcile us to God: Romans 5:9-11; II Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20-22.

4. To bring us to God: I Peter 3:18; Hebrews 2:9-13.

5. To demonstrate God’s righteousness: Romans 3:24-26; II Corinthians 5:21.

In relation to the devil.

1. To destroy the power and works of the devil: Colossians 1:13; 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8.

In relation to the law: Galatians 3:13-14; 4:5; Romans 7:1-6; 10:4.

In relation to sin.

1. To bear our sins: I Peter 2:24.

2. To take away sin: John 1:29; Hebrews 9:26-28; 10:4, 11; I John 3:5.

3. To be a final sacrifice for sin: Hebrews 7:26-27.

4. To be the propitiation for our sins: I John 2:2; 4:20.

5. To cleanse us from all sin: I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5.

6. To forgive us of our sins: Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 2:13-14.

7. To redeem us: Galatians 3:13-14; 4:5; I Peter 1:18-19; Titus 2:14; Revelation 5:9-10.

8. To save sinners: I Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 7:25.

In relation to the believer’s future.

1. To perfect us forever: Hebrews 10:14.

2. To give us eternal life: John 3:14-16; Romans 6:22-23; I John 5:6-13.

3. To save us from wrath: Romans 5:9.

A man was crying over a gravestone saying, “Why did you die? Why did you die?”

Another man questioned him, “Did your mother just die?”

“No.”

“Your father?”

“No.” He continues, “O, why did you die?”

“Well, who died?”

“This was my wife’s first husband.”

Why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus? The following are nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:

One waited to see if the cure was real.

One waited to see if it would last.

One said he would see Jesus later.

One decided that he had never had leprosy.

One said he would have gotten well anyway.

One gave the glory to the priests.

One said, “O, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.”

One said, “Any rabbi could have done it.”

One said, “I was already much improved.”

During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. “You were one of Stalin’s colleagues. Why didn’t you stop him?”

“Who said that?” roared Khrushchev. An agonizing silence followed as nobody in the room dared move a muscle. Then Khrushchev replied quietly, “Now you know why.”

Why do teens drink? 66% cited stress and boredom, 25% said they drink to get high, and 31 percent said they drink alone. In 1989 3000 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 died in alcohol-related auto accidents. The favored drink among teenagers is wine coolers, but many choose beer because it is cheaper and easier to get. Students annually consume 35 percent of all wine coolers sold in the U.S. or 31 million gallons. They also consume 1.1 billion cans of beer, or 102 million gallons.

A first grader became curious because her father brought home a briefcase full of papers every evening. Her mother explained, “Daddy has so much to do that he can’t finish it all at the office. That’s why he has to bring work home at night.” “Well then,” asked the child innocently, “why don’t they put him in a slower group?”

1A. Because of the command of Christ:

Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15 (cf. John 14:15).

2A. Because of the condition of all men:

Matthew 9:36-38; 14:49-50; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; I Peter 4:17-28; Jude 23; Revelation 20:15.

3A. Because of the consequences of the gospel:

Matthew 7:13; 14: 49-50; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; I Peter 4:17-18; Jude 23; Revelation 20:15.

4A. Because of the coming of Christ:

I Corinthians 15:58; II Corinthians 5:10-11; I Thessalonians 2:19-20.

5A. Because of the constraint of love:

II Corinthians 5:14 (cf. Paul’s example in Romans 9:1-3; 10-1).

6A. Because of the character of the gospel: It is the only thing that works!

Acts 4:12; Romans 1:14-16

7A. Because of the commitment of the message to us:

I Corinthians 9:16-23; II Corinthians 5:18-20; I Thessalonians 2:4-8; I Timothy 1:11-16.

1B. Application:

1C. Isolation: avoiding all association and contact with unbelievers for fear of contamination.

2C. Compromise: adapting to secular culture to the point of sinful practices and questionable behavior.

3C. Separation: approaching unbelievers within their cultural framework, but maintaining moral purity (cf. II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; I Corinthians 5:9-11; 9:19-22).

Two engineers calibrated in a wind tunnel why geese fly in formation. Each goose, flapping its wings, creates an uplift for the goose that follows. The whole flock gains 71% greater flying range than if they journeyed alone. That’s why the leader of the V formation falls back periodically to let another leader take the point, and why the rest stay in line.

In stewardship speaking engagements across America and on five continents, I have discovered two things:

First: Christians of all income levels have experienced spiritual joy, supernatural grace and divine help through the practice of making a specific commitment to GIVE 10% OR MORE of their resources to the Lord’s work.

Second: The vast majority of pastors are reluctant to teach their congregations about money matters and Christian giving.

This list of 10 reasons to give 10% or more to the Lord’s work was written to encourage laity and clergy that this subject can be biblically and practically taught and caught! When believers are taught to make it a priority to give to God first, it will ultimately bring greater financial freedom and blessing into their personal lives and to the ministries they support.

1. It is a tried and proven pattern of giving by godly people throughout the ages (regardless of cultures and income levels). Genesis 14:17-20, 28:16-22; Leviticus 27:30; Proverbs 3:9, 10; Malachi 3:7-15; Matthew 23:23

2. It will help you revere God more in your life. Deuteronomy 14:23

3. It will bring God’s wisdom and order to your finances and will help you harness the dragon of materialism. Matthew 6:19-21, 24-34; Luke 12:16-21; 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19; Ecclesiastes 5:10

4. It will serve as a practical reminder that God is the Owner of everything you have. 1 Chronicles 29:11-18; Psalm 24; 1,2; Psalm 59:10-12; Haggai 2:8

5. It will allow you to experience God’s creative care and provisions in ways you would not otherwise experience. 1 Kings 17; Proverbs 3:9,10; Malachi 3:7-15; Haggai 1:4-11, 2:15-10; Luke 6:38; Deuteronomy 14:23; Proverbs 3:5,6; Malachi 3:8-10; Haggai 1:4-11, 2:15-19; 2 Corinthians 8:5

6. It will encourage your spiritual growth and trust in God. Deuteronomy 14:23; Proverbs 3:5,6; Malachi 3:8-10; Haggai 1:4-11, 2:15-19; 2 Corinthians 8:5

7. It will ensure you of treasure in heaven. 1 Timothy 6:18, 19; Matthew 6:19021; Hebrews 6:10; 3 John 8; 1 Samuel 30:22

8. It will strengthen the ministry, outreach, and stability of your local church. Acts 2:42-27, 4:32; 2 Corinthians 9:12,13

9. It will help provide the means to keep your pastor and missionaries in full-time Christian service. 1 Corinthians 9:9-11,14; 1 Timothy 5:17,18; 3 John 5-8; Philippians 4:15-19; Galatians 6:6; Luke 8:3; 2 Kings 4:8-10

10. It will help accomplish needed building projects and renovations. 2 Chronicles 24:4-14; Exodus 35, 36; 2 Kings 12:2-16; 1 Chronicles 29:2-10; Ezekiel 1:4-6

1. Only published one book.

2. It was in Hebrew.

3. It had no references.

4. He did not publish it in referenced journals.

5. Some doubt He even wrote it Himself.

6. He is not known for His cooperative work.

7. Sure, He created the world, but what has He done lately?

8. He did not get permission from any review board to work with human subjects.

9. When one experiment went awry, He tried to cover it up by drowning all the subjects.

10. When sample subjects do not behave as predicted, He deletes the whole sample.

11. He rarely comes to class—just tells His students to read the Book.

12. It is rumored that He sometimes lets His Son teach the class.

13. Although He only has 10 requirements, His students often fail His tests.

14. He expelled His first two students for learning.

15. His office hours were infrequent and usually held on a mountain top.

Years ago a hydroelectric dam was to be built across a valley in Maine. The people in the town were to be relocated and the town itself submerged.

During the time between the initial decision and the completion of the dam, the town, which had once been well-kept, fell into disrepair. Why keep it up now?

Explained one resident: “Where there is no faith in the future, there is no work in the present.”

Dr. Tom McGuiness, a counseling psychologist in New Jersey, gives this explanation of why many affairs take place:

Married people seek out or succumb to affairs when they feel devalued or less than fully alive. They are bored. Overburdened. People who have affairs have a child’s deep longing to be touched, caressed, held, hugged and kissed, whether they admit it or not. They want happy surprises. That might mean a sentimental unexpected gift every once in a while. More important, it is the dependable gift of time and caring. The present of shared ideas, experiences, stories, nonsense and games, including sexual games. They want the world to butt out. They want a loving friend, a pal who isn’t judgmental. They want someone to convince them they’re still loved, lovable and very special. For a little while, now and then, they want out from under the grown-up responsibilities that have become predictable, dreary and difficult.

If these are the reasons extra-marital affairs occur, couldn’t we guard against them by seeking to meet our mates’ deepest needs for affection, security, friendship, and sexual fulfillment? Maybe the best prevention for an affair outside marriage is to plan one with the man or woman we’re married to!

My car broke down and it cost to get it fixed... that I did not have. Why me, Lord? After all, I've been as good as most people. In fact, I've been better than most. Why are you treating me this way? Why are you punishing me this way? Then the TV went on the blink, and so did the dishwasher, and the clothes dryer, and the lawn mower, and even the iron! Why me, Lord? Besides that, why, at my age, should I still be having financial problems? Why am I not "set" financially like some others I know? Why have you denied me opportunities for fame and fortune that you have given to others? Why me, Lord?

When I find myself starting to think like this, it sometimes helps for me to ask the same questions about other aspects of my life. Lord, what have I done that's so grand that you should have blessed me with a car, a TV set, a clothes dryer, a lawn mower, and an iron? Why did you give me all these things anyway? Why me, Lord?

Lord, why did you permit me to be born in America with all its plenty? I could have been born in poverty-stricken Bangladesh instead of in rich America. Why me, Lord? Lord, why did you give me the opportunity to have a job when so many, who are as deserving as I, are without work? Why me, Lord?

Lord, why did you give me good health? Others died at my age of heart attacks or are crippled by accidents or disease. Why should I escape ill health when other religious people do not? Why me, Lord? Lord, why have you spared me from the sorrows that strike so many other families? Others, wonderful people, have lost close relatives, but I haven't. Why me, Lord?

When I think of all the ways the Lord has blessed me, though I don't deserve it, I wonder how I could possibly complain about the relatively insignificant things that go wrong in my life from time to time. If I could only learn to count my blessings!

Why? Why me? Why my family? What is the meaning of this suffering?

These are familiar questions which are asked by Christians and non-Christians alike. No one is immune to suffering and adversity. “Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward” (, KJV). There are the pressures of want, need, sorrow, persecution, unpopularity, and loneliness. Some suffer for what they have done; others suffer because of what people do to them. Many suffer because they are victims of circumstances which they cannot control.

Pain is distressing. There can be nights of agony when God seems so unfair and it seems that there is no possible help or answer. Temporary relief may seem adequate, but the real solution to suffering is not to isolate it in an attempt to do away with it, nor even to grit our teeth and endure it. The solution, rather, is to condition our attitudes so that we learn to triumph in and through suffering. When the Apostle Paul sought relief from his “thorn in the flesh,” God did not take it away, but reassured him with: “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (, KJV). In another encouragement to the Corinthians, he wrote, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (, KJV).

Except for physical pain, handling suffering seems to be a question of attitude: “What am I going to do in the face of suffering in order to learn from it and use it for my advantage as far as God’s eternal purposes are concerned?”

Billy Graham comments:

“Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christians are exempt from the tribulations and natural disasters that come upon the world. Scripture does teach that the Christian can face tribulation, crisis, calamity, and personal suffering with a supernatural power that is not available to the person outside of Christ.”

Some of the most pathetic people in the world are those who, in the midst of adversity, indulge themselves by wallowing in self-pity and bitterness, all the while taking a sort of delight in blaming God for their problems.

Job’s attitude is an inspiration: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” ().

The sufferer will be blessed if, in the midst of great agony and despair, he can look into the face of his Heavenly Father and, because of His eternal love and presence, be grateful. Our response to suffering should lead us to look beyond it in the attempt to see God’s higher purposes and what He wants to teach us.

What are Some of the Reasons for Human Suffering?

(1) We may bring suffering upon ourselves. Dissipation and lack of discipline bring unhappy consequences. Long-term abuse of our bodies may bring on sickness. Wrong choices come back to haunt us.

You may ask the caller: “Do you think this is happening to you because of your own bad judgment or intemperate actions? What can you do to alleviate your suffering?”

(2) Sometimes God is taking corrective action because of sin and disobedience. God will correct and discipline His own. Through chastening He proves that He loves us and that we are truly His own ().

(3) God may permit suffering so we learn to respond to problems in a biblical way. Scripture tells us that Jesus “learned obedience from what he suffered” (, NIV). Our goal should be not merely relief from suffering but rather learning to please God by being responsive and obedient to Him and to His Word (see ).

(4) Sometimes God permits us to suffer to teach us that pain is a part of life. Nowhere does the Bible say that the Christian will not suffer adversity! Paul points out in , KJV, that it is “given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Adversity can be a gift from God.

Christ did not evade the Cross to escape suffering. says he “endured the cross, despising the shame.” Why? “For the joy that was set before him.” He knew that the final word was not crucifixion (suffering); it was resurrection (victory).

We may suffer briefly, or all our lives. But let us not give up hope or engage in self-pity or bitterness. The end-result is what we all look forward to. Being with the Lord in heaven will put all things into perspective!

(5) God may permit suffering for our well-being. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (, NIV). We must accept this by faith and pray that God’s highest good will come as a result of our suffering. Only through adversity are some of the deeper lessons of life learned. Trust God to work out His own will and purpose in us so that we might be more Christlike (see ).

There is no redemptive merit in our suffering as there was in that of Jesus, but if we are faithful under adversity we may be able to share in “the fellowship of his suffferings” (, KJV).

(6) Sometimes God permits suffering to speak through our life and testimony to comfort others. Jesus said that the sufferings of the blind man in were so “that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (NIV).

God might work in your life through suffering to inspire others by your example in adversity. Those who endure adversity can sympathize and identify more effectively with others in their sufferings. We comfort others in the way we are comforted. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (, (NIV).