KEEP YOUR FORKS

A woman had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given three months to live. Her doctor told her to start making preparations to die (something we all should be doing all of the time). She contacted her preacher and had him come to her house to discuss her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what she wanted to be wearing. She also told him that she wanted to be buried with her favorite Bible.

Near the end of the conversation she said, “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The preacher did not know what to say. “Does that surprise you?” she asked. He replied, “To be honest, I'm puzzled by the request.” The woman explained. “In all my years of attending church fellowships, potlucks, and other functions where food was involved (and let's be honest, food is an important part of any church event); my favorite part was when whoever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and say 'you can keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming. When people see me with a fork in my hand and ask, ‘What's with the fork?’ you can tell them: ‘Something better is coming so keep your fork too.’”

It’s true. Something better is coming for the faithful Christian, and it is called heaven. Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3). As we live this life, we face the difficulties and uncertainties every day. During the current economic difficulties, some have lost jobs and others are in fear they will. People living on retirement incomes have seen their lifestyles dramatically affected. Even in a good economy, there are still the other trials of life to deal with: sickness, death, job pressures, parents, children, aches and pains, etc.

In heaven, we will not have to worry about such things. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Things will be better. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1). Paul even goes on to say that we are pleased to be absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Yes, something better is coming, so be sure to keep your forks.
--Lamar

THE POWER OF WORDS

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Many of you probably remember this verse from childhood. Perhaps you have used it when others were calling you names and in other ways using words to hurt you. When I was growing up, it was very popular. There is one big problem with it; it is a lie! Words do hurt and we need to be aware of the power of words. Words are the tools with which we work and for this reason we should learn to use them well. We should strive to become the master of our words as a carpenter does the ruler, hammer, and saw. What we build with our words is far more important than what the carpenter may build with tools.

James tells us in chapter 3 that the tongue is very dangerous. Our words can be used as powerful weapons or as effective tools. Every Christian should strive to be an expert in the use of their words. The person that is a master of words may be the master of any situation (James 3:2).

It has been said that thoughts are the children of your brain and words are the garments they wear. We must be careful not to dress our thoughts with words that make them look like tramps. Words are powerful. They can wreck homes, destroy lives, ruin businesses, and leave a congregation torn asunder. In most congregations that have had trouble, it was started by words that should never have been uttered.

Words can stir the human emotions and passions. Words can bring heartaches and tears. Some of the deepest wounds ever made in the human heart were slashed with biting and unkind words. Words can bring joy and cover faces with smiles. Many a soul that has lost the joy of living and sunk in the depths of despair has been saved from ruin and destruction by kind words. We admire the doctor that may use a surgeon’s tools to save a life and yet we have within our grasp tools that may not only save a physical life, but a soul from ruin and destruction.

Is it any wonder the Psalmist said, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). We would do well to utter this prayer at the beginning of each day and of each conversation. Our words will justify or condemn us (Matthew 12:36-37). Our words are the revelation of what is in our hearts Matthew 12:34-35). The best way to control our lips is to control our hearts.
--Lamar

ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD?

From time to time, we sing the song with the above title. It asks a vital question that every person must answer. If you have not been washed in the blood, you have not been redeemed, for “redemption is through His blood,” (Ephesians 1:7). If you are not washed in the blood, you are still in your sins, because forgiveness is also through His blood (Ephesians 1:7). If you die without being washed in His blood, you cannot live with God in heaven for the ones in heaven are: “...the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14). So each one must ask and answer “Am I washed in the blood of the Lamb?”

Not If You Are An Unbeliever
“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). The unbeliever will die in his sins. His only hope is to give up his unbelief and turn to Christ’s blood for remission. If he does not, he must be doomed forever.

Not If You Are Not Penitent
Jesus came to save people from their sins, not in their sins (Matthew 1:21). The blood removes the guilt of sin only for those who cease the practice of sin. Jesus says in Luke 13:3, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. John 3:16 tells us that God gave His Son that the world might not perish. Since God gave His Son that the world might not perish, but those who refuse to repent will perish, it is obvious that the impenitent have not been washed in the blood. If you have not repented of your sins, then you are not washed in the blood.

Not If You Have Not Confessed Christ
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10: 10). If confession is essential to salvation, and it is, then confession is necessary in order to be washed in the blood, since salvation is by the blood. If not, why not? If you have never confessed Christ, you are not washed in the blood.

Not If You Have Not Been Baptized
The people in Acts 2:38 were told to “be baptized for the remission of sins.” Baptism stood between them and the remission of sins, but remission of sins is through the blood; therefore, baptism stood between them and the blood. We are “baptized into His death.” “We are buried with Him THROUGH BAPTISM INTO DEATH,” (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism stands between one and the death of Christ, or the merits of His blood. Therefore, baptism stands between one and the blood of Christ. If you have never been baptized for the remission of your sins, you are not washed in the blood.

Not If You Are Not In The Lord’s Church
Christ died for the church (Ephesians 5:25). He purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28). If you are not in His church, you are not bought by the blood. If you are not bought by the blood, you are not saved by (or washed in) His blood.

Looking to God’s word as the standard, are you washed in the blood?
--Lamar

STRENGTH FOR LIVING

STRENGTH FOR LIVING

Over the last several months, we have been dealing with a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety because of the economic situation. Even in these difficult times, most of us are greatly blessed, compared with the rest of the world. However, there is still a great feeling of insecurity. Security and strength for living cannot be found in material things.

If security and strength are not to be found in material things, where are they? We can find the answer in Isaiah 30:15. "For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not."
Jerusalem was being threatened and the people wanted strength and security. They were making alliances with other nations, hoping these would ward off invasion, and thereby give them strength and security. Isaiah knew these alliances would not bring safety. He tells them where it could be found. He points out two things that are necessary: quietness and confidence. Here in simple words we find the formula for security.

Quietness
Most of us know little or nothing of quietness of life. We are always in a hurry. We may not know where we are going, but we have to get there in a hurry. Even when we are at home, we have to have the television or some other noisemaker going. This could well be described as the age of noise. This is without a doubt one of the reasons for our insecurity. We need to learn to be quiet. Quietness turns our minds toward God. The Psalmist said, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10). Quietness and stillness cause sober reflection, and sober thinking leads the mind to God. The quiet person comes to realize that God is the source of strength and security.

Confidence
This is the second part of Isaiah’s formula for strength and security, and he gives them in the proper order. The person that has confidence in God is the one who meditates; the one who is thoughtful. No one can shut himself off from the world, and in with God, without it leading to confidence or trust in Him. The imprint of His hand is upon all that He has made. That hand has never lost a battle, nor failed in its purpose. When this is felt deep down in the soul, it brings confidence; for when I believe this, if I am a Christian, I know that hand holds me and all will be well.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Philippians 4:6-7 - 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Do you want more security in your life? Insert some quietness in your life and place your confidence in God rather than self or material things.
--Lamar

WE NEED MORE BEREANS

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Paul is on his second missionary journey and has traveled from Thessalonica to Berea. Luke, in this verse, commends the Bereans as more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica. Why?

First, they were good listeners. They received the word. One of the more difficult abilities to develop is that of being a good listener. Jesus warned of the danger of hearing while not hearing (Matthew 13:14). Good communication involves both good talking and good listening. If I do not listen well to what you are saying, how well you say it makes little difference. Sometimes people complain that they got little from the worship service. Sometimes it may be a true statement. However, the next time you start to make such a statement ask yourself, “How well was I listening?”

Second, they were open minded. They received the word with all readiness. They were honest enough to accept the truth when convinced it was the truth. Have you ever heard anyone say, “I know what the Bible says, but I just don’t believe it?” They lack an open mind. We should never close our minds, but always be willing to make an honest examination. We must be careful not to be so open minded that we accept anything without honest examination. You should never be so open minded that your brains fall out. Open mindedness and caution go together. The truth has nothing to fear from open, honest study and inquiry. We should look for the facts, face the facts, and then follow the facts.

Third, they examined what they were taught by the Scriptures. They searched the Scriptures daily. They did not just accept what they were taught. They checked it out with God’s word. The word “search” means to “examine up or through, from the bottom to the top.” The Greek word for “read” means to know exactly. That is why Jesus was able to ask the Pharisees in Matthew 12, “Have you not read?” They had looked at the Scriptures, but they had not read them. Do we read to know exactly what the Bible teaches or do we just look at it?
--Lamar

THE WISE MEN

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:1-2). These men may have been called wise men because they studied the stars. But the story of their following the star to Bethlehem suggests another kind of wisdom; one that is so often forgotten by multitudes of people.

These men showed wisdom by their willingness to be led by something above, the star. Paul wrote, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). Many today do consider this wise, but completely foolish. Rather than having our eyes glued to earthly things, let us focus our lives on spiritual things, things above.

These men realized there were longings within them that could be satisfied only by finding Christ and worshipping Him. It has been said that every human heart has a hole in it that can only be filled by Christ. There are cravings that can be satisfied only by spiritual things. One can fill his life with all the pleasures of this world and still hunger for more. Think of Solomon. What would we thing of someone who tried to satisfy the physical needs, hunger for example, by reading a book or singing a song? While those things man be useful activities, they will do nothing to satisfy the physical needs. The same is true of trying to satisfy our spiritual appetites with physical things. It will not work.

These men saw the star God gave them to show the way. However, He left them free to choose whether they would follow it or not. They showed their wisdom by choosing to follow the way and find Christ. It is the same with us. We are free to choose to stay or go, but is it wise to refuse to go in search of that which all of us need most? Our greatest need is not for groceries, nor a doctor, but a Savior. Is one wise that uses his freedom to ignore his need of a Savior, or refuse to go in search of a Savior?

These men were wise in that they did not let anything block their path that led to Bethlehem. It was likely a long, difficult journey for them to reach Bethlehem. There were difficult roads, hills to climb, and valleys to cross to reach their destination. There were determined to reach their destination no matter what. What do we let get in our way of reaching Christ? There are always hills to climb and valleys to cross and there are too many that are ready to let these block their path. The world with its barriers will stand between us and Christ. We must be willing to walk over or around these to find Him.

The goal of the wise men was to reach Jesus and they would not allow anything to sidetrack them. They stopped at Jerusalem, but not to stay. They continued their journey until they reached the place where He lay. Too many times we start to find Him, but get sidetracked on the way. We read in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” There are many things Satan will use to sidetrack us. We must be wise and not allow ourselves to get sidetracked along the way.

Finally, look at what these men said in verse 2, “we have come to worship Him.” They did not say we have come to see Him, to receive a blessing, to have Him do something for us, but we have come to worship Him. We will be wise to do likewise. Let all that we do be for the purpose of praising and glorifying our Savior.

Are we wise?
--Lamar

HOW DO WE ANSWER?

Most of us are familiar with the story the beheading of John. Herod was celebrating his birthday and the daughter of Herodias came in and danced for him. As a result, he promised her whatever she wanted. So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” (Mark 6:24). Many sermons have been preached on Herod’s rash vow and on the evils of dancing as shown by the daughter of Herodias. I would like to take the question the girl asked her mother and the answer given and make some practical applications for us.

Young people like to ask questions. The harder the question is to answer, the better they like it. Just as the daughter of Herodias wanted to know from her mother what to ask for, our young people are asking, “What shall I ask of life?” This question is being asked of parents, preachers, elders, and teachers. How do we answer such questions? Are we prepared to answer them? The answer Herodias gave was in keeping with the hatred she had in her heart. The answer we give will be likewise, in keeping with what is in our hearts.

Do we answer by saying, “Be a social success”? Do not many parents push their children into things for the sole purpose of wanting them to climb the ladder of social prominence? We allow, and even encourage, them to participate in activities they should not because we want them to be accepted and popular.

Do we answer by saying, “I want you to be rich?” There is no wrong in preparation for a useful job in life. However, we must not leave the impression that the chief aim of life is to make money. We may not tell them in words that material things are the most important things in life, but when we seek material things first and the kingdom of God last, they know what we are telling them.

Do we answer by saying, “Obtain a secular education”? Our young people know when we think that math, science, and other such subjects are more important than Bible knowledge. Do we see that they have their school lessons, but never see that they prepare their Bible lessons? Do we encourage them to stay home on Wednesday night and study their school lessons instead of seeing that they prepare and attend Bible classes? They know what this answer means.

Do we answer by saying, “Ask of life that you may be a Christian first, second, and last? Ask of life that you may be a Christian in the Bible sense of the word, not in its watered-down meaning of our day. Ask for the opportunities to serve and not to be served. Ask of life the chance to make the world a little better place to live in because you are passing through.”

“(B)rought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother” (Mark 6:28). Picture the scene of this damsel coming to her mother and saying, “Here is what you wanted most of all.” Some day our children will come back to us with their lives saying, “This is what you wanted.” Will they come back to us with lives that have been a blessing? Will they come back to us with lives that are full of the satisfaction that can only come from real Christian living? Will they bring back to us a life that is materialistic and void of faith in God? How we answer their questions will determine what they bring back.
--Lamar