Summer
Now Playing: Come apart and rest a while !
Topic: Message
There will be limited postings this summer. Please read other worthwhile content from previous months or other sites.

 

The Easiest Wrong to Correct
Now Playing: Whose faults are we focused on...ourselves or those of others ?
Topic: Problems
1 Chronicles 19-21, John 8:1-27
Key Verse: John 8:7

The easiest wrongs to identify and correct are those of others. By nature we are both faultfinders and fault avoiders. We can see the errors of others much more easily than our own and manage to expect change from them while finding excuses for ourselves.

When the Pharisees brought an immoral woman before Jesus, their intent was to pin Him on the horns of a dilemma. How could He, a friend of sinners, condemn her? How could He, a righteous man, fail to keep the law? Their focus was on Jesus as they not only set but also sprung their trap.

Ever notice that the man involved in this act of adultery was not brought before Jesus? Perhaps the adultery itself was part of the setting of the trap and he was part of the plot, providing an opportunity to catch a woman in the act.

Then the unexpected occurred. Instead of answering their question, Jesus pinned the Pharisees with His statement, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (v. 7).

No stones were thrown. Their error was exposed. The faultfinders could not avoid their own faults. It is interesting that the first to leave were the older ones, men who knew there was no use denying their own sins.

Seeing the wrong in others is easy; seeing the wrong in ourselves is imperative. There are times when we confront others biblically regarding their sins. But we must always confront ourselves as well.

The psalmist prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23-24). Pray that prayer now and often-especially when you are finding fault in others.

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

Why ?
Now Playing: Are we willing to accept God's answers, or do we want our own ?
Topic: Answers
1 Chronicles 25-27, John 9:1-23
Key Verse: John 9:3

Perhaps the most-oft asked question of God is "Why?" Sometimes people ask it in an accusatory tone, as if they can demand of God an explanation for His actions. Other times it is the plaintive cry of a searching heart, one of pain or confusion. In the Bible we can find the answers to that question.

One day the disciples asked Jesus the "why" question. They thought they knew the answer and only wanted it refined. Why was this man blind? To the disciples, it was obvious the man was blind because of sin. So their question really was, "Who sinned?"

We need to let God answer the question, not give Him our answers. That became obvious when Jesus replied that "neither this man nor his parents sinned" (v. 3). Yes, there are times of suffering due to sin and its effects, but that is not always the answer. As Jesus explained, some suffering occurs so that "the work of God might be displayed." And in John 11:15, we're told that Lazarus' death happened "so that you may believe."

Our troubles can be times of testimony as Jesus works in our lives.

Instead of asking why, just pray. Ask God to use your troubles as a testimony so that your life will bring glory to Him and draw others to Jesus.

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

Spending Someone Else's Money
Now Playing: How do we use the funds to which God has entrusted us ?
Topic: Stewardship
1 Chronicles 28-29, John 9:24-41
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 29:16

A credit card in the hands of a college student can be a dangerous thing when the name on the card is not his own, but dad's. With my permission-actually, by my instruction- my daughter and her fiance had a nice meal at a restaurant near their college. When the bill came to the table, the credit card came out of the wallet. I later kidded my daughter, a former waitress, about the generous tip she left, also charged to my card.

I had no problem with her charging the meal, or even with the amount of the tip. It was what I had told her to do. And it illustrates a truth. It is easier to spend someone else's money than your own, especially when told to spend it. We know that, but sometimes we struggle to really do it.

You might be thinking, I wouldn't have a problem doing that! But perhaps you do. Everything you have belongs to God. It is all His-even your money. He tells us how to use His money, but sometimes we struggle spending His money the way He wants it spent.

David understood that, and it affected not only him but the people of Israel as they raised the money needed to build the temple. He even said, "As for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you" (29:16).

When we realize that our money is really God's, then we will spend and give as God wants His money spent and given.

How do you view your finances and possessions? Does your checkbook reflect the heart of a faithful steward of God's resources? If not, refigure your budget today and give as God instructs.

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

There Will Be a Test !
Now Playing: Are we trusting in God or our own abilities ?
Topic: Accountability
1 Chronicles 4-6, John 6:1-21
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:20, 25

It has been said that the problem with the school of hard knocks is that the tests are given first. That's a hard way to learn-test first, lesson later. Paul, speaking particularly of the Old Testament, said that these things were "written to teach us" (Rom. 15:4). If only we would learn first, we might do better passing the tests.

In 1 Chronicles 5 we can learn from people who passed and then failed. It looked like they knew what to do but then forgot. The people were of the tribes of Israel, Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh.

First they show us that trust in God can bring victory. "They were helped in fighting" by God "because they cried out to him . . . . He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him" (v. 20).

Then "they were unfaithful . . . and prostituted themselves" to other gods (v. 25). Just as trust in God can bring victory, so unfaithfulness can bring defeat. They paid a high price for their forgetfulness. God raised up an enemy who took them captive and carried them away into exile.

If you saw three people in front of you lose their money in a vending machine, would you put in your quarters? Hopefully not! Instead, you would learn from their example.

Learn from the examples of those who lived in Bible times. Trust can bring victory; unfaithfulness, defeat. Tests will come. All that remains is for you to show that you have learned-and pass the test.

As you read your Bible, look carefully for the lessons God has for you and apply them to your life. He did not give us the Bible just to increase our knowledge but to change the way we live.

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

I Just Work Here
Now Playing: Are we willing to do what we are required to please God ?
Topic: Responsibility
Chronicles 7-9, John 6:22-44
Key Verse: John 6:38

"Don't ask me, I just work here" are words usually spoken by someone wanting to avoid responsibility, not as an expression of submission to authority. The obvious intent is to "pass the buck," if not the blame, to someone higher up.

Actually, though, it could be a great statement of submission. If those words were said as an acknowledgment that the person is doing as told, it would reflect an obedient attitude, that of one who is submissive to whomever is in charge.

Unfortunately, we are more prone to sarcasm than submission. Yet God calls us to submission and gives us a model to follow--Jesus. He said, "I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me" (v. 38).

Knowing what God wanted Him to do kept Jesus from getting sidetracked. The crowd wanted Him to feed them from now on. That was their will, but He would not submit to their desires because He was already submitted to the will of the Father. And it is clear that He not only knew God's will but was submitted to it and determined to carry it out.

There was no sarcasm in His voice as He said these words because they came from a submissive heart. What a contrast to the self-serving words of the crowd, who said, "Give us this bread" (v. 34). They were asking for what they wanted.

Do your words come from a submissive or a self-serving heart? When you pray, which matters most-your will or God's?

How serious are you when you pray, "Not my will, but Thine"? Look for submissiveness in your life. Can you find evidence of it in how you use your time, talents and finances? Read Ephesians 5:21. Do others see this verse in your relationships?

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

Sad Ending
Now Playing: Are we tempted to give up -- ask God to help !
Topic: Spritual Walk
1 Chronicles 10-12, John 6:45-71
Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

"No statistic is more meaningless than the score at half time," a sports philosopher once said. There have been some miraculous comebacks, and being ahead at the half is no guarantee of a win.

What is true in sports is true in life. How a person is at life's "half time" is no guarantee of how he will be at the end. Jacob started disastrously but finished well, while the opposite was true with Solomon. Now add Saul to the latter list. At one point he looked good-so good that he stood out from the crowd, was chosen to be king and led the nation with the blessing of God.

The last half of his life, however, is remembered for its bitterness, the pursuit of David and a suicidal death. God's blessing turned to judgment. Saul's life had a sad ending for three reasons.

One, he was unfaithful to the Lord. God expects faithfulness of His people. Saul was not. Two, he did not keep the Word of the Lord. Obedience is to be a characteristic of the people of God. His became a life of disobedience. Three, he sought guidance from the wrong place and not from the Lord. As his kingdom was unraveling, Saul turned to a witch instead of to the Lord.

In two verses, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, we are given an epitaph of sorts, an analysis of a life that began promisingly but ended disastrously. It ended that way not because of things beyond Saul's control but because of things he did not control. He could have remained faithful, kept the word of the Lord and sought God's guidance, but he chose not to.

Some things are beyond our control. Concentrate on the things that are. Examine how you are doing on these three things: remaining faithful, keeping the Word of the Lord and seeking God's guidance.

(from W. Kroll, T. Beckett)

Thanksgiving to God
Now Playing: Do we appreciate what God has done for us ?
Topic: Scripture
Psalms 26:7

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Psalms 50:14

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Psalms 69:30

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalms 95:2

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Psalms 107:22

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psalms 116:17

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Psalms 147:7

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Worshipping the Lord
Now Playing: Do we truly have worship in our hearts to the Lord ?
Topic: Scripture
Luke 24:52

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

John 4:20

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

John 4:21

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

John 4:22

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

John 4:23

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:24

God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

Glorify the Lord
Now Playing: Do we desire to bring Him glory ?
Topic: Scripture
Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Luke 2:20

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 5:25

And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

Luke 18:43

And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw [it], gave praise unto God.

John 12:28

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, [saying], I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again.

John 13:32

If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

John 16:14

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

John 17:1

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

John 17:5

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.