King Asa of Judah

Second Chronicles 14-16 records the reign of King Asa of Judah (910-869 B. C.).  The Bible records he was loyal to God for a while (2 Chronicles  15:17), but late in his reign he acted foolishly by turning to and trusting in a military alliance with Syria instead of relying on the Lord for victory over enemies (16:1-10). Thus the sad statement about him in 2 Chronicles 16:12 ,  "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe: yet in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians." That verse reveals that Asa suffered  not one but two notable failures: first in his feet, then in his faith. When his feet failed, he leaned on human wisdom and effort to deal with the problem. It was in his old age that Asa suffered a crippling and debilitating foot disease (1 Kings 15:23). How sad to imagine this once energetic and mighty monarch who walked with God now hobbling along on crutches. Sadder yet to realize that not only were his feet ailing, but his faith also faltered as "in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians." That's Old Testament parlance for saying he was walking by sight and not by faith.

Asa provides an important lesson for the modem day church of Christ. Scripture mandates that the church put feet on the gospel and carry it to all the world (Mark 16:15-16). Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15). So vital are healthy feet to the work of the church and the salvation of lost souls that God refers to those who bring the good news of salvation in Christ as having "beautiful feet" (Romans 10:15)! In view of this truth, Christians cannot afford to be diseased in their feet. We must do what we can to get the gospel to people around the world, beginning with those across town or across the street or maybe even across the kitchen table! Five billion souls are waiting for the church to get on its feet and bring the message of salvation. Some of them are waiting on you. Therefore, let us do as Jesus taught by life and lip – let us love the lost and pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:38). Christians who follow in the footsteps of Him who came to seek and save the lost will never suffer from diseased feet or a diseased faith!

Dan Gulley

 

What is the status quo?

 

A few years ago, Robert Samuelson wrote an editorial about Europe's economic failure.  This was written before the housing bubble burst and the stock market had its huge plunge.  He believed that their shrinking population and longer living elderly population was seriously threatening their existence.  They wanted to live in both the worlds of socialism and democracy.  They wanted welfare and economic freedom.  Basically, people want things to continue going on like they are.  But, Samuelson called that complacency and wrote, "The status quo isn't sustainable."

 

That's true, no matter what the subject.  You are not going to stand still very long.  If you do not make progress, you will go backwards.  If you are not growing, you are dying.  If you are not getting stronger, you are getting weaker.  It is easier for us to see others making the fatal mistake of complacency, but it is harder to see it in ourselves.

 

This satisfaction with the status quo is so popular because it is easier.  It is the path of least resistance, requiring the least effort, change, and challenge.  Someone has said, "Complacent people are like water, following the easiest course--which is downhill!"  But, our focus must be on the windshield, not the rearview mirror, as we head down the road (cf. Phil. 3:13-14).  The Bible is fairly replete with warnings against apathy and complacency (see Isa. 32:9-11; Prov. 1:32; Zeph. 1:12; etc.).  There are biblical warnings against those whose status quo is pretty focused on this life and this world.  It can include those who want to live in both worlds, who profess to be Christians but who do not really want Christ to transform their whole lives. 

 

Are we going to be satisfied with the status quo, when it comes to church growth, evangelism, Bible knowledge, personal spirituality, or church leadership?  A high jumper broke a track meet record in the event.  A reporter asked, "How did you jump so high?"  He responded, "I just threw my heart over the bar and my body followed it!"  Let us have our hearts on helping the church grow, reaching the lost, and growing in our own spiritual service because the status quo isn't sustainable!

 

--Neal Pollard 

How to be a great preacher

DON'T:

1) Play politics (local or brotherhood)

2) Ride hobby horses

3) Forget your family

4) Look for the perfect church

5) Saddle yourself with debt

6) Be a slave to your passions

7) Be lazy

8) Be cliquish

9) Move into a glass house

10) Allow indiscretions with the opposite sex

11) Be satisfied with your level of competence

12) Cater to your audience's desires or weaknesses

 

DO:

1) Be genuine

2) Be balanced

3) Be responsible

4) Be content

5) Be sensible

6) Be disciplined

7) Be productive

8) Be friendly

9) Be yourself

10) Be pure

11) Be hungry

12) Be convicted

 

THE EFFECTIVE PREACHER SHOULD:

1) Pray fervently!

2) Encourage (Acts 4:36)

3) Visit

4) Be organized

5) Study with diligence

6) Learn to love people

7) Be patient--it takes time

8) Do the work of an evangelist

9) Have hobbies

10) Take family vacations

11) Keep his heart right

12) Always be God's man!!

 

"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:5).

[This is the last week of my first time teaching Preacher And His Work in the Bear Valley Bible Institute.  As I wind down that class, the above, which was published in the POWER publication, Southaven, Mississippi, several years ago, seems a fitting summary of what seems to me a proper philosophy for the gospel preacher.  Hope you find it helpful]

 

--Neal Pollard    

You can live a comfortable and happy life without God?

 

    An atheistic organization has rented space on four billboards on the 465 loop around Indianapolis, Indiana, advertising, "You can live a comfortable and happy life without God."  This "billboard scheme of Satan" is being duplicated in several major cities in America, especially throughout the Bible belt States.

                It never ceases to amaze me *why* such people feel the need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to try and turn people against Someone they claim doesn't even exist!  What is it that keeps pushing them to try and disprove the existence of God? If it is as they proclaim, that God doesn't exist, why do they care that I believe in God?  Why are they continually trying to find fault with Christians and the Christian way of life?  Who is motivating them to try and turn me against God?  Why are they so "bent" on convincing me that I should be a "godless" man who marries a "godless" woman and raises "godless" children to live a "godless" life?  Furthermore, the cold, hard facts are, they don't really care whether or not I live a comfortable and happy life. The only thing they care about is that I live my life without God, and that will never happen! 

                The truth is, the very thing that they are trying to disprove, is the thing that motivates them, and that is the Bible.  As brother Foy Wallace Jr. says, "It won't let them alone, it won't let them rest, it haunts them at every turn."  This makes me wonder, are they really trying to convince me, or are they really trying to convince themselves?

                Can one live a comfortable and happy life without God? Certainly!  Most of us know people who don't give God a second thought, and yet they appear, on the surface, to be living comfortable and happy lives. On the other side of that coin, we know people who are striving to live a godly life, and are struggling to do so. Even Jeremiah asked God the question, "Why does the way of the wicked prosper?" (Jeremiah 12:1, NKJV).  Jesus paints the picture of discipleship as being a life that includes suffering and self-denial (Luke 9:23); a life that will include insults and being spoken of in an evil way (Matthew 5:11-12). On one occasion, Jesus said, "Woe unto you when all men speak well of you" (Luke 6:26). On another occasion, Jesus warned His disciples, "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20).

                It is not the goal of the Christian to live a "comfortable and happy life;" it is our goal to live a *peaceful* life. The only way this is possible is to live with the PRINCE OF PEACE, who is Jesus Christ our Lord (cf. Isaiah 9:6).  The reward for those who do so will not be found in this life; it is "reserved in Heaven for those who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1Peter 1:4-5).

                This life offers us many things to make us temporarily comfortable and happy - - but this life is passing away, what then?  If we depend on this life to give us comfortableness and happiness, what happens when this life passes away?  Since this life is only for a few days and eternity is forever, shouldn't we be focusing on our eternal "comfort and happiness?"  Will you believe godless men who advertise on billboards, or will you believe Jesus Christ who came to us from Heaven and said, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Toby Miller

acts of God

 

My editorial thoughts today relate to "warnings." Here in Southern California we frequently experience "acts of God" (as the insurance people call them) in the form of earthquakes. Those who reside in the mid-west portion of the country live with another form of disaster - tornados. Of course there are many other parts of the world that experience both of these phenomenons plus other types of disastrous events such as hurricanes, typhoons, floods etc.

What with modern technology, there's something now common to all of these events and that is "warnings." Even though they can't really predict the exact time that an earthquake will occur, scientists continually issue "warnings" about the "Big One" that's bound to happen at any time.

In borrowing the Boy Scout's motto, they warn us to "Be Prepared." Their advice for doing this is to store up fresh water, have food supplies adequate for several days and medical supplies stockpiled. To have generators and fuel to run them if possible. Plus, have flashlights and extra batteries on hand and lanterns available. We hear the phrase, the warning: "Be prepared for the worst."

I agree. This is good, prudent advise. Not only for us in earthquake territory, but people anywhere that a disaster in some form or fashion might occur. These are things that we should do and have in place should the "Big One" hit us. Having agreed with the above mentioned advice, I'd like to enlarge on the thought of "being prepared" for the rest of our editorial time and space today.

Yes, a lot of people do prepare for the "worst" to happen. But, the majority of people stop there. They don't "Prepare for the Best."

We're all familiar with the various sounds of warning, especially the siren. Well, there will come a day when a "siren," a horn will sound. However, it won't be announcing a disaster of some sort. Well, maybe in a way it will, but not to everyone. It will be the day that "the trumpet shall sound." (1Thess. 4:16 and 1Cor. 15:52).

That warning, that "trumpet" will announce the "day of the Lord" has arrived. In a manner of speaking I guess it can sort of be likened to an earthquake, IE: the exact time cannot be predicted, but we know it's coming.

And, you know what else the Bible says about the arrival of the Lord? No one is going to miss it. Rev. 1:7 tells us that "every eye shall see Him." That verse also says that many will "wail" at this occurrence. These will be the same ones we read about in Rev. 6:16 that want the "rocks to fall on them" and hide them from the face of God.

If you recall the words of Jesus in His sermon on the mount, the ones we read in Matt. 7:13-14, there's a precept or truth we can derive from them and that is: there are going to be a lot more people "not prepared" for this event than those who will be.

Going back to our original thoughts on "preparations" let's put this precept into context with our lesson here. In paraphrasing Christ's words in Matt. 7, there will be a lot of people who have diligently stockpiled the necessities for survival in the event of an earthquake. Have, with much concern for their safety and earthly well-being, prepared themselves for "the worst." These "preparers" of earthly things will outnumber the ones who "prepared" themselves for "the best."

I'm not making light of the need for us to make the necessary arrangements for our human needs should a disaster of some kind strike us. Christians are people of responsibility and should be "prepared" to "bear our own burdens" and also be the sort of persons to help "bear other's burdens" too. I'm just saying that we can "prepare" for worldly things and be totally "unprepared" for heavenly things.

I think that the greater majority of earthly society is more concerned with the "temporal things" of our earthly lives than with being concerned about the "spiritual things" that pertain to our eternal lives. Another way of saying it is, that most are concerned more about their "body's" welfare than they are about their "soul's" welfare.

I have no doubt that everyone will be startled when the "trumpet sounds." When the "siren" goes off. That most of the world will suddenly come to realize that, even though they might have been "prepared for the worst," they weren't "prepared for the best." But, there will be those, the minority, who have looked forward for this event to come and are "totally prepared."

Here's the bottom line: all of us fit into one of these two categories. Either we are "unprepared" for "the best" or we are "prepared." Will we view this event as a "day of disaster" or a "day of salvation?" And, it's up to each individual to know which category they fit into. And one more point I'd like to leave you with: the "day of the Lord" is also an "act of God."

Ron Covey

　

Lavasoft.com

I just spent a few moments viewing a "Rogue's Gallery".  No, it wasn't
at a museum, and it wasn't the "Most Wanted" posters found at the
local post office.  This gallery is at Lavasoft.com, and identifies
"fake antivirus programs" that one might encounter.

If you own a computer you likely know about the dangers of computer
viruses.  Thousands of mini-programs have been written which will do
harmful things to your computer.  You and I would not likely recognize
these programs until it's too late.  That's why there is antivirus
software.  The people who know computers best develop this software to
shield our laptops and desktops from intruders.

The fake antivirus programs are deceptive, however.  While making you
think you're protected, you're actually inviting the fox into the hen-
house.  Once installed on your computer, they can do whatever they've
been written to do.  I'm thankful that the folks at Lavasoft have made
this listing of programs to avoid.  (Go to
http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/rogues/latest for more
information.)

A television show I occasionally enjoy is "Law and Order".  One
episode told about a con artist who sold cases of flu vaccine to
clinics and doctors' offices.  Later it was discovered that the
"vaccine" was nothing more than a saline solution.  What was supposed
to protect vulnerable patients from potentially harmful viruses did
nothing at all to protect them.  Some people died and the con artist
was later convicted on multiple charges of murder.  (I have no idea if
the episode was based on fact.)

We know there are dangers around us.  Most of us take action to
protect ourselves from these dangers.  If we learn that those
"protections" are ineffective, we're justified in feeling outrage.

Sadly, the same thing happens in the spiritual realm.  People become
interested in religion when they realize they have a soul that will
outlast the physical body.  We also come to realize that sin is a
chronic threat to our spiritual well-being.  But some "protection"
people have sought is ineffective!

John sounded the warning long ago: "Beloved, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many
false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).  A true
prophet speaks for God; false prophets work for another master.  (You
can guess who that might be.)

Paul preached the true gospel to the people of Galatia, and many
became followers of Christ.  Before long, however, some chose a
different path.  Paul responded in Galatians 1:6,7: "I marvel that you
are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of
Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are
some who trouble you and pervert the gospel of Christ."

Is trustworthy protection available for an honest, God-fearing soul?
Absolutely, and Paul pointed to that protection in 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
Simply stated, the Bible is our way of knowing for sure that our soul
is guarded by the saving grace of God.  But if we allow someone -
anyone - to pull us away from the teachings of the Bible, we are
trusting in false protection.

The word of God is able to save our souls, but only if we receive it
with meekness (James 1:21).  Let's make sure our lives are built upon
that foundation, and upon no other.

Timothy D. Hall

Restoring New Testament Christianity

THE RESTORATION PLEA

Neal Pollard  

 

In 1824 in The Christian Baptist, Alexander Campbell said,

    In religion we cannot think anything of ourselves,  

    but all our sufficiency is of God.  The word of God  

    is the instrumental cause of thought. We cannot  

    think of God without an idea of him, and we cannot  

    have an idea of him without his word.  We

    are taught by, and we think and speak in, the  

    words the Holy Spirit has taught, when we learn,  

    and when we think or speak the truth in religion.  

    If we cannot think anything true or right without  

    the word of God in religion, when we leave

    that word, or change or alter the connection in the  

    statements, or after the terms with their  

    associations in it, our thoughts in religion are     

    wrong.  God's word is truth (Vol. 2, No. 12,  

    7/4/1825).

 

The restoration plea is simple and it is workable. Campbell was simply saying that the only way we know how to be right with God is to stay with what God revealed.  When we leave that, we part ways with the mind and will of God. What can be wrong with that way of thinking.  The late Bobby Duncan once said, "Men have never divided over what the Bible says, but rather about things it never, ever did."  If we could get everyone who believed in Christ to simply submit to what the New Testament specifies, how could we help avoiding denominationalism?

 

If we can fill our hearts with humility and our spirits with submission, we can have the tenderness of heart and childlike faith to seek Christ's will and follow that.  That means, in matters of faith, the Bible is an objective standard rather than a subjective suggestion.  The standard of right will always be the Bible.  Our position on any matter must be what God teaches!

 

CHARLIE SHEEN'S SERMON

It is passionate and, in his own words, full of zeal.  It is convicted.  It is, we have no reason to deny, sincere.  It is bold and very plain. 

There are a great many today who are averse to negatively judging the religion of others, especially if they are passionate, sincere, and convicted.  "They have their own truth" or "they have their own interpretation," we are told.  Such statements are too often uncritically received and accepted.  Using such "reasoning," we are told that an individual religious group may teach any number of things about worship, salvation, church organization, eternal destiny, marriage and morality, and the like.

Some might go so far as to say that Charlie Sheen is "going off the rails on a crazy train."  In interviews, he is rambling and what he says is enigmatic.  Morally, his lifestyle is diametrically opposed to scripture.  The sitcom of which he is the star routinely glorifies fornication.  So, are we at fault to judge the content of his life, his speech, and his beliefs as being contrary to the doctrine of Christ?

Certainly, a Hollywood actor is an extreme example but what better way to test our hermeneutic, our approach to scripture.  If we would judge that Mr. Sheen's recent activities with a pornography star or his assault of his wife "wrong," on what basis do we conclude such?  To what standard would we hold him or anyone else?  If the standard is scripture, which it should be, is not the best approach to scripture to "handle aright" (2 Tim. 2:15) the Bible and view it as the authoritative standard for every moral, ethical, and doctrinal question in life?  Too often, we pour the Bible into the mould of our desires, preferences, and opinions when exactly the opposite process is what must occur for us to properly reverence the Word of God (cf. Ps. 119:161; our hearts should, like David's, stand in awe of God's words).  May we take to heart the counsel of the apostle John: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 Jn. 4:1). 

 

--Neal Pollard  

Quick start up guide for the Bible

 

This past December I decided that it was time to replace the old DVD player with an updated player that had "blue ray" feature.  When I unpacked the box there were four manuals (one in English, one in Spanish, one in French, and one in German), a special HTML cable to route the "blue ray" signal to the television, and some extra paraphernalia for first one thing and then another.    Everything was included in the box that would give me an "enjoyable experience" with my new DVD player (they even included the batteries).  Most manufactures of electronic equipment have figured out that many of their customers are anxious to "get started" and so they include, along with the owner's manual, a "quick start guide" that enables the customer to get his equipment up and running, even if he does not know what he is doing once he does get it going.   Once the customer has his equipment up and running he is encouraged to take the time to read the owner's manual.   But if I know the human race, by this time most of the new proud owners of the latest in electronic gadgetry are saying to themselves, "Who needs the owner's manual? What do they think I am, a dunce? I can do this on my own."    This same mind set kicks in when it comes to consulting a map to figure out where you are, putting together a complicated piece of lawn equipment, or following instructions for any number of complicated, or not so complicated, items.   Were this mind set limited to the temporal and physical realm in which we live, we might only have to suffer an occasional embarrassment, or at worst, like Tim "the-tool-man" Taylor, make a visit to the hospital now and then.   But tragically this same kind of mind set seems to have infected the masses when it comes to listening to, or consulting with the God of heaven in matters of religion.   I have, on a number of occasions, referred to the Bible as our soul's "owner's manual."  Within the pages of this book are instructions that will provide us with a peaceful and happy life here on earth (Phil 4:7), better health and overall happiness (1 Pet. 3:10), our daily provisions of food, clothing and shelter (Matt. 6:19-33), and the hope of life everlasting when this life is over (Rom. 8:25, 1 Cor.13:13, Gal. 5:5).   When we examine the religious landscape about us it is rather obvious that the "many" (Matt. 7:13) have gone about seeking to establish a system of religion based upon their own wants and desires rather than taking the time to read and study the owner's manual.  "I don't need that manual," or "I'm smart enough to figure this out on my own" seem to permeate the thinking of mankind spiritually speaking.  It seems to me that there are at least four classifications of those who have failed, or are failing, to read the manual.

First, there are those who have never even heard of the manual.  Living in the dark recesses of the earth, they are completely unaware of the Bible, the message contained therein, or it's Great Giver.  These need not live in Africa, or the Congo, for there are some even within the borders of our own United States who have never heard of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, or the plan for man's salvation.  Millions upon millions living in India bow at the feet of their Hindu gods while millions here in America bow at the shrine of material gain without so much as an inkling of an idea of who God is or the wonderful blessings that await them through His Son Jesus Christ.  

Second, there are those who know about the manual, but have not taken the time to study it carefully.  These have some vague idea as to the system of Christianity, but at some point in time they decided that they do not need God, nor do they need to take the time to read the Bible, or comply with the commandments contained therein.  That "manual" may have been good enough for mom and dad, but after all, "I  have more important things to do than to waste time reading some manual; I can figure this out for myself."

Third, there are those who want a "quick start" in their "Christianity," and, rather than read the manual itself, have relied upon others to read it for them.  Heed is given to their "pastor," or "preacher" upon whom they rely for instructions in religion and the exercise thereof.   The false teachers, with their "smooth and fair speech…beguile the hearts of the innocent" (Rom. 16:18), and these careless souls are carried away with every wind of doctrine imaginable (Eph. 4:14); all for the lack of taking the time to read the instructions.

Finally, there are those who have quickly read the manual or a small portion thereof, and who care not what the Book says but are intent on doing it their way.  "I like it," or "I want it" are the twin manifestations of a selfish heart that despise the narrow-minded pattern of God's word.  Rather than confine themselves to the instructions from above, they are determined to walk in the path of their own foolishness.  They ignore the warning of old, "O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23).  To them, how to worship God is not so important as their desire to worship him. Sincerity trumps truth, and feelings outweigh facts. From those caught up in denominational error to those who have been deluded by the change agents within the body of Christ, the end result will be the same, for "if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into the pit" (Matt. 15:14).

When it comes to life, and the eternal destiny of the soul, it is imperative that you take the time to read the instructions and follow them cautiously and carefully.  You may be able to eventually figure out how to operate that new piece of electronic equipment.  You may even be able to figure out "how to get there from here" without consulting a map.  But beloved, you are NEVER (I repeat, "Never") going to make it to heaven if you do not take the time to read and follow the instructions.

My Old Bible

Though the cover is worn,

And the pages are torn,

And though places bear traces of tears.

Yet more precious than gold,

Is this book worn and old,

That can scatter and shatter my fears.

This old book is my guide.

This is a friend by my side

It will lighten and brighten my way;

And each promise I find,

Soothes and gladdens my mind,

As I read it and heed it each day.

To this book I will cling,

Of its worth I will sing,

Though great losses and crosses be mine;

For I cannot despair,

Though surrounded by care,

While possessing this blessing divine.

 

by Tom Wacaster

 

The Perseus Project

In college, some of us went through a brief fad of putting on the gloves and sparring out on the balcony of Burton Dorm at Faulkner University.  It was fun until your opponent and erstwhile friend landed a punch on your schnoz.  Then, finesse and skill gave way to wild flailing.  Fortunately, it was only a fad.

Boxing was one of the ancient Greek games.  According to the Perseus Project, "Ancient boxing had fewer rules than the modern sport.  Boxers fought without rounds until one man was knocked out, or admitted he had been beaten.  Unlike the modern sport, there was no rule against hitting an opponent when he was down...Instead of gloves, ancient boxers wrapped leather thongs (himantes) around their hands and wrists which left their fingers free" (www.perseus.tufts.edu).  There are ancient Greek drawings in the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, showing these ancient athletes in action.  The boxers, according to a scornful Plato, are "the folk with the battered ears" (ibid.).

They were prominent enough figures that Paul referenced them by inspiration in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, alluding to these games and their competitors.  He illustrated his own self-discipline as a Christian and preacher by talking about the superior nature of Christianity to such earthly things, from the reward given to the victor to what was at stake by failing to win.  In verse 27, he says, "I box in such a way, as not beating the air."  Maybe Paul had seen a boxer landing facial and body blows, hitting his opponent when on the ground, and delivering leather to nose or ears.  Maybe he had heard the distinct sound of flesh being pounded in such a match.  Paul in essence says, "I deliver these blows to my body, keeping it in subjection to the Lord's will."  I cannot let my flesh win or lose to that dangerous opponent.  In the same way, the Lord calls on us to fight this tenacious opponent called the fleshly self.  If we lose, Paul says, the penalty could not be more severe or the shame more great.

 

Neal Pollard