2 Corinthians 13:5

"What's It Really Made Of?"

 Today millions of folks across the United States of America will sit down to enjoy a nice slice of pumpkin pie (with a generous dollop of whipped cream, of course!). What could be more "Thanksgiving" than that, except perhaps the turkey and dressing?

But is that really pumpkin in the pie you're about to enjoy? If the pie was made with canned pumpkin (which we suspect the vast majority of pies utilize), you're not actually eating pumpkin. You're eating squash.

I just came across this bit of information, so (being the skeptical person I am) I had to check it out. It turns out that multiple web sites confirm this little-known detail. The vegetable that has been cooked, pureed and canned is actually some form of winter squash. Pumpkin just doesn't have the same naturally sweet flavor.

Pumpkins are part of the Cucurbita family, I've learned, a family which also includes - you guessed it - squashes and gourds. As one web site put it, "The difference between pumpkins, gourds and squash is that a gourd is generally something you look at, you cook squash and you carve a pumpkin." (http://voices.yahoo.com/the-difference-between-pumpkins-gourds-squash-6691116.html)

I don't think I've spoiled anyone's appetite for pumpkin pie by relating these facts. But it does remind us that things are not always as they seem. Sometimes we do well to examine what we have long accepted.

The apostle Paul wrote long ago to urge Christians to examine themselves. We may think we are pleasing God in what we are doing, but maybe He's not pleased at all. Who would know that better than the former Saul of Tarsus (see 1 Timothy 1:12-16)?!

One thing Christians in earliest times practiced each week (and some of us still do) was to partake of the Lord's supper. What's the point? "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28). A prime reason to engage in this act is to reflect on the genuineness of our discipleship.

In another letter Paul wrote this: "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified?" (2 Corinthians 13:5). "Disqualified" as a follower of Jesus? Now there's a sobering thought!

If God has told me to use pumpkin in making my pies, I shouldn't substitute squash. Of course, God has said nothing about making pies. But He has given us lots of other details to follow as we live for Him. It's time to ask, "What's my faith really made of?"
Timothy D. Hall

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving
November 27, 2013

Two months ago today, my dad unexpectedly passed away and tomorrow, I'm supposed to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  In spite of the sorrow I've experienced over the past two months, and the sadness we'll experience when Dad will not be sitting around the table with us tomorrow, I still have so many reasons for which to give thanks.

• I'm thankful that I had my dad for 51 years.  I know many who would give anything to have their father's as long as I had mine.
• I'm thankful for the kind of relationship I had with my dad throughout those 51 years.  He was my friend, my mentor, and my confidant.  He and my mother taught me about Jesus.  It was his preaching that shaped my life.  It was he who baptized me into Christ.  And it was his integrity, attitude, priorities, and influence that caused me to want to preach as well.
• I'm thankful that I've never had reason to be ashamed of my dad.  I've sometimes seen people fight to become their "own person," and fight the shadow of their father.  However, I've always been content, not to be known as Steve Higginbotham, but as Frank Higginbotham's son.
• And I'm thankful that I can say my dad is my hero.  I'm proud and thankful for a friend and fellow Christian where I preach for being a Silver Star recipient for his gallantry in service to our country.  But I'm every bit as proud and thankful for my dad's service in a different army.  Dad never received a medal, nor did he ever even pick up a rifle, but he sure could wield a sword effectively until the day he laid it down.

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving.  Although the pain of our loss is still fresh, you can count on our family being among those who have reason to give thanks.  What about you?  If you're in Christ, you too have reason to give thanks, regardless of life's circumstances.

Steve Higginbotham.

From Grumbling to Grateful

Ben had fallen into the habit of grumbling about this and that. He complained about the weather; he found fault with his friends and with the members of his family. He wanted to stop it, but somehow, as soon as anything would not go his way, he found himself grumbling again. Then he came across this verse:

"When you have truly thanked God
For every blessing sent,
But little time will then remain
For murmur or lament."

"I see now what the trouble has been," he told himself. "I've been grumbling so much that I've almost forgotten to be thankful for the things I have. Every time I find myself starting to complain about something I don't have, I'm going to say 'Thank You' to God for something that He has given me."

Ben found that the idea worked. It was much easier to keep out the grouchy, grumbling thoughts when he filled his mind with thankful ones. There simply was no room for the trouble makers, and after a bit they disappeared.

Ben was surprised, too, to see how many things a plain, everyday boy had for which to be thankful. There are many things like the sunshine, the flowers, his friends, his home, which he had been taking for granted. As he began thanking God for these things, he had a better appreciation of them (from Junior Life).

Let's all try his plan, for God is very displeased with a complaining spirit. He says, "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may be blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding firmly to the word of life" (Philippians 2:14-16a).

The greatest Blessing for which to be thankful is the GIFT of God's Son!  For when we were lost because of our sins and doomed to destruction, God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10).  Through Jesus, we can be saved from our sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:7).

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable GIFT!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15

God will save those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Won't YOU express thanksgiving to God for His wonderful blessings, especially for the gift of His Son? 

Won't YOU express that gratitude by accepting the GIFT of salvation and eternal life on His terms?

David Sargent

Where did all the different denominations come from?

Poliferation Of Religion
by Tom Wacaster

When I was growing up I was blessed to sit at the feet of good and godly men who taught our Sunday morning high school class, Wednesday evening class, and an occasional but regular men's training class. It was during those six or seven years that I developed a desire to preach, a burning within my soul that would come to fruition immediately following my discharge from military service in 1970. There were a half dozen young men who attended those classes at the Urbandale church of Christ in Dallas, and each of us were blessed beyond measure from the training we received that would eventually lead to many of us being active teachers, preachers, and leaders in the Lord's church. While this is not the thrust of this week's article I must pause and remind all of us that the classes at the local congregational level have a great influence upon those who sit at our feet. I doubt that those men who taught our classes at Urbandale had any idea what influence they would have on us young boys who barely had a handle on life itself. But I digress, and must get back to the intent of this article.

I guess it was during those teen years that I began to grasp the magnitude of religious division, both in number and in the degrees of error embraced by the various denominations. The number of religious divisions within so-called "Christendom" was astonishing. The common number selected as a total of religious divisions was 250; but even then I suspected there may have been more. Little did I imagine that within my life time that number would grow; in fact it would multiply many times over. Investigation by the inquiring individual will reveal that the number of denominations in America now numbers into the thousands, and one figure being bandied about is in excess of 10,000. How has this come about? Why is it that people living in a country that has such deep roots in the Bible seem to care less about such division? The division in "Christendom" is bad enough. Lets add to that the infiltration of eastern religions, pantheism, humanism, agnosticism, and dozens of other "isms," and the religious landscape in our country is more like the idolatrous situation that existed in Athens when Paul arrived into that city than what we might think characterizes a nation that has its roots in Christianity. Bobbly Liddell made this astute observation:

One reason that current religions are where they are today is because many of their participants are the product of an educational system that has produced a generation (or two) of graduates who have been heavily influenced by atheistic Humanism and the false ideas of organic evolution, into thinking that there is no God and that truth is only relative, situational, and subjective...Bibles are looked upon as out of date oddities and are dusty and hidden from view, even in the homes of religious people. Knowledge of the Bible, that should have been learned at home, is woefully deficient, or entirely absent, and wolves in sheep's clothing prey upon the biblically ignorant, spiritually weak, and defenseless. We have jumped off the cultural cliff and are falling headlong into the abyss of immorality. Yet every day the media assures us that there is a 'new normal,' far removed from the antiquated beliefs upon which our country was founded. Modern America boasts of its tolerance and progressive enlightenment, yet silences God, forbidding mention of His name and His Word and public prayer to Him, and vilifies those who cry out against the sins of a country our President proclaimed is "no longer a Christian nation" (Spiritual Sword, In Times Like These, page 168).

Some years ago I gave thought to keeping a tablet in my automobile and every time I passed one of those new independent churches that has put some attention getting name on their building, that I would add that to the list. I never started that list and have on many occasions regretted not having done so. A quick search on the internet lists an amazing array of churches in our city. Just to name a few of the denominations: Anglican churches (2); Apostolic churches (7); Bible churches (18); Evangelical churches (11); Pentecostals (20); and Other churches (63). Other names include, but are not limited to "Calvary Cathedral," "Morningside Episcopal," "Celebration Fellowship," "Gospel Kingdom Church," "Beautiful Feet Church," "Victory Outreach," "Harvest Assembly," "Journey Church," "Seeking God First Church," "Greater Progressive Church," "Great Prayer Tower Holiness Church," "Love Sanctuary," "Pilgrim Rest Church," "John 316 Temple," and "Denny's Friends." It is enough to discourage even the most stout hearted in a search for some kind of stability and standard in matters of religion.

Most, if not all of the mainline Protestant denominations grew out of a background of deep seated belief in a particular theological system. Though wrong in doctrine, those who came to the New World to seek freedom to practice their religious beliefs maintained a strong belief in the Bible and a sincere reverence for things spiritual in general and worship in particular. But somewhere in the mid to late 1800's reverence for God and a desire to pay homage to the Almighty began to give way to a self centered religion. In the mid nineteenth century the frontier "revival" form of worship started to take on a "circus atmosphere," and the main function of the public assembly shifted from an occasion for worshipping God to a focus on brining in the "converts" and increasing the numbers. John McArthur noted that these churches "were not trying to hit at the core of biblical faith; they were simply trying to make Christianity more palatable to a cynical world." Even the late and illustrious Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon sounded the warning of a shift away from a Biblical foundation to a "feel good" approach to religion. His cries went unheeded. What we are witnessing today in this mass proliferation of religions is the result of that trend which began in the late 1800's and accelerated toward the end of the 20th century. Today identification with any particular religious body is not based so much on doctrine as it is on what that church can do for the individual. If a church does not meet the self-centered demands of any particular member, that member simply starts another church, with a different name, and some kind of unique, catchy title, or some bizarre practice (moral or spiritual) that satisfies their immoral penchant or twisted way of thinking. A good case in point came to my attention last week when I was directed to a web page featuring yet another church called "Beer And Hymns." It is a spin off of the First Christian Church in Portland, Oregon. The author of this little tidbit of information described this new "church" thus: "With mainline religious congregations dwindling across America, a scattering of churches is trying to attract new members by creating a different sort of Christian community. They are gathering around craft beer. Some church groups are brewing it themselves, while others bring the Holy Mysteries to a taproom. The result is not sloshed congregants; rather, it's an exploratory approach to do church differently." The "pastor" of this church, Amy Piatt, believes that church is going to be "something different" and what it is to be "we are still finding out...But it's lovely, God is still there, and that's what's most important."

Sensible, Bible loving seekers of truth recognize immediately that the above approach to "do church" is so far removed from the teachings of the Bible that we scratch our heads in utter astonishment. But the "Beer and Hymns" church is a good example of how pragmatism, humanism, postmodernism, and will worship have contributed to a trend in which every man becomes a law unto himself, and the final outcome can be more proliferation of religion; all in the name of religion. How sad!

Sermon on Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:15  ”……………….choose you this day whom ye will serve………but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

These words spoken by Joshua a long time ago, address what I truly believe is one of the greatest needs of our age. I know not how you feel about this but I am convinced that the strength of our nation, the strength of the community in which we live, the strength of the church is found in the commitment to make our homes, homes that truly fear the Lord and  serve him in sincerity (Joshua 24:14; Eph. 6:24).

We live today in a fast paced society in which so much pressure is being exerted upon us to say, think and do things that are not in harmony with the will of God. We cannot just assume that because we believe in God or because we go to church services, that our homes are going to be homes that serve the Lord. Every member of the family unit needs to examine and re-examine their place in the home—husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters need to take a close look at their individual responsibilities (Eph. 5:22-31; Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 22:6; 2 Tim. 1:5).

Insofar as the home is concerned, I truly believe that a lot of pain, heartache and misery have been brought into all of our lives because God’s will concerning marriage has not been respected and followed (Matt. 19:3-9). Just because the government allows divorce for any reason does not mean that God condones it. We need to go back to the biblical principle of marriage: male and female, cleaving together as one flesh,  until death does them part.

 If our homes are going to be homes that serve the Lord in sincerity, homes in which our children and grandchildren are reared in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, we are going to have to teach them not only in word but also by example what it means to have that kind of home. It will be a home in which children are being taught some great basic values of life: RESPECT—WORK—PRAYER—TRUST. If these values are not seen in abundance in our lives as husbands, wives, mothers and fathers, then in all likelihood they will not be found in the lives of our children. As parents or just as husbands and wives, we need to work overtime to make sure our homes are serving the Lord (2 Tim. 1:5).

Much more can be said on his particular subject but for now suffice it to say that America does have a lot of problems—crime, disrespect for authority, loose morality, greed, perversions of all kinds, homosexuality and the list can go on and on. Answers are constantly being sought for our problems but I fear that most people are seeking those answers in the wrong place. Simply put, God is the answer and I truly believe that most of our ills would be cured with homes truly serving the Lord. “AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE _______”  (You fill in the blank).

Charles Hicks

How to have a memorable thanksgiving

Someday There Will Be A Better Thanksgiving

By Tom Wacaster

It has been more than three decades since the late Adair Chapman shared the following story with his readers:

As most families in the community were gathering around dining tables for Thanksgiving dinner, I stood with another family and a few friends who had quietly assembled in the small country cemetery to bid an earthly farewell to a young man who had  died in defense of his country.  Down the road, sounds of laughter and exchanged greetings between those who had come home for a holiday reunion seemed in cruel contrast with the suppressed sobs of the bereaved.   The simple graveside service over, we returned to the house where friends and neighbors had prepared dinner for the family. Sympathetic neighbors could provide food and speak words of comfort, but there was on thing they could not do.  They could not fill the empty chair that remained unoccupied during the meal.  As the little family ate in silence, the father turned his face and looked through the window toward the hillside where the beautiful floral arrangements would soon wilt, and slowly remarked, "Someday, there'll be a better Thanksgiving."

One week from tomorrow our nation will celebrate Thanksgiving Day.   It has been recorded in the pages of history, and the annals of Congress, that this nation of ours should set aside and recognize one day a year as "Thanksgiving Day."  I cannot remember a single year that has ever  passed wherein I was denied the opportunity to observe this national holiday, and most of the time those days of celebration were spent with family.  This Thursday will be my 66th such occasion, even though the  first dozen years are not as vivid in my memory as the past dozen. 

"Thanksgiving Day"!  What do those words mean to you?  What thoughts and memories do they conjure up in your mind?  To some, Thanksgiving Day is one of back-to-back football games, early morning Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on television, the smell of turkey cooking in the oven, and left overs at days end.  To others it is nothing more than an  extended weekend, an extra day at the office, or an opportunity to spend some time in a lease waiting for  that deer to drop by your way so you can "bag" a six pointer, or tell about the one that got away.  And, sadly, to some it will be a day of ill health, loss of a loved one, or some tragedy that might strike at some unexpected moment in our life.   

Thanksgiving Day should cause us to pause and reflect on our good fortune and "every good gift and every perfect gift" that has come down to us "from the Father of lights, with whom there can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning" (James 1:17). But it should also cause those who are God's children to reflect upon that day when the "better Thanksgiving" will be bestowed upon us.   

The words spoken by that bereaved father in brother Chapman's story are the expression of those who hope in heaven, and look forward to that time when we shall be forever reunited with our spiritual family.   In that day God shall wipe away every tear from our eyes.  There will be no more death, sorrow, pain or suffering.  "Someday" we will sit down at a table so unlike the Thanksgiving Day table at which we will sit next week and join hands and give thanks to the Father in heaven.  "Someday" our thanksgiving will be expressed not just on one day, but throughout eternity as we bow at the feet of our Father.   Turkey and dressing will not fill our stomachs, but the fruit from the tree of life.  

After the celebration of Thanksgiving Day, many of us will bid farewell to our children, grandchildren, parents and in-laws who have come to enjoy the food and fellowship.  For some that farewell will be for only a few days; for others the time between visits will be months, if not years.  For some it will be the last farewell this side of eternity.  But "someday," when the Lord comes again, "we that are alive, who are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17). 

Who was Barabbas?

An Astonishing Choice

by Tom Wacaster

"Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would.  And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" (Matt. 27:15-17).  I don't know where the "custom" originated that allowed the Jews to select some prisoner for release, but likely it had to do with Rome's attempt to appease the Jews by granting liberty to some political prisoner.  After all, Israel was almost at constant odds with Rome politically.  

Little did Pilate imagine that this Jewish mob would, when given the choice, prefer a cold-blooded killer over a man Who went about doing good, and against Whom no charge of wrong could be levied.  Oh yes, Barabbas was a "notable" prisoner; no doubt a seditionist, a zealot who hated Rome and Rome's occupation of the Promised Land.  Somewhere in the recesses of the not-too-distant past this man had taken someone's life.  Arrested, tried, and convicted he was confined to a prison in Jerusalem to await his execution by crucifixion.  Here was a murderer, a seditionist, deserving of the death that awaited him along with the two thieves who would eventually be crucified with Christ.  Little did Barabbas imagine that in the early hours of the very day of his scheduled execution he would be granted not only a stay of execution, but a full release from prison.  In an attempt to appease the angry mob,  Pilate offered the Jews a choice.  Knowing the Jews had delivered up Jesus out of jealousy, he asked, "Who shall I release to you?  Jesus, or Barabbas."   

 It is rather ironic that the name "Barabbas" means "son of father" ("Bar" meaning "son of," and "abba" meaning "father").  That dark night in Jerusalem, Israel was given the choice between two men as to whom they would accept, and whom they would reject. Jesus was the Son of the Father of all men; Barabbas the son of some unnamed man.  Was Barabbas' earthly father still alive?  Did he live in Jerusalem?  Was he aware of the fate of his son, and the turn of events that would set this man free?  No information is provided.  But this we know about the "father" of each of these men.  The father of one, if alive, or even aware of his son's life, must have hung his head in shame.  The Father of the Other was "well pleased" with the love and obedience demonstrated by His Son's short thirty-three year earthly tenor.   

To appease the crown, Pilate gave the mob a choice: Jesus or Barabbas!  The governor must have been shocked to hear that the people preferred this vile, wicked murderer to Jesus.   But that is the choice they made.  And their choice echoes through the halls of history revealing the extreme to which men will go when they are determined to rid their lives of Jesus.   The atheist selects Barabbas over Jesus when he rejects the abundant evidence of the existence of God and deity of Jesus.  He plays the fool (Psa. 14:1) and willfully closes his eyes to the abundant "proofs" that declare the glory of God and shows His wonderful handiwork (Psa. 19:1).  In exchange he offers nothing to the world but a bleak outlook on life and an eternity filled with hopeless non existence. 

The profligate likewise selects Barabbas over Jesus when he follows in the footsteps of that notorious criminal who had little respect for life and no respect for authority.  Desiring to live a life of debauchery, the profligate rejects every attempt to reign in a life that is out of control, and chooses instead to continue his journey into the dark night of indulgence and self pleasure.

The unethical abortionist, unloving mother, and uncaring society select Barabbas over Jesus every time a baby is torn from his mother's womb and the masses of a society remain silent without so  much as a whimper or wailing cry!   Right and wrong mean nothing, and the value of human life even less to those who chose Barabbas over Jesus so that they might escape the responsibility that comes with bringing a child into this world.

The list goes on!  The homosexual selects Barabbas over Jesus for an unholy, perverted life style.  The religious leaders and foolish followers who perpetrate, perpetuate, or participate in religious error have selected Barabbas over Jesus.  The child of God that turns back to the filth of the world has made a bad choice.  Every lukewarm, indifferent, undedicated, uncommitted child of God who allow pleasure to come between them and their God, have selected Barabbas over Jesus.  Cowardly elders who choose to appease rebellious members rather than have the whole counsel of God preached, have likewise selected Barabbas over Jesus. 

Yes, the choice those Jews made on that fateful day has been repeated by untold billions.  When men choose a person, philosophy or policy over Christ, have they not called for the release of Barabbas over the Christ?  "Not this man, but Barabbas!"  Whether in person, principle, or way of life, when men choose to "crucify" Christ afresh they are asking for Barabbas over Christ.   Every time someone rejects the authority of Christ for tradition, family religion, or a moral life style contrary to the teaching of the New Testament, they have asked for Barabbas over Jesus.  When we turn away from Christ and give in to anger, selfishness, envy, jealousy, hatred, evil speaking, we have chosen Barabbas instead of Jesus.

Each of us will eventually find ourselves in the shoes of Pilate.   Not to try Jesus, or to hear the arguments of the rebellious mob who rejected and crucified our Lord.  Like Pilate, each one of us will, at least one time, face the decision of whether to choose Jesus or Barabbas.  Dear friend, what choice will you make? Barabbas or Jesus?

~~~

Alexander Tsiaras - "TED Talks"

There's an air of excitement in my home that hasn't been there in awhile. My wife and I are getting more anxious as the projected date of arrival for our newest grandson grows closer. We've been through this three times before, and each time has been special. Now it's our daughter, our youngest, who is about to present us with a fourth grandson.

Even when the birth of a child is not within your personal circle, it's an amazing phenomenon. A few months ago I came across a video that I have recommended to several. Alexander Tsiaras is the presenter on this "TED Talks" video, and he discusses modern imaging techniques that allow us to watch the development of the fetus inside its mother's womb. (Go to http://youtu.be/fKyljukBE70 to see it.)

Tsiaras, who is obviously a gifted scientist, goes into detail about the development of the child. Early in his presentation he observes how collagen is found throughout the body. But in only one part of the body does its structure change, and that's in the cornea of the eye. In that one place only does collagen become transparent - a handy spot to have transparent tissue! At that point Tsiaras makes this comment: "It was hard not to attribute divinity to it."

David had no such hesitancy to attribute divinity to the formation of life in the womb. He wrote: "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works" (Psalm 139:13,14). Children, even before they are born, declare to us how great God is.

I frankly can't imagine the thrill of knowing that there is another person undergoing construction inside of my body. But, then again, that's a challenge I've been given.

The New Testament is clear about the importance of having a life centered around Christ. But it goes farther than "centered around". Here's how Paul stated the aim in Colossians 1:27: "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Christ in me? That's exactly what the New Testament teaches, and to attain that goal is to have "the hope of glory". But how can I hope to have Christ in me?

Paul answers our question in Galatians 4:19: "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you." The formation of Christ in us is a process. Each day He should grow in our lives, exerting more influence over our thoughts, words and actions. In time, perhaps people will come to see Christ when they see me. Amazing!

Timothy D. Hall

Property possession under the Law of Moses

DIGGING, SEARCHING and COMPARING...

The following questions have to do with property possession under the Law of Moses.  This is pertinent for understanding Naboth’s answer to Ahab and for understanding what happened to Naboth’s sons at the same time (2 Kings 9:26).

•Why might Naboth not want to sell his vineyard (Num. 36:7; Ezek. 46:18)?

•Using Leviticus 25:1-55, answer the following questions:

1.How do you know that fields could be redeemed by the original owner within a year or, if not then, in the year of Jubilee?

2.Who could the Israelites NOT sell their lands to?  Why?

•In the account found in Numbers 27 and Numbers 36, who received the inheritance of their father?  What would happen if they married within another tribe (Num. 27:7; Num. 36)?

•By implication, who usually received the inheritance (You may also search keywords birthright or firstborn.)?

•When there was no heir, who inherited?  Give the line of succession.

•Who were daughters to marry (Num. 36:3-13; Deut. 7:1-4)?

•By implication, who would sons of the tribes marry?

•What was to be the inheritance of the tribe of Levi (Num. 18; Num. 35; Deut. 10:9; 18:1)?

•What was the situation surrounding Ruth’s inheritance and why the nearest of kin could not take possession of it when Boaz gave him the chance (Ruth 4:5)? 

Enjoy!
--Beth Johnson

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Tomorrow, Monday the 11^th, is Veteran’s Day. Or, as it used to be called, "Remembrance Day." I like to call it "Veteran’s Remembrance Day." Our lesson today will be built around this occasion and some thoughts regarding it. In doing so, I’m going to use a beautifully written article that I recently read and let it lead us into a spiritual application.

The article of which I speak is entitled "The Path Of The Warrior" and, due to it being quite lengthy, I’ll synopsise it here and give you the salient points of it and then draw some spiritual conclusions relative to those points.

The article starts off by reminding us that there are many "callings" in life with which we can choose to involve ourselves. Many "paths" that can be taken. Callings such as teaching, business, medical service, etc. But, one of the most difficult is the "path of the warrior."

William Havard, a military chaplain during WW1 once penned these words: "The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children." It is the warrior who is called on to protect that freedom so that it can be passed on to following generations. It’s the warrior that fights for others in places far from home and family. All the while knowing that it may cost them their life or much pain and suffering.

To be a warrior requires certain qualities, to wit: COURAGE, COMMITMENT & RESILIENCE. It takes COURAGE to face the enemy and the horrors of war. It takes COMMITMENT to leave behind loved ones in order to ensure their safety. And, it takes RESILIENCE to remain focused on the goal of preventing our freedom from being lost.

Some pretty astute person once said, "Politics and opinions flow like the ocean’s tide." I don’t know who that person was, but he/she said a mouthful when they said it. What is meant by that is, that they are always changing, always moving. But, as it applies to our illustration, the "path of the warrior" remains steadfast.

This is where the "resiliency" comes into play. The warrior recognizes the enemy as such and meets him on the field of battle. Even though the warrior is always prepared to meet the enemy and perform his duty, no one wants peace more than the warrior. And the reason for that is because the warrior knows, better than anyone else, the true cost of war.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur once said: "The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." To me, that is why we must never fail to pay respects and honor to our veterans.

The warrior knows that freedom has never been free. He knows that the price of freedom has always been paid for by blood. Yet, when the time for battle comes the warrior never flinches from it. It is by and through the actions of the warrior that we enjoy the blessings of liberty and freedom.

The article concluded by dedicating the words and thoughts of it to "the men and women - the warriors - who have fought our wars with honor and courage." The author of the article then closed with this prayer: "May God bless you and keep you safe until you are once more in the arms of your loved ones." I just simply add: AMEN!

Okay, parabolically speaking, let’s lay our spiritual lesson along side the thoughts of the aforementioned article - the "Path Of The Warrior." In doing so, let’s see Christians as warriors and I think the comparisons will be easily seen.

Let me start by reminding you that Christians are the members, the soldiers, of God’s Army. Just like everyone in society, we’ve had or still have, various "callings" in our lives. But, no matter what earthly "path" we’ve followed, we recognize a higher one - our service to God and Christ.

Being in that "Army", we know that sometimes that service can be difficult. That sometimes we have to take our "sword" (Eph. 6:17 the "word of God") and meet the forces of evil in battle. It’s here that the qualities of the "earthly warrior" apply to the "Christian warrior."

We have to have COURAGE to face the enemy, the "wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11) in any and all of its various forms. To stand up for Christ when it may not be the popular or safe thing to do. I’m reminded of a hymn we frequently sing entitled: "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" and you’ll recall these words from verse 2: "Let courage rise with danger, And strength to strength oppose."

As to the Christian warrior’s COMMITMENT, we have to be fully committed to the cause of Christ. Be always prepared to follow our "General" and the teachings of His Truth because there is so much untruth surrounding us. In other words, if we’re going to wield the "sword" we’d better know how to use it correctly and to its best effectiveness.

Does the Christian warrior have to have RESILIENCE? Absolutely! We have to remain focused on the Christian’s goal as much as the earthly warriors do on theirs. That goal is, in a nutshell, to save their own soul and as many others as they can. Bible words that tie closely to resilience are "perseverance" and "diligence." In Eph. 6:18 where we’ve just read about the "armor of God" we see that we have to wage our warfare against the devil "with all perseverance." Peter tells us in 2Pet. 1:10 that we have to have "diligence to make our calling and election sure."

Like unto the "politics and opinions" mentioned earlier, there are many false doctrines put in this world by our enemy - Satan. And, like the "tide," they’re constantly changing. Could that be why the Gospel calls them the "winds of doctrine?" (Eph 4:14) In the face of this, the Christian warrior has to remain COURAGEOUS, COMMITTED AND RESILIENT in our duty to Christ.
And, we have to embody these qualities throughout our service period, with that being our death (Rev. 2:10). Only then do we leave the field of battle and are "once more in the arms of our loved ones." And then will come the "peace" that our warrior lives have sought for.

We have to always be prepared, be on guard, to face our greatest enemy, or as God says, our "Adversary." (1Pet. 5:8) Because we know that to lose this spiritual battle is to lose our eternal life, thus, our eternal peace. Remember the price of "freedom" is "blood?" The price of our soul’s "freedom" was the blood shed on the cross by Christ. That He "laid down His life for His friends."

In closing, I’d like to echo the sentiment expressed by the author of "The Path Of The Warrior" and dedicate my thoughts today to all of the faithful "warriors" in God’s Service, in the past and those "warriors" operating on the "front lines" today.

                            "We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds." Anton Chekhov
Ron Covey

WHERE AND HOW TO SEEK THE LORD

Our work is to discern which temptations the person we are trying to teach has fallen to—the person who does not (yet) understand God's truth. There could be many reasons, but Romans 1:18-32 and 2 Thess. 2:10-12 make it very clear why the majority of souls don't respond.

From those passages we understand that the test must be given when a person is very young!  In one sense that seems strange. At what age does the Lord show a person the truth about himself (Rom. 1:20-21)?

I understood about the Lord making the world at a rather young age (comparatively), and made a decision to seek Him—maybe not like I should have, but a decision to seek Him nevertheless. My parents had supplied a great deal of knowledge, and the Bible classes and lessons at the assembly gave me much more to work with, so that when I made the decision to seek the Lord, I knew reasonably well where to look in the scriptures. Of course I have found much more over the years, but the initial decision was not thwarted by a lack of knowledge of where to look! Nevertheless, the Lord says he is looking down from heaven to find those who seek him, AND, understand (Psa. 14:1-3; 53:1-3).

Beth Johnson