Free Bibles - be saved by reading the Bible

 "So Jesus told them, My message is not my own; it comes from God who

 sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my

 teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for them-

 selves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor

 the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies." John 7:16-18 (NLT)

My wife and I have been having an estate sale for the past 4 days and one of the things I've noted about these sorts of events is, that you meet many interesting (?) people who come to finger everything and maybe buy something. One of these interesting people, a young man who likes to camp out miles from anyone, stands out in my mind. I know this because he expounded on it for what seemed like hours as he finally purchased a few camping items.

I had some Bibles and some small New Testaments on a table with a FREE sign above them. He picked one of the New Testaments, which also included Proverbs, and then regaled me for what seemed like hours about Proverbs being his favorite book of the Bible. This led to a discussion regarding the Bible and it's interpretation by people. Basically, his belief (?) was that it's up to the individual to determine what the Bible says. That we should not have "blind faith" (his words) in the Gospel writers. That they were only human IE: they put their own spin on things.

I attempted to debate the point with him, telling him that the Holy Spirit directed what they wrote and that their "writings" were not their own. All of my efforts were to no avail though and he (finally) took his purchases and the New Testament and left.

My encounter with this young man reminded me of something I once read called "Chilholm's Law." I don't know who Chilholm is, or was, but I'll have to say that he was pretty astute because he said: "If you explain so clearly that nobody can misunderstand ... somebody will."

The truth of this law gets proven over and over, just like my young "lonely camper" friend. People just fail to accept clear communication a lot of the time. Here's a humorous little example: "How did you come to fall in the lake?" the father asked. The son replied, "Oh, I didn't come to fall in the lake. I came to fish!"

That reminded me of a line from an old movie entitled "Cool Hand Luke." The warden of the prison said a line that has been many times repeated. He told the prisoners: "What we've got here is a failure to communicate." That was certainly my situation with my young camping/Bible debater. We were definitely communicating, but not on the same level.

Many times, what you said and what people THINK you said are two different things. I think husbands probably understand this principle better than anyone.

Another good example of missed communications is - newspapers. And lately a good example is TV news, as in the recent Boston bombing event. The media often have to retract something that they've said or written because they misinterpreted a communication and thus, mis-communicated to us. When they have to correct something they call it "clarification." And the government calls it a "mis-speak." Never do either of them call it a "lie." Whatever you choose to call it, much of the time it's a "failure to communicate."

Well, how does all of this apply to a scriptural lesson? Here's the way I'm going to apply it. I see "failure to PROPERLY communicate" to have a great effect on how many perceive the Bible. A lot of people think that it's impossible to interpret the Scriptures. You'll hear them say things like; "You interpret it your way and I'll interpret it my way and we'll just agree to disagree."

In a recent editorial I told you what I thought about that "agreeing to disagree" idea. I said that "if I agreed with you, we'll both be wrong." That's still my position on the philosophy of "agreeing to disagree."

Let me just wrap this lesson up as simply as I know how. If you give any credence to the "you interpret the Bible your way and I'll interpret it mine" then there are a couple of things you need to consider. One - Either God COULD NOT communicate His Will to us in a way that we could understand it OR, Two - He WOULD NOT.

In considering what I just said consider this: the first view impugns HIS POWER. The second impugns HIS LOVE. I just don't think that I want to accuse God of either of those two things. Would you?

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians says that "by revelation he was made known the mystery (of the Gospel)" and, that he has written to us so that "you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." (Eph. 3:2-4)

He also told us later in the same letter that his writing of his knowledge, by our reading it, we would "not be unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (5:17)

In closing my thoughts today, let me remind you of our prefacing passage: "anyone who wants to do the will of God will know my teaching..." If there is any breakdown in communication, if there's a "failure to communicate" with God - it's OUR FAULT. NOT GOD'S!

As to the manner in which God speaks to us through the written Word, and addressing a closing thought to the interpretation of the Bible, let me just leave you with one last passage. Read with me the words given us by Peter in 2Pet. 1:19-21. (NLT)

"Because of that experience (witnessing the glory and honor given to Jesus by The Father), we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place - until the Day dawns and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophesy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God."

In regards to this topic today, here's my "blind faith" in a nutshell. IF anyone really desires to understand God's message given through His Son - THEY WILL!

Ron Covey

Carlos Arredondo

Mercy Came Running

 

He has been called the "face of the tragedy" by the International Business Times. The tragedy is the Boston bombings during the Boston Marathon earlier this week. The face is that of Carlos Arredondo, Boston's cowboy hat-wearing hero.

 

Carlos and his wife Melida were watching the Boston Marathon from the VIP stands. They were there in support of the National Guard runners, representing Run for the Fallen - Maine, an organization established to honor Marines who have been killed since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. One of the National Guard runners was in the marathon in honor of their son, Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo, who died fighting in Iraq in 2004.

 

Immediately after the bombs went off, Arredondo ran, not away from the chaos, but toward it. He jumped the barricade fence and immediately began helping the injured victims of the blast. He used his clothes and towels to apply tourniquets to maimed victims lying on the street.

 

"There was blood on the floor. There was blood everywhere," a still visibly shaken Arredondo told reporters, according to a YouTube clip. "Then, all you see is limbs everywhere. I mean, everywhere."

 

Arredondo and his cowboy hat have become a lasting image of heroism because he ran toward the devastation and immediately began helping victims.

 

Arredondo reminds us of One who came to OUR rescue.

 

When we were hopelessly lost and destined for destruction because of our sins, God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we might have forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7).

 

Phillips, Craig, and Dean have described beautifully how Jesus came to our rescue in a song entitled, Mercy Came Running:

 

"Mercy came running, Like a prisoner set free Past all my failures, To the point of my need When the sin that I carried, Was all I could see And when I could not reach mercy.... Mercy came running to me."

 

When we were damaged and dying due to our sins (Romans 3:23; 6:23), Mercy came running to save us!

 

Jesus will save those who accept His mercy on His terms by placing their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to extend mercy to those who continue to seek to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

 

Won't YOU accept His Mercy by trusting and obeying Jesus?

 

David Sargent

 

How to face our Mortality

We were still processing the horror of the bombings in Boston when word came of another tragic event in West, Texas. In both instances, death and destruction came with little or no warning. Innocent victims were claimed. The shock waves from both events have spread far and wide. We realize more clearly than ever that we are mortal.

There are some activities that are bristling with risks. Mountain climbers who scale dangerous peaks understand that their lives are on the line. Skydivers must enjoy the rush of emotions as they plummet toward earth, but they also know the extreme danger of their sport. But those poor folks in Boston and West were simply - living. Is that now on the list of high risk activities?

As a matter of fact, everyday living does carry risks. An article on MedHelp.org entitled "The 25 Most Common Causes Of Death" underscores the risk we take each day we live: "The truth is, you're 23 times more likely to die falling off a building than in a skydiving accident, and 40 thousand times more likely to die crossing the street than in a terrorist attack on a commercial airliner." (http://www.medhelp.org/general-health/articles/The-25-Most-Common- Causes-of-Death/193)

As one distressing headline follows another, more people are struggling with the realization that they are not guaranteed another day - another minute, in fact - of life. One moment all seems well; the next moment the unexpected has happened.

This fear of death can be crippling. But as someone has observed: "The fear of death won't keep you from dying; but it can keep you from living." There are some things I can do to minimize the possibility of my early demise - avoid fast driving, buckle my seat belt, run from angry bears, etc. But there is no way I can totally remove the risks of living.

Removing the fear of death - Jesus can help us with that.

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" (Hebrews 2:14,15, ESV). What Jesus did for us at Calvary was more than make forgiveness possible, though that is a significant feat. He also made it possible for us to live outside of the shadow of death.

Isn't this one reason the 23rd Psalm is so beloved? Recall these lines: "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. ... Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:1,4). When we must approach that fearful valley of death, whether abruptly or through a prolonged march, Jesus will walk with His people. He can deliver us from the fear of dying.

Paul knew his departure was near when he wrote these words: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day ..." (2 Timothy 4:7,8).

That sense of calm confidence as we view our mortality is a gift to all who are in Christ!

Timothy D. Hall

The bombing in Bosting

By Now you have heard or read thousands of word and seen countless replays and commentaries on the bombings in Boston this week. Yet with all of those words, the one word we have read and heard most often is the word "Tragedy". I'm sure that each of us as Americans has the greatest sympathy and pain in our hearts for those involved in this tragic event, I know our house has sorrowed for them and prayed for them.

The word "tragedy" simply means "a disastrous event"; how disastrous depends upon which side of the tragedy you are on!

These bombings were a tragedy in several ways. First, to those who were killed and injured. Almost nothing can affect our lives more than the death of one we love or our own injury or the injury of one we love. It has the ability to take away dreams for the future if we allow it. It sometimes hardens our hearts and fills them with a sense of hate or despair. For those of us who did not have someone we knew personally killed or injured in the bombings it can instill anger and outrage against the ones who did these terrible things.

Secondly, it is a tragedy that someone thought so little of the lives of innocent people to plan and carry out such a horrific attack. It is the sign of a mind that is sick and twisted with sin. Satan has been extremely successful it causing hate in the heart of the ones who planted those bombs and I'm afraid he is successful in getting hate to rise in the hearts of many of God's people. I readily admit that I have no sympathy for the ones who brought about this terrible attack. I desire justice to be rendered upon them to the full extent of our laws!

That of course is the human side of me speaking. I demand justice for others, those who steal, rob, car jack, sell drugs, murder, injure others or any number of other things which break our laws or the laws of God. At the same time I tend to avoid thinking of all of the times that I break God's Law. I depend upon His Grace rather than justice.

The other side of me, the side that tries to be more like God, remembers a murderer by the name of Paul that God chose to use. This man turned his life around and became one of the greatest teachers and evangelist in Christian history. He wrote of God's purpose and his life in 1 Timothy 1:15 where he said: "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and I am the worst of them all".

At times I really don't know which side of me is the strongest. Maybe it's like the old parable that says, "the side that wins is the side you feed". How about you, which side are  you feeding?

Russ Lawson

 

Playing church

 

2 Corinthians 1:24 "Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand."

 

Many are the events of our life that would be unbearable without the help and support of our families, friends and sometimes even strangers. All of use from time to time need to be lifted up and strengthened through words and deeds of kindness from others. Yet I firmly believe that our success or failure in those times of need rest largely upon the strength of our faith in our God. We often sing, "Faith Is The Victory That Overcomes The World". I am convinced today that faith is that substance, that undergirding power that motivates the Christian's entire being. Often as we pray, we ask God to increase our faith and that is a most proper petition to make of him (Luke 17:5). However, we must understand that there will be no miracle involved here, no direct operation of the Holy Spirit to increase our faith. We learn from Rom 10:17 that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Then James tells us to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22). It follows then that our faith will increase only in proportion to our zeal and enthusiasm in studying God's word (2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Pet. 2:2, Heb. 5:12-14) and acting on that word. There must be a dedicated effort on our part  to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour (2 Pet. 3:18, 2 Pet. 1:5-10).

 

There are many common place things that test the quantity and quality of our faith. Every day we are led to a stream to drink and show what we are and whether we are in earnest about spiritual things. My friends, we show our spiritual state, we exhibit to all those around us what kind of faith we have not only by what we say but also by what we do (James 2:14-24, Gal. 6:10, Gal. 6:1-2, Phil. 4:8, 1 Ti. 4:12, 16).

 

Reflecting back over the years spent as a preacher, elder or just a member of the Lord's church, I have concluded that there are many who simply "play" at being religious. Jobs, careers, families, recreation, amusements are allowed to crowd God out of their lives. O, the faith of many shines brightly on Sunday morning but it dims considerably following the final "amen" at the morning worship service. It does seem that there are those who have just enough faith to make them miserable. One of the thrilling stories of the Old Testament is that of Gideon (Judges 7). Gideon began with an army of 10,000 men but we learn quickly that 9,700 of those men were just tagging along without any sense of an obligation as a soldier. They were there but their heart was not in it. He was left with 300 men filled with faith in the cause they were fighting for and willing to stake their lives on that cause. I wonder today, are we soldiers of the cross or are we "taggers" Each of us must answer for our own self (2 Cor. 13:5). As my faith grows each day, my trust in my God grows and as a result my view of the future and what it holds is clear and bright (Rev. 14:13).

 

I pray each of us will do as 1 cor. 16:13 admonishes, "…stand fast in the faith…" I urge you to think seriously and apply the words of Matt. 9:29 to your faith. May we ever be thankful to God who gives us the victory (1 Cor. 15:57).

 

Charles Hicks

 

 

Illustrations for procrastination

 

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

                        "Now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation."

                                                                                                                            (2 Cor. 6:2)

Our lesson today is based upon a word study. A word which I'm afraid that all of us are far too familiar with. I know that I've certainly practiced it way too many times and if you're honest with yourself, you'll probably admit the same thing. And, like me, you regretted it when you were guilty of its usage. Yes, my (our) study word for today is - PROCRASTINATION.

Let me just backfill your knowledge reservoir a little and thereby explain how this word came to be our subject lesson today. What recently happened to bring this word and its subsequent results home to roost, so to speak. And I've no doubt that, were we together, you could regale me with your own examples of the procrastinating times of your life. But, since I'm the one offering the lesson, I can only use myself as a lead-in to it.

I've mentioned in past editorials that we moved to a new residence about 6 months ago and had all the good intentions of getting all our "stuff" out of the old house and putting on the market. But, since we owned it outright, there just wasn't any hurry, no sense of urgency to get that done.

We'd lived there 37 years and I'm what some refer to as a "hoarder" but I rather see myself as a "treasure hunter." Needless to say, I had accumulated "much treasure" in those 37 years and they need to be disposed of. Well, you know how the saying goes, I'll get around to it someday. Well, all of a sudden a guy wanted to buy my house, it's in escrow and "someday" has arrived with a vengeance. All of this should have been done months ago but, I "procrastinated" just a little too long.

One of my Bible heroes is the Apostle Paul and I can now say that, at least in one aspect, I've caught up with him, nay I think I've passed him. I now have several "thorns in the flesh" not just one. My back hurts, my legs hurt, my necks sore, in fact I'm sore all over. I've got "thorns" everywhere. My point's easily seen here, isn't it? I'm paying for my "procrastination" and I don't have to tell you that I'm regretting it.

Ok, let's get into the lesson in chief. First, let's look at the word PROCRASTINATION a little closer. It's derived from PRO meaning "forward" and CRASTINATION meaning "belonging to tomorrow." Thus, to put off doing something until the future pretty much sums up the meaning of the word. Of course, we easily recognize the poor reasoning involved there, don't we? We're not guaranteed a future, are we?

Procrastinating is bad enough in our secular lives but, it's especially bad when it comes to our spiritual lives. Everyone recognizes that it's a bad thing. That we shouldn't "put off 'til tomorrow what we can do today" as the old saying goes.

I believe that saying fits perfectly with the lesson Jesus was teaching on the mount when He told his listeners that they shouldn't "worry about tomorrow" because it comes with it's own "worries." Therefore, we should take care of "today's" problems and not add them to "tomorrow's." You can read His words in Matt. 6:34 and check that I paraphrased His message correctly.

There are a lot of things wrong about "procrastination." Let me just mention a few of them as they apply to our spiritual lives. My first thought is, that it's a thief. A thief is one that steals from you and, when you really think about it, isn't that what procrastination does? When we put off our service to God, when we "procrastinate" about doing something that we know needs doing, aren't we stealing from God?

Another detrimental thing about "procrastination" is that it's a liar. It always says "tomorrow" but you and I know that much of the time that means "never." Sort of like the title words of a song the Statler Brothers used to sing - "Tomorrow Never Comes."

And, think about it this way - "procrastination" is dishonorable. This goes right along with the previous paragraph about it being a "liar." We can't honestly say that we'll be able to do something at a future time, can we? Someone once said "tomorrow belongs to those who will live in it." We don't honestly know that we'll be in tomorrow, do we?

Did you ever consider that "procrastination" is probably one of the best weapons that Satan has in his arsenal? The Bible tells us that Satan (the Devil) is the "deceiver" of the world (Rev. 12:9 & 20: 3&10). There are many lessons about "time" and here's another aspect of it. Satan cannot promise anyone time because he has no control over it. Time belongs only to God (James 4:13-17). Therefore, "procrastination" promises something which it cannot deliver, thus is a "deceiver" just like its father.

But here's the greatest negative about "procrastination" as far as our soul is concerned. By our use of it, it becomes a robber in that it can rob us of our soul. I wonder how many souls have been lost simply because they decided to put off baptism and obedience to Christ "til tomorrow"? How many have said, "Yeah, I know I need to be baptized and I'll get around to it someday" and never lived to see "someday?" I guess that it's a number that we will never know, but God does.

You know, I've never met a person who told me that they planned on going to hell. Of all the people I've met in my life, they've either not believed in God and hell period, or they somewhat believe but figure that God's going to save all the "good" people anyway or they are Christians who are saved.

Then there's the ones who are like King Agrippa who are "almost Christians." They just haven't made that final step that means salvation for their soul. They intend to and we know what they say about "good intentions" don't we? Like me with my old house, they just "procrastinate" and don't take care of business when they have the opportunity. I'm fortunate in that my "procrastination" has only cost me a lot of aches and pains. Their's can cost them eternal life.

Ron Covey

Mosby, Missouri

In August of 2011, a LifeNet helicopter crashed in a pasture near Mosby, Missouri, within sight of and only a mile from the intended destination. The pilot and three passengers - a patient and two medical personnel - were killed instantly.

Federal safety officials announced this week that the pilot was at fault. Specifically, they said the fatal crash was due to fatigue, lack of training, and. distracted texting!

Mike Ahlers of CNN reports that safety officials discovered in an investigation that the pilot "sent several text messages with one hand while flying the helicopter with the other....

But those text messages in the air - which ended 19 minutes before the crash - turned out to be less consequential than text messages he sent and received while on the ground. Investigators believe [the pilot] engaged in an extensive text conversation with a colleague about dinner plans while he was conducting mandatory pre-flight checks of his helicopter. Because of those distractions, [he] missed two opportunities to detect that his helicopter did not have sufficient fuel for his mission."

After picking up the patient at a hospital, the pilot apparently took off after miscalculating that he could reach his destination. He was fatally wrong.*

Distractions can cause many problems in our lives; they can even cause us to miss out on a saving relationship with the Creator!

In the Parable of the Sower (see Mark 4:1-20), Jesus described FOUR different types of soils that represent the hearts of people and how receptive these hearts are to the Word of God. One of the soils He described was the "thorny soil" (v. 7). He later explained the hearts represented by this type of soil: "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and CHOKE the word, making it unfruitful" (vs. 18-19).

Jesus was warning that some hearts are TOO DISTRACTED to receive the Word into their hearts, obey it, and be saved.

In the same parable, Jesus taught that those whose hearts are like "good soil" are those who "HEAR the Word, RECEIVE it, and BEAR fruit" (v. 20).

Those who are not distracted are able to understand the Good News (the Gospel) that God sent His Son into the world to pay the price for our sins (John 3:16; Eph 1:7).

"GOOD HEARTS" will also understand that in order to receive the benefits of Jesus' atoning sacrifice, one must place his faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Then, as one continues to walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus - that was shed for our salvation (Matthew 26:28) - will continue to cleanse one from sin (1 John 1:7).

Don't let "distractions" keep you from reaching the heavenly destination that God desires for you (see John 14:1-6).

Study His Word with an open and honest heart, learn of God's "unspeakable Gift" - the GIFT of His Son, and accept His salvation on His terms.

Won't YOU?

David Sargent