Dale Carnegie tells of a visit to Yellowstone Park in earlier days when tourists could watch the rangers feed the grizzly bears. One night the ranger brought garbage to attract the huge creatures, which, it is said, can whip any animal in the West except perhaps the buffalo and the Kodiak bear. But Carnegie noticed that while eating, the bears would growl and send other little animals scurrying, but they would allow one little creature to eat with them-the skunk! Though it was obvious that the grizzlies resented the skunk for its brazen impudence and would have loved to have their revenge, they didn’t. And you can guess why. The cost of getting even was just too high!(copied) We live in corrupt world and it’s easy to get obsessed with try to fix all the problems. Sadly, we end up expending all our time and energy fighting against things that are not of primary importance. As believers we have received a commission to make disciples around the world—that takes every bit of time and strength we have. Don’t get sidetracked with things of lesser importance. Remember–a bulldog can whip a skunk anytime, but it’s just not worth the effort! THINK ABOUT IT. (HDS)
TRUST HIS HEART
“And He led them forth by the right way — that they might go to a city of habitation.” Psalm 107:7
God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts — neither are His ways as our ways! This truth is strikingly exemplified in the manner in which He led the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. We would have chosen the way that was nearest and most direct — but God decided otherwise. He led them round about through the wilderness, and that for the space of forty years! And not merely was it the most distant way — but it was the most dangerous way as well. It was a land of deserts and of pits — a land of drought and death — a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt.
But, as strange as it appeared, we are fully justified in saying that it was wisely arranged.
Their long detainments;
their tiresome and circuitous wanderings;
their fierce conflicts with the Moabites and the Amalekites;
the bitter waters which they had to drink; and
the fiery serpents with which they were stung —
all fulfilled the high purposes of Him who is excellent in counsel, as well as wonderful in working. However contrary His way might have been to theirs — yet “He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.”
And His dealings with His people now, are still as unusual, and as much opposed to all their preconceived plans — as were His dealings with the Israelites! He has crossed their own schemes, and thwarted their most fondly-cherished purposes! He always effects His own ends — in His own way!
Christian, what is your duty?
It is to cherish high thoughts of God in all His inscrutable dealings towards you.
It is to trust His heart — even when you can’t trace His hand; believing that “all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.”
It is to follow His guidance continually; for as He led His people of old with “the cloud by day, the pillared fire by night” — so He has promised to direct all your steps, and preserve all your goings.
It is to wait His time; for although the way may appear long and tedious — yet remember, “all is well, that ends well.” And what will the end be? “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads! They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away!”–John MacDuff
May we never forget that the generation that missed this blessing is the one that thought they had a better idea than what God planned!–HDS
PARENTS SAY “NO HELP NEEDED”
If you will pardon the illustration, there is an old bar-room song that says, “No help needed. I can handle this job all by myself.” That is the attitude most parents take today when it comes to raising their children. According to a just-released study by Life Way Research, most parents say they are trying to improve their parenting skills but few look to the Bible and only 15% look to the church as a source of guidance for parenting. The vast majority of parents (96%) agree that they consistently try to be better parents but more than 60% ignore parenting seminars and over half don’t read religious books on parenting. Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research offers his insight: “Parents claim they are trying hard to be better parents but they are not welcoming outside guidance or advice…Christians are routinely neglecting biblical guidance and encouragement in their parenting today, relying instead on their own personal experience.” Is it any wonder that families are in such a mess today?All families have problems, but this is inviting disaster! God’s Word is the perfect guide book for parents and if it is ignored the outcome won’t be good. Every parent is obligated to raise their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”(Ephesians 6:4). You can’t do that without the guidance of the Bible. Think about it!
GOD’S WORD
The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart– Hebrews 4:12
Notice first that the Word of God is quick, or alive. It always is (present tense) alive. God’s Word will always be true; it is alive forever. And therefore God’s Word is always relevant, never just a dead carcass, a used up and empty vessel from the past. It is the living, breathing truth of God. And, as Psalm 100:5 extols, “His truth endures to all generations.”
The Word of God is also powerful. It is, in other words, energetic. It is not only living, but energetically efficacious. God’s Word, Paul tells us, “is the power of God unto salvation” to every one that believes (Romans 1:16). Have you ever felt the moving, slicing, energetic operation of God’s Word on your heart as you read, or listened to, or meditated on its truth? If so, then you know the kinetic power of God’s Word to reach and melt and prick the heart.
But it is here compared to a sword—and elsewhere called a sword (Ephesians 6:17). Why do we need a sword? Because we are in a war. We daily battle, whether courageously or pathetically, the ever-present foes of sin, self, and Satan. We need the spiritual power of God’s Word to strengthen us and fight for us against these foes.
Finally, God’s Word is called a discerner. The truth of God’s Word sifts through and analyzes the myriad of ideas, aspirations, and desires with which we are enticed and, as a qualified and a skilled judge, discerns truth from error, good from bad. It is a wise weapon!
Do you feel the need today for the energetic, discerning work of God’s Word upon your heart, directing your ways? The question is asked in Jeremiah 17:9, of the deceptive human heart, “who can know it?” The answer from Hebrews is: “the Word of God can.”–Baptist Bible Hour
DICTIONARY REDEFINES MARRIAGE
Where have I been? I didn’t know until now. I just read an article entitled,”Dictionary Redefines ‘Marriage’ to Include Same-Sex Couples”. What really shocked me is that this happened in 2003. Here’s part of the article:
Dictionary Redefines ‘Marriage’ to Include Same-Sex Couples
One major dictionary company has defined marriage in broader terms than the U.S. government. Merriam-Webster tacked on a secondary definition that counts unions between same-sex couples as “marriage.”
Thu, Mar. 19, 2009 Posted: 07:27 PM EDT
One major dictionary company has defined marriage in broader terms than the U.S. government.
Similar to the definition of marriage under federal law, Merriam-Webster states marriage as “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.” Every state in the nation recognizes marriage on similar terms except for Connecticut and Massachusetts.
But the dictionary runs askew from legal recognition of marriage by the federal government and almost all the states by tacking on a secondary definition that counts unions between same-sex couples as “marriage.”
Merriam-Webster added the secondary meaning for marriage in 2003, even before gay marriage was legalized anywhere in the country. Whereas the company’s dictionary editions prior to 2003 stated no mention of same-sex marriage, the latest version now defines marriage also as “the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage.”
The change went unnoticed until WorldNetDaily recently reported on a YouTube video calling attention to the marriage “redefinition.”
Isn’t that amazing! For years people, some preachers included, have been re-naming sin, to soften the impact, but this is a new low. Now you can’t even trust the dictionary to give you a proper definition of a word. That’s why we must examine everything in the light of God’s Word. It alone is an infallible guide. This new definition might make some folks feel more comfortable in their sin, but they are still condemned in the sight of God. If that is your case, you better think about it! The solution for your sin is not defining it away, but the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from all sin. THINK ABOUT IT!
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