What must I do to be saved?

Today, the term “science” is overused, or should I say abused? People conflate consensus with knowledge. To get rid of today’s biases, let’s go back in time to see how Noah Webster defined the word nearly 200 years ago. Webster told us that “science” refers to “knowledge, or certain knowledge; the comprehension or understanding of truth or facts by the mind” (Webster). The focus then shifts to determining the facts upon which we can rely. Perhaps you’ve heard that something can only be established as fact if it is observable or repeatable in the case of an experiment. That determination is valid.

Thus, regardless of whether you accept the existence of a Creator or believe our existence is the result of random chance, you must recognize your conclusion as a matter of faith. This admission is not to say that there isn’t any evidence. There is proof. The Creator supplies testimony of Himself that the creationist accepts. But, it becomes a matter of faith because we were not present to witness firsthand events, and we cannot recreate our universe’s emergence from chaos or nothingness. As a creationist, I have more reason to believe in my facts than the person who has to think that everything came from nothing, an event that all of written history fails to report.

I apologize for the lengthy preface, but a brother once chastised me for not approaching these topics more “scientifically.” There appears to be an irrational belief that you cannot open your mouth to speak on a subject unless you have a doctorate. People seem to have forgotten that the world had learned men before American colonials established Harvard or Yale. Indeed, men like Abraham Lincoln, who kept the American Union together, were self-taught. No one questions Lincoln’s wisdom as they read the speeches that have outlived him.

However, in this information age, we have become skeptical of any information that contradicts our paradigm. I’m not necessarily condemning this skepticism because it’s often justified. As Christians, we recall the Holy Spirit’s compliment to the noble Bereans for cross-referencing Paul’s sermons with God’s Word (Acts 17.11). But we must remember that education is only a tool, a means to an end. Education teaches us how to comprehend the truth. Any idiot can wield a chisel, but only the diligent can carve a statue out of a marble slab. I say this to remind us that a man with an advanced degree can have an overpriced piece of paper and stumble over a topic, whereas an avid reader can speak eloquently about the issues about which he reads.

I cannot speak eloquently on the science found in Genesis 1.1-2. I can only offer what I’ve learned from researching the topic. I will say that I have made an effort to comprehend opposing viewpoints. They can be entertaining, even if I know they are not valid explanations for our existence. I add that God did not intend the Bible to be a science textbook. As a result, any science gained from the Bible results from the fact that the Bible is true (John 17.17).

Friends who do not believe in a Creator are left to believe in one of several competing theories. Most of us are familiar with the Big Bang. In August 2022, some said that the James Webb Space Telescope disproved the Big Bang theory. On the other hand, scientists claim that such a declaration results from a false scientific approach (Cooper). Fair enough. There would be several other intriguing alternative explanations, even if one dismissed the Big Bang. The concept of quantum entanglement is one of these theories. Don’t worry. I won’t even attempt to explain it since I have no advanced degrees in physics.

However, time, energy, space, and matter are all mentioned in Genesis 1.1. Interestingly, NASA informs us that the universe “includes all of space, and all the matter and energy that space contains. It even includes time itself” (Brennan). So, Genesis 1.1 looks at our existence from a scientific point of view.

“In the beginning” refers to time.

“God created” refers to energy.

“The heavens” refers to space.

“The earth” refers to matter.

But this is where things get tricky. God used the idea of time to help us understand. He did this by dividing the creation into 24-hour blocks of creative work, starting in verse 3. Real-time, however, began when the light from day one merged into the sun on day four, the sun around which our planet transits. A year is a unit of time defined by one complete revolution around this star. God elaborated further with the creation of the sun, moon, and stars, saying that they “serve as signs and for seasons, and for days and years” (Genesis 1.14 NASB).

We would not know that there were three consecutive 24-hour periods if God did not elaborate that what He did on days one through three was completed in an evening and morning, a day (i.e., the Hebrew “yom,” which implies the length of a typical day). As a result, God completed the initial work of creation when time did not exist. I don’t say this as a concession to allow for a fourteen billion-year-old universe.

The unspoken implication is that God first created the material from which He would later shape our universe, as demonstrated in Genesis 1.2. There was something nebulous there, over which God’s Spirit hovered before He said, “Let there be light.” What happens when you try to age something that existed before time? Consider the dating techniques we employ and the potential flaws they contain. These methods necessitate consistency. When estimating the decay of a radioactive isotope in a rock, for example, I must assume that this radioactive element has always decayed at the same rate. Have any of us been alive during the time required to observe the stated decay rate? In short, the answer is no. How did these radioactive isotopes get into that rock in the first place?

There’s also the question of what we see when God creates flora, fauna, and humanity. He made all of these things fully mature and capable of reproducing. Thus, despite being only seconds old, Adam would have appeared to be an adult man. Why should our planet and universe be any different? There is no reason for me to make an exception. As a result, a mature world may appear billions of years old despite being only ten thousand years old.

Despite being frequently used against Christians, I believe Occam’s razor is on the side of creationists. The most basic explanation for our origin is that a Being with the ability to create a universe did so. Otherwise, our observations of this complex universe force us to resort to explanations including absurdities, such as the possibility that a Higgs boson or something similar exploded and produced all of the universe’s material, which gradually shaped itself into what we now observe. The latter shaping process managed to do so without the assistance of Intelligence and created conditions on one specific planet orbiting a star in just the right place to allow primordial seas to slosh together the right set of molecules capable of transforming an inanimate substance into an animated one. The topper is that we have not even explained from whence the Higgs boson has come. 

When all is said, it comes down to faith. Which set of facts will be accepted? I’ll borrow a smug expression from today: “I’ll trust the science.” Yes, I believe in the science of Genesis 1.1-2.

Sources Cited

Webster, Noah. “Websters Dictionary 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Science.” Websters Dictionary 1828, webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/science. Accessed 26 Jan. 2023.

Cooper, Keith. “The James Webb Space Telescope Never Disproved the Big Bang. Here’s How That Falsehood Spread.” Space.com, 7 Sept. 2022, www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-science-denial.

Brennan, Pat. “What Is the Universe? | What Is an Exoplanet? – Exoplanet Exploration: Planets Beyond Our Solar System.” Exoplanet Exploration: Planets Beyond Our Solar System, exoplanets.nasa.gov/what-is-an-exoplanet/what-is-the-universe. Accessed 26 Jan. 2023.

Brent Pollard

“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:40-42

 From a textual standpoint, there are a couple of things to note about verse 41 of this text. First, in many versions the word “gladly” is followed by an asterisk. A footnote states, “NU omits gladly.” NU is the most prominent modern Critical Text of the Greek New Testament, published in the twenty-sixth edition of the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament and in the third edition of the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament.

It is interesting that this text omits the word “gladly” because a simple word study indicates that gladly is inherent in the Greek word in the text. The Greek word is apodechomai and by definition means, “to accept gladly, welcome (Strong’s word number 588). It comes from apó, “from” and 1209 /déxomai, “to receive heartily, welcome”) – properly “receive from,” i.e. as the prior circumstance (or individual) inspires glad reception (“gladly welcome”). Thus, even though there is no equivalent of our English word “gladly” in the text; nonetheless the Greek word itself contains the idea.

Another textual consideration is that in most translations the words “to them” at the end of the verse are in italics indicating that they are not in the Greek text. The text says that about three thousand were added. To what were they added? Verse 42 goes on to state that they “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” The context clearly shows that these who were baptized were added to the believers who comprised the early church in Jerusalem. Verse 47 goes on to say that “the Lord added daily those who were being saved.” Again, NU omits the words “to the church” in verse 47; however, once again the overall context indicates that these who were being baptized were saved and they were being added. The context demands that they were being added to the other believers who comprised the early church. Thus, for the sake of clarity the New King James Version supplies the word “gladly” in verse 42 and the words “to the church” in verse 47.

There is something more important that should capture our attention in this text. Those who received the word were baptized. They were not forced to receive the word that day. It was not mandated by the state or any other human agency. They responded to the loving invitation of the gospel and were obedient to the faith. Following the example of the Lord who saved them (Matt. 3:16), they were baptized. There is no indication that they argued or quibbled about why they had to be baptized. In fact, the Greek word indicates that they “gladly received” the invitation, they “welcomed” it.

In the parable of the Sower (Matt. 13, Mk. 4, Lk 8), Jesus teaches that there are four kinds of hearts into which the seed of the gospel is sown. They are the wayside, the stony, the thorny, and the good ground. Three out of the four types of soil did not produce a crop. It is so important that we gladly receive the word when we hear it. We must accept it into our hearts and allow it to germinate and produce a healthy plant that will bear the fruit of the kingdom. When Jesus gave this parable he cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Lk. 8:8) In explaining it to his disciples, Jesus said, “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” (Lk. 8:11) Will we welcome the preaching of the gospel? Will we be added to the saved?

L Scott Gage

Concerning Abel, the Hebrew writer said, “he being dead yet speaketh” (11:4).  This, of course, is a reference to the fact that Abel’s example of faith and obedience continued to serve as a lesson to others long, long after his death – continuing even to those of us living today.

While none of us will ever attain to the reputation of Abel, it is still true that our example – for good or bad – will endure after we are dead.  Think about that for a moment: what will your life, your work, your service to God say about you when you are dead and gone?  Here are some possible outcomes – some things your example might ‘say’ after your death:

– ‘He never really put God first in his life.  For him, it was all about his work, his career, the accumulation of material things.  When he died he had a huge bank account, lots of investments, a big house, etc.  But, as they say, you can’t take it with you . . .’

– ‘She was all about appearances.  She spent lots of time and money making sure that she had the latest fashions and the best of accessories.  She really looked nice.  But, you know, in the end she only wore one dress to her funeral . . .’

– ‘He loved to hunt and fish, to go camping, play golf, etc.  He had all the top-of-the-line equipment.  And, oh yes, he’d frequently miss worship services to engage in his recreational pursuits – even got his golf ‘handicap’ down in the single digits.  But, I heard they sold all of his gear for pennies-on-the-dollar when he was gone . . .’

– ‘She didn’t like it when the preacher delivered strong doctrinal sermons from the pulpit.  Her constant complaint was that this sort of preaching would ‘drive folks away.’  Sad to say, but none of the folks she was so concerned about offending even showed up at her funeral.’

We could go on, but you get the point.  Is this how you want to be remembered after your death?  It would be far better if it were said:

– ‘He loved God, and his life showed it.  He would forego anything in order to put the Lord first.  Career, money, possessions, recreation, the admiration of worldly minded people, etc. – none of that compared in importance to serving faithfully in Christ’s kingdom.  He sure set a great example, and he will not soon be forgotten.’

– by Greg Gwin

Paul stated of the resurrection of Christ, “If Christ has not been raised,” he said, “your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor. 15: 17).  Know too, that your whole faith of the resurrection rests upon the witnesses. Paul points this out and lists many of those witnesses (1 Cor. 15:5-8). But his list is not complete. There were others as well.

Perhaps the most powerful witnesses, the only ones to see him come out of the tomb, the first to report the resurrection, were the Roman soldiers assigned to guard the tomb. An angel of the Lord came and rolled away the stone, his dazzling appearance striking fear upon the soldiers, and they “became like dead men” (Mat. 28:3,4). Perhaps not unconscious but rendered powerless.

They must have seen Jesus come forth, for when they reported what they saw to the chief priests, they “assembled with the elders and consulted together, [then]they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers” to get them to say. “His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we slept” (Mat. 28:12,13). Our faith in the resurrection is well founded upon powerful firsthand witnesses, not the least being the very individuals assigned to guard and prevent any resurrection story from happening. Yet it appears their account of what they saw that Sunday morning confirmed the very thing they were assigned to prevent!

-Dennis Doughty

    The first camping trip our family had when we moved to Michigan in 2014 was to Algonac State Park on the St. Lawrence River. I think that was the state park that destroyed Ana’s desire to go camping. We took our dog Dusty with us and Friday afternoon, we all went for a walk through a trail, through the woods. In about the middle of the trail, there was a swarm of gnats, flies, mosquitoes or some flying insect that covered us. They covered Dusty and all of us. We took off running, thinking we could out run the swarm, but we could not. They finally left us alone when we got out of the woods and back to the campsite. I’m not very fond of insects flying around my head – even if they don’t bite.

    We have been studying the Ten Plagues God brought on Egypt to get Pharaoh to let Israel leave slavery and worship Jehovah God. We studied Plague #1 on January 1st and Plague #2 on January 8th. Each of those lessons are available to watch on our website or through podcasts. Today, we look at Plague #3…

What Was Bugging Ol’ Pharaoh?

    God was interested in Pharaoh changing his mind and He gave him warning several times so he could change his mind and spare Egypt from the disaster of the plagues. But also, when God struck without warning, it showed that God could strike without warning! God is not obligated to follow any  time scale at all; He is only obligated to behave according to His own nature. God was in complete control and He could have killed Pharaoh’s first born at any moment He wanted. But, through the first nine plagues, Pharaoh hardened his heart to such an extent that neither God’s grace nor His wrath would affect Pharaoh.

De-Creation and Disorder:

    This third plague may have been intended to judge the god of the earth, Geb (see 12:12). The emphasis in the text is on the “dust of the earth.” Notice in the next plague that God says He wants Israel to know that He is in the midst of the land (8:22). God does not rule over this piece of land or that piece of land. He rules over every scrap of every land in every nation.

    Paul writes in Colossians 1:16-17 that Jesus holds all things together. He has to be the center of our world. 

Satan Has His Limitations

    When God turned the Nile to blood, the Egyptian magicians did something weird – they also turned water to blood (7:22). When God brought the frogs on the land of Egypt, the Egyptian magicians also brought forth frogs (8:7). It’s weird that these men did not undo what God had done. They actually made things worse! That’s what happens when we allow Satan to control our thinking. He makes things worse! In this plague, the Egyptian magicians make one last effort to show their power is equal if not superior to the God of Israel. But, they could not do it! Notice 8:18. 

God’s Finger:

    Pharaoh’s magicians had enough common sense to realize that they could not duplicate what God had done this time. They were also smart enough to confess that this was the “finger of God” (Exod. 8:19a).

    Let’s briefly consider the other few times where the “finger of God” is mentioned… In Psalm 8:3, David considered the heavens the work of God’s fingers. Moses tells us that God inscribed the Law – at least the Ten Commandments – on stone with His finger: Exo. 31:18. The best place to see the “finger” of God is in the work and ministry of Jesus Christ. In fact, when Jesus cast out evil spirits, He told His Jewish audience that He did so by the “finger of God” and this showed that the kingdom prophesied by Daniel (7:13-14) was about to be established: Luke 11:20.

    Just as Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, so Jesus leads us out of the slavery of sin. He’s more than just a “new Moses.” The Hebrew writer says Moses is a servant in the house while Jesus is the Son over the house of God (3:5-6). In that text, the writer says that Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses. 

    Jesus has defeated the power of Satan and He has opened up heaven to us. When we look at the life of Jesus we can only confess: “This is the finger of God!” Only God could have resolved the power of sin; only He could have raised Jesus from the dead. 

    What we cannot afford to do is follow Pharaoh’s pattern. He hardened his heart – notice he changed his heart before he refused to listen. Even when the finger of God was evident, he refused to humble his heart. He refused to give glory to God. Let’s not follow his pattern. 

    Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses. He defeated the power of Satan and has opened heaven to us. “This is the finger of God!” Soften your heart and listen to Him. 

Paul Holland

Aim: to encourage Christians to discover and use their particular gifts.

Thesis: When we find and use our particular gifts we grow spiritually, but when we are forced into areas of service for which we’re not suited, we’re like ducks out of water.
Introduction:

Once upon a time all was peaceful in the bird kingdom. Each bird was happy, content, and productive in his own way. The birds spent their days busily building their nests, gathering foods, and feeding their young. In the evenings, just at dusk, they would stop their work and all gather in the branches of the trees and sing their songs of praise to God; and as every bird would join in the music their little voices would blend in the sweetest melody you can imagine.

But one evening, as the singing faded away and the shadows deepened, brother Magpie flew to the top of the tree, perched on the highest branch, and began to speak. “My brother birds,” he cried out, “I am disturbed, deeply disturbed, by what I see around me. I don’t mean to ruffle any feathers, mind you, but I’m afraid you birds are an avian disgrace.”

“Why, whatever do you mean?” cawed the Crow.

“Yes, I say, you’re a disgrace to all birddom!” repeated the Magpie, “just look at yourselves! No two of you are alike! One of you is brown, one black, one red. Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ‘Birds of a feather flock together’? Yet here you are, all speckled and spotted and streaked – what a fine sight you make?”

“But, what can we do about that?”, cooed the Dove, “we’ve always been this way. We can’t change our feathers now!”

“Maybe not,” agreed the Magpie, “but a bird should be a bird! That means that each one of us should be like all the others! If you ask me, we should set up a school, with strict guidelines, and train every bird in all the ways of bird life!”

They agreed to this, and established the INSTITUTE OF HIGHER BIRD KNOWLEDGE, with Magpie (naturally) as the president. He immediately assigned the birds in pairs, so that each could teach the other what he knew about being a bird.

The OWL attempted to teach the HAWK how to hunt at night – but the hawk couldn’t quite get the hang of it, because he kept bumping into the trees in the dark. So the HAWK tried to teach the OWL how to hunt in the daytime, but the owl grew so sleepy he couldn’t concentrate, and he missed all the best opportunities.

The PELICAN tried to teach the PARROT how to fish, but the parrot was so noisy, he frightened the fish away; then the PARROT gave the PELICAN voice lessons until he was hoarse, but no matter how hard he tried, the pelican could only screech!

Meanwhile, the WOODPECKER was busy trying to teach the CHICKEN how to drill in the side of a tree, but the poor chicken mashed her beak and got a terrible headache; so she demonstrated the art of scratching in the dirt, saying, “It’s very simple; anyone can do it” – but the woodpecker’s feet were so accustomed to hanging on the side of a tree that he couldn’t scratch, and he was quite embarrassed!

The EAGLE tried his best to get the HUMMINGBIRD to soar above the mountains, but her tiny wings couldn’t lift her above the treetops, and the eagle became very impatient; later, she demonstrated the proper way to hover, but when the eagle tried it he flopped straight to the ground and broke three tail feathers. When the hummingbird made the mistake of laughing the eagle lost his temper entirely!

But the worst by far were the PEACOCK and the DUCK! When the peacock saw that he had been assigned the duck as a partner, the peacock threw back all of his magnificent plumage, strutted around and around him and exclaimed – “We simply must give you some grace – we’ll teach you to dance, and get rid of that dreadful waddle of yours!” Well, they tried – they tried ballet, and the waltz, and even square dancing, but no matter how hard he tried, the duck could only waddle. The peacock sniffed in disgust, marched down to the pond for his swimming lesson, and promptly almost drowned when his long tail feathers pulled him under!

As you can see, things were not going well in the bird family at all. They were bruised and sleepy, hoarse and hungry, angry and embarrassed – everyone was miserable.

It all came to a head one day when the duck, who had just flunked tap dancing for the third time, couldn’t take it any longer. He looked down at his big webbed feet and cried, “I’ll never be a dancer! What am I doing here? I’m going back to the pond!” And off he waddled to the water, jumped in, where he swam around as gracefully as Esther Williams.

Gradually it dawned on the other birds, as they noticed how happy the duck was to be back in the pond, that maybe it was all right to be different and that if you are a bird you don’t have to be like every other bird. And they decided that rather than being frustrated trying to be what they’re not, they should be glad for what they are, and concentrate on doing what they’re best at. So they quietly disbanded the school, when back to their former occupations, and they were all much relieved (especially the chicken, who had a very sore beak), and they all praised the duck for his wisdom and insight.

And from that day to this, when any of the birds is becoming frustrated because he mistakenly thinks he has to be something he’s not, the others encourage him by reminding him – “You don’t have to be like a duck out of water!”

And that’s why ducks don’t dance – because ducks swim!

READ TEXT. I have four questions:

1. HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE “A DUCK OUT OF WATER” AT CHURCH?

Maybe you need to find your place! EVERYONE is uncomfortable somewhere, and everyone belongs somewhere. The penguin looks clumsy (on land) – but put him in the water and he’s a model of grace! The camel appears to be an awkward animal – ah, but put him in the desert, and he’s indispensable!

So if you feel like “a duck out of water,” keep looking for a ministry that fits you! After all, Romans 12:6 says ‘We have DIFFERENT gifts, according to the grace given us”

2. HAVE YOU EVER COMPLAINED YOU HAVE NO GIFTS TO OFFER?

Maybe you need to reconsider. Even the tiny hummingbird has a place in God’s creation – surely he has a place for me! Our text reminds us that God wants us to know what we’re good at. A false modesty dishonors the God who made us!

Romans 12:3 “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

The opposite of pride is not ignorance, but humility: a realistic view of what we can do!

3. HAVE YOU EVER PUT YOUR TALENTS TO USE?

If not, you definitely need to get started! Jesus emphatically taught that we cannot be saved if we are not willing to serve, so use the gifts you have!

Romans 12: 6 “If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach…….”

CONCLUSION:

4. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TEMPTED TO COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS? Then I have one word for you: QUIT! You’re denying your own uniqueness.

Don’t be a birdbrain! We are ALL “gifted and talented”: Romans 12:6 – “We have different gifts…” If you’re an eagle Christian, don’t expect the hummingbird disciples to fly like you! Stop criticizing, and soar! If you’re a duck Christian, don’t be discouraged if you can’t dance! Start swimming!

When we allow the Lord to use us, it all works out! Whatever our gift, if we are willing to serve, and if we will co-operate with others, then the whole body works together and God is glorified!

Dan Williams

Cooper Wright of Cumberland Center, Maine is only 13 years old.  But when it comes to putting the world back together, he’s your guy.

The “world” of which we speak is the Lego World Map, a set consisting of 11,695 pieces.  Cooper was determined to beat the Guinness World Record for assembling the set, which was 12 hours.  Along the way the table on which he was working collapsed, and bowls full of Lego pieces fell to the floor.  Undeterred, he kept working and completed the set in 9 hours, 14 minutes, and 49 seconds.

Each of my five grandsons have been into constructing Lego sets.  I marvel at their abilities to closely follow instructions and complete projects.  I wouldn’t think of competing against them to see who can finish quickest.  This is a toy that aims to build more than models; it builds confidence and skills.

With all due respect to Cooper Wright, I know of One who is a superior builder.  He constructed not just a map of the world, but the world itself (and all of the universe as well).  You know, of course, I’m referring to Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  God didn’t just put the pieces together – He made the pieces that were assembled into what we now observe.

I envision Cooper bending over the set he was constructing, carefully placing each piece.  That’s somewhat the picture of the Creator in Isaiah 40:15: “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.”  Creation took six days, according to Genesis 1, but there were more than 11,695 parts to put in place!

Some may not know that Jesus is one of the Godhead Who was active in creation.  John 1:3 says of Him, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”  When He came to the earth He created, one would assume He would receive a standing ovation or heartfelt praise.  But John 1:10,11 shows what really happened: “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”  How ungrateful is that?!

Let’s not just think about people of the distant past, though; let’s think about ourselves.  How do we respond to the One who can piece the world together?  Paul affirmed to the Athenian philosophers that “in [God] we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).  Do we take for granted that we are able to move, or that we have life?  We enjoy life because of God; we must not forget Him.

Colossians 1:16,17 echoes this truth: “… All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”  The ESV translates the last part of that passage as “in Him all things hold together”.  Why is the universe stable?  Why doesn’t earth move closer to the sun (burning up everything on its surface) or further from the sun (freezing everything)?  It’s because of the One who pieced this world together, and continues to maintain order.

When our lives seem to be coming apart, doesn’t it make sense to approach the One who knows how to put things together?  We have the word of God, 2 Timothy 3:17 teaches, “that the man of God may be complete”.  Piece by piece, God can help us assemble the best version of ourselves.

Come to the light God offers!  Study His word, the Bible.  Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

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Copyright, 2023, Timothy D. Hall

Have you ever tried to remove a tree or stump from your yard? How about something as simple as a big bush? Where I grew up in California, a quarter of our front yard was full of Junipers. We decided to replace them with a lawn and I still remember how much work was involved for that to be accomplished. Even with shovels, and axe, lots of rope and a     half-ton pickup, it was still a whole lot of work! Who would have thought it would be so difficult? I sure did not. Strong, deep roots had anchored those bushes firmly in the ground.

In the Bible, godly people are often likened to trees with strong deep roots (Psa. 1:3; Prov. 12:3; Jer. 17:7,8).

The branches of growing trees not only reach higher, but their roots grow deeper. It’s impossible for a strong tree to have high branches without having deep roots. It would become top-heavy and topple over in the wind.

The same is true with Christians. It’s not possible for us to grow in the Lord without interweaving our roots around His Word and deepening our life in His instructions.

Would you like to be a tall, immovable tree? That comes only through a life of Bible study, discipline, and faith – conditions that produce deep roots.

– by Shane Williams

Many people love this time of year. We spend more time with family, we gather around tables full of food, we exchange gifts – in short, we make memories that we carry with us year after year. As a child, Christmas was almost synonymous with receiving presents. As an adult, I love this season for another reason: the greater emphasis that, we as a society, place on generosity and compassion.

People tend to have a keener eye for the needy this time of year. Perhaps it helps that we have a day on which we focus on giving thanks. Perhaps, also, we realize, as we buy presents for our loved ones, that some people do not share the financial stability that allows for such gift-giving. Whatever the case, this season extracts a kind of generosity that often remains hidden during the rest of the year.

In Acts 20:35, the apostle Paul quotes a statement from Jesus that the Gospel writers did not record, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” A child focused on receiving Christmas gifts might not understand Jesus’ words here, but a little maturity helps us recognize its validity. The Bible offers many proofs that bear up Jesus’ statement. Let’s notice three.

Giving is a way of showing love. One of the most well- known and oft-quoted verses in the Bible is John 3:16. The best-selling Bible translation in English, the King James Version, has this wording, “For God so loved the world, that he gave…” Some misunderstand this wording to mean, “God loved the world so much that he gave…” The actual meaning, which appears in translations like the CSB and the NET is, “this is the way God loved the world: He gave…” Following the example of God the Father, giving to fill a need is a way of showing love.

Giving reminds us whom we should trust. Near the end of 1 Timothy, Paul tells the young preacher, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (6:17 ESV). Remember the impoverished widow in Luke 21? When we give, we express our trust in God and not in our possessions.

Giving reminds us of what is important. Paul closes his instructions regarding the wealthy with these words, “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18–19). When we share physical possessions, or give our time and energy, if we do so with the right motives, we reinforce our understanding of what truly matters. Undoubtedly, Jesus is right; it is more blessed to give than to receive!

Clay Leonard