Missing In Action

This article is for you, the church. It is aimed especially at this congregation that meets here at Pulaski St. I hope others who read it will take some good things from it that they can add to their faith.

We had snow Sunday. I was pleased that our attendance was 187, (29 better than 158), our attendance the last time we had a snow like this one. Our giving this week, by the 187 was over $6,500.00. I was also very pleased to see that, and I commend those of you who were here for giving so freely.

I am not a person who cares much about money. I never have been. While I know I need it to survive, I also know the Lord will provide. So this article is not about money. This is about our relationship with God.

The weekly contribution is a spiritual barometer with regard to the local body. It says a good deal about the relationship between the church and the Lord. What does $6,500.00 from 187 people tell us? It tells us we have a core of people who are very dedicated to the Lord. It also tells us we have about 200 people who are holding back from God. We have been averaging about $8,500.00 a week recently. Do the math. This is plain talk, my brethren. I write these things to encourage you and because you need to examine yourselves (2 Cor. 13:5).

When we come together each first day of the week, are we participating in every aspect of worship? Some do not sing. Some do not pray with the one who leads. Some are not listening to the Bible as it is read and preached. Almost everybody freely participates in the Lord's Supper (most definitely want that). And it is obvious that many are MIA when it is time to give to God.

The Bible does not prescribe the exact amount that we should give. But it does include that we should give as we have been prospered (1 Cor. 16:2). It says that will will reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7). It tells us to lay by in store (1 Cor. 16:2). And we are reminded not to give out of compulsion but to offer it freely and thankfully to God, because God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).

This next week, I challenge those of you who were absent to give both what you needed to give last week combined with what you ought to give this week. I also challenge those of you who are not giving enough on a regular basis to pray about it and open your hearts. Finally, to those who are faithfully giving I say continue in the work that you are doing, because in due season we will reap if we faint not (Gal. 6:9).

Let's not be absent from the worship of our God while we are present in the building. God gave us His only Son that we might live. What do we own? What do we have that does not belong to Him?

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." ~ Malachi 3:8

Difficult Days

Life is full of seasons. When we look at this long winter we are reminded that bad weather is a part of it. In our own lives we also experience difficult days. They leave us asking questions. When will this be over? Why is this happening? What will I do? Sometimes it seems that there can be no good purpose for troublesome times.

But I am reminded of a piece of great wisdom I gleaned from a dear friend. A few months ago when Bob Markus and I visited Tom and Jean Parrish, Jean showed me a letter that she had received from her brother, Andy Brown. Within this letter I found a treasure I could keep.

Everyone in Lawrence County, TN, knows or has been touched in some way by Andy Brown. He has been involved in the baptisms, weddings, and funerals of every family in Lawrenceburg in some way over the last 60 years. I have appreciated Andy since the day I met him. He has done so much good for the church. Though in his 80's, he still drives down from Nashville on many occasions to conduct funerals and visit dear friends. He has been a great help to me in conducting funerals where he has been so much more a part of the lives of the deceased than I have been.

Within the contents of this letter he wrote to his sister, Jean, was a section I copied. I have kept in on my desk and have read it many times since. This is what it said:

This has been a difficult day; However, it is still a "Day that the Lord hath made." And if I can't "Rejoice and be glad in it," I'll try not to complain about it. When Longfellow wrote, "Into each life some rain must fall," he added, "Some days must be dark and dreary." Maybe bad days will make us more thankful for the good days.

I have learned that bad days are necessary, even though not enjoyable. God Himself has experienced bad days. Days of the corruption of the earth (Gen. 6:5). Days of His own people rejecting Him (1 Samuel 8:7). Days of separation from His own dear Son (Matt. 27:46). But on the other side of these days there is hope. Our difficult days remind us that we are not destined for them. Our difficult days remind us that there is a time coming when we shall rest in that fair and happy land.

May God help us not only to thank Him for the good days, but to praise Him for the wisdom of difficult days.

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." ~ Job 1:21

Good News

Yesterday I received some of the best news I have ever heard. In fact, I cannot remember receiving any better news.

When I preached at the New Providence church of Christ near Murray, Kentucky, I got to know a very special family, Jim and Sylvia Puckett. The lived just around the corner from us on Shoemaker Rd. Jim and Sylvia were older, in their 70's, and they were taking care of Sylvia's mother, Opal Shoemaker.

Opal and Sylvia were both members of the church, and two of the finest Christian ladies I have ever known. Opal lived to be 97, and Sylvia died of pancreatic cancer not long afterward. Jim was not a member of the church. He was raised a Methodist, and very faithful in his belief and practice.

Jim would attend with us with Sylvia on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Over the years, just about every preacher and member tried to convert Jim. Jim was a good Bible student and he taught classes at the Methodist church. He enjoyed our public studies and often would comment or ask questions in class.

I have great memories of this family: Eating at the catfish house on Kentucky Lake, going for a ride with them down to the old lime quarry, listening to them tell stories of ages past, cake and ice cream with them in their home on their 53rd anniversary, riding to Como with Jim to buy feed for his livestock.

I talked to Jim this morning on the phone. He is going to be 85 next Sunday. I called him because of good news. Jim Puckett obeyed the gospel yesterday. He responded to the invitation of Christ and His gospel. He was baptized into Christ for the remission of his sins. And one day, he will see his wonderful Sylvia in heaven. And we will all be together again.

There is a reason why the gospel is also called the "good news." I cannot fathom any better news I could have received than to hear that Jim Puckett became a New Testament Christian. The gospel truly is the power of God unto salvation. Praise be to our wonderful and awesome God!

"As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country." ~ Proverbs 25:25

The Power of Advantage

One of the golfers on the pro tour some years ago was a pompous egomaniac with the emotional maturity of a six-year-old. He could do nothing wrong and always had a quick excuse for any loss: it was a lousy course, the other golfers were cheating, the weather was terrible, etc. As if these faults were not enough, he was also not above hustling a few extra dollars playing amateurs in cities on the tour for $50 a hole.

One day he was approached by a man wearing dark glasses and carrying a white cane who offered to play him for $100 a hole. "Why, I can't play you," the professional protested. "You're blind, aren't you?" "Yes, I am," replied the man. "But that's all right. I was a state champion before I went blind. I think I can beat you." Now the conceited one had not been doing well lately--he needed the money. Anyway, blind or not, if the guy was crazy enough to challenge him...well, why not? "You did say $100 a hole?"

The blind man nodded. The arrogant fellow continued, "Well, all right. It's a deal. But don't say I didn't warn you--you'll lose your money. When would you like to play?" "Any night at all," replied the blind man. "Any night at all."

1 Corinthians 10:24 says very plainly, "Let no one seek his own advantage, but that of the other." Another verson of this same verse reads, "Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor." Throughout the Bible there are warnings against taking advantage of the weak. God warned the Israelites about taking advantage of the widow and fatherless child (Ex. 22:22-23). Paul repreatedly reminded those he preached to that he had the opportunity but refrained from exercising his advantage. Solomon stated that in time the laborer has really gained no advantage in all his doings, since everything is vanity (Eccl. 3:9).

The world we live in is so different than the abode of God. People on earth push, step on, and remove other people to get to the top. But God is just the opposite. Jesus gave up every heavenly advantage for humanity. He taught the apostles about the difference between Gentile lordship and servant leadership. He paved the way to life eternal by helping the helpless, when He had every right to destroy the wicked.

The true power that exists in advantage, is not what you can do for yourself. It is found in what can be accomplished when you lay it aside.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." ~~ 2 Corinthians 8:9

Faith of Our Fathers

When I was 16 my father and I climbed a mountain. We were in Yosemite National Park. We used to live just a few hours from there and to this day it is my favorite place on earth. In the past we had hiked up in Tuolumne Meadows to various mountain lakes. But on this occasion we were headed towards Half Dome. We were not planning on going to the summit, but at least to some of the falls along the way. I knew what we were doing and why we were doing it. I knew I was going enjoy sharing the day with my dad.

Isaac once climbed a mountain with his father, Abraham. It was not a recreational journey, they were going to worship (Gen. 22:5). Still, as a teenage boy, you can imagine that Isaac anticipated the moments he was going to spend with his father. Isaac carried the wood and Abraham carried the fire and the knife. As they ascended Mount Moriah, Isaac began to wonder why they did not have an animal with them for the sacrifice.

Abraham explained to his son that God was going to provide it. What Isaac did not know is that God already had. Isaac was to be the offering. Yes, Isaac, God's gift to Abraham and Sarah. So when they had come to place of sacrifice, Abraham built an altar, laid the wood on it, and tied Isaac up on top of it and stretched out his knife to slay his son (Gen. 22:10).

It brings into one's mind to consider what Isaac was thinking. When his father began to tie him up, was he afraid? Did he ask his father why? Did he fight any? The Bible does not say. What is revealed is that Abraham drew the knife back. He was going to do it. He was going to obey God no matter what.

The rest of the story is well known to the Bible reader. God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac, and indeed a ram was provided instead. But that still leaves us with the question - What did Isaac learn?

I have climbed some mountains with my father, and I imagine you have climbed a few with yours. Some mountains are not located on maps, and cannot be scaled on foot. But life brings us tests and struggles. Our will is challenged. Our obedience is demanded. Our faith is proven. It is in the faith that we display on these mountains that we learn the greatest lessons in life.

I am certain that Isaac never forgot that trip with his father. I am certain that he learned about faithful and willing obedience. I am certain that he learned to fear God. In fact, later in Genesis, God is literally called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen. 22:42, 53). Faith from a father was thus given to a son forever.

If you have had a father that respected and feared God, be thankful. The faith of our fathers is living still.

Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!

Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

~ Frederick Faber and James G. Walton

Planning Ahead

The following story was told by K. Hughes in a book about Christian Ministry:

Some years ago a young man approached the foreman of a logging crew and asked for a job. "That depends," replied the foreman. "Let's see you fell this tree." The young man stepped forward and skillfully felled a great tree. Impressed, the foreman exclaimed, "Start Monday!" Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rolled by, and Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, "You can pick up your paycheck on the way out today."

Startled, he replied, "I thought you paid on Friday."

"Normally we do," answered the foreman, "but we're letting you go today because you've fallen behind. Our daily felling charts show that you've dropped from first place on Monday to last on Wednesday."

"But I'm a hard worker," the young man objected. "I arrive first, leave last, and even have worked through my coffee breaks!"

The foreman, sensing the boy's integrity, thought for a minute and then asked, "Have you been sharpening your ax?" The young man replied, "I've been working too hard to take the time."

Sometimes we are so busy going about our day that we fail to maximize our potential. Our life needs sharpening, focus, and we need to have a plan. Try the following steps every day for a week and see if they change your life:

Before you leave home for work...

1. Read a short passage from God's Word.

2. Pray

3. Take a small notepad and plan your entire day and do your very best to stick to the plan.

If we do not plan ahead our lives will never amount to much. Noah built the ark before any rain had fallen. Our only hope for salvation includes preparation, faith, and the grace of God.

"Develop your business first before building your house." ~ Proverbs 24:27

"Responsibility is the price of greatness" ~ Winston Churchill

HOPE

Someone has has that there are no hopeless situations, only people who have grown hopeless about them.

It is illustrated in a true story about a town in a valley that was to be flooded due to the construction of a new dam. Halford Luccock explains - "In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it were to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone. Then he added by way of explanation: 'Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.'"

Each one of us is looking for contentment and happiness in this life. Sometimes unfulfilled dreams lead us to desolate places where hope is lost. Things don't turn out the way we had planned. Time to do the things we hoped to do runs out. Our health, our opportunity, and our ability to change our circumstances can be lost as the days pass us by.

But perhaps hope is not what we have made it out to be. Perhaps hope is only hope when things seem hopeless. Perhaps hope is merely flattery if it cannot change the future. Perhaps hope is only real when it exists in the face of nothingness.

The greatness of Abraham and his faith is explained in that he, "contrary to hope, in hope believed" (Rom. 4:18). Another version says, "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed." Hope is confident and joyful expectation in the promises of God.

In 1882, Priscilla Owens rightly penned these words with regard to hope: "We have an anchor that keeps the soul;Steadfast and sure while the billows roll; Fastened to the Rock which cannot move; Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love." Christians have so much for which to hope. Hope is our consolation. Hope is our refuge. Hope is our soon to be fulfilled salvation (Heb. 6:18).

Therefore, hope! Because there are no hopeless situations. Nothing is impossible with God!

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13