Brief Exhortations And Applications From Various Verses

(Sixth One Hundred)

Written and/or Compiled by David J. Riggs

Note: These are also available in verse-by-verse format at:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/davidriggs01/briefvs.htm

501. "When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom." (Prov. 11:2) "Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility." (Prov. 18:12)

A famous football coach was on vacation with his family in Maine. When they walked into a movie theater and sat down, the handful of people there applauded. He thought to himself, "I can't believe it. People recognize me all the way up here." Then a man came over to him and said, "Thanks for coming. They won't start the movie for fewer than ten people. With you and your family here, we now have more than ten."

The "pride of life" is one of the avenues through which the devil tempts man. Regarding qualifications for elders, 1 Tim. 3:6 says, "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."

502. "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...'" (Gen. 1:6)

A few years ago, Rabbi Jacob Karmenetzky made a trip to Israel accompanied by his teenage grandson. Ironically, these two deeply religious people were seated in the airplane next to a prominent Israeli socialist leader and outspoken atheist. On the flight, the cynical atheist traveler couldn't help noticing the way the teenage boy attended to the needs of his aged, bearded grandfather. He got up to get the old man a glass of water, helped him remove his shoes and put on some slippers, and otherwise demonstrated that the rabbi's comfort represented his primary concern.

At one point, as the boy got up for yet another errand on behalf of the old man, the atheist could contain himself no longer. "Tell me something," he asked the rabbi. "Why does your grandson treat you like some kind of a king? I have a grandson, too, but he wouldn't give me the time of day." "It's very simple," the old man replied. "My grandson and I both believe in a God who rules the universe and created all things, including the first man. That means that, in the boy's eyes, I'm two generations closer to the hand of God, Himself. But in the eyes of your grandson, you're just two generations closer to a monkey." (From columnist Michael Medved)

What one believes about the origin of man makes all the difference in the world.

503. "For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand." (2 Cor. 1:13)

Someone reported to a nephew, "Your uncle James, being advanced in years, suffering from the debilities that attach to the encroachment of senility, and having suffered severe financial reverses, in a moment of dementia, precipitated his own demise." When asked if he would please explain in layman's terms what he meant, he said, "Your uncle Jim got old, lost his wad, went nuts, and bumped himself off!"

As we try to teach the gospel to others, let us use great plainness of speech. Let us do our best in making the message clear and plain.

504. "Jesus answered them and said, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.'" (John 6:26-27)

"The early church prayed in the upper room; the twentieth century church cooks in the supper room. Today, the supper room has taken place of the upper room, play has taken the place of prayer, and feasting the place of fasting. There are more full stomachs than there are bended knees and broken hearts. There is more fire in the range in the kitchen than there is in the pulpit. When you build a fire in the church kitchen, it often puts out the fire in the pulpit. Ice cream chills the fever of spiritual life." (From Gospel Advocate, May 30, 1935)

Someone has rightly said, "When people are offered ice cream, tea, and fried chicken as enticement to attend worship services, you will find that those people are as cold as the ice cream, weak as the tea, and as dead as the chicken!"

505. "He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends." (Prov. 17:9) "...Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters..." (Rom. 1:29-30)

The word "eaves" is defined as "1. the lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall; 2. A projection edge (as of a hill)." (Webster) The term "eaves-dropping" means literally, "one standing under the drip from the eaves; i.e., to listen secretly to what is said in private." (Webster)

It is easy to picture in our minds an "eaves-dropper" as he stands outside of a house with an open window trying to hear what is being said inside the house. People are truly "full of deceit whisperings, and backbitings" when they listen secretly to what others say so that they can repeat it to someone else.

Let us never meddle in other people matters, but seek and promote love at all times.

506. "...That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience...in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works...(Titus 2:2,7)

As I watched "Washington Journal," on my favorite network, C-Span, I heard MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) president and spokesman, Millie Webb, tell a heart-rending story about a grieving father. It seems that it was graduation night and sometime during that night the anxious father received one of those calls no parent should ever have to face. Yes, his daughter had been killed in an auto accident. And, yes, his daughter had been found to be intoxicated. "Who gave her the alcohol?" "I'd like to get my hands on the person who did it!" said the distraught father. When he arrived home from his sad responsibilities at the funeral home, he was so upset that he went to his cabinet for a drink. There he found the note: "Dad, it's such a special night, I knew you wouldn't mind if I borrowed it." (From David Lemmons)

507. "He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." (1 Pet. 1:20-21)

Many years ago, a submarine was rammed by another ship and quickly sank off the Massachusetts coast. Although rescue was impossible at that depth, a diver was dispatched to determine if there was still life aboard the disabled vessel. The diver placed his helmeted ear against the sub's hull and heard a faint tapping sound. Carefully he made note of the dots and dashes and decoded the following question: "Is -- there -- any -- hope?" With great remorse he slowly signaled back: "Hope -- in -- God -- alone." (From On This Day by Carl D. Windsor, p. 336)

Let us put our faith and hope in our God.

508. "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Eccl. 8:11)

"Every 22 seconds someone in the USA is beaten, stabbed, shot, robbed, raped or killed. Nearly 2 million a year become violent-crime victims. But after doctors patch the wounded or give up on the dead, after the police file their reports, after the media and public tire of yet another tragic story, survivors and their families and friends find their lives ravaged by pain and fear. "You go crazy," says Genelle Reilley, 55, a Laguna Beach, Calif., homemaker whose 23-year-old daughter was stabbed to death in 1986. "We will never be really happy again." (From Robert Davis, USA TODAY, 11-26-93, p. 8A)

In this cruel, evil world of our's, let us wholly trust in our God. He has the answer for every problem from the cradle to the grave. The next verses which follow Eccl. 8:11 say, "Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God." (Eccl. 8:12-13)

509. "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26)

A man who drank heavily was converted to Christ and lived victoriously for several weeks. One day as he passed the open door of a tavern, the pungent odor drifting out aroused his old appetite for liquor. Just then he saw this sign in the window of a nearby cafe: "All the buttermilk you can drink -- 25 cents!" Dashing inside, he ordered one glass, then another, and still another. After finishing the third he walked past the saloon and was no longer tempted. He was so full of buttermilk that he had no room for that which would be injurious to him. The lesson is clear: to be victorious over our evil desires, we must leave no opportunity for them to repossess us. (From Bible Illustrator)

Definitely, all new converts should replace their former evil way of life with good works; otherwise, they can quickly revert back to their old way and become worse than before their conversion. "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." (Gal. 5:16)

510. "I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12) "Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law." (Psalm 119:18)

A city dweller moved to a farm and bought a cow. Shortly after he did, the cow went dry. When he reported this fact to a neighbor farmer, the farmer expressed surprise. The city man said he was surprised too. "I can't understand it either, for if ever a person was considerate of an animal, I was of that cow. If I didn't need any milk, I didn't milk her. If I only needed a quart, I only took a quart." The farmer tried to explain that the only way to keep milk flowing is not to take as little as possible from the cow, but to take as much as possible.

Likewise, let us glean as much as possible from our Bible study and worship so that our spirituality will never run dry.

511. "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." (Acts 3:19)

In the 1960's psychologist Dr. Stanton Samenow and psychiatrist Samuel Yochelson, sharing the conventional wisdom that crime is caused by environment, set out to prove their point. They began a seventeen-year study, published in 1977, entitled "The Criminal Personality." To their own astonishment, they discovered that the cause of crime cannot be traced to environment, poverty, or oppression. Instead, crime is the result of individuals making, as they put it, "wrong moral choices." Samenow and Yochelson concluded that the answer to crime is a "conversion of the wrong-doer to a more responsible lifestyle." (From Dangerous Grace, by Charles Colson, p. 179)

Changing the hearts of criminals by the gospel is the only way to bring about lasting good. Modern man thinks that the answer to crime is "education, education, education." No, education alone only makes a thief a better thief. What man needs is to repent and be converted to the Lord.

512. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:19-21)

It is estimated that if the widow's mite had been deposited at the "First National Bank, Jerusalem" to draw four percent interest semi-annually, the fund today would total $4,800,000,000,000,000,000,000. If a bank on earth could multiply the widow's mite to such an astronomical figure, think what treasures this dedicated woman will have in heaven where "moth and rust doth not corrupt." (From Bible Illustrator)

513. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..." (Col. 3:16) "...As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby..." (1 Pet. 2:2) "Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)

Consider the difference between a strong and weak cup of tea. The same ingredients--water and tea--are used for both. The difference is that the strong cup of tea results from the tea leaves' immersion in the water longer, allowing the water more time to get into the tea and the tea into the water. The longer the steeping process, the stronger the cup of tea.

In the same way, the length of time we spend in God's Word determines how deeply we get into it and it gets into us. Just like the tea, the longer we are in the Word, the stronger we become. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 31)

514. "So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:7-11)

A wealthy, but wise, king once invited many honored guests for a feast. His own chair, richly decorated, was placed at one end of the long table. While he was away, each guest seated himself according to his own esteem of his position. After all had been seated, the king came into the room, picked up his chair, and moved it to the other end of the table.

Evidently, the king was acquainted with the Lord's teaching. Let us learn to always take the lowest seats and associate with the humble.

515. "Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility." (Prov. 18:12) "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16:18) "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor." (Prov. 29:23)

In Charles Colson's book Born Again, which details his experiences related to Watergate, Colson shares one of President Nixon's problems: "He could never admit he was wrong in anything. In fact, even when Nixon obviously had a cold - nose running, face red, sneezing, all the symptoms - he would never admit it."

Surely, a man's pride will bring him low, but with the humble there is wisdom and honor.

516. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3) "He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him." (1 John 2:4-5)

There is a story about a teenage boy who was deeply interested in scientific subjects, especially astronomy and, thus, his father bought him a very expensive telescope. Since the young man had studied the principles of optics, he found the instrument to be most intriguing. He took it apart, examined the lenses, and made detailed calculations on the distance of its point of focus. The youth became so absorbed in gaining a technical knowledge of the telescope itself that he never got around to looking at the stars. He knew a lot about the fine instrument, but he missed seeing the wonders of the heavens.

To know all the facts and figures contained in the Bible is not the end for which God has given us His book. To know God and His will for us is the purpose of God's revelation. When asked, "What is the best translation of the Bible?" someone replied, "A translation into one's life!"

517. "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (2 Chron. 16:9)

An article in the November 1987 Reader's Digest reports: "Enhanced 911 has been a dramatic success. For example, a 6-year-old boy called 911 to report that his house was on fire. Even while the operator was telling the frightened boy what to do, fire equipment was being sent. A terrified girl called to say that a man was trying to break into her home. Within 3 minutes an arrest was being made, and the child was safe. And, in another city, a girl whispered to a 911 operator that a man was hurting her mother, and then hung up. Police arrived in time to capture a rapist."

We need to remember that God is always ready and willing to show Himself strong in our behalf. Whenever we fervently call on Him, we know He is listening, and He answers our prayers.

518. "...Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3) "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isa. 41:10)

"This partnership with God ought to give us the same sense of confidence as the youngster had who was selling five-cent pencils door-to-door to raise money for a 30-million-dollar hospital for the community. One day a woman opened the door, and the youngster said, 'Ma'am, would you buy one or two pencils from me? I'm going to help build a 30-million-dollar hospital for our community.' She said, 'Sonny, that's a mighty big goal for just one kid selling pencils for a nickel.' He said, 'Oh, Ma'am, it's not me alone. See that boy across the street? He's my partner. He's helping. We're really doing it together.'"

"This little boy had great faith in a partner who was probably his equal. Should we not have this kind of confidence in a God who is unequalled, a God who is in partnership with us to make our lives fruitful?" (From Be All You Can Be by John Maxwell, p. 18)

519. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Col. 2:8) "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head..." (Col. 2:18-19) "Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth." (Titus 1:14)

On a cold winter day in 1986, Diane Elsroth entered a store in Bronxville, New York looking for something to relieve her pain. She bought a bottle of medicine, not knowing that someone had opened the bottle's tamper-resistant wrapping, tainted the capsules with cyanide, and returned them to the store's shelf. Within a short time after Elsroth left the store, the cyanide-laced capsules killed her.

Like a medicine mixed with cyanide, a perverted gospel brings condemnation rather than making us whole in Christ.

520. "A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter." (Prov. 11:13) "A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends." (Prov. 16:28) "For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults..." (2 Cor. 12:20)

It topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers, destroys reputations, causes nightmares, spawns suspicion, and generates grief. Even its name hisses. It's called "gossip." Before you repeat a story, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? Is it kind? If not, forget it. (Quoted in the First Christian, Fairfield, IL)

521. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38) "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Heb. 13:16)

Many years ago, two young men were working their way through Stanford University. At one point their money was almost gone, so they decided to engage the great pianist Paderewski for a concert and use the profits for board and tuition. Paderewski's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The students worked hard to promote the concert, but they came up $400 short. After the performance, they went to the musician, gave him all the money they had raised, and promised to pay the $400 as soon as they could. It appeared that their college days were over. "No, boys, that won't do," said the pianist. "Take out of this $1,600 all your expenses, and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work. Let me have the rest."

Years passed. Paderewski became premier of Poland following World War I. Thousands of his countrymen were starving. Only one man could help, the head of the U.S. Food and Relief Bureau. Paderewski's appeal to him brought thousands of tons of food. Later he met the American statesman to thank him. "That's all right," replied Herbert Hoover. "Besides, you don't remember, but you helped me once when I was a student in college."

522. "Then he said to them, 'Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'" (Neh 8:10)

Ten Rules for Happier Living:

1. Give something away (no strings attached).

2. Do a kindness (and forget it).

3. Spend time with the aged (the experience is priceless).

4. Look intently into the face of a baby (and marvel).

5. Laugh often (it's life's lubricant).

6. Give thanks (a thousand times a day is not enough).

7. Pray (or you will lose the way).

8. Work (with vim and vigor).

9. Plan as though you will live forever (you will, in either heaven or hell).

10. Live as though you will die tomorrow (because you will die on some tomorrow).

(From Pulpit Helps)

523. "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation...?" (Heb. 2:1-3)

During the night of July 31, 1976, a 19-foot wall of water roared through the mountain-rimmed canyon linking Estes Park and Loveland, Colorado. Earlier in the day, campers had walked along the babbling brook which flowed through the canyon. But mountain thunderstorms turned it into a raging killer which took 129 lives. One couple survived because the husband saw the danger of the rapidly rising waters in the narrow canyon. Before scaling the canyon walls to safety, the man tried to warn others. However, very few people listened to his warning.

How about you? Are you heeding God's warnings? Let us give diligent heed to the things which we have heard lest we drift away.

524. "For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear..." (Matt. 13:15-16)

Well-known Broadway producer Jed Harris once became convinced he was losing his hearing. He visited a specialist, who pulled out a gold watch and asked, "Can you hear this ticking?" "Of course," Harris replied. The specialist walked to the door and asked the question again. Harris concentrated and said, "Yes, I can hear it clearly." Then the doctor walked into the next room and repeated the question a third time. A third time Harris said he could hear the ticking. "Mr. Harris," the doctor concluded, "there is nothing wrong with your hearing. You just don't listen." (From Little Brown Book of Anecdotes by Clifton Eadiman, p. 266-267)

Likewise, many people today, though they hear it, do not truly listen to the word of God. Let us listen to the word of God with open hearts, being ready and willing to apply it to our lives.

525. "There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me." (Psalm 38:3-4)

"Sin and corruption would bubble up out of my heart as naturally as water bubbles up out of a fountain. I thought now that everyone had a better heart than I had. I could have changed hearts with anybody. I thought none but the devil himself could equal me for inward wickedness and pollution of mind. I fell, therefore, at the sight of my own vileness, deeply into despair, for I concluded that this condition which I was in could not stand with a life of grace. Surely, thought I, I am forsaken of God; surely, I am given up to the devil, and to a reprobate mind." (From John Bunyan)

Often, out of a heart of guilt and despair comes repentance and forgiveness. 2 Cor. 7:10 says, "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." Let us always be quick to recognize and confess our sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

526. "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." (Col. 2:6-7)

When the Coalinga earthquake occurred a couple of years ago, a lot of things were discovered. Houses that were built and were bolted to their foundation withstood that 8.2-on-the-Richter-Scale quake. On the other hand, houses that were built in a period when they did not bolt them to the foundation--a perfectly good house--when the horizontal earth movement occurred, the house moved maybe six or seven inches off its foundation. And, that's what caused the house to collapse. So, a great discovery was made at Coalinga: houses should be bolted to their foundation. Not only "built on" the foundation, but if you add horizontal earth movement, a house must be "bolted into" its foundation--sort of a living relationship with the foundation--into it, as well as, on it. (From Earl Palmer)

Likewise, let us be both "built on" as well as "bolted into" our foundation, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

527. "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:2) "I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12)

Before refrigerators, people used ice houses to preserve their food. Ice houses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted door. In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut, hauled to the ice houses, and covered with sawdust. Often, the ice would last well into the summer. On one occasion, while working in an ice house, a man lost a valuable watch. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn't find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the ice house during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch. Amazed, the men asked him how he found it. "I closed the door," the boy replied, "lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking." (From James Hamilton)

The question is not whether God is speaking to us through His word, but whether we are still and quiet enough to hear Him. Let us not be so choked by the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life that we no longer hear His voice.

528. "...If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24) "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)

In December 1985, a 70-foot-wide sinkhole swallowed one home and a carport and forced the evacuation of four homes in a retirement community in Florida. The hole was about the size of a pickup truck when it was discovered. Within three hours it had grown to 30 by 40 feet and had swallowed half of a small house. Two hours later the house was gone. The owners escaped with only their coats, glad to be alive.

Without Christ, one will be swallowed up like a sinkhole, and the results will be far more catastrophic.

529. "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'" (John 8:12) "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." (Matt. 4:16)

A woman named Rose Crawford had been blind for 50 years. "I just can't believe it!" she gasped as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes after her recovery from delicate surgery in an Ontario hospital. She wept for joy when for the first time in her life a dazzling and beautiful world of form and color greeted eyes that now were able to see. The amazing thing about the story, however, is that 20 years of her blindness had been unnecessary. She didn't know that surgical techniques had been developed, and that an operation could have restored her vision at the age of 30. The doctor said, "She just figured there was nothing that could be done about her condition. Much of her life could have been different." (From Bible Illustrator)

Today, millions of people unnecessarily remain in spiritual darkness. If only they would come to the Great Physician - in accord with His truth - and He would give them the light of life!

530. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..." (Eph. 1:3)

Waylon Prendergast, 37, of Tampa, Florida, committed a spur-of-the-moment robbery while on his way home from a late-night drinking session. A very inebriated Mr. Prendergast forced his way into the house through an open upstairs window, filling a suitcase with cash and valuables before setting the living room on fire to cover his tracks. He then escaped through the back door and made his way home, chuckling all the way. Only as he turned the corner into his own street, however, and discovered three fire engines outside his house, did he realize that in his drunkenness he had, in fact, burgled and ignited his own property. His comment: "I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions."

While we may not do anything quite that stupid (at least nothing that makes the national newspapers), there are times when Christians need to stop and reflect, coming to the same conclusion as did Mr. Prendergast: "I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions." (From Alan Smith)

531. "The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130) "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes..." (Psalm 19:7-8)

Some seem to expect the word of God to hit them like a jolt of adrenalin each time they read or study it. Although the "jolt" may hit us periodically, the benefits of the word of God act more like vitamins. People who regularly take vitamins do so because of their long-term benefits, not because every time they swallow one of the pills they feel new strength surging through their bodies. They have developed a habit of consistently taking vitamins because they have been told that, in the long haul, vitamin supplements are going to have a beneficial effect on their physical health, resistance to disease, and general well-being.

The same is true regarding the Bible. At times it will have a sudden and intense impact on us. However, the real value lies in the cumulative and intense impact that long-term exposure to God's Word will bring to our lives. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 29)

532. "You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You...O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot...I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved...You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:2,5,7-8,11)

I heard about a farmer/preacher who bought a brand new pair of boots. However, the boots turned out to be a tad too tight. The bootmaker offered to stretch them so they would fit. "You'll not stretch these boots an inch," insisted the man. "You see; I start every morning before sunrise checking on some ornery cows that have knocked down a fence or caused some other trouble. Then, I go to the office and listen to all of the members complain about this and that. Then, I come home to hear my wife tell me what chores I haven't gotten done around the house. When I get ready for bed and I take off those tight boots, well, some days that's the only pleasure I have!"

May you know the pleasure today of being with God. It's even better than taking off tight boots at the end of the day! (From Alan Smith)

533. "Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." (Psalm 40:4) "This is your lot, the portion of your measures from Me, says the LORD, because you have forgotten Me and trusted in falsehood." (Jer. 13:25)

A United Press release in a midwestern city told of a hospital where officials discovered that the firefighting equipment had never been connected. For 35 years it had been relied upon for the safety of the patients in case of emergency. But it had never been attached to the city's water main. The pipe that led from the building extended 4 feet underground -- and there it stopped! The medical staff and the patients had felt complete confidence in the system. They thought that if a blaze broke out, they could depend on a nearby hose to extinguish it. But theirs was a false security. Although the costly equipment with its polished valves and well-placed outlets was adequate for the building, it lacked the most important thing -- water! (From Bible Illustrator)

Likewise, multitudes of people have mis-placed trust today. Let us trust in the Lord our God and His word, and not depend on the weaknesses and misguidings of uninspired men.

534. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things." (Phil. 4:8)

"In describing one of the new movies of the day, a critic wrote, 'The plot moves rapidly down the sewer.' It would not be so damaging to those who watch such trash if the mind could be equipped, like your kitchen sink, with a garbage disposal. Then, you could flush away all the filth and be done with it, but the mind does not work that way. It stores up impressions for a lifetime. The only way to protect the mind is to expose it to only the BEST!" (From Bible Illustrator)

Certainly, there is mountain of garbage that one can feast his mind on today, not only by means of television and the movies, but through books, magazines, and the Internet. Let us, in obedience to Christ, think on the holy, righteous, spiritual things.

535. "And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary...But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." (1 Cor. 12:21-22, 23-27)

The giant Sequoia trees of California tower as much as 300 feet above the ground. Strangely, these giants have unusually shallow root systems that reach out in all directions to capture the greatest amount of surface moisture. One will not find a giant Sequoia tree standing alone because high winds would quickly uproot it. Instead, they always grow in clusters. Their intertwining roots provide support for one another against the storms.

Let us, as members of the body of Christ, support and sustain one another so that we can weather the storms of life.

536. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15)

The story is told of a small fishing village where, for many years, a flock of sea gulls fed on the scraps the fishermen left. All was fine and good for the sea gulls until eventually the fishing became poor, and the villagers moved down the coast to a location where fish were more plentiful. The sea gulls did not follow the fishermen and--because they had lived off the scraps of the fishermen and never learned to feed themselves--the entire flock of birds died.

Believers who feed only on what others teach them are like those foolish sea gulls. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 32)

537. "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am." (John 13:13) "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord." (Matt. 10:25)

A young man had studied under a world-renowned master. Eventually, the time came for the student's first recital. Following each selection, despite the cheers of the crowd, the performer seemed dissatisfied. Even after the last number, with the shouts louder than ever, the talented violinist stood watching an old man in the balcony. Finally, the elderly one smiled and nodded in approval. Immediately, the young man relaxed and beamed with happiness. You see, the man in the balcony was his teacher, and thus the applause of the crowd had meant nothing to him until he had first won the hearty approval of his master. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching)

Let us diligently seek the hearty approval of our Master, and not be overly concerned about the approval of men. If we, with singleness of heart, faithfully serve our Lord and Master, the approval or disapproval from men will take care of itself.

538. "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." (1 Cor. 6:18)

One out of five Americans now suffers from a sexual disease. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, 56 million people in the United States are infected with a sexually transmitted disease, and more than half of those sufferers have sexual diseases that are incurable. These awesome statistics mean that young women and men have a one out of five chance of getting a spouse (or significant other) who is infected. Those are pretty depressing odds. You wouldn't ride in an airplane if you had a one-in-five chance of crashing. Conclusion? "Safe sex" isn't safe; it's high-risk. "Free sex" isn't free; it's very costly. The only safe sex is chastity until marriage and fidelity afterward. (From Phyllis Schlafly)

Not only does one face the danger of being infected by some dreadful disease when he commits fornication, but he sins against Almighty God. When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, he responded by saying, "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Gen. 39:9) God Himself makes the rules, and we are exceedingly wise when we abide by them.

539. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Rev. 3:15-16)

There was a ship discovered many years ago among the icebergs of the Arctic ocean, with the captain frozen as he was making his last entry in the logbook. The crew was found, some in their hammocks, and some in the cabin, all frozen to death. The last date in the logbook showed that for thirteen years that vessel had been moving among the icebergs, "a drifting sepulcher, manned by a frozen crew."

Are there not churches in a like condition? Chilled by formality, worldliness, and sin, they have sailed away from the sunny region of blessing and prosperity, and floated into the icy waters and deadly slumbers of the frigid zone. (From 1000 Evangelical Illustrations, p. 52-53)

540. "Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits." (James 1:9-11)

No matter how long a person may live or how rich he may be, money cannot bring him happiness. In his book For Better or For Worse, Walter Maier included this story: "A rich man had committed suicide. In his pockets were found two items: $30,000 in cash and a letter. The letter read in part: 'I have discovered during my life that piles of money do not bring happiness. I am taking my life because I can no longer stand the solitude and boredom. When I was an ordinary workman in New York, I was happy. Now that I possess millions, I am infinitely sad and prefer death.'" (From Bible Illustrator)

In concluding the parable of the rich fool, Jesus said, "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:20-21)

541 "...Be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Pet. 5:5-7)

"It is my pride that makes me independent of God. It's appealing to me to feel that I am the master of my fate, that I run my own life, call my own shots, go it alone. But that feeling is my basic dishonesty. I can't go it alone. I have to get help from other people, and I can't ultimately rely on myself. I'm dependent on God for my next breath. It is dishonest of me to pretend that I'm anything but a man - small, weak, and limited. So, living independent of God is self-delusion. It is not just a matter of pride being an unfortunate little trait, and humility being an attractive little virtue; it's my inner psychological integrity that's at stake. When I am conceited, I am lying to myself about what I am. I am pretending to be God, and not man. My pride is the idolatrous worship of myself, and that is the national religion of hell!" (Author Unknown)

542. "For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything." (1 Thess. 1:8)

Herman Ostry's barn floor was under 29 inches of water because of a rising creek. The Bruno, Nebraska, farmer invited all his friends and neighbors to a barn raising. He needed to move his entire 17,000-pound barn to a new foundation more than 143 feet away. His son Mike devised a lattice work of steel tubing, and nailed, bolted, and welded it on the inside and the outside of the barn. Hundreds of handles were attached. After one practice lift, 344 volunteers slowly walked the barn up a slight incline, each supporting less than fifty pounds. In just three minutes, the barn was on its new foundation.

Likewise, local congregations, when all the members work together, can accomplish great good in leading many souls to Christ.

543. "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways." (Psalm 127:3-128:1)

Parenting--Ten Things for Which You as a Parent Will Never Be Sorry

1. For doing your level best even when discouraged.

2. For hearing before judging in family quarrels.

3. For thinking before speaking when emotionally upset.

4. For not harboring unkind thoughts of a talebearer.

5. For being generous to an enemy, perhaps the next-door neighbor.

6. For stopping your ears to gossip over the fence.

7. For standing by your principles in dealing with your teenagers.

8. For asking pardon, when in error, even of your child.

9. For being square in business dealings with the newsboy.

10. For accepting the stewardship of "another" child.

(From Illustrations Unlimited, p. 395)

544. "So these nations feared the LORD, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children's children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day." (2 Kings 17:41)

Several years ago, the Christian Life and Faith Magazine presented some unusual facts about two families. In 1677 an immoral man married a very licentious woman. Nineteen hundred descendants came from the generations begun by that union. Of these, 771 were criminals, 250 were arrested for various offenses, 60 were thieves, and 39 were convicted for murder. Forty of the women were known to have venereal disease. These people spent a combined total of 1300 years behind bars and cost the State of New York millions of dollars.

The other family was the Edwards family. The third generation included Jonathan Edwards who was the great New England revival preacher, and who became president of Princeton University. Of the 1,344 descendants, many were college presidents and professors. One hundred eighty-six became ministers of the gospel, and many others were active in their churches. Eighty-six were state senators, three were Congressmen, 30 judges, and one became Vice President of the United States. No reference was made of anyone spending time in jail or in the poorhouse.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." (Prov. 22:6)

545. "I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word." (Psalm 119:101)

In the winter of 1976, John Jordan, together with three of his friends, decided to photograph Niagara Falls. They went to Goat Island to enjoy the icy beauty. While there, Jordan and two others climbed over the protective railings, and then fell into the ice along the shore about 200 feet upstream from the falls. The other two scrambled back to land, but Jordan was swept down to within fifteen feet of the brink of the Horseshoe Falls. There, somehow, he was able to grasp and cling to a chunk of ice. Patrolman James MacNeill was able to rescue the young man.

Whenever we become silent about God's protective railings, the moral laws of God, we endanger the lives of those under our care...The wages of sin is still death. Let us rescue the perishing and care for the dying. Let us preach, too, the function of God's moral law. (From Bible Illustrator)

546. "For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." (1 Pet. 3:12)

In his book Why Prayers Are Unanswered, John Lavender retells a story about Norman Vincent Peale. When Peale was a boy, he found a big, black cigar, slipped into an alley, and lit-up. It didn't taste good, but it made him feel very grown up, until he saw his father coming. Quickly he put the cigar behind his back and tried to be casual. Desperate to divert his father's attention, Norman pointed to a billboard advertising the circus. "Can I go, Dad? Please, let's go when it comes to town." His father's reply taught Norman a lesson he never forgot. "Son," he answered quietly, but firmly, "never make a petition while at the same time trying to hide a smoldering disobedience." (From Leadership, Vol. 4, No. 4)

Likewise, as we make our requests to our heavenly Father, let us not hide smoldering disobedience.

547. "...How I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house..." (Acts 20:20)

Certainty about the great issues of the Christian faith and conduct is lacking all along the line. The outside observer sees us staggering on from gimmick to gimmick and stunt to stunt like so many drunks in a fog, not knowing at all where we are, or which way we should be going. Preaching is hazy; heads are muddled; hearts fret; doubts drain strength; uncertainty paralyzes action. We are much unlike the first Christians who, within a century, won the Roman world, and those later Christians who pioneered the Reformation, the Puritan awakening, the Evangelical revival, and the great missionary movement of the last century. We lack certainty. Why is this? We blame the external pressures of modern secularism, but this is like Eve blaming the serpent. The real truth is that we have grieved the Spirit. For two generations our churches have suffered from a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. We stand under divine judgment. That's a tragic truth! (From J. I. Packer)

548. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake." (2 Cor. 4:3-5)

We live in a world of invertebrate theology, jellyfish morality, seesaw religion, India rubber convictions, somersault philosophy, and a psychology that tells us what we already know in words which we do not understand. (From Bread from Bellevue Oven, by R.G. Lee, p. 9)

Paul said, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

549. "Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Eph. 5:33)

Author and business leader Fred Smith writes: "One of my treasured memories comes from a doughnut shop in Grand Saline, Texas. There was a young farm couple sitting at the table next to mine. He was wearing overalls and she a gingham dress. After finishing their doughnuts, he got up to pay the bill, and I noticed she didn't get up to follow him. But then he came back and stood in front of her. She put her arms around his neck, and he lifted her up, revealing that she was wearing a full-body brace. He lifted her out of her chair and backed out the front door to the pickup truck, with her hanging from his neck. As he gently put her into the truck, everyone in the shop watched. No one said anything until a waitress remarked, almost reverently, 'He took his vows seriously.'"

May God help all of us to take our marriage vows seriously!

550. "That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God." (Psalm 78:7-8)

Between two farms near Valleyview, Alberta, you can find two parallel fences, only two feet apart, running for a half mile. Why are there two fences when one would do? Two farmers, Paul and Oscar, had a disagreement that erupted into a feud. Paul wanted to build a fence between their land and split the cost, but Oscar was unwilling to contribute. Since he wanted to keep cattle on his land, Paul went ahead and built the fence anyway.

After the fence was completed, Oscar said to Paul, "I see we have a fence." "What do you mean 'we'?" Paul replied. "I got the property line surveyed and built the fence two feet into my land. That means some of my land is outside the fence. And if any of your cows sets foot on my land, I'll shoot it." Oscar knew Paul wasn't joking, so when he eventually decided to use the land adjoining Paul's for pasture, he was forced to build another fence, two feet away. Oscar and Paul are both gone now, but their double fence stands as a monument to the high price we pay for stubbornness. (From Daren Wride, Valleyview, Alberta)

Lev. 19:18 says, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD."

551. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Tim. 4:16) "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Heb. 10:23)

On the windy Brittanny coast of France the Abbe Adolph Juelienne Foure spent nearly ten hours a day, every single day, for 25 years carving more than 300 figures out of a huge section of rock above the sea. The statues tell the fantastic history of the Rotheneuf Family, a 16th century tribe of smugglers, pirates, and outlaw fishermen. Why the French priest devoted the last third of his life to chiseling in stone these craggy creations, no one knows. (From Bible Illustrator)

There is something far more important and profitable than spending years chiseling figures in stone. Let us form and fashion our own lives in accord with God's will, and strive to help others to do the same. And, may the Eternal God help us in this endeavor.

552. "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper." (Prov. 23:29-32)

Do you think you will ever see an advertisement like this in your evening paper? "An Ad for Alcohol: Friends and neighbors, I am grateful for your past patronage. I have supplied my store with a fine line of choice liquors. However, I must warn you that my products shall continue to make drunkards, paupers, and beggars. They will incite robbery, fornication, riot, and bloodshed. They will cause physical abuse, hunger, and divorce in many families. They will diminish your comfort, increase your expenses, shorten your life, and multiply fatal accidents and incurable diseases. They will deprive some of life, others of reason, many of character, and all of peace."

FBI statistics indicate that for every drunk driver arrested there are 82 who don't get caught. There are approximately 27,000 deaths each year related directly, or indirectly, to alcohol.

553. "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (John 5:28-29) "I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust." (Acts 24:15)

In a cemetery in Hanover, Germany, is a grave on which were placed huge slabs of granite and marble cemented together and fastened with heavy steel clasps. It belongs to a woman who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Yet, strangely, she directed in her will that her grave be made so secure that if there were a resurrection, it could not reach her. On the marker were inscribed these words: "This burial place must never be opened."

In time, a seed, covered over by the stones, began to grow into a tree. Slowly, it pushed its way through the soil and up through one of the cracks between the marble slabs. As the trunk enlarged, the great slabs were gradually shifted so that the steel clasps were wrenched from their sockets. A tiny seed had become a tree that had pushed aside the stones.

If God could put such force in the world He created, surely He will have no problem raising all the dead, whether buried at sea, cremated, or decayed into dust.

554. "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Cor. 13:4-8)

The book, as well as the movie, Little Lord Fauntleroy, is about a seven-year-old boy who went from the United States to stay with his grandfather in England. Although the grandfather was extremely mean, harsh, and selfish, the lad could see nothing but good in him. He said over and over, "Grandpa, how people must love you. You're so good and kind in all you do." No matter how disagreeable the elderly man was, his grandson saw only the best in everything he did. Eventually, the youngster's unfailing love softened the heart of the cantankerous old man. As a result, the older gentleman began to change his ways and, in time, became the unselfish, kind, wonderful person his grandson saw in him.

May we learn a lesson from the little boy and, through love, seek to bring out the best in others.

555. "Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Luke 17:33) "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:25)

Car inspection stickers used to have printed on the back "Drive carefully -- the life you save may be your own." That is the wisdom of men in a nutshell. What God says, on the other hand, is "The life you save is the life you lose." In other words, the life you clutch, hoard, guard, and play safe with is, in the end, a life worth little to anybody, including yourself; and only a life given away for love's sake is a life worth living. To bring his point home, God shows us a man who gave his life away to the extent of dying a national disgrace without a penny in the bank or a friend to his name. In terms of men's wisdom, he was a perfect fool, and anybody who thinks he can follow him without making something like the same kind of fool of himself is laboring under, not a cross, but a delusion. (From Frederick Buechner)

556. "Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors." (Psalm 119:24)

It isn't easy to make a 40-foot, 45-ton, untrained whale do what you want it to do, even if it's for its own good. That's what well-wishing friends found out when a humpback whale, affectionately named "Humphrey," made a wrong turn during his 1985 migration along the California coast. The wayward mammal became a national celebrity when he turned into San Francisco Bay, swam under the Golden Gate Bridge, and managed to navigate 70 miles up river. For more than 3 weeks Humphrey defied all efforts to get him back to salt water. Finally, marine biologists tried to lure him with the recorded sounds of feeding humpbacks. It worked. Humphrey responded to the "happy humpbacks" and followed "them" back to the Pacific. (From Bible Illustrator)

Likewise, let us follow the happy sounds of the word of God, for they will lead us in the right direction.

557. "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (1 Tim. 4:8)

A while back, on the "The Merv Griffin Show," the guest was a body builder. During the interview, Merv asked, "Why do you develop those particular muscles?" The body builder simply stepped forward and flexed a series of well-defined muscles from chest to calf. The audience applauded. "What do you use all those muscles for?" Merv asked. Again, the muscular specimen flexed, and biceps and triceps sprouted to impressive proportions. "But what do you use those muscles for?" Merv persisted. The body builder was bewildered. He didn't have an answer other than to display his well-developed frame.

I was reminded that our spiritual exercises -- Bible study, prayer, reading Christian books, listening to Christian radio and tapes -- are also for a purpose. They're meant to strengthen our ability to build God's kingdom, not simply to improve our pose before an admiring audience. (From Gary Gulbranson)

558. "And Elijah came to all the people, and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.' But the people answered him not a word." (1 Kings 18:21)

Early in his life, President Ronald Reagan learned the need for making decisions. A kindly aunt had taken him to a cobbler to have a pair of shoes custom-made for him. The shoemaker asked, "Do you want a round toe or a square toe?" Young Ronald hemmed and hawed, so the cobbler said, "Come back in a day or two and tell me what you want."

A few days later the cobbler saw young Reagan on the street and asked what he had decided about the shoes. "I haven't made up my mind," Reagan answered. "Very well," said the cobbler. "Your shoes will be ready tomorrow." When Reagan got the shoes, one had a round toe, and the other a square toe. Says Reagan, "Looking at those shoes every day taught me a lesson. If you don't make your own decisions, somebody else makes them for you." (From A.P. Standerman in Let Me Illustrate)

559. "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26)

Clarence Darrow, the great criminal lawyer, had among his friends a young minister. This seems strange, because, as you remember, Darrow was usually thought of as an atheist, infidel, agnostic, or what have you.

They were talking one day and Mr. Darrow became reminiscent. He talked of his career and some of the famous trials in which he had been the lawyer for the defense. He said, "This has been an exciting life." He made at least a comfortable fortune and he guessed he might be regarded as somewhat of a success. Then Mr. Darrow asked, "Would you like to know my favorite Bible verse?" His friend said, "Indeed I would." Mr. Darrow said, "You will find it in Luke 5:5. 'We've toiled all the night and have taken nothing.'" He added, "In spite of my success that verse seems to sum up the way I feel about life."

No matter what one does in life, no matter what position he may obtain, and no matter what he might come to own, if he leaves God out, the time will come when life itself will rise up and mock him with the word -- nothing -- nothing! (From William R. Pettrigrew)

We add to the above the words of Jesus in the parable of the rich fool, "And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:19-21)

560. "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation...?" (Heb. 2:1-3)

A story is told of a devout father whose son was studying for the ministry. The son decided to go to Europe for an advanced degree, and the father worried that his simple faith would be spoiled by sophisticated, unbelieving professors. "Don't let them take Jonah away from you," he admonished, figuring the swallowed-by-a-great-fish story might be the first part of the Bible to go.

Two years later when the son returned, the father asked, "Do you still have Jonah in your Bible?" The son laughed. "Jonah! That story isn't even in your Bible!" The father replied, "It certainly is! What do you mean?" Again the son laughed and insisted, "It is not in your Bible. Go head, show it to me." The old man fumbled through his Bible, looking for the Book of Jonah, but he couldn't find it. At last, he checked the table of contents for the proper page. When he turned there, he discovered the three pages comprising Jonah had been carefully cut from his Bible. "I did it before I went away," said the son. "What's the difference whether I lose the Book of Jonah through studying under non-believers or you lose it through neglect?" (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 33-34)

561. "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

The story is told of Handley Page, a pioneer in aviation, who once landed in an isolated area during his travels. Unknown to him, a rat got aboard the plane there. On the next leg of the flight, Page heard the sickening sound of gnawing. Suspecting it was a rodent, his heart began to pound as he visualized the serious damage that could be done to the fragile mechanism that controlled the plane and the difficulty of repairs of the lack of skilled labor and materials in the area.

What could he do? He remembered hearing that a rat cannot survive at high altitudes, so he pulled back on the stick. The airplane climbed higher and higher until Page found it difficult to breathe. He listened intently and finally sighed with relief. The gnawing had stopped. When he arrived at his destination, he found the rat lying dead behind the cockpit.

Oftentimes, we, as God's children, are plagued by sin that gnaws at our life simply because we are living at too low a spiritual level. To see sin defeated in our lives requires that we move up-away from the world-to a higher level where the things of this world cannot survive. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 36-37)

562. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor. 1:18)

Officer Peter O'Hanlon was patrolling on night duty in northern England some years ago when he heard a quivering sob. Turning in the direction that it came from, he saw in the shadows a little boy sitting on a doorstep. With tears rolling down his cheeks, the child whimpered, "I'm lost. Take me home." The policeman began naming street after street, trying to help him remember where he lived. When that failed, he repeated the names of the shops and hotels in the area, but all without success. Then he remembered that in the center of the city was a well-known church with a large white cross towering high above the surrounding landscape. He pointed to it and said, "Do you live anywhere near that?" The boy's face immediately brightened. "Yes, take me to the cross. I can find my way home from there!" (From Bible Illustrator)

Making a spiritual application, the way of the cross leads us to our eternal home.

563. "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You." (Psalm 25:21) "The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them." (Prov. 11:3)

If we sow a thought, we reap an act,

If we sow an act, we reap a habit,

If we sow a habit, we reap character,

If we sow character, we reap a destiny.

(Author Unknown)

Titus 2:7-8 says, "In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."

564. "...Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed." (1 Pet. 2:24)

A little boy invited his mother to attend his elementary school's first teacher-parent conference. To the little boy's dismay, she said she would go. This would be the first time that his classmates and teacher met his mother and he was embarrassed by her appearance. Although she was a beautiful woman, there was a severe scar that covered nearly the entire right side of her face. The boy never wanted to talk about why or how she got the scar.

At the conference, the people were impressed by the kindness and natural beauty of his mother, despite the scar, but the little boy was still embarrassed and hid himself from everyone. He did, however, get within earshot of a conversation between his mother and his teacher, and heard them speaking. "How did you get the scar on your face?" the teacher asked. The mother replied, "When my son was a baby, he was in a room that caught on fire. Everyone was too afraid to go in because the fire was out of control, so I went in. As I was running toward his crib, I saw a beam coming down and I placed myself over him, trying to shield him. I was knocked unconscious but, fortunately, a fireman came in and saved both of us." She touched the burned side of her face. "This scar will be permanent, but to this day, I have never regretted doing what I did."

At this point, the little boy came out running towards his mother with tears in his eyes. He hugged her and felt an overwhelming sense of the sacrifice that his mother had made for him. He held her hand tightly for the rest of the day. (From Chicken Soup For the Soul)

In like manner, Jesus Christ bears the scars He received in His efforts to redeem us. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15)

565. "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Pet. 3:8-9)

A middle-aged business executive approached the front entrance of the office building in which he worked. A young feminist came up at the same moment, so he stepped back and held the door open for her to pass on through. She looked at him and said with annoyance, "Don't hold the door for me just because I'm a lady."

To her surprise, he looked right back and replied, "I'm not. I'm holding it open because I'm a gentleman."

Likewise, we as Christians must always act toward others on the basis of what we are in Christ Jesus, and not on the basis of what they may or may not be. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 38)

566. "Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." (Gen. 1:24-25)

It is not uncommon to witness in late summer the migration of the monarch butterfly. The careful observer may see hundreds of them clinging to tree limbs and other shrubbery as the flock rests up on their journey to a remote mountain site in central Mexico. Scientists have recently found 16 of these sites, ranging from 1 to 10 acres each, within a 100-mile radius where millions upon millions of butterflies from North America spend the winter. No one knows how butterflies find their way to these tiny plots of land. Each new generation that migrates has never been there before. Something programmed into their tiny bodies directs them to a place they have never seen, but which they somehow know they must find.

The creatures of the earth show God's glory and wisdom. In Acts 7:50 Stephen quoted Isaiah, who, speaking for God, asks, "Has My hand not made all these things?" The answer of course is "Yes." They were all made by the hand of God, and for one to claim otherwise only proves him to be a fool and without excuse.

567. "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4)

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be self-confident.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition, he learns to have a goal.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns what justice is.

If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is.

If a child lives with sincerity, he learns to have faith in himself and those around him.

If a child lives with love, he learns that the world is a wonderful place to live in.

(Author Unknown)

568. "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

The story has been told of a farmer who was trying to teach his son how to plow a straight furrow. After the horse had been hitched up and everything was ready, he told the boy to keep an eye on some object at the other end of the field and aim straight toward it. "Do you see that cow lying down over there?" he asked. "Keep your eye on her and plow straight ahead."

The boy started plowing and the farmer went about his chores. When he returned a little later to see what progress had been made, he was shocked to find, instead of a straight row, something that looked more like a question mark. The boy had obeyed his instruction. The trouble was, the cow had moved!

Jesus is the object that will not move. He is the foundation of our faith, the faithful Rock who never moves, never changes in His love for believers. We can be sure that if we set our eyes on Him, our path will be straight. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 49)

569. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4:12)

"Obviously, the dividing of the soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow is not to be understood literally; if it were, reading the Bible would necessitate a trip to the doctor or to the morgue. The figurative language means that the word is able to pierce our innermost being, dealing with our most basic character, our inner disposition, our deepest thoughts and purposes. This involves being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Vine defines "discerner" as "that which relates to judging, fit for, or skilled in, judging." Regarding its use in this verse, Vine says, "discriminating and passing judgment on thoughts and feelings." Like a sharp sword, the word of God pierces into our innermost nature and passes judgment on our thoughts and intents. (From Hebrews, by Johnny Stringer, p. 14-15)

570. "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Col. 2:9-10) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Rev. 22:13)

Consider the number of words it took to write the thirty-volume set of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Even though there is a momentous number of words, only twenty-six different letters were used. The authors of the Britannica did not need to go outside the alphabet to assemble that massive collection of knowledge. The alphabet provided everything they needed to complete their task.

Likewise, Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, and we do not need to go outside of Him for anything we need. We are complete in Him, and He is our "everything" for all situations.

571. "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Tim. 4:1-4)

"In London, England there is an annual 'Preach Off' to select the best preacher. The judges do not consider the intent of the message, but rather the effectiveness of delivering the message. I would rather preach or hear a sermon that included the Gospel, but would flunk Public Speaking 101, than to preach or hear a Christless sermon that won the 'Preach Off.'" (From Let's Illustrate by Eldon Weisheit, p. 5)

Peter said, "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God." (1 Pet. 4:11)

572. "Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us." (Heb. 6:17-18)

"If any man living has found one promise untrustworthy, let him publish it to the world; and the heavens will clothe themselves in sackcloth, and the sun and moon and stars will reel from their seats, the universe will rock, and a hollow wind moan through creation, bearing the tidings that God is mutable, that God can lie. And that voice will be the herald of universal dissolution. But it can never, never be. Heirs of promise! God's power is eternal, His counsel is immutable. Heaven and earth may pass away, but His word shall never pass away. Ye therefore may have strong consolation; though ye lose all else, our heritage in the word and oath of God shall be unimpaired, world without end." (From The Way Into The Holiest, by F.B.Meyer, p. 120)

573. "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2)

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know." The sick man said, "You don't know?! You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice that dog? He had never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall not pass through with fear, but with gladness." (From Alan Smith)

574. "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4)

12 STEPS TO RAISE A JUVENILE DELINQUENT:

1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.

2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he's cute.

3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is twenty-one and then let "him decide for himself."

4. Avoid the use of "wrong." He may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.

5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced throwing all responsibility on others.

6. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, and policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.

7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they won't be so shocked when the home is broken up later.

8. Give the child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own.

9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See that his every sensual desire is gratified.

10. Let him read any printed material, and listen to any music he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.

11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize to yourself by saying, "I could never do anything with him.

12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will likely have it.

(From a pamphlet distributed by the Houston, Texas Police Department)

575. "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24-25)

Telephone-pole climbing is an art. In order to climb, one must have a belt that goes around the pole, and wear spiked shoes. The secret is to lean back and depend on the belt so the spikes can dig into the pole. Depending on the belt is hard to learn. Often a beginner slides down the splintery pole because he won't depend on his equipment. It only takes a few such experiences to convince the beginner that it is better to depend on the belt.

In the Christian life, God wants us to climb by depending on Him. When we are hurt by splinters, we should recognize that they are reminders that we need to depend on His strength and loving protection. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 53)

576. "Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.' But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.' Having said this, He breathed His last." (Luke 23:39-46)

We have before us a scene which displays three crosses. One cross pictures a thief dying IN sin, and the other a thief dying TO sin. The center cross portrays the Redeemer dying FOR sin. The center cross divides all humanity into one of two categories. Those who reject Christ and die IN sin, and those who receive Christ and die TO sin. Which category are you in?

577. "Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress." (Psalm 71:3)

The Wall Street Journal projected a striking paradox of our time when it reported: "The elms in South Park, Pittsburgh must come down because they are obstructing the monument to Joyce Kilmer. They have lifted their leafy arms so high that passers-by can no longer read the inscription which begins: 'I think that I shall never see/A poem lovely as a tree.'"

In a world where people surrender their rights to preserve themselves, where cities are bombed to protect people, where nations wage war to preserve peace, where spending determines economy, it is tragically appropriate that trees should be sacrificed for a poem about trees. (From Bible Illustrator)

In a world of confusing paradoxes, there is a place of solace to which we can freely resort - our rock and our fortress.

578. "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead...You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy." (Rev. 3:1,4)

In the movie Beau Geste, the Arabs were attacking a Legionnaire fort where only four Legionnaires were left alive. If the Arabs had known this, they could have easily taken the fort. However, the Legionnaires devised a plan to disguise their weak condition. They set up bodies of their dead comrades along the wall of the fort and ran back and forth, firing off the guns of their dead friends. From the outside, it all looked very convincing, but from the inside, there were only four men.

No doubt, there are many churches today which have the appearance of strength. However, if the truth were known, they have only a few who are righteous, are doing the work, and, through teaching and encouragement, are keeping the church together.

579. "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26) "I'm not ashamed to own my Lord, nor to defend His cause." (From an old familiar hymn)

On one occasion, Frederick the Great invited some notable people to his royal table, including top-ranking generals. One of them by the name of Hans Von Zieten declined the invitation because he wanted to partake of the Lord's Supper on the Lord's day.

Sometime later, at another banquet, Frederick and his guests mocked the general for his religious scruples and made jokes about the Lord's Supper. In great peril of his life, the officer stood to his feet and said respectfully to the monarch, "My lord, there is a greater King than you, a King to whom I have sworn allegiance even unto death. I am a Christian, and I cannot sit quietly as the Lord's name is dishonored and His character belittled."

The guests trembled in silence, knowing that Hans Zieten might be executed. But to their surprise, Frederick grasped the hand of this courageous man, asked his forgiveness, and promised that he would never again allow such a travesty be made of sacred things. (From Bible Illustrator)

580. "...That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast..." (Heb. 6:18-19)

"How does hope serve as an anchor? If you were promised a million dollars to be given one week later, how would you feel? Excited? Joyful? But what if the promise was based on certain conditions? You must walk everywhere you go for a week! Would you be willing to do so? Could you resist the temptation to ride a bus, taxi, etc.? Even though you became weary and tired, wouldn't you be willing to continue walking, knowing that at the end you would inherit a million dollars? If it rained, or was unbearably cold or hot, wouldn't you persevere? All through the week, would you complain about the reward or the difficulty in obtaining it? Or, would you find yourself buoyed in spirit by the anticipation of the money? Would you not talk about it, plan for it, and with joy labor for it?" (From Hebrews by Robert Harkrider, p. 51-52)

1 John 3:2-3 says, "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

581. "Then one said to Him, 'Lord, are there few who are saved?' And He said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.'" (Luke 13:23-24)

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither defeat nor victory." (From President Theodore Roosevelt)

Ultimately, it is those who have actually done the will of God who will gain the victory.

582. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Tim. 1:7)

During World War II, a military governor met with General George Patton in Sicily. When he praised Patton highly for his courage and bravery, the general replied, "Sir, I am not a brave man -- the truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn't so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands." Years later, when Patton's autobiography was published, it contained this significant statement by the general: "I learned very early in my life never to take counsel of my fears." (From Bible Illustrator)

Fear resides with those who are habitually fearful. Let us not take counsel of our fears - dwelling on them continually - but wholly trust in the living God who replaces fear with power and love.

583. "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse..." (Rom. 1:20)

John Halone, a scientist, once suggested to Monsignor Knox that in a universe containing millions of planets it was inevitable that life would appear by chance on one of them. "Sir," said Knox, "if Scotland Yard found a body in your Saratoga trunk, would you tell them, 'There are millions of trunks in the world - surely one of them must contain a body'? I think they still would want to know who put it there." (From 1500 Illustrations from Biblical Preaching, p. 84)

Isa. 45:18 says, "For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is no other." Psalm 90:2 says, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."

584. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4:12)

Have you recently flown on an airplane? Do you recall the ritual of walking through the electronic device to detect concealed weapons? "A marvel of modern technology," you might think. Interestingly enough, centuries ago, one of the palaces of Chang-an, the ancient capital of what is now known as Thailand, had a similar device. Its gates were made of lodestone - a natural magnet. If a would-be assassin came in through the gate with a concealed dagger, the lodestone would pull at the hidden weapon like an invisible hand. Startled, the individual would involuntarily reach for the weapon. Trained guards, watching every movement, would then grab him. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 78-79)

One of the works of the Holy Spirit was, "He will convict the world of sin." (John 16:8) The word of the Spirit tugs at the concealed sins in our lives as though it is God's hidden hand.

585. "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, and that my soul knows very well." (Psalm 139:13-14)

"A single human chromosome contains twenty billion bits of information. How much information is twenty billion bits? What would be its equivalent, if it were written down in an ordinary printed book in modern human language? Twenty billion bits are the equivalent of about three billion letters. If there are approximately six letters in an average word, the information content of a human chromosome corresponds to about five hundred million words. If there are about three hundred words on an ordinary page of printed type, this corresponds to about two million pages. If a typical book contains five hundred such pages, the information content of a single chromosome corresponds to some four thousand volumes. It is clear, then, that the chromosome contains an enormous library of information. It is equally clear that so rich a library is required to specify so exquisitely constructed and intricately functioning object as a human being." (From Dr. Carl Sagan in The Dragons of Eden)

Truly, we are fearfully and wonderfully made by an awesome Creator.

586. "Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults." (Isa. 51:7)

The story is told of an old man whose grandson rode a donkey while they were traveling from one city to another. The man heard someone say, "Would you look at that old man suffering on his feet while that strong young boy is totally capable of walking." Consequently, the old man rode the donkey while the boy walked. They then heard someone say, "Would you look at that, a healthy man making the poor young boy suffer. Can you believe it?" Thus, the man and the boy both rode the donkey, and then they heard someone say, "Would you look at those heavy brutes making that poor donkey suffer." Hence, they both got off and walked, until they heard people say, "Would you look at that waste - a perfectly good donkey not being used."

The lesson from the above story is: "No matter what you do, someone will always criticize it." Let us always be busy in doing the will of God, regardless of what others might think, say, or do.

587. "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice." (Exodus 23:2)

Sailors in the northern oceans have frequently observed icebergs traveling in one direction in spite of strong winds blowing in the opposite direction. The icebergs were moving against the winds, but how? The explanation is that the icebergs, with most of their bulk under the water's surface, were caught in the grip of strong currents that moved them in a certain direction, no matter which way the winds blew.

Likewise, no matter how strongly the teachings of uninspired men are blowing, and no matter how corrupt are the morals of an evil society, the Christian continues to be carried along by God's righteous law.

588. "...But exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb. 3:13) "For the wages of sin is death..." (Rom. 6:23)

Racoons go through a glandular change at about 24 months, after which they often attack their owners. Since a 30-pound raccoon can be equal to a 100-pound dog in a scrap, I felt compelled to mention the change coming to a pet racoon owned by a young friend of mine, Julie. She listened politely as I explained the coming danger. I'll never forget her answer, "It will be different for me..." And she smiled as she added, "Bandit wouldn't hurt me. He just wouldn't."

Three months later Julie underwent plastic surgery for facial lacerations sustained when her adult racoon attacked her for no apparent reason. Bandit was released into the wild. (From A View From The Zoo, by Gary Richmond)

Likewise, sin often comes dressed in an adorable disguise, and as one plays with it, it is easy to say, "It will be different for me." The results are inevitable; sin always pays it wages.

589. "...That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph. 4:22-24)

"Pali, this bull has killed me." So said Jose Cubero, one of Spain's most brilliant matadors, before he lost consciousness and died. Only 21 years old, he had been enjoying a spectacular career. However, in this 1985 bullfight, Jose made a tragic mistake. He thrust his sword a final time into a bleeding, delirious bull, which then collapsed. Considering the struggle finished, Jose turned to the crowd to acknowledge the applause. The bull, however, was not dead. It rose and lunged at the unsuspecting matador, its horn piercing his back and puncturing his heart." (From Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching, p. 217).

Likewise, sinful lusts can be very deceitful. Just when we think they are dead, they can rise up and pierce us from behind. Let us be on guard.

590. "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Col. 3:2) "...Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who set their mind on earthly things." (Phil. 3:19)

Take a look around where you are sitting and find five things that have blue in them. Go ahead and do it. With a "blue" mindset, you'll find that blue jumps out at you: a blue book on the table, a blue pillow on the couch, blue in the painting on the wall, and so on. In like fashion, you've probably noticed that after you buy a new car, you promptly see that make of car everywhere. That's because people find what they are looking for. (From A Kick in the Seat of the Pants, by Roger von Oech)

At times in our lives, the spiritual things seem strangely absent, but not because they no longer exist. We simply have become preoccupied with other things. When we develop our sensitivity toward spiritual things, our lives will be more spiritual.

591. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Heb. 12:1-2)

Cheetahs survive the African plains by running down their prey. These big cats can sprint to more than seventy miles per hour, but they cannot sustain their fast pace for long. Within their long, sleek bodies are disproportionately small hearts, which cause them to tire quickly. Unless the cheetahs catch their prey in their first fast sprint, they will abandon their chase.

Sometimes Christians seem to have the cheetah's approach to serving the Lord. They speed into projects with great energy, but lacking the hearts for sustained effort, they soon fizzle out. Let us have great staying power - stamina that comes from big hearts - so that we can patiently run the race set before us.

592. "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

According to a January 15, 1989 article in the Lexington Herald-Leader, the family living in a home in West Palm Beach, Florida, told a film crew it was okay to use the front lawn as a set for an episode of the "B.L. Stryker" television series. They knew cars would be crashing violently in front of the house.

While the front yard was being blown up, the owner of the home was tipped off and called from New York demanding to know what was happening to his house. It seems the people who were living in the house were only tenants and had no right to allow the property to be destroyed as the cameras rolled.

Many times we live our lives under the mistaken impression that they belong to us. Paul tells us we were "bought with a price." We must live as those who know God will call us to account for the ways we have used this life entrusted to us. (From Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching, p. 232).

593. "...Submitting to one another in the fear of God." (Eph. 5:21) "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" (1 Pet. 5:5)

Driving down a country road, I came to a very narrow bridge. In front of the bridge, a sign was posted: "Yield." Seeing no oncoming cars, I continued across the bridge and to my destination. On my way back, I came to the same one-lane bridge, now from the other direction. To my surprise, I saw another "Yield" sign posted. Curious, I thought. I'm sure there was one positioned on the other side. When I reached the other side of the bridge, I looked back. Sure enough, yield signs had been placed at both ends of the bridge. Drivers from both directions were requested to give the other the right-of-way. It was a reasonable and gracious way of preventing a head-on collision.

When the Bible commands Christians to "be subject to one another" (Eph. 5:21), it is simply a reasonable and gracious command to let the other have the right-of-way and avoid interpersonal head-on collisions. (From Stephen P. Beck)

594. "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Tim. 4:2)

In 1947, a professor at the University of Chicago, Dr. Chanrasekhar, was scheduled to teach an advanced seminar in astrophysics. At the time, he was living in Wisconsin, doing research at the Yerkes astronomical observatory. He planned to commute twice a week for the class, even though it would be held during the harsh winter months.

Registration for the seminar, however, fell far below expectations. Only two students signed up for the class. People expected Dr. Chanrasekhar to cancel, lest he waste his time. But, for the sake of two students, he taught the class, commuting 100 miles, round-trip, through back country roads in the dead of winter.

His students, Chen Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee, did their homework. Ten years later, in 1957, they both won the Nobel prize for physics. So did Dr. Chandrasekhar in 1983. (From Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching, p. 239)

Likewise, for faithful preachers and teachers of God's word, no class is too small.

595. "...And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him..." (Col. 3:10) "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. 3:18) "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Rom. 8:29)

On the wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: "James Butler Bonham - no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom."

Likewise, no literal portrait of Jesus Christ exists. Nevertheless, His image can be seen in the word of God and in the lives of His true followers.

596. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Matt. 7:15) "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:29-30)

The May 1987 edition of the National Geographic included a feature about arctic wolves. Author L. David Mech described how a seven-member pack had targeted several musk-oxen calves who were guarded by eleven adults. As the wolves approached their quarry, the musk-oxen bunched in an impenetrable semicircle, their deadly rear hooves facing out, and the calves remained safe during a long standoff with the enemy. But then a single ox broke rank, and the herd scattered into nervous little groups. A skirmish ensued, and the adults finally fled in panic, leaving the calves to the mercy of the predators. Not a single calf survived.

Both Jesus and Paul warned of grievous wolves. Wolves cannot destroy the local congregation as long as each member holds rigidly to the truth. It is only when members break ranks that many become easy prey.

597. "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Heb. 12:3)

Code of Persistence

1. I will never give up so long as I know I am right.

2. I will believe that all things will work out for me if I hang on until the end.

3. I will be courageous and undismayed in the face of odds.

4. I will not permit anyone to intimidate me or deter me from my goals.

5. I will fight to overcome all physical handicaps and setbacks.

6. I will try again and again, and yet again, to accomplish what I desire.

7. I will take new faith and resolution from the knowledge that all successful men and women had to fight defeat and adversity.

8. I will never surrender to discouragement or despair, no matter what seeming obstacles may confront me. (From Harold Sherman)

598. "Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?" (Psalm 85:6) "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.'" (Isa. 57:15)

If all the sleeping folk will wake up,

If all the lukewarm folk will fire up,

If all the dishonest folk will confess up,

If all the disgruntled folk will perk up,

If all the depressed folk will cheer up,

If all the estranged folk will make up,

If all the gossipers will shut up,

If all true soldiers will stand up,

If all the dry bones will shake up,

If all the church members will pray up,

Then we can have a revival! (From R.G. Lee)

"Renewing the Church is like remodeling your house: it takes longer than you hoped, costs more than you planned, and makes a bigger mess than you ever thought possible." (From Paul Smith)

599."...And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim. 3:15)

THE SOUL OF A CHILD:

The soul of a child is the loveliest flower

That grows in the Garden of God.

Its climb is from weakness to knowledge and power,

To the sky, from the clay and the clod.

To beauty and sweetness it grows under care,
Neglected, 'tis ragged and wild.
'Tis a plant that is tender and wondrously rare,
The sweet, wistful soul of a child!

Be tender, O gardener, and give it its share

Of moisture, of warmth and of light.

And let it not lack for thy painstaking care

To protect it from frost and from blight.

A glad day will come when its bloom shall unfold,
It will seem that an angel has smiled,
Reflecting a beauty and sweetness untold,
In the sensitive soul of a child.

(From Johnny Ramsey)

600. "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'" (Luke 10:33-37)

Recently, someone mentioned that they were riding on a plane from Miami, on which there were 65 psychiatrists traveling home from a convention. During the flight a woman became ill and mentally upset, yet none of the doctors offered to help. The plane had to put down in Nashville so they could take the woman to the hospital. He mentioned, "Life is like that. There is a great deal of intelligence and expertise in this world; but, many times it is of no help in the face of human needs."

Sadly, the response of many Christians is often the same. They see needs, both physical and spiritual, but sit idly by, all the while assuming they are guiltless. What we need today is more Christians who are truly like the good Samaritan.