Bible Thoughts

October 10, 2004

People who do will try not to make mistakes. It logically follows that if one does not wish to make a mistake--do not try. And who wants to live without progress? Nothing could be more defeating than to drift through life with no improvement, no goals, no aims, no ambitions, no desires, etc. Yet, some still will not try some things that could benefit them spiritually because they are fearful of making a mistake.

The fear of making a mistake has kept many from the pulpit. The fear of making a mistake has robbed churches of otherwise qualified men to be elders..or deacons..or class teachers. This even goes to the extreme of those who will not wait on the table because them might do "something wrong," or pray because they might not say the "right things." Some will not teach their neighbors because they may not use the "right words." You name it--someone will say he cannot do it because he might not do it right.

If you hesitate to do something for fear of making a mistake, is not the problem pride, rather than fear? Is it the embarrassment that one would feel if he made an error? The reddening of the face? The shake of the hand? Would it be so bad to make a mistake? Say something wrong? Or do something out of order? Not if the one who makes it does not let it master him. But this matter of pride enters in and robs the person of the determination to try--and however many times are necessary, to try again. Will your pride keep you from making a mistake?

No matter how skillful, how polished, how accomplished, or how experienced, no man lives that does not make mistakes. Sure, he may not make as many as he did when he was younger--or as many as one just starting, but he makes them! However, he does not let his pride prevent him from recognizing what he did wrong and trying again.

Will pride permit you to admit a mistake? Or that you can and do make mistakes? No person is right all of the time on all subjects in all areas in everything. One who so claims is so full of pride that he had best take the admonition found in Proverbs 29:23, "A man's pride shall bring him low; but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." If you do badly, admit it--pick yourself up and start over. And--no matter how many times you do not achieve your best, keep trying. Confidence will come and only pride will keep you from moving forward.

Homes were pleasant, warm, and loving places. They still are, among Christians. If your family relationship has become cold and strained, you need to look into the word of God for an answer to the problem.

Father was the head of the house? He lived in such a way as to command the respect of every member of the household. He was consulted when in trouble, feared when one did wrong, and loved for his firmness and strength? There are still such homes and you can learn more about them by observing Christians.

Mother was more concerned with rearing children than a career? There are still those who believe the first responsibility of a godly mother is to those whom she has borne. Her interest is their welfare is such that whatever plans and ambitions she may have, the family is first. This is as it should be for this is what the Bible teaches.

Children were respectful? The example of TV, the influence of the internet, the lack of discipline in classrooms(and by parents), and the influence of classmates(and by parents), along with many other modern factors, has produced too many obnoxiously minded offspring. The Bible reveal that disobedient and disrespect of parents is a grievous sin. New Testament principles have not changed! The word of God still teaches that homes are to be filled with love(Titus 2:4), father is the head(Ephesians 5:23), mother also has a responsibility to rear children(Titus 2:5), and--- children are to honor parents(Ephesians 6:1-3).

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

A man asked a question, "Is life worth living?"

No--not if he is more interested in the taking than the "giving."

If he always connives, dreams, schemes to have his own way.

Then this man will never have even one happy day.

For he has prepared himself, by putting himself on a pedestal high.

Thinking that friends, yea the world, will owe him everything, by and by.

If he doesn't put God first--care for those, who in his own house dwell,

And every day is "me, myself, and I"-he may as well be an infidel.

If he thinks only of "big" things, and the way to get them is a "bigger tool;"

Then just like "The man and his bigger barns," this man is a fool!

To continue the man's question, "Is life worth living?"

Yes! If he is not more interested in the taking than the "giving."

Like the man that would reach Heaven, he gives his life to God.

And by His precepts--stays on the path that the faithful have trod.

Whatever he plans, wherever he goes, whatever he does, he watches with great care.

Knowing that by his "light," some "little" ones, some "old" ones, may follow him there.

Through all kinds of hardship and afflictions, he learns to survive

And thanks God each day for the chance to be of service, being alive.

Whether he is 20, 30, 50, or 70, he knows that "Life is worth living,"

And he proves it day by day by the way he does his "giving!"-C. M. (Cletus) Beach

Few men are as bad as their enemies say they are or as good as their ardent admirers claim.-Jimmy Thomas