Bible Thoughts

December 8, 2002

The apostle Paul was willing to "most gladly spend and be spent for your souls" when he wrote to the Corinthians. The church at Corinth had some problems. Paul addressed their difficulties and encouraged the brethren to "Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace..."(II Corinthians 13:11). His message brought gladness to the saints of that day. Paul suffered much at the hands of others, including false brethren. Yet, he maintained his faith and trust in the Lord and, with gladness, was willing to serve the needs of others.

A ruler of John the Baptist's day was ready to gladly hear the harbinger of Christ(Mark 6:20). Herod knew that John was a righteous person. When those who speak the truth are present, it is wise to listen to men who are serving God and presenting the word of God. One should be glad to hear the message from those who love the Lord and His way. The mother of Herodias, however, was not happy with what John presented and influenced her daughter to have him beheaded. While Herod gladly listened to John's words, he surrendered to an evil request. One must not only listen to the words of truth, but be willing to gladly obey the message.

It is often difficult to influence men of power toward the gospel. Caught up in their own world, where they can influence and manipulate that which surrounds them, many do not take time to listen to the message of the gospel. Jesus taught in the temple where those in power could listen and respond. However, it was "the common people who heard him gladly"(Mark 12:37). One must be humble enough, whatever his/her state in life, to be willing to accept and follow the teachings of the word of God. People who know they need the Lord and His way will gladly listen.

When Christians meet other Christians, there is joy and comfort in the association of those of like mind. When Luke and those with him came to Jerusalem, "the brethren received us gladly"(Acts 21:17). Whether at the assembly of the saints, at one's home, in the marketplace, and in all other places where Christians might be, there is a gladness in being with the saints of God. It was certainly a joy to Luke to be able to salute the brethren, and rehearse what God had done for him. The interaction with other Christians will strengthen the faith of the believer. Disciples should be glad to be in the company of those of like faith as they encourage one another in the faith. Righteous companionship produces good morals.

The song that is often on the lips of a child during Bible classes is, "Read, read the book." It is also appropriate for adults to have the same attitude. When one desires to find the truth read the book. If one wants the answers to religious questions read the book. When loneliness and depression overcomes one read the book. To learn of God and his dealings with mankind read the book. To find out what one must do to please the Lord read the book. If one has a desire to learn about heaven read the book. That book also teaches each of us how to get to heaven. For religious instruction and moral principles, read the book!

The Hebrew writer declared that "without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto Him"(Hebrews 11:6). This faith is essential to one being acceptable to Jehovah. No one can stand before God in judgment without this faith. Faith reaches into the life and conduct of every person. Many times it is unrecognized, but man is completely a creature of faith.

Faith reaches into the secular world. One believes in a product, an idea, an activity, and a host of other activities in one's daily life. Many have taken extreme measures to show how confident they are in their faith in something or somebody.

We are to have faith in people. We readily believe in certain ones, willing to accept their word and respect their feelings. Faith in people is a necessity of our daily living. From the physician to the chef, we place faith in humanity. However, this faith in another should never lead one to blindly follow a human who does not deserve such recognition. The word of the Lord is our standard for right and wrong.

Faith, then, is a reasonable process. It is accepted in daily living, among those we trust, and--most of all--in the God who created each one of us. Faith in the word of God leads us in the path to righteousness. It sustains us each day as we face the temptations of the world. How is my faith?

"Why don't you come to the services of the church?" asked the preacher.

"Well, I'll tell you. The first time I went to church they dunked me in water, and the second time they hitched me to a woman I've had to keep ever since," said the man.

"Yes," replied the preacher, "And the next time you go they will throw dirt on you." After thinking that over for a week, the man was there the next Sunday.-Author Unknown

Materialism affects every one of us to some degree. As you reflect on what you would like to have to enhance the enjoyment of this life, you can probably come up with a sizable list. The likelihood is that if they are properly used, there will be nothing wrong in possessing such. How easily, however, it is to be so intent on the accumulation of physical things, we neglect a regard for our souls. When the proper desires, curbed and controlled, are directed into the appropriate channels, good will follow. An overwhelming desire for material possessions, uncontrolled and uninhibited, becomes the sin of materialism.

The Lord instructed His disciples to "Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on"(Matthew 6:25). This scripture is easier to read than to practice. Men die daily of diseases that are brought on by the pressures induced in the struggle to "get ahead." Such seek to provide oneself and the family with a few more luxuries. We fail, many times, to trust in the Lord's abilities to provide us with what we need. We exhaust our lives in the accumulation of material substance and excuse our failure to put his "kingdom first" by saying, "We have to make a living."