Bible Thoughts May 2, 2004
If You Are
Lost...it will not be Jehovah's
fault. Even in the Garden of Eden, the Lord gave mankind all of the
needs with which humans can survive. Yet, they yielded to the
temptation of Satan and partook of the forbidden free. Had God
warned the first humans not to eat of the tree? The Lord supplied
them with all they needed in a beautiful place for humanity. They
first couple were not robots, but were sensible human beings who
could make decisions, whether good or bad. Unfortunately, they gave
in to the desires of the flesh and ate of the fruit. It was not
God's fault that they partook of the forbidden substance, He had
warned them: they were cast from the paradise on earth to suffer the
penalty of ignoring the warnings of the Almighty. People are lost
today because they avoid to take note of the first couple and their
sin. If you are lost, it will be because you failed to listen to the
Lord.
If You Are Lost...remember that it is not the Lord's fault. After the sins of the first couple, the Lord did not leave mankind without hope. While Adam and Eve were cast from the garden, the Lord allowed them to continue to live, rearing Cain and Abel. One son slew the other and became a marked man who became a "vagrant and a wanderer." In the mercy of God, he allowed Cain to live. The Lord makes provisions when it is in harmony with His will. If you are unwilling to accept the conditions of the Almighty, it is not Jehovah's fault.
If You Are Lost...it is not the fault of your parents. Whatever kind of life they lived will not influence you away from the Lord unless you are willing to be led away from the truth. Each person is a free will agent who can make his own choices whether good or evil. I know of no person who imitates and follows whatever his/her parent does in life in everything. As a free moral agent, the life you live is a product of your own thinking and actions. Your parents will answer to the Lord for their own lives. If you are lost, it is not your parent's fault: you make your own decisions when you reach the age of accountability.
If You Are Lost...it is not the fault of your friends. Friends can be helpful, hopeful, encouraging, kind, available, and a host of other superlatives that would describe those who are truly friends. Friends often have a great influence over one whom they esteem. As a result, some will be enticed to follow the advice of a friend, while ignoring the scriptures. It is your fault if you listen to friends without searching the scriptures to find the truth of God. Remember: the true friend is one who will teach you the truth of God's word. The greatest friend that you can have is the one who died on the cross to take away your sins when you obey Him.
If You Are Lost...it is not the fault of the gospel preacher who spoke to you the truth of God's word. The evangelist/teacher is interested in your soul and preaches the plan of salvation and the need for faithful living, with the hope you will respond to the message from the Almighty. The New Testament is the source for our knowledge as to how to become a Christian and to remain a Christian. If you have, through the years, attended services of the Lord's church, but fail to respond to the message, it is your fault if the Lord, in the day of judgment states that you lacked the conviction to do what the Lord commanded. Don't blame the faithful preacher if you are lost--blame only yourself!
When each of us stand in the presence of the
great judge of all mankind, there will be no appealing the final
decision of Jehovah. There will be no second chance--as one lives,
so he will be judged. If you are lost, it will be because you did
not please the Lord and follow His word. His Son died for you: only
His blood can cleanse you of your sins so that you will not be lost.
Obey him--now!
Would I?
Should find my
goodness kinda thin?(JY)
Try, try again
The will to accomplish a goal makes the effort to overcome the obstacles of less difficulty when we dedicate ourselves to the task. It is easy, when we start something, but become disheartened because we found that it takes much effort and energy to reach the goal. This is true in all areas of life, including religion. When one starts with the attitude that I can do what I purpose to accomplish, the task is more likely to be accomplished. Perseverance has won many victories for the Christian.
If I do not succeed at first, it is right to
try, try, again. Perseverance is put to work under difficult
circumstances. Giving up has never been in the mind of those who
choose to, above all else, give one's thoughts and energies to the
task. Jesus said it plainly, "...seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you"(Matthew 6:33). This oft quoted passage has a
message clear and plain: put our plans and efforts in the proper
order. We can, with the Lord's help, overcome any problem that stays
in the way of our righteousness. Do not be disheartened, but resolve
that, above all else, recognize, "...the proving of your faith worketh
patience"(James 1:3). Patience is
the ability to endure and we are taught many lessons through our
perseverance.
Giving In studying the
organization of the Lord's church, one must consider the items of
worship as set forth in the New Testament. Of the five items of
worship, perhaps the teaching on giving has been one of the most
neglected because we often fail to realize it's importance. In II
Corinthians 9:6-7, we are told that Christ loves a cheerful giver who
has purposed in his heart to contribute to the Lord. The Lord
commanded giving but has placed upon each of us as to the amount that
we give. Since the Lord showers us with blessings every day, we
should be willing to law aside a portion to give to him. A certain
widow gave all she had and was pleasing in the eyes of God(Mark
12:41- 44). The two mites were not much in amount, but she was
liberal with what she had.
The time that is commanded to give is on the
first day of the week(I Corinthians 16:2). The Christian realizes
that every week has a first day. Since each week has a first day, we
are to come together on the Lord's day with a liberal heart. The
work of the Lord is supported by each Christian meeting his
individual responsibility.-Jerry Don Eubanks (revised by jy)
There was a song several years ago that was entitled "I did it my
way." It is apparent that this song could have well identified the
religious world. As one looks at the confusion found in our day
among those people who claim to follow the Lord, it makes one wonder
if they ever read and study the word of God. The only way to Heaven
is the Lord's way as revealed in the New Testament. Do it the
Lord's way!