Providing Temptation

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6).

our lack of modesty as well as our behavior can be a temptation

Our lack of modesty as well as our behavior can be a temptation.

No one is exempt from temptation.  Even Jesus was tempted, though He never gave into it (Heb. 4:15). You see, it is not a sin to be tempted (for that is beyond our control), but it is a sin to give in to temptation.  For this reason God provides a way for us to escape every temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). Therefore, there is never an excuse to sin.  With that said, however, it is important for us to realize that we can actually be a source of temptation to others.  A beautiful woman in a bikini will arouse wanton desire in the heart of men – thus, she has provided temptation, and many will give in to it.  Jesus said, “Woe to the world because of offenses!  For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matt. 18:7).  Let us “make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14).

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Giving Godly Values

Giving Godly Values to Our Children

The teen reaches that place in life when he/she begins making decisions (perhaps unknown to a parent) which involve right and wrong. How those decisions are made are based on the system of values that child has learned and embraced. It is imperative that we understand the place and source of values on which decisions are made.

what values are directing your teens decisions

What values are directing your teens decisions?

Every teen has values. How does a teen decide what to do when making decisions? He first looks at the choices before him, checks each against his values and then acts based upon those values.

Some teens value instant gratification above all other matters. They assume that whatever feels right at the moment is what should be done.   Nothing in the past or future should be considered. This value can be expressed in these words. “I have the right to be happy, so I define happiness as that which brings me joy at this moment, and this is what I will do.” This value says that nothing in life is more important than myself. My “happiness” is all that matters!

Some teens value peer pressure and social acceptance above all other matters. The importance of being accepted by others is a powerful force. It is difficult to stand firm about matters when hardly anyone else has the values a teen was taught. It is reflected in the dress, the language, the respect of authority, the honor given to teachers and parents, and in moral decisions about drinking and where to draw the line in sexual matters. Right or wrong, which might be considered at first, become secondary to being accepted by others.

Every teen has only two sources of values. The first psalm speaks of the counsel of the ungodly, the paths chosen by sinners and sharing the attitude of the scornful. The word scornful indicates those who mock, deride and treat sacred things with contempt. The other source is that which comes from godly individuals who abhor sin and have the highest regard for sacred matters. Parents, remember that if you fail to create this second category of values, the world will fill the heart and soul of your child with scorn and contempt.

Every child must have his own values. Values are far more that rules you give your child to obey. This works well when they are very young, but fails when they consider themselves as adults. Peter speaks of the reason for our hope. Teens create their own righteous values when they learn to honor and love God and to fear Him. Make sure that your child grows up realizing the evidence that God is and the proof that Jesus is His son. Teach them early the reason why Jesus is the Lord who loves us and who will judge us someday. These truths become the basis for values needed by every teen!

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That Big Tree

The Silver Maple

we can learn a lot from a tree

We can learn a lot from a tree.

We had a silver maple that was planted next to our home, many years before we moved in.  How many years?  No idea really.  In comparison to the home, the tree rose up and above the home’s highest two story peak.  To say that it was big, is not an exaggeration.  Was it solid?  Absolutely!  We had a tree service fall the tree for us since it was so close to our home.  The tree service moved pieces off the driveway, but left the clean up and cut up for us to handle.  Little by little I whittled away on the tree with saw and axe.  Slowly, I was able to size the tree into pieces to which I could move off my driveway.  By the next winter, the tree was warming someone’s home as it’s wood crackled in a fireplace.

How many things that tree must have seen over the years.  How many storms it must have endured.  How many children did it hold upon it’s limbs?  The tree was surely looked upon as stately and strong simply for the length of time it has been in its place.  Soon, not even the stump will remain of the once towering tree.  The tree could not defend itself against attack.

How many christians have been in their place for a long time (third pew on the right, back from the front, first place to sit).  How many are known simply for the length of time they have been in that place.  Due to longetivity, they have seen everyone come and go.  They know everyone in the building.  The have seen babies born, grow, and leave.  When their time comes though, will they be able to defend themselves.  Many brothers and sisters, though given ample opportunity, don’t know their bible.  They don’t read it outside of services. They don’t know their savior.  They don’t know their faith.  When it comes time for them to defend themselves scripturally, they cannot.  As the tree, when the time to defend themselves comes, they are cut down to size.

2Ti 2:15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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Opinions

Opinions

Our world is filled with opinions.  From the time we wake up till the time we go to bed, we hear many opinions.  They are in casual conversations, on the television, the radio.  They say, “This is the best way to wash your car,” “this mop will pick up everything,” “this vacuum will clean the air so well,” “I believe the accident started with . . .,” and so forth.  Opinions are beliefs about something that may or may not be true.  In fact, many court cases end with, “It is the opinion (or view) of this court that . . .”  So, opinions are definitely a part of our lives.  However, how can we relate what we know about opinions to religion?

opinions abound do they direct your life

Opinions abound! Do they direct your life?

Well obviously, spiritually, we are suppose to teach others (Matt. 28:20).  We didasko, that is, we teach or instruct others.  And we in essence, are able to know by learning (2 Tim. 2:15) by which, we are able to teach others (2 Tim. 2:2).  Now, because what a teacher does (and some are more studious than others), we may involve ourselves in many different studies and several different discussions or topics so that in the end, the teacher is leading one in a definite direction so that learning takes place.  In Christianity, we learn all we can so that we are teachers who defend the Faith from various angles (Phil. 1:17), are fishers of all men and not some men (Matt. 4:19; 1 Cor. 9:22) and laborers in the Gospel of Christ (1 Thess. 3:2).  And so all of us, including preachers must make sure that real learning,  that is true to the Word of God, takes place.  However, there are times when opinions may be given as a logical conclusion based upon a teacher’s study.

Take for instance, an article I wrote a few weeks ago regarding the Peace Symbol.  While I realize that I was stating my opinion that it was wrong to wear a Peace Symbol, it was just an opinion based upon my research.  It of course cannot be bound because it has little to do with the Word of God and any attempt to bind this would be pointless.  However, I believe that we all can bind that true peace comes from Christ.  After all, “. . . his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).  Indeed, in a world of chaos and corrupt overlords, the Prince of Peace is the Giver of all blessings.

Now when encountering opinions, we find several examples of those who had them in the Bible.  Do we not remember the discussions between Peter and Paul (Gal. 2:11-21)?  In Jn. 18:38, we find Pilate who formed his opinion that there was no guilt found in Jesus.  Of course, we all know that this was true.  And what did Paul mean when he penned by inspiration, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations” (Rom. 14:1)?  Brother Moses E. Lard stated his opinion about what Paul wrote here, by stating, “Accept him, but not to the end of deciding relative to his thoughts in regard to certain things. These thoughts are his own private opinions respecting things about which there is no command. He, therefore, has the right to hold them without interference from others.”

When I wrote in the peace symbol article, “no Christian should want to wear, support, or show respect for any symbol which indicates allegiance to the opponents of Christianity,” I did not attempt to bind.  Otherwise, I would have wrote, “Christians are forbidden to wear the peace symbol.”  This violates 1 Tim. 4:1 in attempting to bind where God has not bound.

Truly in our studies, we come upon many fascinating things and side studies and desire to share them with one another from our diligent, honest and careful studying.  But indeed, there is no other will by Gods’.  There is no other inspired book besides the Bible.  And, opinions are personal beliefs that all of us hold.  So, let us not bind them.  Yet we all need to realize that, since Christians come from different backgrounds, let us all seek to live together in harmony, seeking the Truth, clinging to the Truth, maintaining peace.  Amen.

 

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The Name of God

“Hallowed Be Thy Name”

We often hear this sentiment expressed at the beginning of prayers.  As we seek to center our thoughts upon the person of God in prayer, focusing upon the holiness of God’s name is tremendously helpful.  This sentiment reminds us that we are not speaking to just anyone in some common conversation.  It is, rather, an address to the Creator of the entire Universe as One who stands apart from it and is morally independent from it.  It is also a reminder that this Creator has a Name, is a Person, and hears the cry of His people (Psalm 18:6).

the name of god is holy

The Name of God is Holy.

Do we understand the importance of the Name of God?  Moses first asked God his name in Exodus 3:13-15:

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.  And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YHWH, God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

This is no ordinary name.  In God’s setting forth the name YHWH (I AM THAT I AM), He distinguishes himself as the foundation for all life and existence.  This is no tribal name conjured up from looking at some idol.  This is no national name based upon some earthly king’s family dynasty.  This is not an attempt at self flattery; who would believe that Moses was God?  This is the name of the God of the Universe Who supports and upholds it through His power – the Existing One, the Great I AM.

It would have taken Moses some time to explain this to the children of Israel who had known him as “El Shaddai” (God Almighty) prior to Moses’ revelation.  God explains in Exodus 6:3: “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name YHWH was I not known to them.”  The name God revealed to Moses signified a new relationship of God with His people that  is reflected in the Mosaic Law.  God works not only by power, but by authority; He is a God who governs based upon law, not by the capricious exercise of force.

At the giving of the Ten Commandments, God emphasized the importance of honoring His name when he wrote: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).  To take God’s name in vain is to count it as something worthless.  In contrast, God’s people seek to sanctify God’s name, to set it apart as worthy of reverence – “Hallowed be Thy Name!”

God’s name is the name above all names because His existence stands behind all existing things, His authority stands behind all other authorities, and His holiness stands behind all other holiness.  He is the foundation for all things; His very purpose is to provide such a foundation; He exists as His own Reason; He has the explanation for Himself within Himself.  All things return to Him as their Source.  No other can claim to so be.  His existence is absolutely unique and thereby absolutely holy.

“Hallowed be Thy Name.”

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