Opening Day

I love baseball season and have been a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds. I look forward, with great anticipation, to the pitchers and catchers reporting early for Spring Training. I follow the “Cactus League” games and as “Opening Day” in Cincinnati approaches I know spring is coming. With warmer weather, ballpark visits, box scores, radio broadcasts and hopes of a World Championship come fall.

I listened again this year to those on television, radio and social media networks taut this as the “Greatest Day” of the year in Cincinnati. “It should be a holiday,” some declared.” Others said they would be willing to give up “Presidents Day” for an “Opening Day” holiday. Business should close and children should be let out of school.

As I (the lover of the game) began to consider the passion of my fellow fans and wonder if this (baseball and opening day) was indeed a “god” and their “day of worship” an acquaintance made this statement on his Facebook status, “Worshipping at the altar of the baseball gods and Opening Day is my Christmas. Be awesome Reds!” And at that moment part of my love for the game died!

Oh how I wish people would love the Lord, His team (the church), and His day the way they love this world and its entertainment! The Psalmist wrote “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psa. 122:1). Yet the people Thursday said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into ‘Great American Ball Park.” In Psalm 118:24 we read, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” But Sunday morning worship is forsaken by so many. I heard boasting last week of the numbers of consecutive “Opening Days” some had attended. How I wish I heard the same exuberance over never missing a worship or Bible Study hour (Heb. 10:25).

The Reds won their “Opening Day” game in thrilling “comeback fashion” on Thursday.
Thousands of fans were ecstatic to see a three-run walk-off homerun to win the game. I don’t know what the future holds for them this season, but I do know what the future holds for all mankind. Jesus is going to come back (John 14:1-3). Will we be as glad to see Jesus when He returns as those who saw the great comeback Thursday? Paul wrote to Timothy, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8).

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The Devil’s Ability to Tempt Man

One of the greatest problems that mankind faces today is the continued effort of the Devil to bring him into bondage and hold him there.  The Devil’s forces are continuous and will not subside until the individual is completely void of righteousness.  Some of the methods used by the Devil are documented in the following study,  they are:

1 – “The lust of the flesh: (See KJV below). 1939  epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah); from 1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden): KJV– concupiscence, desire, lust (after). The desire of the flesh is the root of this particular sin.

2 – “The lust of the eyes” (See KJV below) 1939  epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah);
from 1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden):  KJV– concupiscence, desire, lust (after). That observed with the eyes is the source of this particular sin.

3 – “The pride of life.” (See KJV below). The source of this sin is  inordinate pride -pride is the position gained or applause of man the perpetuator of this sin.

(Source of all three Greek definitions:   Strong’s with numbers included)

I John 2:15-16 – “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”  (KJV)

CONSIDER THIS:
In the very beginning (i.e., in the Garden of Eden) the Devil (i.e., the serpent) used the method pointed out in our text by John,  note the following reading please:

Genesis 3:1-6 – “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”  (KJV)

The Devil has not changed his approach,  he still uses the same methods of temptation today.  The Christian has an advantage over the non-Christian in that the Christian is aware of the Devil’s devices and his evil intentions,  the non-Christian may not be aware of the Devil’s devices.  For this reason the Christian ought to be consistently involved in dispensing his/her knowledge about the Devil’s intentions to the unsuspecting relative, friend, or co-laborer at the place of employment.

In consequence of these facts about the Devil,  temptation,  and life beyond the grave,  may we use our knowledge of these things to encourage the lost and the fallen:

(cf., Gal 6:1-6): “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”(KJV).

Remember this,  we have only this life to do good,  therefore let us take advantage of every opportunity to reach out the hand of assistance to anyone in our path of life.

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Squirrely

My wife calls my daughter “squirrely girly”.  My daughter in a high squeaky voice replies. “No, you’re squirrely!”  I enjoy listening to their playful banter, but no longer can my wife proclaim our daughter to be the squirreliest member of the family.   As of this afternoon, we have added two baby squirrels to our collection of people, cats, fish, frog, and dog.  How this situation came about and how it relates to Christianity will be the focus of the next few paragraphs.

I am passionate about cutting down trees and chopping wood.  I enjoy smelling like chainsaw gas and walking around with wood chips in my beard.  Currently, I am in the process of clearing out some brush so I can pull an existing shed to a new location near my cabin.  The biggest concern to me loomed in the form of a large maple tree.  That maple tree leaned toward the cabin, but also twisted in other directions.  I fearfully envisioned falling the tree and watching it smash into the cabin roof.  Fortunately, this tale does not end that way.  Utilizing chainsaw and wedge, the tree fell away from the cabin.  All did not end so simply though.  While saving the cabin, I also snared the tree up in another tree.  No stress, by cutting the hung up tree in chunks, the trouble quickly dislodged.  After picking up a bit of brush, I noticed some blood all over the face of a log.  Immediately, I checked my own digits and legs.  No blood!  Whew.  So what was the source of the blood?  Unbeknownst to me, I cut a mother squirrel in half.   I found the part still alive and put her out of her distress.  Moments later some “chittering” came from the hollow of one of the cut up logs.  Surprise!  Instant adoption of motherless baby squirrels.

Take a moment and consider the whole plight from the view of the squirrels.  Happily they rested in their warm little tree hollow.  Then along with a piercing loud noise, their home began to tremble and shake.  Soon thereafter, their world literally came crashing down.  Oh, what a terrible fright the little squirrels must have had as closer and closer the saw worked toward them, chunking the tree bit by bit.  Mother squirrel cradling her young, worried about protecting them, just to have her life be the one taken.  Now the little squirrels rely completely upon me for survival.

At least four Christian concepts can be drawn from the day’s squirrely adventure.

First, death can come at any time.   The author James calls life a vapor and notes its brevity (James 4:4).  Woe to those such as the man who relies on great plans beyond today without getting their spiritual house in order (Luke 12:16-21).

Second, we will not always be there for our young.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 pleads with Israel to teach their young all the commands of the Lord.  They must be encouraged to listen and obey.   Long after our death, the sound principles imparted to our children guide them safely through life (Ephesians 6:1-3).

Third, adoption exists for individuals in need.  Matthew 5:3 quotes Jesus saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.    Again in Matthew 11:28 he said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Jesus calls men to him so that they may receive adoption from the Father.  Adoption of those in need (and all need God) comes from the plan of the Father because of His love for mankind (Ephesians 1:3-6, John 3:16).

Finally, life exists for those who accept the care offered them.  What happens to those who reject the spiritual nourishment and care of the Lord?  They will hunger, they will weaken, and they will die.  Jesus provides the words of life (John 6:68).  He desires man to live and their hunger to be filled (Matthew 5:6).  Hear his words: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! (Matthew 23:37) Unfortunately, many reject his blessings and he therefore rejects them (Matthew 10:33).  Men die, because they reject life.

Some folks conclude life is squirrely.  We do not know when it will end.  We do not know how long we will be here for our youth.  However, we can trust in God to be there for us who need Him.  He stands willing to be a Father to us.  He will care and nourish those who choose to allow Him.  What can be said of those who do not accept such blessing?  “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26) Translation: Only a squirrely individual won’t hear the Words of God.  What can be said of such an individual?  They must be “nuts”.

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The Good Life

The “good life” has many definitions; some people consider the acquisition of material wealth as the good life.  Other people consider the “good life” to consist in personal acclaim or prestige.  There are still other people who consider a combination of the two previous matters as the “good life” and yet there is still another lifestyle that is superior to all the three previously discussed.  The most important of all accomplishments is to attain the correct relationship with our Creator, this truly does constitute the “good life” — let us explore this idea further in this article.

Man is alienated from God, consider the following:

Romans 5:10 – “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

2 Corinthians  5:17-19 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Colossians  1:20-21 – And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled   (KJV)

God has provided essential grace so that man might be reconciled to God, God providing an acceptable sacrifice (i.e., Christ):

Romans  3:23-26 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”

Ephesians 1:6-7 – “ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

1 Timothy 1:14-15 – “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.   (KJV)

Obedience completes the reconciliation process:

Titus 2:11-14 –  “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.   (KJV)

 CONCLUSION:

From our study, it is apparent, the “good life” (i.e., the good relationship to God) is acquired as a result of God’s “un-merited favor” toward us first and foremost.  Without God’s initiative toward man in sending His Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sin, reconciliation would have been impossible.

In addition to that which God has done for us that we could not do for ourselves (i.e., He provided grace), we too, are to participate in establishing that correct relationship with God, we are to obey His instructions (see point # 3 above).  To obey God’s instructions to acquire salvation from sin (i.e., the “good life”) we are to: Hear the gospel, Romans 10:17.  Believe the gospel, Mark 16:15, 16. Repent of sins, Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38. Be Baptized, Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38.

CONSIDER THIS, TOO:

The “good life” is available to you and me as a result of God’s grace and our obedience, one cannot underestimate the importance of having that good relationship with God that can really be considered the “good life”.  If you are looking for a direction in your life, salvation from sin, or if you have a desire to live “the good life” please examine this option.  No one can make this decision for another person, everyone must personally choose to live the good life or reject it.

THE ULTIMATE DECISION IS INDIVIDUAL.

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And Time Goes On…

Each day that we live we will occupy our time doing something.  We would be ill advised to spend too much time observing media programming Each day that we live here in the world we are continually exposed to all that goes on in our world, The good, the bad, the disgusting, are shown to us via the electronic media.  Nothing happens in our world that we do not know about almost immediately.  For some strange reason the electronic media and the printed media present, for the most part,  the awful, evil, side of events that occur.  Perhaps these media moguls are convinced that sensationalism is the way to build ratings for their shows,  apparently, they believe horror, mayhem, sex, and violence sells anything.

As we consider these things let us always be aware of the potential danger that exposure to this type of media exposure may bring us.  It is not too great an exaggeration to suggest that whatever we allow ourselves to imbibe within our mind will eventually influence our character.

Read Matthew  15:17-20:

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”

We are all products of whatever we allow to enter our heart (i.e., seat of intellect) through our eyes and through our hearing.  Because our character is established by whatever we see and hear,  we must be very careful of those things that we hear and see.that is designed for our viewing,  it will surely have an effect upon our character eventually.   There may be some programs that will not adversely effect our character — we need to find these programs and avoid the bad ones.

Time goes on!  That is a fact for all of us to deal with day after day.  Dealing with spare time may become a problem for those who have an abundance of it.  Remember this:  nothing is valuable if it is does not increase our faith in God, Christ, and spiritual things in general;

Ecclesiastes 10:18, “By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.” (ASV)

1 Timothy  4:13, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”  

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