What Can We Do When Faced with Monumental Decisions?

The task lying before him was overwhelming. His master, Abraham, had given him total authority in the finding of a bride for Isaac. He swore to the patriarch that he would not seek a wife from among the Canaanites but would find one among Abraham’s relatives in Mesopotamia. He promised that under no circumstances would he take Isaac back to Chaldea, for Isaac was to inherit the land God had promised Abraham and his descendants.

It likely took several days, even weeks, before the unnamed servant reached his destination. One can only imagine what thoughts he had as he traveled.  But when he arrived in Mesopotamia, he prayed fervently that God would give him success and thereby show kindness to Abraham.

God answered his prayer in a most remarkable way. Even before he finished praying, the future bride was standing beside him. As it became apparent that God had heard him and he learned that indeed Rebekah  was from Abraham’s family, “the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD” (Gen. 24:26). He was so thankful that God’s mercy had been shown to him.

When he met Laban, Rebekah’s father, he told him of the prayer he had offered to God and that God had answered it. As Laban heard this, he saw that God was part of the events and gave his consent for the marriage to take place. “When Abraham’s servant heard their words… he worshiped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth” (Gen. 24:52).

There is more to the story (read Genesis chapter 24), but think of the following lessons we can learn from this one event.

(1) Prayer should be a vital part of the selection of the person anyone is dating or contemplating marrying.

(2) Prayer should precede every major decision we make. When faced with crisis, pray!

(3) Prayer is heard in heaven and God answers.

(4) Prayer that is answered should be followed by a prayer of thanksgiving that God has heard us.

(5) Prayer, while not designed to be heard by others or said to impress them, should not be hidden. Don’t be afraid to pray publicly because of what others might think.

(6) Prayer shaped the destiny of Abraham’s family and it affects the destiny of yours.

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And He Wants Me to Be Honest

It sure sounded good. I’m talking about the inheritance letter I received from a lawyer (Peter Greenwood from Eastcote, London, England), which began, “I am the legal representative to the late J. Jenkins, an American national who herein shall be referred to as my late client.”

Now let’s see, my father was J. Jenkins and before him was my grandfather who was J. Jenkins. (In fact, I just counted and I immediately came up with seven J. Jenkins related to me).  I was somewhat disillusioned when I learned of the death of J. Jenkins in March 2006—I hadn’t heard about it, but who keeps up with all their relatives!

The letter told me that the “late J. Jenkins” had left an estate of $7,500,000 and Mr. Greenwood wanted to help me get the money. What a great guy! I’m not sure how he decided that he should contact me, seeing that there are 236,264 other Jenkinses in the U.S. and 52,608 in Great Britain, but this certainly seemed to be my lucky day.  Mr. Greenwood then wrote, “I want you to consider this proposal. If you grant your consent that I present you to the bank as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my deceased client since you share the same surname as my late client . . .” What a gracious lawyer. He certainly seems to so interested in helping me. The rest of the sentence added,  “then we can share the entire proceeds on a mutually agreed-upon percentage.” I just can’t imagine why lawyers have such a bad reputation!

What followed was the most amazing part of the letter, “All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us to see this transaction through.” Honest cooperation!!! The letter reeks of a scam and he wants me to be honest! What a commentary on all that is in this world!

So many Bible verses come to mind. “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. . . . Provide things honest in the sight of all men . . .  Therefore, putting away lying. Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor . . . For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil . . .” (Luke 12:15; Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:25; 1 Tim. 6:1). The verse which seems to be most fitting is Rev. 21:8, “. . . all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Truly, there is no honor among thieves!

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Abusing His Bride

I thought I had heard of everything imaginable, but I doubt I would have ever thought of this. It seems that some mega-churches are offering free infant and toddler care during services and couples are taking advantage of this.  On Sunday mornings they drop their children off at the appropriate place, then leave the building and go to a coffee shop. After their “date” they return and pick up the kids. Now what’s wrong with this picture?

The truth is that since the church began there were those who have used the church. Those Pharisees, who would do anything to convert one Gentile, “joined” the church hoping to use it as a means of accomplishing their purpose. John says of them, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us” (1 John 2:19). They were part of the church only for as long as it would accomplish their purpose.

Over the years I have seen so many examples of this same attitude. What about those “born again” politicians who claimed a relationship with Christ, at least until they were elected. Then there are those who have seen the church as an avenue for business contacts—insurance agents, car salesmen, Amway and Tupperware or other home parties promoters—who used the church and, when there were no more contacts, just drifted away.

Who has not been upset by those who used the church just so they could be given a wedding or baby shower? Knowing there is an upcoming marriage or the arrival of a new baby they become so regular in attendance until after the shower is given because of the kindness of ladies in the church. Then after the big event, they seemingly lose interest.

How about those who use the church for counseling in troubled times? When their marriages are struggling or they are having problems with a child, they rush to the church to get spiritual help, but once they receive it their interest dwindles. The same is true of those who use the church when in hospitals, during financial crisis, when needing food or during the aftermath of a hurricane.

So before we get too amazed about those who see the church as free babysitters during a Sunday morning date, think about all the other ways people have used the church.

Here’s something to think about. Wonder how the Lord feels about those who abuse His bride!

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Is Sunday Night Attendance Optional?

Our Sunday night program is focused on equipping each of us to be Soldiers of Christ. The idea of the church being His army is certainly Biblical. Paul speaks of “the weapons of our warfare” (2 Cor. 10:4) and urges that we take on ourselves “the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:11) and the “armor of righteousness” (2 Cor. 6:7). He urges that we “endure hardship as a good soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3) and “wage a good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). There are four things every soldier must know.

We must know our enemy. If we are to be victorious, we must know all that we can about our enemy. The Bible portrays him as being shrewd and cunning in the attempts he makes to defeat us. We must never lose sight of the fact that he lies and what he offers to us comes from the father of lies (John 8:44). While he promises liberty, the end result is bondage. He can be defeated and put to flight, for we have the weapons to defeat him.

We must know our weaknesses. Soldiers of Christ must never overestimate our own strength. Our Commander, who knows us and our enemy, urges those who think they stand to “take heed lest we fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). He also has told each soldier “not to think more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly” (Rom. 12:3). A true appreciation of what others might view as weaknesses actually become sources of real strength (2 Cor. 12:10).

We must know our strengths. One of the sources of great confidence is the fact that the One who is in us is “greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Our enemy does not have a single “fiery dart” in all of his weapons that can penetrate our “shield of faith” (Eph. 6:16). “This is the victory that has overcome the world– our faith” (1 John 5:4).

We must know our weapons. The sword He has given us is almighty! It gives to us the breastplate of righteousness; it girds our waist with truth; it produces a shield of faith! This is why our Sunday evening program is so important. It is those hours we spend together sharpening this sword that prepare us for whatever may come. Keep in mind that there is no scabbard or holster for the sword. It must reside in our hearts. David said it best, “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11). Remember we are not trying to memorize the Bible in our heads, but write it upon our hearts.

By the way, there is no armor for our backside!

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An Answer for Every Bible Question

It is so easy to make the mistake of thinking that when we are asked a Bible question, we must immediately have an answer. Someone brings up a verse in a discussion and in order to save face we think we must have some “scholarly” comment to make. Such could not be farther from the truth. What then should we say?

We must be aware of two important facts. First, God has given us all things which even pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). The passage does not say that He has given us the bare necessities about our spiritual lives and godly living. He has given us everything that even pertains to these matters. This can be illustrated by realizing that the bare necessities for having a car (e.g. an engine, tires, steering wheel, transmission, etc.) may be few in number when compared to everything which might pertain to an automobile (e.g. air conditioning, stereo radio, GPS, sun visors, etc.). Our wonderful God has done far more than giving necessities!

The second thing we must remember is that God has not answered every frivolous matter which comes to our mind. Moses said it best in these words, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29). If God has not revealed a matter to us, even though we think it is of importance, it just does not pertain to life and godliness.

However, what do we do when realize there must be an answer to the question that has been asked or Bible verse that is being discussed and we simply do not know the answer? Here is the answer to every such question. “I do not know.” We lose no face with others who are sincere in their questions by admitting our ignorance. We can offer to study and find the answer, but the worst mistake we can make is “bluffing” and pretending scholarship.

This was so deeply impressed upon me last week while reading from a commentary. The author, E.M. Zerr, wrote: “verse 19-21. Another passage I do not understand. Hence I will not guess.” What honesty! Such cannot but help me realize he was wise enough to admit his ignorance. I now read his commentary with greater respect than ever before.

So if you want to have a ready answer for every Bible question you are ever asked, here it is. “I do not know and I will not guess.” Think about it!

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