Have you ever just sat and watched a grandfather clock? (I know. Watching paint dry is more fun.) Yet, it can be a bit relaxing to watch the pendulum swing back and forth as it ticks off the seconds with amazing accuracy. Clocks like this are well-oiled machines of precision. Under the pull of gravity it swings from one extreme to the other. Consider the fixed point from which it hangs. It gives the pendulum the control to convert its motion into useful energy. In Numbers 14:39, we read of how Israel was like a pendulum as the nation went from the far left to the far right, but it had no control nor did Israel have stability. The fixed point was supposed to be God Himself, but that connection was lost through apostasy. After spying out the “land flowing with milk and honey,” Joshua made a challenge to the Israelites to obey God and go through with the invasion. Instead, they listened to the fearful report of the ten spies and stayed where they were (Numbers 13:26-14:38). After this, they were judged by God and rushed ahead without God’s approval (14:40). We often do the same thing. Sometimes, we are afraid to move forward in our faith. At other times, we rely too much on ourselves and make rash decisions without seeking God’s wisdom and direction for us. Jesus was both fully divine and fully human. He had a full range of emotions just as we do (Mark 14:34; …

Why is it important that we please God? Let’s look at a few examples of those who did and did not please God. I think we can gain an understanding of why it is important to please Him. Some who did not please God include the following. Adam and Eve did not please God (Genesis 3). Cain did not please God (Genesis 4:1-7). Korah did not please God (Numbers 16:22-33). King Saul did not please God, though once he was pleasing to God (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Some who did please God include these. Noah pleased God (Hebrews 11:7). Enoch pleased God (Hebrews 11:5). Of course, Jesus pleased God (Matthew 17:5; Luke 2:52). To please God is to cause delight. “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him” (Psalms 147:11). To fear God is to keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Keeping His commandments pleases Him (1 John 3:22). The results of pleasing God are as follows. God accepts our service (Acts 10:34-35). God gives us that for which we ask (1 John 3:22). God will give us a home with Him (Revelation 22:14). In conclusion, Jesus said, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29). The question is, “Am I pleasing God?“ If the answer to the question is, “Yes,” then we will be among those described in Matthew 25:34. However, if the answer is, “No,” then we will be among those noted in Matthew 25:41.

On the Gettysburg battlefield, there are two round-top hills with a rocky area between them known as “Devil’s Den.” It became a place of refuge during the fierce battle. Following the battle, many bodies were retrieved of soldiers seeking refuge “in the cleft of the rock.” What was hoped to be protection became a vault by which they were entrapped. During times of threat and harm, we have been promised refuge that cannot be penetrated by the most cunning enemy. David had found refuge in God’s protective custody many times, about which he wrote with these words: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3). God’s glory is seen from the Rock as it is expressed by the words of the old song, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.” I find comfort in the passage where God told His people of the Exodus, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock” (Exodus 23:21-23). There is the story of a little bird that was being chased by a much larger bird of prey. The little …

I am a soldier in the greatest army of all – the army of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). I enlisted by accepting the terms of enlistment – hearing the Word of God and believing it (Romans 10:17), repenting of my sins (Luke 13:3), confessing my allegiance to the Captain of the army (Romans 10:9-10) and being baptized into Him for the remission of my sins (Acts 2:38). I have enlisted for life (Revelation 2:10). I am involved, not in physical, but spiritual warfare (1 Timothy 1:18). I am faced with a cunning enemy that I cannot afford to underestimate (1 Peter 5:8). I am equipped, not with physical, but spiritual weaponry (2 Corinthians 10:4). I have the best weaponry one can have because it was designed and provided by my Commander, God Almighty (Ephesians 6:10-19). I receive my orders from Christ, the Captain of my salvation (Hebrews 2:10). I must not be deterred from fulfilling my duties as a soldier of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4). I am in a battle in which victory is assured if I am but loyal to the One into whose army I enlisted (1 John 5:4; Revelation 2:10). I am a soldier in Christ’s army, which is the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16).

Throughout the Bible we see many conditional statements or sentences where conditions and consequences or results are given. This is known as a dependence clause that states a condition (protasis), and the main clause stating the consequence or result (apodosis). Conditional statements are made all the time. We make them numerous times, perhaps even every day! “Clean your room and I’ll take you to the mall.” “Get all your work done and I’ll buy lunch.” The Proverbs are full of conditional statements. In this brief article, I want to consider Proverbs 2. First, let’s look at the conditional statement (protasis). A Plea to Receive God’s Word “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding” (verses 1-2). We are well aware that there are different ways to receive something. The word used here in the Greek (laqach) means more than just to hear; it means “to take in, reserve or seize” (Strong’s). Something may be offered to us, and we may or may not respond by taking it or seizing the opportunity to have or possess it. The plea here from the giver is for his offering to be received, to be brought in or to be accepted. Notice the way to receive or take in words. They first enter the ear, and then, they enter the heart (verse 2). The Proverbs (being Inspired by the Holy Spirit of God) speaks …

Rod Sterling’s seminal anthology series focused on ordinary folks who suddenly found themselves in extraordinary, usually supernatural, situations. The stories would typically end with an ironic twist that would see the guilty punished. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052520/) For those of us who are old enough to remember “The Twilight Zone,” we also acknowledge that many times we feel like we are literally living in this zone. Of course, all eras seem anarchist at times. Charles Dickens, in his classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities, summarized this feeling in his beginning line. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way. As we dwell on this subject, another expression comes to mind: topsy-turvy. Topsy-turvy can be described as, “In or into a state of utter disorder or confusion: turning our ordered life topsy-turvy” (Anne Tyler). Further, this confusion can be helter-skelter and upside down. We can get mixed up just trying to define this state of “top downward and the bottom up.” A few examples will suffice for this essay. My generation has a very hard time accepting …

How often have you “put your foot in your mouth”? Too often we speak hastily. I have said before that “I’m ambidextrous – I can put either foot in my mouth.” The oft spoken parental proverb says, “Put brain in gear, before engaging mouth.” The Bible has this admonition on the subject: “But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). Listening is a skill that needs to be developed by exercise. Attentiveness and concentration are needed ingredients for being a good listener. Not too many years ago, it was expected that children respectfully remain mostly silent while adults were speaking. Children were encouraged to learn to listen and to develop restraint. Unfortunately, we live in a time when personal responsibility has been largely rejected or at least minimized. The hugely popular diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is disturbing, but not surprising. Popular media and merchandise marketing strategies all push in unison for people to “follow their impulses.” We are told in varying ways: “You deserve happiness, so grab what you want.” Such self-centeredness is an enemy of self restraint. Such a focus upon self does not promote patience in listening to others. Listen to what is found at Encyclopedia.com. “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not a clinically definable illness or disease. Rather, as of December 2003, ADHD is a diagnosis that is made for children and adults who display certain behaviors over an extended period of time. The most common of …

When sinful people try to damage the church, it hurts Christ and His people (Acts 9:4; Matthew 25:45). However, do not be discouraged. The church is so right it cannot be wrong because it was built and founded by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11). Consider some reasons why the church is right! The church is right because: The price was right! The price paid for the church was the death of God’s only begotten Son upon the cruel cross for man’s redemption. One hymn says, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Paul said that Christ “purchased the church with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The plea is right! We plead for the Scriptures as the final and the authoritative rule in religion. We speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:1). We plead for a restoration of the New Testament system in every essential aspect. We must return to the Word of God in all essential matters, such as the plan of salvation (Acts 2:38; 22:16), the plan for worship (Acts 20:7; 2:42), the plan for church organization (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13) and the plan for Christian purity (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-8). The promise is right! God promises Heaven to the church. Jesus said, “If I go… I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, you may be also” (John 14:3). Heaven is “reserved” for …

Paul compared the church to a body (Romans 12:4-5). The members of a physical body are sympathetic to one another. The whole body hurts when a toe is stubbed or a finger is smashed (1 Corinthians 12:24b-26). Christians’ care for one another is seen in thoughtful actions taken toward others within the family of God. Weak brethren should not condemn the strong, nor should the strong look down upon the weak and count them unworthy of their fellowship. Both should recognize that God will judge all according to His law, so all must submit to His authority. Each will answer to God and should not condemn others in matters of opinion. Senseless arguments over unanswered questions risk causing a brother to stumble (Romans 14:10-13; 1 Corinthians 8:12; Isaiah 45:23). Paul’s prayer stressed the need to strive for unity and the good of the brethren, following the example of the Savior (Romans 15:5-7). Unity is achieved both through inward feelings and outward expressions of praise and devotion toward God. Paul pleaded with Christians at Philippi to complete his joy by being united in thought, love, work and purpose. Even elders are not to be self-willed (Philippians 2:2-4). Christians agree on biblical principles. That agreement can form the basis of a working relationship, which produces like-mindedness. Selfish ambition or promotion of a party spirit for personal gain should be avoided to prevent division (1:16). Christ’s followers should be humble or lowly minded (1 Peter 5:6). Disciples should learn to appreciate, even look …

It’s the time when many gardeners are either planning or are already at work to plant their spring gardens. Decisions on what seeds to buy, even seedlings already started in anticipation of soon being planted, have people imagining the outcome they will harvest later. Information from Dave’s Garden on the Internet reveals, for where I live, each winter on average, our risk of frost is through March 29. Almost certainly, however, we will receive frost through March 12. We are almost guaranteed not to get frost from April 14 through October 17. Our frost-free growing season is around 220 days (https://davesgarden.com/guides/freeze-frost-dates/). One has to prepare before actually planting anything, but one must also make sure the soil itself has been prepared and is optimized to assure the best possible growing conditions, so the desired harvest can be reaped. It is obvious one just doesn’t go and throw down seed on the ground at any time and expect there to be a bumper crop later. The Book of Proverbs illustrates this point. “The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing” (Proverbs 20:4). For a good harvest later, planning and work must be done in advance. This time of year, I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 13 regarding the Parable of the Soils. Just throwing seed on hard soil or on rocky ground or in a weed-infested field will not provide a desirable outcome. Yet, Jesus was not simply speaking of good agricultural …

Today, we notice Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9-16. It would have been normal for Elijah or for us to assume that the Mt. Carmel experience would have convinced and turned the people to God. It did not. We can sympathize with and understand Elijah’s feelings, yet they reveal the weakness of humanity, even of a great man like Elijah. He knew the strength of his God. He had experienced the quiet guidance through hard places. He had many proofs of God’s providential care and infinite power. Ravens had fed him. He had seen fire come from heaven. He had even raised the dead and had in so many ways tasted that the Lord is gracious. Yet, in this period of apparent crisis, he threw up his hands in despondency, discouragement and despair, wishing to die. Some of us can sympathize with him, for we have been there. The searching question of verse 9, “What are you doing here?” may have had two purposes. It may have been a stern demand of the Lord. He may have meant, “What are you doing here instead of out there encouraging the people to continue in the little start they have made? What are you doing here hiding away like Jonah, pouting under the gourd vine, when the scattered flock needs your care?” It may have been a question of tender mercy, attempting to get Elijah to examine his fears and needs so God could provide the answer. It was probably some of both, …

Growing up I thought that God would rather us be antagonistic to Him than apathetic; that is what I thought Revelation 3:15-16 was about. I understood “hot” to mean “on fire and full of zeal” and “cold” to mean “no desire for a relationship at all, or even being against God.” I thought “lukewarm,” then, was just an apathetic Christian, someone who named the name of Christ but never did anything, someone who never bore fruit of any kind. I still hold to the same definition of “lukewarm,” but my understanding of “hot” and “cold” have changed. I have learned that on one side of Laodicea were good, cold drinking waters, and on another side there were mineral hot springs, good for health. The waters flowed and converged in the area around the city of Laodicea and became lukewarm – good neither for drinking, nor for health. Jesus knew the deeds of the Laodiceans, or rather the lack thereof. They were not bearing fruit of any kind; their faith, having no works, was dead, which is why Jesus was going to spew them out of His mouth. If we don’t show our faith by our works, the same will happen to us.