By: Beth Johnson All Christians (men and women) should be adorned inwardly and outwardly with only what is fitting for one of God’s children. Our outward appearance should never shame the name of Jesus or our Heavenly Father, nor should we have moth-eaten clothes or nakedness instead of the spiritual clothing God has intended. We know that man looks on the outward appearance while God looks at the heart. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV). So where should our focus be? Should we think only about our outward appearance? Why do we spend so much time thinking and “worrying about clothing” (Matthew 6:24–34)? What should we do? Why? Christian women know we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:7–9). Most women want durable clothing, but what is it, and how do we get it? We know that only eternal things will

When one young couple decided to make a commitment to each other, and to God, they selected their wedding rings and had them engraved. The message inside read, “Together for HIM,” plus the date they were to make their vows. What did all that mean? It meant that they were committing their lives to each other and to God for His work. The rings were a testimony of their intentions. The young man had long wanted to preach the Gospel, and the girl had dreamed of being a preacher’s wife. Goals had been set; plans were being made. Each had adjustments to make in order to meet expectations. They knew there would be hardships, but they were willing to face those obstacles together. They knew there would be criticism (though they had no idea how much!), but they were willing to face that, too. As a preacher’s family, they knew they would live in the proverbial “glass house,” but they knew the rewards would far outweigh the temporary, earthly sadness. When they considered what was really important in life, they wanted to be pleasing to the Lord by reaching out to His other disciples and to the lost, but they also had to keep the success of their own marriage in mind. What would God have them do that would enable them to keep their eyes on the mark He had set for them? “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the

Introduction What are some of the roles that we’re expected to fill as girls and women,? What are some roles that are not typically thought of as women’s roles? How do people perceive women when compared to men? How do you feel about this? Have you ever thought it would be nicer to be a man than it is to be a woman? Usually, women are perceived as the weaker sex. We’re the homemakers and the childrearing people, while the men are commonly given more prominent roles as breadwinners and leaders. Women in the last century have balked at this arrangement – demanding equal rights. So many women are rising to the top in the workplace, in leadership roles and in positions of authority. Gender lines have blurred, and so, we’re seeing more and more women take roles in traditionally men’s work. What does God say about these things? Why has God given both men and women specific roles to fill, and how should we view our role as women? Remember God’s eternal purpose for us: to be conformed to Christ’s image so that we may reign with Him eternally. No doubt you have studied what our purpose is in this life: to have the heart of Christ so that we can be eternally faithful, as well as wise servants now (Romans 8:28-29; 2 Timothy 2:11-12). God tries our hearts. “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts” (Proverbs 17:3 NKJV). Remember

All Christians (men and women) should be adorned inwardly and outwardly with only what is fitting for one of God’s children. Our outward appearance should neither shame the name of Jesus or our Heavenly Father, and nor should we have moth-eaten clothes or nakedness instead of the spiritual clothing God has intended. We know that man looks on the outward appearance while God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (NKJV). So, where should our focus be? Should we think only about our outward appearance? Why do we spend so much time thinking about “what we shall wear”? What should we do? Why? Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet

“But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe [“coat,” KJV] and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice” (1 Samuel 2:18-19 NKJV). Looking closely at this passage, we see several important things. Primarily, we see Samuel serving the Lord in the Temple at a very young age. Other passages about the life of Samuel tell us how Hannah prayed earnestly for him and vowed to give him back to the Lord if He would grant her a son. Samuel’s birth, training and life were the direct results of Hannah’s love for God and her faithfulness to that vow made several years before. Not only do we see Hannah’s love in training her son for that purpose, but we also see a further demonstration of a mother’s love in her yearly gift of a coat when she came to offer sacrifices with her husband at the feast. Samuel wore an ephod, as did the priests with Ahimilech (1 Samuel 22:18). There is no question that the ephod was at least closely associated with the priesthood. Apparently, it was not limited to the high priest. Later in Samuel’s life, he was a judge, a seer and a prophet but not a priest at that age. However, as a descendant of Levi through Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:38), the same tribe from which Aaron descended, Samuel was a

In Scripture, not one account of sexual relations outside of marriage has a happy ending. Shame is heaped upon the parties who willfully participated in fornication. Lot’s daughters chose wrongfully – to their shame, and thus they brought about two nations who were at odds with Israel (Genesis 19:30-38). Sarah encouraged Abraham to take a second wife, and it brought about strife within the family, which brought about another nation that would trouble God’s chosen people later (Genesis 16). Shechem fell in love with Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He took her and had relations with her outside the bond of marriage. This act brought about his death and that of his father and all of the men of his city (Genesis 34). One widely known narrative is that of King David with Bathsheba. He saw her; he desired her, and he took her. The end result was a man murdered and a child who died in infancy (2 Samuel 11:1-12:23). I could go on and on. God has made it clear from the beginning that the sexual relationship is a special one which should be treated as such. Read Deuteronomy 22:13-21. Were the woman and her parents to be prepared to defend her claim of purity (Deuteronomy 22:15-17)? Once false charges were proven as false, was the husband allowed to do this to her again at some time in the future (Deuteronomy 22:18-19)? If the charges were proven to be true, what would happen to the woman (Deuteronomy 22:20-21)? Why? What

“This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, andsaved him out of all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6 NKJV). A little book of sermons, Mr. Jones Meets the Master, by Peter Marshall was edited by his wife, Catherine. One of the stories in that book, “By Invitation of Jesus,” tells of a magnificent banquet where limousines were sent to fetch the guests, while fine food was served by butlers carrying silver trays covered in white linen. People of the streets, even from the gutters and institutions, were invited, and each was perplexed about the purpose. Each received his invitation to the event with the simple little note, “By invitation of Jesus,” and each was curious what that could mean. Written for the world as well as for Christians, this account acts as a mirror for those who would despise the poor. The lesson is based on Jesus’ words in the book of Luke. Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14) God’s poor have little or no wealth and few if any possessions; they lack financial or other resources to make their

“But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands” (Jonah 3:8 NKJV). Jonah at Nineveh is a good example of God hearing the penitent. The Lord, through an inspired penman, directs our attention to the Old Testament prophets. “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:10-11). Highlighted is patient suffering in order to obey God. James noted Job as an example of suffering affliction and patience in that suffering. Then, James observed Elijah, another prophet who is a great example from which to learn. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:16-18) Elijah was subject to discouragement like all of us. When Jezebel sent messengers to tell Elijah she planned to kill him, he

“But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart” (Psalm 35:13 NKJV). Often in Scripture, we read of those who were clothed in sackcloth, humbling themselves before God so that their prayers would be heard. The city of Nineveh not only clothed the people in sackcloth but also the animals to show their contrite hearts (Jonah 3:8). If David’s prayer in Psalm 35:1-28 were for Absalom and the traitors who conspired with him to remove David from the throne, then it has heavy implications. If it were for King Saul or some other enemy, we can only imagine its depth of meaning. David contrasted the enemy’s conduct with his own. He talked of his past life and about the acts of kindness that he had shown in times of trouble, as more deeply marking the evils of his enemies’ conduct now. David begged the Lord to plead his cause and to fight against them that fight him. He said, ‘Stand for me! Confuse the enemy! Blow them away like chaff! (Psalm 35:2-5). He even begged the Lord to make their way dark and slippery; David pleaded that his enemies would fall into their own pit that they had dug to snare him (Psalm 35:6-8). David had given up on saving their souls though he apparently had tried many times in the past. These were men (or women) who were bound to David by

When the people of God fail to keep their part of the covenant He has made with them by falling into sin, God disciplines them with the rod of men. Many accounts in the Old Testament Scriptures – given for our learning (Romans 15:4) – show this very pattern. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. “When you beget children and grandchildren and have grown old in the land, and act corruptly and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do evil in the sight of the Lord your God to provoke Him to anger, I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. And there you will serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:24-29 NKJV) The Israelites were by no means in the same position as God’s children today, especially because of their perpetual disobedience and always hardening their hearts’ (Hebrews 3;

“And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9 NKJV). Even though the magnificence of the Garden of Eden does not exist today, the world around us is still breathtakingly beautiful to human eyes. Should we love the beauty we see in the world? What do the Scriptures say will happen to this physical world one day (2 Peter 3:10-14)? Are we wise when we love something that will be burned up? Should we divide our love, our hearts and our time between both worlds, or should we give ourselves totally to the eternal? What does the Lord say in Colossians 3:1-2? “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” We get a brief glimpse into the spiritual world from Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:25-26. “At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.’” By this and similar passages we understand there are two kinds of sight, and that spiritually blind

We are not to live yielding and sowing to our fleshly desires; we are to live yielding and sowing to a spiritual attitude that minds spiritual things. Such a mindset will cause us to reap an eternal reward. We are either in the flesh or we are in the spirit. If we are in Christ, we should be in the spirit. Such individuals do not walk after the flesh, minding the things of the flesh. The “flesh” is a carnal mind that is at enmity against God, which not only reaps corruptible things but death itself. The fleshly mind will always be yielding and sowing according to its desires. Those who are in the spirit walk after the spirit, minding the things of the spirit, yielding and sowing according to the spiritual mind, which reaps life and peace – eternal things (Romans 8:4-9). Colossians 3:1-3 tells us that we are to seek those things above, having our mind on things above rather than on the things of the earth. Our decisions should be made minding spiritual things, with an eye on things above and how our decisions will affect one’s eternal pursuit. We should live and decide to bring increase to the spiritual and eternal rather than to the fleshly and temporal. Here is how the Father inspired Jesus to say it. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in

Have you ever read a passage in your Bible that made you stop, read it again and again, and then highlight it because it touched you in such a profound way? Later, when you ran across that same passage, you might have wondered why you had highlighted it in the first place. Or, maybe you had written in a cross reference that was meaningful at the time but looking at it again made you wonder what the two verses had to do with each other. My Bible has been the object of such scrutiny over the years as I read and read again (Luke 24:32). It is my treasure, my life history, my diary of thoughts and dreams, and my journal of progress on the road to salvation (Psalm 51:10). My first Bible had very few highlighted passages. I remember it vividly as a very soft, easy-to-carry, KJV published by Nelson Publishing Co. However, at the time it was given to me, I was a rebellious teenager, not wanting to be forced to read as punishment. Unfortunately, when my mother rebuked me, she often forced me to go to my room and read (nothing specific, just read), and those times were “in my craw” so to speak. The wear and tear on that Bible was mostly to the beautiful Moroccan leather cover and to one or two torn pages after our first son was born. The Bible itself was not to blame, but parents of strong-willed children should remember such

“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14 NKJV). What does Matthew 28:18 say? “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” After Jehovah gave Jesus (the Son) all authority, He sent the Holy Spirit by Jesus. According to the prophecy in Daniel 7:14, who would serve Him? All people, nations and languages should serve Him, which would be the church throughout the world. Now consider the words of Gabriel when it was time for Christ to come into the world (Luke 1:30-33). Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Comparing the Old

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:26-27) Pure religion requires bridling the tongue as well as helping the needy. We see in the verse above that “if any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26). There should be no time our speech is not controlled with grace and salt. “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6). This kind of speech will not necessarily please the world, but God is pleased with such speech. Our speech should never include anything that would be a shame to Christ. “…Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:8). It takes a heavy bridle to stop speech that the world loves. “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks” (Ephesians 5:4). The speech we have should be building in the heart of those who hear. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying,

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). Several metaphors are used to show the relationship between Jesus and His church or the “called out” ones. We often read of Jesus as the Good Shepherd with Christians being His sheep. We are children with God as our Father and Jesus as our older Brother. We are God’s husbandry and His building (1 Corinthians 3:9), Christ’s household (Hebrews 3:6). Other analogies speak of Jesus as the Vine and His disciples as the branches (John 15:1-5). The church is called His body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 2:22-23; 3:6; 4:4-16; Colossians 1:18), with Jesus being the Head of that body. Scriptures are replete with lessons about the kingdom (Matthew 13:38-42; 16:15-19; Mark 9:1; 14:25; Luke 17:20-21; John 3:3-5; Ephesians 2:19; Acts 1:3) with Jesus being the King of that kingdom. A deeper study of the church reveals about ten such metaphors with each comparison given to help us see our position or relationship to each other, to God and to Jesus. Focusing on the temple analogy, we see Christ is the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:6-9), and we are “lively stones” in that one temple (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Revelation 3:12), while the apostles are the foundation (Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; Revelation 21:14). We are called “living” or “lively stones” in His holy temple. Under the Old

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. (Samuel 2:18-19) Looking closely at this passage, we see several important things. Primarily, we see Samuel was serving the Lord in the Temple at a very young age. Other passages about the life of Samuel tell us how Hannah prayed earnestly for him and vowed to give him back to the Lord if He would grant her a son. Samuel’s birth, training and life were the direct results of Hannah’s love for God and her faithfulness to that vow made several years before. Not only do we see Hannah’s love in training her son for that purpose, but we also see a further demonstration of a mother’s love in her yearly gift of a coat when she came to offer sacrifices with her husband at the feast. Samuel wore an ephod, as did the priests with Ahimilech (1 Samuel 22:18). There is no question but that the ephod was at least closely associated with the priesthood. Apparently, it was not limited to the high priest. Later in Samuel’s life, he was a judge, a seer and a prophet, but not a priest at this age. However, as a descendant of Levi through Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:38), the same tribe through which Aaron was descended, Samuel was the

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:31-34) Today, we see so many in the church working long hours or even more than one job, sending the wife out to work and often the older teenagers. We have to wonder if they truly are trusting God. They drive the newest cars or SUVs, have a new multistory home and even a boat or camper in the backyard. They have parties and go to all the sporting events and clubs. Then, they worry about losing all they have mortgaged or charged to the credit cards. Judging from Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:31-34, the Gentiles (in the figurative sense) were deemed to be destitute of the true doctrines of religion and unacquainted with proper dependence on God—heathens in every sense of the word. According to the passage, they made it their chief anxiety to seek food and clothing, whereas Christians, who have knowledge of the Father in Heaven, who know that He will provide for their needs, should not be

God’s Green Earth Joyce Ann Geyer Awesome sceneryTrees, earthy scent, fresh waterRiver flows downstream Gentle river flowsSlips over rocks, still swirlingRhythmic to your eye Clear foaming waterStreaming, gushing over hillSlate, shale jagged rocks Gentle falls flowingSerenity and peace foundNature’s hypnosis Scenery aboundMirrored water imagesSky, trees, colored blue Peaceful silent placeClear skies, bright sun, cooler nightsGod created earth. Haiku Poetry, May 2005 Even though the Haiku may not have been written by a Christian, there is little doubt the author knows God created the earth and all its fullness. According to Romans 1:19, that knowledge is the first truth that must be known before a person can acknowledge that he personally belongs to the One who created him. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts,

We want to be peculiar people zealous of good works (Titus 2:14). We are to be like our Master, of Whom it was said, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (John 2:17). Things that Dampen Our Zeal Things that Increase Zeal Zeal must be according to knowledge (Romans 10:2), not of our own hearts and imagination about what we think we should be doing or our own motivation (such as hypocrisy for the praise of men, money, power, etc.). Examples of Zeal “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth” (1 Corinthians 16:13-16).

What is included in good basic morality and Christian living? We must put off the old man with his deeds (Colossians 3:5-9). We must “mortify” (kill) these ‘members, which are upon the earth.’ These things bring about God’s wrath. Of course, we once walked and lived in these things. We must put on the new man (Colossians 3:10-14). The new man is after the image of the Lord. These are all parts of the love of God, the divine nature. If we are truly living the Christian life, how will we treat others? The Golden Rule tells us to do unto others as we would have them to do unto us (Matthew 7:12). In James 1:19-20, we are told to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” In all relationships, we are told to put on the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-8). Do we have humility of mind, and do we esteem others better than ourselves? Do we look out for our own things, or do we look out for the things of others? “Look not on your own things, but on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). Christ humbled Himself, served others and was obedient to God to the point of dying on the cross. What if we are attacked verbally when a disagreement arises? We know “a soft answer turns away anger” (Proverbs 15:1). We should bridle our tongues and speak only good things (James 3:2-12;

Husbands “Love your wives and be not bitter against them” (Colossians 3:19). It will take time for wives to grow in submission, but husbands need to remember that the command to obey is for the wife to submit and not for the husband to force her to submit. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it and to love their wives as their own bodies (Ephesians 5:25-28). Putting yourself, your work or anything else ahead of her is not consistent with this command. The goal is to encourage (not demand) the wife to grow to be holy and without blemish (spiritually). This love requires time, attention and a sincere concern for her physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. The wisdom that is from above is gentle, peaceable and easy to be entreated (James 3:17). God told Abraham to listen to Sarah. Changing one’s mind is not a sign of weakness (Genesis 21:12). Wives Obey your husbands as it is fit in the Lord (Colossians 3:18). What is “fit” is for wives to be subject to their husbands “in everything” as the church is to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24). The only exception would be if he commanded her to disobey God (Acts 5:29). The husband’s authority is in matters of judgment. Submitting only when you agree with him or think he knows what he’s talking about is not submission. A woman merely having short hair is a dishonor to her husband (1 Corinthians 11:5). How serious,

“Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:14). Most normal people would never imagine such wickedness as to cause a blind man to fall, yet they may mock him. How many times have you seen someone who ridiculed a deaf person or others who were handicapped? Some may be like the children who mocked Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-24). Was it a sin for Elisha to curse those children? We are not told, but we can read clearly, “Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit…” (Proverbs 28:10). Even from Old Testament times, the way of an adulterous woman caused many to go astray. “Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness” (Proverbs 30:20). “Her ways are unstable. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell” (Proverbs 5:3-5). Many stumble because of alcohol. “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in

Children (and adults) need to consider more ways to serve the Lord. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1 NKJV).

First Corinthians 10:1-4 is very graphic and calls Jesus’ name as being with the Israelites in the wilderness 1,550 years before He was born physically. I know there are many indications that Christ was with the Israelites during the exodus from Egypt, but when the question arises about whether Christ existed from the beginning, before His physical birth, here is a good answer. John 8:56-58 reads, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Keep this in mind as you read. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Do we have eternal life if we do not know the true God and His Son, whom He sent? Jesus was with God and the Holy Spirit in the beginning and is one with Them (John 17:20-21). He was with God in the creation of the world, and He will be the “Bridegroom” of the church for all eternity. If people study and believe Scripture at all, they believe this truth. At the creation, God said, “Let Us make man in Our image.” (God is not physical, and so this has to be the mind, heart and soul). In the Old Testament, God defined Himself as “I am that I am” (Exodus

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:21-31) Do men understand that God will destroy everyone who does not consider His work? Psalm 28:5 tells us plainly, “because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.” The world entices us to set our affections on man’s works, and when we are fully involved in the world, we have no time to seek

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). One brother may say, “Light affliction! You mean that suffering at the hands of my coworkers because I am a Christian is light affliction? They reject me, slander and mock me day after day. How can I keep from worrying about these things?” A young Christian teen may say, “Ever since I became a member of the church, my school friends have left me. They will not invite me to go with them anywhere because they know I will not participate in the things they do. That is hard to endure when we were so close before. I worry about losing my friends.” The heart of a young mother whose husband has not embraced the truth may be torn because her husband is trying to undermine the teaching she is giving the children. She may be the object of mockery or rejection by her relatives and in-laws or by her own children. How can she endure and focus on the eternal things when her earthly trials are so heartbreaking day after day? How can she keep from worrying? The apostle Paul was the one speaking in 2 Corinthians 4:17, and the trials which he endured, to most of us today, would seem to be anything but light. These trials consisted of want (maybe even near starvation), danger, contempt, stoning, toil, weariness and the scorn

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand” (Isaiah 64:8). However, in today’s world, it is very difficult for children to think of their fathers as those who would mold them into something they wanted them to be. Indeed it is difficult for modern day fathers to think that way. We have been so conditioned to believe every man is the master of his own destiny and has total rights over his own life that the idea of being putty in God’s hand is repugnant or only rarely comes to mind. As Christians, we should understand that our Father is our Creator, Master, Lord and Guide (Romans 1:18-23). As our Father, He has the responsibility of training us to be faithful children who will submit to His authority and guidance (Hebrews 12:5-11). From our reading Old Testament Scriptures, we can more fully appreciate God as the Father of the faithful in the New Testament. He knows all about His children, even numbering the hairs on their heads (Matthew 10:30). He protects His children and rescues them when they are in trouble or need guidance (Romans 8:26-27, 34). He teaches them the way that they should go (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5) and supplies all of their needs (Matthew 6:33). In turn, our Heavenly Father expects honor from His children even though He does not always receive it (Isaiah 1:11-17; Acts 7:38-39). Jesus sought

At times I have wondered if some of the world’s church-related statistics have not been worded in such a way as to discourage parents – especially Christian parents. “They’re leaving!” It’s hard to miss that ugly declaration in bulletins and periodicals everywhere. One such report from George Barna’s stats proclaimed that an average of 70% of teens will leave the church after high school graduation. Should we be frightened? What should be our response? One blogger testifies that families and the church are dysfunctional and that kids want to get away from both. They want to find their own “functionality” for their lives without the problems they see around them (Woodman). Not only are the children leaving, but scores of women are said to have already left the church for institutions where their voices may be heard from the pulpits and stages. Supposedly even preachers are leaving for systems where they are not so restricted by laws (Palmer). My husband and I have given birth to three strong-willed, independent-thinking children, beginning with our firstborn in 1963. Later, we adopted two more equally strong-willed children whose families were not there for them. While I was a public schoolteacher, my husband was a fulltime minister, and after more than a half-century of investing our lives in our children’s spiritual development, supplementing their education, eventually beginning to homeschool, we have learned a whole lot about what it means to transfer the baton to the next generation. Early on we learned that home educators

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. (John 19:17-22) The phrase “King of the Jews” is used 18 times in the New Testament Scriptures – each time referring to Jesus. At the time of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:2) there was a prevalent expectation that some remarkable person was about to emerge in Judea. The Jews were anxiously looking for the coming of the Messiah. By computing the time mentioned by Daniel (9:25-27), they knew that the period was approaching when he would appear. The person they were looking for was supposedly going to be a temporal prince, and they were expecting that he would deliver them from Roman bondage. It was natural that this expectation should spread into other countries. At the time, many Jews lived in

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). Nothing is more heartwarming than seeing a father fold a small child in his arms to protect him from harm and danger or to keep him from doing wrong. It is easy to see that the Father wants his child to be the best he can be and wants him never to be harmed in any way. In 1 John 2:1, we see this same analogy used for God’s spiritual children. By this, we feel assured that our Father in Heaven loves us very much. His focus is for us to be clean, pure and without sin. We are His children taken into His bosom for assurance of His love and concern for our eternal souls. The apostle Paul stated the same thing another way: “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake” (1 John 2:12). Verse 12 informs us that God’s children are forgiven. They have their sins washed away and stand clean before Him. They have made a covenant with the Father. If there were no forgiveness with God, there would be nothing but damnation for all of us. “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Some say that keeping vows is “not that big of a deal.” We can see by the recent statistics on marriage and divorce that the marriage vows count for little in today’s society. In addition, what about our commitment to Christ when we were immersed in the waters of baptism? Did we promise to lose our lives for Christ and the Gospel? Did we agree that Jesus is our King and Lord? If He truly is our Lord, we must do the things He says (Luke 6:46). I keep hearing from those who claim to be members of the church that the reason they became Christians was to escape pain and suffering and to go to heaven instead of hell. Their minds (attitudes) seem to focus on what they can get from God rather than how they can serve Him. They seem to have forgotten that they did not create themselves, but that He created them (Psalm 100:3; Romans 1:21; Mark 8:36-37). Judas Iscariot sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). Some today seem quite willing to sell their souls for a high paying job, a new house, a new car or even prestige or power. Both partners in a household will frequently work seven days a week to lay up treasure here on earth (Luke 12:16-21; Matthew 6:26), but they rarely will spend more than an hour on Sunday to serve the Lord. Would spending that much time each week make any other commitment prosper? Certainly

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” (Ephesians 5:8). Light is the opposite of darkness. The Bible speaks of light as the symbol of God’s presence and righteous works. “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:16). Physical light has been associated with God’s presence, while spiritual light is associated with His knowledge, truth and righteousness since creation. Darkness, on the other hand, symbolizes ignorance, error, evil and the works of Satan. God and His Word are frequently pictured as lights or lamps to enlighten and guide the believer down the dark roads of life. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:5-6). “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Psalmist also declared, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). Light is also used as a symbol of holiness and purity. Paul counseled the Christians at Rome to “put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12). The New Testament presents Jesus as the personification of

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. (Psalm 78:5-7) On my Yahoo email account there is often a life insurance advertisement with a picture of a little boy sitting alone by the side of an empty street – perhaps a dock near a harbor. Written to parents, the sign simply says, “When you die, love continues.” Naturally, the scene is meant to touch heartstrings and cause one to think seriously about providing for his family after his demise. It sparked questions in my mind and a Bible class lesson that I would like to share today. 1. How can we be sure our love continues after we leave our children? 2. How will they benefit from our having reared them instead of some other parents rearing them? 3. What legacy will we leave them? Christian parents are told to lay up for their children (2 Corinthians 12:14). Jesus recognized this as a normal response (Matthew 7:9- 11). Generally, most parents have a desire to leave their children a good inheritance. Most want to provide them with the good things they need so they do not have to

Humanists today believe that it takes a village to raise a child. Do we find that idea in Scripture? Is every shopkeeper, every neighbor, every relative or older sibling an authority over younger children? Pity the poor child who has no idea what to do because of conflicting rules! There must be some standard of judgment to teach respect and good behavior to our children while also helping them to understand who actually has been given authority over them. The New Testament tells us about a young Christian man named Timothy who became a special assistant to the apostle Paul after he heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had converted many in Lystra, Iconium and Derbe on his first missionary journey, and by the time Timothy first appears by name in Acts 16:1-3, he had already grown to have a good reputation among the Christians in the cities of Lystra and Iconium. Timothy left his home to travel to distant places with Paul, and eventually he preached on his own. We know from the letters that Paul wrote to him (1 and 2 Timothy) that Timothy was a responsible, hard-working, tenderhearted young man who loved the Lord. He did what was right when it was unpopular, when it was very hard and even when his life was in danger. However, we know that Timothy did not become such an outstanding young man by himself. Who was it that trained Timothy in his young years? Timothy was taught to love God and the

Who or what are the elders? Consider how the qualifications and work of an elder would be one of the best influences a child could enjoy. Elders were associated with James in Jerusalem in the local church’s government (Acts 11:29-30; 16:4-5; 20:28-32; 21:18) and, with the apostles, in the decisions of the early church (Acts 15:1-35). Elders were also appointed in the churches established during the apostle Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 14:23). Paul addressed the elders at Ephesus (Acts 20:17-35). Elders played an important role in church life through their ministry to the sick — both physical and spiritual (James 5:14-15). They also were teachers in a local congregation (1 Peter 5:1-5). In addition to ministering to the sick, their duties consisted of explaining the Scriptures and teaching doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17-20). The elder’s child would have the benefit not only of his own father’s influence in the home, but also the influence of the entire eldership to train him. We know that John was an elder (2 John 1; 3 John 1) and as such had faithful children. Timothy was told to count those elders who ruled well worthy of double honor and not to receive an accusation against an elder except at the mouth of two or three witnesses (1 Timothy 5:17-19). Timothy was also told to ordain elders in every city (Titus 1:5). The qualifications specified for becoming an elder follow in the next three verses (Titus 1:6-9). An elder should be “One that ruleth well his

“For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him” (Genesis 18:19). God made a covenant with Abraham. In that covenant, God made specific promises if he would keep his part of the covenant. Abraham’s part was to walk before God and be perfect (Genesis 17:1), and to circumcise every male child born in his house (Genesis 17:10-13). God promised Abraham:

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). When 1 John 3:2 says we are the sons of God, John appears to be speaking of the resurrection. The only indication of being like Him was something John had never seen. John had seen the heart of Christ, and therefore, the Father (John 14:1-8), so he is not talking about growing in the heart of Christ in this verse. We must settle on the alternative idea of being like Him in the resurrection. Paul had his hope set on the resurrection. He first described the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:37-44, and then, he made the contrast between Adam and Christ very clear. We have been born in the image of the earthly in the fact that we are in Adam’s physical image (1 Corinthians 15:49). We are in the form of man (Philippians 2:6-8). Paul then noted there will come a time when we will be in the image of the heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:49). The image of the heavenly was in full context of the resurrection. Paul also noted that Christ was the first fruits of our resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:19, 23). Jesus’ resurrected body is glorious (Philippians 3:21). On the road to Damascus, Paul saw the resurrected Christ in a marvelously glorious body that was

Most everyone who studies Old Testament history knows the account of Nabal in 1 Samuel 25. It is a true account of a man whose wife likely had to cover for him repeatedly to keep someone from killing him. Even though we know that parents arranged the marriages, sometimes causing a good woman to marry a foolish man, we might wonder how such a one as Abigail could be faithful to her vows year after year in spite of her husband’s abuse. We often study how a man could marry several women or even commit treachery against his wife by putting her away for any reason (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:14-16), but there does not appear to be the same privilege for a woman under the Law of Moses. No matter what situation the Lord granted her, we know that she could not be pleasing under the Mosaic Law if she left her husband. Had this troubled couple been living today, we might apply Matthew 19:8-9 or 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 to their problems; however, even under New Testament law, she could not divorce him scripturally and marry another man unless he had committed fornication. Was Nabal abusive to Abigail like he was to the other people around him? Probably he was. Did Abigail still have an obligation to remain faithful to him? Absolutely! Let me remind you of some of the things the Holy Spirit records about the man Nabal. He was a wealthy businessman who lived in prosperity (1 Samuel

The hope for the long anticipated Promised Land flowing with milk and honey was finally realized. Ending the forty-year-long trek in the wilderness, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and headed toward Jericho (Numbers 20:21-21:3). The bitter experience with Edom’s refusal to allow them passage through their borders was now behind them. Moses and Aaron had been gathered to their people rather than enter with Israel into Canaan because of the incident at Meribah (Numbers 20:10-11, 13). Aaron was stripped of his priestly garments and his son Eleazar took his place. Moses and Aaron died, and God himself buried Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5-6; Numbers 20:25-28). “And Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities” (Numbers 21:2). God’s promise of victory over their enemies was conditional on keeping themselves from the accursed thing. We remember the account of the men going to spy out the land and how Rahab hid them rather than betray God’s people to the enemy. Because of her faith in God, they made a covenant to take her and her family out of Jericho before destroying it utterly (Joshua 2:18-20; 6:17). Before the battle, God had instructed the Israelites to march around the city once each day for six days and finally march around the city seven times on the seventh day before blowing the trumpets for battle (Joshua 6:3-20). Their obedience brought down the walls, and every person and