Thoughts
Worth Thinking
EDITOR’S NOTE:
I’m not one for frivolity in the
pulpit or within serious papers attempting to convey the values of God to the
improvement of my soul! However, laughter is an element of our being, given to
us from the God of Heaven and has its righteous place (Eccl. 3:1-9). Therefore,
such articles as follows have a valued purpose – they often teach lessons
others would avoid. So, please appreciate the following for its sincerity – and
chuckle if you wish!
Why
Go to Church?
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a
newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.
"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have
heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a
single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the preachers are wasting
theirs by giving sermons at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor"
column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone
wrote this clincher:
"I've
been married for 30 years now... In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000
meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single
one of those meals. But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the
strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I
would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment,
I would be spiritually dead today!"
ttttt
Simple or complex?
“The
words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the
masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further,
by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and
much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Eccl.
God’s
Word is not a book of “simplistic realities;” neither is it a book of “complexities
challenging the most intellectual.” Yet, it could be both – determined by
your desire to study its content! For the simplistic, God’s pathway is
not difficult (Isa. 35:8) and yet for the intellectual, God’s ways are past
discovery (Rom.
Wisdom
is said to be “the wise use of knowledge.” Yet, God has made wisdom available
to all who ask (James 1:5). There is a condition set by which this wisdom is
received by those requesting: He must ask in faith with nothing of doubt. Such
confidence requires study! Such FAITH comes by God’s Word (Rom.
God
does not expect mankind to “blindly” accept His Word as the source truth and righteous.
Through inspired Paul he writes, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is
good.” Through John He says, “Try the spirits whether they be of God.” The
challenges God’s child will face in defending God’s Truth are not slight, nor
easily defeated; especially for those who remain “simplistic” in their study.
That’s why Peter says, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.” Therefore, the requirement of “much study” takes on a more diligent
requirement; one that will in fact create a “weariness of the flesh.” But is it
worth the efforts? ABSOLUTELY!!! Why? Because the more one studies God and God’s
things, the stronger his/her faith, and the more determined that soul grows to
advance in his/her ability to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
Indeed, for the student of God and His Word, Romans
Mike’s
Musings …
A
Really full day!
Every day has the same amount of minutes compiling
the same number of hours. Usually, it isn’t the case we “just don’t have time,”
but more factually, we didn’t “manage” time wisely enough to accommodate all
the requested (and sometimes REQUIRED) duties of the day. Thus, when we’ve
busied ourselves within every seemingly available minute, skipped the coffee
breaks, and lunch, and even devoted a few extra hours “off the clock” are still
aren’t done – THAT’S a really full day! Well … maybe!
Interruptions occupy their share of “really
full days.” Often, just as we begin a serious concentration on important matters,
the telephone rings, or company comes. Some of us have occupations that simply
cannot avoid such interruptions as doing so might avoid a very serious matter
requiring our assistance. In such cases, interruptions become an expected part
of a really full day; and we just have to “deal with it.”
At other times, concentration isn’t as “readily
available” as at other times. Concentration on a particular project is
difficult for various reasons. “Too many matters on too little of plate” is a kind way of saying our minds are filled with various
matters requiring our attention, and often keeping us from completing even one of
the several necessities.
But rather
than complain about “really busy days,” isn’t it better to know you are wanted
(else there’d be no interruptions,) and considered able to help (else your mind
wouldn’t have that many matters begging for individualized attention)? Someone
once observed, “If you want something done, find a busy person to do the work.”
If there is any validity at all to that adage, let’s muse just one more time on
the subject:
HOW
BUSY SHOULD A CHRISTIAN BE? Does he/she have time to waste? Shouldn’t they
welcome the interruptions that will permit them more opportunities to do good? And when they are considered helpful, what better
means of proving their helpfulness than to ask of them their help, thus keeping
their minds occupied with a list of various important matters to oblige?
Besides, the Christian has a great advantage when it comes to “really busy
days.” The Christian can simply go to God and gain His help in care and
understanding (1 Peter 5:7), resting comfortably in the assurance that when
something is done God’s way, it’s always done correctly! Muse on that reality
of a “really full day!”