HELP BEFORE HONKING
 
A woman struggled vainly to start her car after it stalled in traffic. An impatient man in the car behind her soon laid on his horn, as if the annoying blasts would coax her car to life. Exasperated by his rudeness, she finally walked back to his car and said, "I’ll make a deal with you. If you will try to start my car, I'll be happy to honk your horn!"
 
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Tragically, most congregations possess members that are better known for honking than helping. Although most “honkers” have never have preached a sermon, taught a class, led a song, or served in a leadership role, they believe that they are “experts” on how it should be done. Although they rarely praise a job well done or propose a promising plan, they are quick to criticize those who are trying.
 
“Honkers” need to be aware of 3 important Bible admonitions.
 
1. “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Phil 2:14-15).
 
2. “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:9).
 
3. "Judge not, that you be not judged. for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matt. 7:1-2).
 
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Anyone driving a car will inevitably be honked at, but this should hardly ever happen in the Lord’s church. If you ever feel the need to “honk”, first try to encourage or help. Who knows? You may help a fellow Christian “restart” their faith or committment.
 
Building a Faith That Sticks in 2026!
 
Dennis

Running for Gold!


Every few years, the world stops to watch athletes who have given their lives to preparation. Long before the TV and film crews arrive, they’ve spent years training in obscurity—early mornings, sore muscles, strict discipline, and countless sacrifices. Why? Because they want to compete at the highest level and bring home a gold medal.


The apostle Paul used this very picture when he wrote, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24).


Olympic athletes train for a medal that will one day tarnish. Christians, however, are running for a glorious crown that will never fade (1 Peter 5:4) and a magnificent home in heaven (John 14:2-3, 1 Pet 1:4).


The unswerving dedication and persistence of Olympic athletes challenges us to ask some candid questions:
·        How serious am I about the spiritual race?
·        Am I training my heart with God’s word and unceasing prayer?
·        Am I disciplining my life and habits for purity and godliness?
·        Am I running daily with my heavenly goal in mind—or just jogging along, easily distracted by earthly things?


We admire the unwavering commitment of athletic athletes. But may we also learn from their example to run our race with endurance, focus, and faith, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1–2).


Building a Faith that Sticks in 2026!


Dennis

You Ask and Do Not Receive…
 
In January 1971 the late Janis Joplin released a song with the following lyrics,
 
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz.
 
Although popular with her fans, the song is a tragic parody of prayer, not too surprising from a singer involved in drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. When she died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27, she was still clutching a pack of cigarettes and a wad of money.
 
Even more tragic is the tendency of many people (including some Christians) to think of God as a genie, ready to grant virtually any request. But the God of the Bible opposes such thinking. James 4:3 states, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Asking God to bless us with a luxury home, expensive car, or a bigger bank account is a symptom of love for the world, which is NEVER good - 1 John 2:15-17. A desire for more “things” can lead us away from God and down the path of spiritual destruction. “Command those who are rich in this present age not….to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1Ti 6:17).
 
So, how can we restrain our desires for “uncertain riches”?
·        We should remember that Jesus was poor and homeless, yet without complaint
(Matt. 8:20).
·        We should remember that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith
and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him (Jas 2:5).
·        We can pray that God will help us to learn that contentment with godliness is great
gain (1 Tim. 6:6).
·        We can pray for God’s help in developing self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
·        We must remember that we will carry nothing to the grave (1 Tim. 6:7).
·        We can pray that God will help us to be more generous in our giving (2 Cor. 9:6-
9).
·        We must remember that what we give (or do) to help others will result in eternal
treasures in heaven (Matt. 19:21-22).
 
Building Faith that Sticks in 2026!
 
Dennis