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Pencils and Christians

3/24/2018

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

Prior to putting a new pencil into its shipping box, its maker took it aside and said, "Before I send you out into the world, there are five things you need to know. Remember them and you will render superior service."

1. You can be only be useful if you allow someone's hand to guide you.

2. You may experience an painful “sharpening” from time to time, but this is necessary for you to render continued service.

3. Do not despair when you make mistakes. I have supplied you with precisely what you need to erase them.

4. Although your exterior will not look new for long, its what’s on the inside that counts.

5. Strive to leave positive “marks” daily. After all, an unused pencil is worthless..

The new pencil was then carefully placed in its box with a special purpose to fulfill.

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If we as Christians will apply five comparable rules, God will effectively use us in His service.

1. You can only be useful if you allow yourself to be guided by the Master’s hand. (“You will guide me with Your counsel… Psalm 73:24.)

2. You may experience trials from time to time, but these are required for you to gain patience and maturity. (“… count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete…” James 1:2-4.)

3. Do not despair when you make mistakes. God provided the blood of His Son, which continues to erase them. (“…if we walk in the light as He is in the light… the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” 1 John 1:7, 9.)

4. Although your body will age and your hair turn gray, its what’s on the inside that counts with God. (“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.)

5. Strive to be a light for Jesus everywhere you go. After all, an idle Christian is of no use to the Master. ("Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matt. 5:16.)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Do We Really Need Bible Classes?

3/17/2018

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WHY BIBLE CLASS?

In addition to worship services, many churches offer Bible classes for all ages. Yet less than 50% of Christians typically attend such classes. This had prompted some Christians to wonder if Bible classes are even needed. Why should churches offer Bible classes, and why should Christians attend? Below are three valid reasons:

1) "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and TEACHERS, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-12). In order to foster the growth of His church, the Lord equipped her with TEACHERS. Since they are distinguished from evangelists (who typically speak to larger crowds), teachers tend to communicate with smaller groups. Bible classes offer these gifted Christians an opportunity to apply their skills.

2) “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:13-14). The local church typically consists of members both mature and immature concerning their Bible knowledge. Bible classes make it easier to suitably teach Christians from each maturity level.

3) “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Growing in the knowledge of our Lord is not an option for faithful Christians; the apostle Peter commanded it. Doing so, however, requires constant study of the word. Thus anything that advances such study should be encouraged. Bible classes are designed to do just that.

I attend Bible class regularly because I need them. How about you?

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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White Lies?

3/7/2018

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IS LYING ALL THAT BAD?

Of all the sins common to mankind one of the most widespread is the LIE. Paradoxically, many people consider lying to be the least of all sins, thus they make negligible efforts to avoid telling lies. Some folks even claim that lying is sometimes justified. Is this assertion true? Below are five scriptures that prove that lying is not only sinful; it is more serious than many are led to believe.

“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a LYING tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, a FALSE witness who speaks LIES, And one who sows discord among brethren.” (Prov. 6:16-19) Notice that LYING is mentioned TWICE in reference to the sins despised by God.

Acts 5:1-10 relates the story of a Christian couple that told what some might describe as a “white” lie concerning a contribution to the church. The apostle Peter, however, confronted them with their deception. “…why has Satan filled your heart to LIE to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land…” (Vs. 3). As a consequence of a "harmless" lie, they died and were buried that day.

Describing the the devil, Jesus said, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a LIE, he speaks from his own resources, for HE IS A LIAR and the father of it” (John 8:44b). Thus every lie proceeds from the deplorable “father of lies”.

“Do NOT LIE to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds…” (Col. 3:9). Lying should be “put off”, which means to abandon. The “old man” refers to the former life of sin.

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). Need God say more?

According to God, there is no such thing as a “justifiable” or “white” lie. So “be careful little tongue what you say!”

Jesus. Always Jesus!

Dennis

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Preach......what?

3/4/2018

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PREACH......THE WORD!

Two Christians, a preacher and a taxi driver, died and went to heaven. An angel met them at the pearly gates. "Follow me", the angel told the taxi driver. He then led the man to a spacious mansion, furnished with priceless treasures. “I'm overwhelmed!" exclaimed the grateful saint.

Returning to the preacher, the angel led him to a small modest structure, barely furnished. "Hold on", protested the preacher. "Perhaps there’s been a mistake. Shouldn't I have received the mansion? After all, I preached for nearly 50 years."

"Yes", replied the angel. "But many of those in the assemblies fell asleep." "Granted", replied the preacher, "But what entitles the taxi driver to a superior reward?" The angel said, "Because the passengers in his cab not only stayed awake, some of them prayed for the first time in their lives."

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It’s been said, “A faithful preacher should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” The apostle Paul wrote, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Col. 1:28) When preachers boldly speak the truth, even sleeping saints frequently awaken.

Tragically, some preachers “soften up ” their messages so as to pacify the listeners and avoid offending anyone. “Pacifiers”, however, were designed to make infants “comfy” and put them to sleep. Thus no preacher should blame anyone for nodding off during a watered-down lesson.

Although the apostle Paul preached the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), he never diluted it in order to appease anyone. “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16) Moreover, he exhorted Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

It also been said, “A faithful preacher aims to please God. If he seeks to please men, God is not pleased.” Paul expressed it this way, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10).

Preachers - preach the word!

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Pencils and Christians

Do We Really Need Bible Classes?

White Lies?

Preach......what?

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