PARABLE OF THE 3 TREES (Author unknown.) 
Once there were 3 young trees that longed to become something important.
 
The first tree wanted to be used as part of the furniture in a royal palace. One day people came to the forest and cut the first tree down. It was hewn into rough pieces and nailed together to form a manger to feed cattle. Eventually it was sold for a pittance and placed in a stable in Bethlehem. The tree was heartbroken because it was relegated to feeding animals. However, one night Mary carefully laid her firstborn child - JESUS - in the manger. The manger trembled with delight.  "This is wonderful!  I never imagined that I would provide a bed for the Son of God!”
 
Years passed, and more men came to the forest to chop down the second tree. This tree dreamed of becoming a royal vessel for transporting kings. But instead it became a small, leaking fishing boat. Eventually a man named Peter obtained it for his trade. The little boat was not happy. But one day, as it sat on the shore of the Sea, Jesus of Nazareth stepped into it and began teaching a large crowd.  "This is wonderful!" it thought. "I never imagined that the Son of God would use me to preach His word."
 
More years elapsed, and Romans soldiers came to cut down the third tree. This tree had hoped to be used in the construction of a temple or synagogue in which people could worship and glorify God. The Romans, however, had other ideas. They chopped and chopped until only two long, thick beams remained. They then connected the beams to form a cross. The tree was horrified. "All I wanted to do was glorify God, and now they are going to use me to kill someone!”
 
Shortly afterwards, a large crowd lined a street in Jerusalem. In the middle of the crowd was Jesus, carrying this tree. Eventually, He was nailed to it. As Jesus was dying, the tree heard Him speak words of compassion and forgiveness. Jesus then died, and the earth shook. Only then did the tree realize the significance of the moment. "This is wonderful! I never imagined that I would glorify God by enabling His Son to die for the sins of the world."
 
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Never forget that God has a SPECIAL PURPOSE for you and me. “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you WILL COMPLETE IT until the day of Jesus Christ.." (Phil. 1:6)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

CAN I BE WRONG?
 
“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Jer. 10:23
 
One of the biggest obstacles to accepting truth is man’s prideful tendency to assume that he is always right.
 
A wealthy man had a large painting of the leaning tower of Pisa prominently displayed on a wall. But nearly every morning he noticed that it was hanging crooked. He eventually found out that his maid was adjusting the frame to “straighten” the tower. Many people attempt to do the same with God’s word. If they encounter something that does not match up with their lives or beliefs, they try to twist God’s word to harmonize with their beliefs, as opposed to adjusting their beliefs to conform to the truth.
 
Some years ago a man in Oklahoma ordered an expensive barometer. After receiving it, he noticed that the gauge on the barometer indicated severe storms, although the weather outside was beautiful. Believing it to be defective, he packed it up, intending to return it to the manufacturer. Late that day, severe storms moved in, producing a tornado that damaged many homes in his neighborhood. In a similar way, the Bible warns that the world will be destroyed by fire without warning  – 2 Pet. 3:10. Yet millions of people firmly believe the world will go on forever.
 
In a more tragic case, a woman got up in the middle of the night to get her husband some sleeping pills. In the dark she got the wrong bottle and gave him strong antibiotics, to which he was allergic. The next morning he was rushed to the hospital, but pronounced dead upon arrival. His wife was inconsolable and refused to believe that he was dead. It was only after the drug mix-up was discovered that she accepted his death as reality. Many people today trust their feelings to get them to heaven. Even when they are shown that they are living in contradiction to the scriptures, some refuse to believe that they are lost. This is the most tragic mistake possible.
 
ALL of us can be wrong at times. Admitting this that will help us to keep an open mind as we read and heed God’s inspired word – 2 Tim 3:16-17.
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

Giving God Our Leftovers?


Paul Harvey told the story of a man that was preparing for Thanksgiving. While searching through his freezer, he came across a small turkey. Examining it, he was stunned to find that the turkey had been frozen 20 years. Not certain if it was safe to eat, he called the Butterball Turkey Company. A customer service agent replied: “As long as the turkey has remained frozen at zero degrees or less, it is probably edible. In all honesty, however, it…may taste like cardboard.” “That’s okay”, the man responded. “I need something to donate to the church...”
 
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Although humorous, this story depicts a growing problem in the church – the tendency to give God our “leftovers”. For example, in many congregations over 50% of the adults give 5% (or less) of their gross income to the Lord. Some give nothing at all, citing other obligations as the reason. (It is interesting to note that the majority of those that give little or nothing to the Lord tends to have PERPETUAL financial troubles.)
 
The temptation to give God our “scraps” carries over into other areas. For example, from the 1940’s through the 1970’s, some 65% of Christians attended EVERY church service, including Bible classes. Today, only about 37% attend every service. Moreover, only about 1 in 8 Christians serve the church weekly via teaching, cleaning, preparing meals, leading in services, etc. Over 80% of Christians serve sporadically.
 
Far too many Christians give God their leftovers in terms of time, contributions and service. Those that do so should remember that God has provided us with more blessings than we can count, and has prepared for us a glorious home in heaven. He deserves better. Don't make God settle for leftovers. Give Him your best. You won’t regret it.
 
"HONOR the Lord with your POSSESSIONS, and with the FIRSTFRUITS of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." (Prov. 3:9-10)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

CAN THE DEVIL MAKE US SIN?


Some of us can remember when Flip Wilson coined the phrase, "The devil made me do it!"  Despite the fact that this assertion was part of a comedy routine, many people apparently took him seriously. In fact, hundreds of accused criminals have used that excuse to justify their crimes. It's hard to blame them. If we can prove that the devil FORCES us to do wrong, then the blame belongs to him alone.
 
Does the Bible substantiate that claim? It does teach that Satan tempts people to commit sin in hopes of dooming their souls to hell (Mat. 25:41). The Bible contains scores of examples from Eve in the Garden (Gen. 3), to King David (2 Kings 11), to Judas Iscariot (Jn. 13 & 18) and many more. He even tried to tempt Jesus to sin (Mat. 4:1-11).
 
However, the Bible also teaches that WE are responsible for the sins we commit. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether GOOD or BAD.” (2 Cor. 5:10.) Moreover, “…each of us shall give ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF to God” (Rom 14:12). We must give an account for ourselves because the devil cannot “make” us do anything. He can only “dangle the carrot”. James wrote, “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of HIS OWN LUST, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin” (Jam. 1:14-15).
 
While the devil can and will tempt us, it is up to us to resist or consent. This is why God “…will render to every man according to HIS DEEDS” (Rom. 2:6).
 
Praise God, however, that He will not allow will not permit us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist - 1 Cor 10:13, and that we have the ability through Christ (Phil. 4:13) to resist temptation. We are also told, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jam. 4:7).
 
The devil will continue to temp us (1 Pet. 5:8), but he CANNOT MAKE US SIN. 
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

STORMS


"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..."  (1 Cor. 4:8-9)
 
Hurricane Dorian will not be soon forgotten. It's deadly and destructive impact on the Bahamas was unprecedented. And its devastating effects on our Atlantic Coast will be felt for some time.
 
Although hurricanes of that magnitude are relatively rare, the storms of life are more frequent. Who among us has not experienced health, financial, family or other serious issues? Moreover, “storm clouds” perpetually encircle our nation in the form of increasing iniquity and crime, economic concerns, political strife, and the ever-present possibility of war.
 
Surrounded by such storms, there may be times that we feel overcome by the setbacks, difficulties and uncertainties of life.
 
Fortunately, God is aware of the severe storms we face in this life. Although He did not promise to take away our troubles, He did assure us that He will never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He offers comfort and hope through His Word (Rom. 15:4). He gives us peace through Christ (John 16:4; Phil. 4:7). Moreover, we have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:35-39).
 
When the storms of life rage all around you, remember the words of the apostle Peter, “…cast all your cares on Him; for He cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7).
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

Ready for School?


By the time you read this, most or all of our school-age children have returned to classes. Although “Back to School” is a welcome reprieve for many parents, it should be a time of genuine concern for Christian families. Morally and spiritually speaking, secular schools have declined alarmingly in the past 50 years. Not only do temptations abound, many schools actively promote sinful activities such as safe sex, homosexuality and transgenderism. Moreover, erroneous theories and flawed philosophies, including evolution, moral relativism (“If it feels right it can’t be wrong!”) and humanism ("You are the captain of your soul!”) are taught without apology.
 
Thus it is essential that Christian parents help their children to be spiritually prepared for the perils they will be exposed to in school. Below are five things parents can do to help their children withstand the ungodly influences so common in schools today.
 
1. Pray with your children before school.  (“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”  James 5:16.)
 
2. Pray for your children while they are in school. (“…be serious & watchful in your prayers"  1 Peter 4:7.)
 
3. Remember that “heaven-work”(reading the Bible) is more vital than homework. (“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"  Matt. 4:4.)
 
4. Bring your children to EVERY Bible class, worship service, and church activity possible. (“…but exhort one another daily...lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”  Heb. 3:13.)
 
5. Say "NO” to all questionable or un-chaperoned school activities. (“Abstain from every form of evil”  1 Thess. 5:22.)
 
Without the constant guidance and prayers of Godly parents, it is virtually impossible for our children to resist the temptations and ungodly influences in school. Doing the five aforementioned things will definitely help!
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis