This year is coming to a close and one will need to stop for a moment and ask, "What have I done for the Lord?" That question is vital because God has done everything for man. Let's start off by first letting it be known or reminded that God sent his Son to earth to die for the sins of mankind so that man can have salvation (John 3:13–18). God gives life to mankind each day, so we can go about our daily activities (Matthew 6:11).
Unknown to man are many evils which the Lord removed from our paths in order that we not be killed or hurt in the process (Luke 11:4). Many of us are living well in life because God has blessed us with gifts which enable us to make a good living (Proverbs 26:10). Many aren't rich with cash, but they are rich with good health, and even though money isn't everything, they are still blessed (Job 1:20–21). So let us go back to the original question, "What have you done for God in 2003? And here is a second question, "Do you plan to do something for Him in 2004?" Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Since we are in the Christmas season, we thought it would be good to pass on some information about one of the things you will hear and see during this season. (The three wise men coming to the baby Jesus in the manger.)
First of all, let us begin with the "three wise men." The Bible doesn't say how many wise men there were, it just said wise men, letting us know that it was more than one (Matthew 2:1–12). Let us not put a number on the plurality of the men because when that is done, we aren't speaking what the Bible has said. Also, Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus had left the manger by the time the wise men arrived, for they were in a house when those men got there (Matt. 2:11). So, it is a common error to show a manger scene in your yard with three wise men before the baby Jesus. As for the baby Jesus receiving visitors while in the manger, that was the shepherds, and the bible doesn't say how many of them were present as well (Luke 2:8–20). Let us only speak what the Bible speaks. Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. We are living in a world that is constantly changing for the better, but also many times for the worse (2 Timothy 3:13). As one continues to live on earth, he will encounter beliefs that differ from what he had been taught. Now it is possible that one could have been taught error, and if such is the case, one needs to forget the old and embrace the new. But such isn't the case always. That is why the Bible warns about getting caught up in changing trends and taken away from the truth (2 Peter 3:17).
Today, America is faced with redefining the family and giving condoms to children in school. God's word has already spoken on both subjects and God's word will stand forever; therefore if one has been taught what God has said on these two subjects, he can be assured that God's word is true and today's modern trends are wrong (Isaiah 55:8–11). God's word teaches that marriage and family is male and female (Matthew 19:4–9). God's word teaches that sex is to be in marriage (Hebrews 13:4). So then, man must stay with God's word or follow the modern trends. Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Back in 1972, the soul group, "The Main Ingredient" had a very popular song, "Everybody plays a fool sometime." One line of the lyrics said, "there's no exception to the rule." And rest assured that is indeed true, for no person is infallible, and no person is so smart that he will never commit an ill advised or plain dumb act. On any given day, any of us could walk down stupid street (1 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Peter 3:17, Deuteronomy 6:10–12, Proverbs 7:7–23, 2 Samuel 11:1–27, 2 Sam. 12:1–14, 2 Sam. 17:23, Jonah 1:3, Matthew 27:3–5, 1 Kings 8:46).
When a man has done something he regrets, all he can do is start over again. No one is perfect and even those who laugh at others, better be careful because next time someone will be laughing at them. Recovery from a foolish act will not be easy, but it can be done. First, recognize your mistake and chalk it up for learning experience. If others confront you about the dumb deed, just admit that it was dumb and that you have learned from it. Don't torture yourself over dumb mistakes you made, get on with your life. Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. |