____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ January 12, 1997 ____________________________________________________ God Thinks of Everything by Tom Edwards A few days ago we considered, in our Bible class, reasons why the Lord made man: for God's glory (Isa. 43:7); to take pleasure in and bless (Psa. 149:4; Rev. 4:11); and, obviously, to love and care for (Jn. 3:16; 1 Pet. 5:7). In addition, even a cursory look at the Scriptures reveals that the Lord wants mankind to be able to enjoy the good blessings--both physical and spiritual--that He has bestowed upon them. Consider for a moment, man's esthetic nature, which enables him to appreciate the beauties of creation. Would we even begin to imagine two chipmunks sitting together on a log and enjoying a beautiful pastel sunset the way a human couple would? Does the badger care what color the sky is? or how golden the meadows appear when swaying in a gentle breeze? Does the seagull look for anything but fish when peering down into the sea's rhythmic, blue waters, dazzled by the sun? Do huge cumulus clouds evoke thoughts of beauty in cats that might notice some while looking up, lying on their backs? What a very special and unique quality this esthetic nature is--and, apparently, excluded from all earth creation but man. Recently, I was also thinking specifically of the wide variety of foods that God has made so that everyone can find something appealing to their palette--even to the most particular. And to fine-tune this, the Lord gave the spices, the herbs, and the seasonings. Yes, God thinks of everything! Therefore, before you start saying, ``Well, the food that the Lord has given is so bland''--don't forget these spices, herbs, and seasonings, that our God has also provided us with! Knowing that not everyone would like the same seasoning, it appears that the Lord remedied this problem by leaving them out and letting the people add them themselves--whichever ones they would select and to their own particular proportions--to come up with the hot, spicy Mexican foods; the unique blends of Italian seasonings; the Eastern Indian dishes, the Oriental stir-fry of the Japanese and Chinese; the German's sweet and sour recipes, the strongly accented taste of Cajun food, and so on. Had it not been for these special ingredients, we would have probably never heard of Colonel Sanders. Isn't this just one more indication of God's concern for man's enjoyments?!!! -- and...just one of the many ``spices'' of life. ___________________________________________ Your Treasure and Your Heart by Clarence Johnson In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said, ``Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'' Jesus was not legislating against owning property or putting money in the bank, but He warns that these things must not become our treasure. The finest clothing is subject to deterioration. The most costly possessions are subject to rust, corrosion, tarnish, and thieves. If our hearts are centered on such, we are sure to come to disaster when these things are destroyed and gone. But Jesus says there is a treasure that endures. In the context, He warns against a man-pleasing religion. If we pray, fast, and give just to be seen by men our reward is received in full when men see and praise us. But if our worship is directed toward God without regard to whether men are watching we will be rewarded by the God we serve. We are laying up treasure in heaven. Another thing accomplished by focusing on the goal of acceptable service to God is that it helps build godlike character. Job reflected on material wealth thusly: ``Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord'' (Job 1:21). A couple of American proverbs reflect this truth: ``There are not pockets in a shroud,'' and ``You can't take it with you.'' But you can build character that will be with you forever, and thus lay up treasure in heaven. In II Corinthians 4:16-5:8, Paul calls our attention away from visible, physical, worldly things to spiritual, invisible, eternal things. He notes that our outward physical body is in the process of running down--but our spirit or inner man can be renewed daily. When your body is placed in the tomb, your spirit can be at home with God. But heaven can't be your treasure if your heart's not in it. ``For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'' -- Via The Old Path II, December 1, 1996 ___________________________________________ The Battleship and the Lighthouse In the darkest part of the night, a ship's captain cautiously piloted his warship through the fog-shrouded waters. With straining eyes he scanned the hazy darkness, searching for dangers lurking just out of sight. His worst fears were realized when he saw a bright light straight ahead. It appeared to be a vessel on a collision course with his ship. To avert disaster, he quickly radioed the oncoming vessel. ``This is Captain Jeremiah Smith,'' his voice crackled over the radio. ``Please alter your course ten degrees south! Over.'' To the captain's amazement, the foggy image did not move. Instead, he heard back on the radio, ``Captain Smith, this is Private Thomas Johnson. Please alter your course ten degrees north! Over.'' Appalled at the audacity of the message, the captain shouted back over the radio, ``Private Johnson, this is Captain Smith, and I order you to immediately alter your course ten degrees south! Over.'' A second time the oncoming light did not budge. ``With all due respect, Captain Smith,'' came the private's voice again, ``I order you to alter your course immediately ten degrees north! Over.'' Angered and frustrated that this impudent sailor would endanger the lives of his men and crew, the captain growled back over the radio. ``Private Johnson, I can have you court-martialled for this! For the last time, I command you on the authority of the United States government to alter your course ten degrees to the south! I am a battleship!'' The private's final transmission was chilling--''Captain Smith, sir. Once again with all due respect, I command you to alter your course ten degrees to the north! I am a lighthouse!'' Many today have little respect for authority. Some operate as if rules can be changed to fit their personal needs and desires. Commercials egg us on: ``Have it your way.'' In reality, we can't always have it our way. We have to conform our lives to a higher truth, a higher authority. Truth is not going to change to accommodate us. We are the ones who must change to conform our lives to what is true. -- Author unknown (via The Old Path II, December 8, 1996) ___________________________________________ Only Human? by Frank Bush A year or so ago, I had a student in my office. He was there because his behavior was much less than what I expected in a Bible college student. After discussing the matter, he crowned his long recitation with the excuse, ``After all, I'm only human.'' When he said that, I jumped to my feet, raised my voice about 16 decibels and fairly shouted, ``Only human! Do you realize what you have just said?'' He moved back into his chair and his eyes were wide in surprise. I didn't wait for an answer. ``Only human! You mean in the image of God, made a little lower than the angels and in Christ, given the power to become greater than the angels, only human! You have been given dominion over the earth and every living creature on the face of the earth. The greatest of all God's creatures. The only creature able to think the thoughts of God. The object of His love and the one for whose salvation He sent Jesus to Calvary. What do you mean, `only human'?'' Silence reigned heavily in the room. For a long moment he stared at me in bewilderment and I attempted to look through his eyes into his soul. I was hoping that my words had driven home an important truth. Soon he began to move uneasily in his chair and said, ``I guess I have been less than what He wants me to be. I'm sorry, I will do better.'' I nodded my head and he walked out. To use being human as an excuse for our thoughtless and stupid behavior is an insult to the God who made us. -- Via Pekin Bulletin, 9/81. ___________________________________________ New Year's Resolutions Was your New Year's resolution to make no more New Year's resolutions? But now that we are already in the new year, you say that you have changed your mind? Well, don't worry about it. As long as you have today, you have a day to begin with making some wonderful changes and improvements in your life--and you can! Here's one to aim for: Become a Christian (if you are not one already), and strive to do your best in living for the Lord every day. If you make this your resolution and act upon it, you will one day be eternally grateful in a perfect world without end! Now how's that for a ``high quality resolution''?!!! -- Tom Edwards ___________________________________________ Call Today About Our -- BIBLE FILM SLIDES -- ___________________________________________ Those ``Other'' Sinners by Robert F. Turner ``And John answered and said, `Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us''' (Lu. 9:49). Answered what? The word may mean, ``began to speak'' but Vine says always ``where something has preceded, either statement or act to which the remarks refer.'' The Harper-Bagster Lexicon says, ``in N.T. to respond to certain present circumstances.'' What ``brought on'' John's remarks about the man he had ``forbidden''? The preceding verses show that the Disciples had been disputing about who among them should be greatest, and Jesus had rebuked them for their pride (See Mk. 9:33-37). John is not named specifically, but other passages say James and John accompanied their mother when she asked Jesus to seat them in high positions in His kingdom (Matt. 20:20f). Was the woman alone in her desire for greatness? I believe the sons must share the blame and that John (perhaps James, also) was enough involved in the arguments about greatness that Jesus' rebuke carried a special ``sting.'' Is it not a well established trait of human nature that when the sermon fits, we try to change the subject? Our personal defense is to launch our own attack upon someone else. If, in this new battle, we can make our former critic an ally, perhaps he will forget all about the fault he saw in us. The shoe fits--so we try to find a different shoe, for someone else. When John felt the sting of the Lord's rebuke to pride, he ``answered'' by saying, in effect, ``Master, we (James also?) saw this `outsider' doing wrongly, and we really jumped on him. We let him have it!!'' Even if John's judgment was right and his actions respecting the second man justified, this would not remove John's fault. How embarrassing to discover he was again wrong. Jesus said, ``Forbid him not....'' Will we never learn--a second error does not correct the first--we cannot grow by causing others to appear smaller--and, final judgment is on an individual basis, by One who sees and knows our very thoughts. -- Via Plain Talk ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Congratulations to Scott and Deborah Taylor in the birth of their firstborn, Matthew Scott Taylor! He was born December 24, weighing 9 pounds and 6 ounces. For some other good news, we praise God that Catherine Stambaugh, who recently underwent major surgery for breast cancer, has heard the joyful news that there is not a trace of malignancy left! Her surgery had gone well, and she was soon back on her feet with much strength--surprisingly so. I made my first personal home page a couple weeks ago, and I'll mention it here because it also has links to more than 80 of my religious articles that are being stored on Rick Fleeman's home page, and all of The Gospel Observer bulletins going back to March 3, 1996. Also, for those of you who are curious about me, I've included a short profile and a picture of myself. In addition, there are many other helpful links on it, hundreds of sermons, and other religious studies. Feel free to check this out. The address is: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net Gospel Observer Homepage: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards/go My Personal Homepage: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards ________________________________________