Spring and summer are probably the most beautiful and the most enjoyable
times of the year. Isnt it wonderful that God set in order the different
seasons of the year? We can always look forward to our favorite time of the
year. We must be careful though because along with spring and summer comes added
temptation. Let us notice a few:
1. THE TEMPTATION OF UNFAITHFULNESS. Many are tempted to go on a camping
trip, or picnic or some other type of outing on the weekend instead of
worshipping God. Some feel that because they work hard all the week, that God
wouldnt care for them missing the worship to go fishing or visiting with some
relative or friend. Others seem to think when they go on vacation that this
means a vacation from worshiping God as well. (Heb. 10:25) The writer said,
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some
is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day
approaching. God is to have first place in our lives. (Matt. 6:33)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
thins shall be added unto you.
May I suggest that when you make your plans for summer camping trips,
picnics, and even vacation that you keep the Lord in mind and be faithful to
Him. Camp close enough to a sound faithful church that you can make it for
services. Before you go on vacation, make sure that there is a place of worship
near by. You cannot really enjoy your vacation if you know that you are being
unfaithful to the Lord while doing so.
2. INDECENCY. So many times, in the summer, people seem to think they
must take off nearly all of their clothes and parade around in public showing
the nakedness of their body. Some people seems to have lost the feeling of shame
and embarrassment. When Adam and Eve knew that they were naked, they sewed fig
leaves together and made themselves clothes. It seems now instead of trying to
cover themselves up, people try to see how much they can take off. As terrible
as it may seem, some members of the church are guilty of the same. (1 Tim. 2:9)
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array; The woman of God is to be dressed modestly in the summer
just as much as she is in the winter. She will be ashamed to show the nakedness
of her body to anyone other than her own husband.
I dont believe we need to stop with the women. I believe men need to
dress themselves modestly also. One of the most sickening sights that I have
seen is some boney kneed, pot bellied man in a little pair of shorts and no
shirt. If they look anything to God like they do to me, I know He isnt pleased
with them.
Let us enjoy summer, but let us dress and act like Christians. We could
die while on vacation and if unfaithful, how are you going to explain that to
the Lord?
---Bobby
Robinson
from The Parkway Teacher, Vol.
6, No. 3
Is That What You Meant To
Say?
An insurance agent was writing a policy for a cowboy. "Have you ever
had any accidents?" the agent asked. "No, not really," replied the cowboy.
"A horse threw me off and kicked me in the ribs once, and I got bit a couple of
times by a rattlesnake, but that's about it." "Don't you call those
accidents?" demanded the agent. "Oh no," said the cowboy, "They did them things
on purpose!"
It occurs to me that many things that appear to be accidents, or that we
pretend are accidents, are actually intended outcomes. Sin is seldom if ever
accidental. We may say that we "didn't mean to do it" or "didn't mean to
say it," but, most of the time, that isn't really true. And, even if we
didn't mean to do it or say it, surely the tempter meant for us to.
Righteousness isn't an accident either. Jesus didn't accident-ally live a
sinless life. It took purpose of heart to resist temptation and do right at
every turn.
Barnabas encouraged Christians that "with purpose of heart they should
continue with the Lord" (Acts 11:23). Paul commended Timothy because he had
"carefully followed" Paul's "doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,
longsuffering, love, perseverance" (2 Timothy 3:10). The life of a
Christian is truly a purpose-driven life. It is lived with a sense of purpose,
by those who choose to do right on purpose.
This applies to every aspect of our lives, including our speech. We
will not say the right things accidentally. We must choose to say them. In
Psalm 17:3 David wrote, "You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the
night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth
shall not transgress." David was right before God because he had determined to
control his mouth. We must also control our speech if we are to be
acceptable to God. The Bible says that "If anyone among you thinks he is
religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's
religion is useless" (James 1:26).
We are to be thoughtful and purposeful with everything we say. Proverbs
15:28 states that, "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil." The righteous man
doesn't just say whatever comes into his mind. He "studies how to answer!"
The New Testament commands, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your
mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to
the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).
Yet how often do we just talk without thinking about the effect of our words? In the Book of Job, Job's three friends had a lot to
say to him that was pretty useless. Of them and their words Job says, "I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you
all! Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?" (Job 16:2-3). One paraphrased translation of this has,
"I've had all I can take of your talk. What a bunch of miserable comforters! Is there no end to your windbag speeches? What's your
problem that you go on and on like this?" (MSG). Job's friends, though intelligent men, had not chosen to speak words that would
have a positive
effect.
Let us all give thought to the impact of our words. Words are powerful, and they will not be a power for good unless we purpose to
make them so. Let's do our best to make sure
that what we say is what we mean to say, and that what we mean to say is
good.
---Steve Klein
From The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at
New Georgia,
March 29,
2009