Flee!

On an employee bulletin board: "In case of fire, flee the building with the same reckless abandon that occurs each day at quitting time." Humorous? Perhaps! Maybe we should learn a lesson from this story. We are told to flee the wrath to come, flee youthful lusts, flee ungodliness, etc. Let's make sure we flee these things, just like we would run from a fire.

An Open Book

Someone has said, "Live your life like an open book with nothing to hide or be ashamed of." To this I say amen, for our lives are like an open book to be read by any that cross our paths. Hopefully they will read out of our lives, Christ in us the hope of glory.

Coiled And Ready To Strke!

Years ago when Pepper Rodgers was in the middle of a terrible season as football coach at UCLA, he said, "It even got so bad that it upset my home life." He recalls, "My dog was my only friend. I told my wife that a man needs at least two friends and she bought me another dog." I don't know if this story is true, but I do know that a man needs friends. I personally know some who think that they don't have any use for other people. They are easy to recognize for they are about as friendly as a coiled rattlesnake. You know what I mean, "make a move in their direction and they will strike out at you trying to bite you, or at least scare you off." Without friends, who would help us up when we fall down? Or maybe you can tell me, who will stand with us when the battle rages hot? Everyone knows that a two stranded cord is twice as strong as a single stranded cord. Scripture tells us in the Amplified Bible in Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loveth at all times, and is born, as a brother, for adversity." I hope that we all value friends, family, and brothers and sisters in the Lord. Many a time they are representing the Lord as they reach out to us to help us in an hour of need.

Do Unto To Others!

Just think what the world would be like if we decided to treat everyone that we come into contact with as if this were the last day of their lives. Jesus said in John 13:35, "By this shall men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another". He also said in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets". Treating every human that we come into contact with, the same way we want to be treated, is the Lord's way. Being loving, kind, understanding, forgiving, merciful, compassionate, gentle, etc. is the right thing to do. The question is, are we doing it?

Our True Needs Amounts To Very Little!

A man's true needs amounts to very little. Scripture admonishes us to be content with food and clothing. Remember, "little is much when God is in it".
What does it take for us to walk softly before the Lord, in full contentment? We could list many things, but the truth is, that the basics for survival should bring contentment.
Many years ago, the Lord whispered in that still small voice of his, to my wife and I, "I will always meet your needs as long as you aren't to particular". That is exactly what He has done throughout the years, and we praise Him for it.

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

About 1930, the Communist leader Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly. His subject, atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling argument and ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of men's faith. "Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded. A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them first to the right, then to the left. At last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting. "CHRIST IS RISEN!" The vast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!" Yes, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!"

Tools Need To Be Used!

I remember it well. It was bright and shiny and a brilliant red in color. There was a saw, a hammer, a level, pliers, a measuring tape, nails, screws, and other things in that beautiful little tool box. It even came with it's own lock and key. I was so proud of that tool box, for I knew that with tools and the right materials, I could build most anything. I locked the box so no one would be tempted to use my tools and went out to play. Later I came in and was going to build something. I reached into my pocket and to my dismay, I couldn't find the key. I had lost it while playing outdoors, and had left the spare key in the box, so I was without a way to open it. I remember how hopeless I felt at that time. I had all the tools that I needed to be about building something wonderful, but I was locked out of my tool box.
Aren't you glad that our heavenly Father hasn't locked us out. We come into his presence through Jesus Christ and when we do we find all the tools that we need to build a wonderful life. They are found in his word, The Holy Bible, but are not useful if we don't use them. When we study the word and begin to apply it to our lives, we find that something beautiful is being built. I thank God for the tools needed to build a beautiful life and that they aren't locked up in a box where I can't get to them. Let's pull them out and put them to work. We will be amazed at what we can build.