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Neal Pollard

On November 16, 1992, retired gardener Eric Hawes was asked to help his neighbor, a farmer, find his hammer.  Using his metal detector, Hawes found something else instead.  He found “15,000 gold and silver coins, gold jewellery and numerous small items of silver tableware, including pepper pots, ladles and spoons” (www.britishmuseum.org).  It is estimated that this Roman treasure, better known as the Hoxne Hoard, was buried around 407-408 A.D. as Roman rule in Britain was deteriorating.  The coins represent eight different emperors and all were in excellent condition.  The British Museum purchased the treasure and a reward was paid to Hawes.  Hawes gave the hammerless farmer, Peter Whatling, a cut of the 1.75 million British pounds paid him.

A Military Police officer once found “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ” (cf. Col. 2:1-3) when he pulled over a preacher that was driving one mile per hour over the speed limit on a military base.  The MP agreed to study with the preacher and obeyed the gospel.  People have been given or bought for nearly nothing a Bible containing a Searching For Truth or a Jule Miller video and through that found something much more precious than fine gold (cf. Ps. 19:10). Co-workers have humored Christian co-workers, accepting an invitation to come to a seminar, gospel meeting, or other worship service, and by that have found this eternal treasure (cf. 1 Tim. 6:19; Mat. 13:44).  People searching for something of meaning and value in their lives may not realize what a great treasure there is to be found, buried among so many rivaling things.  Yet, we know the great value of living the Christian life.  Let us put ourselves in a position to help people uncover the heavenly hoard we ourselves, by His grace, have found.  Treasure is not meant to be hoarded.  Eternal reward is meant to be shared.

Neal Pollard

Most have heard about the “very small meltdown” (his mom’s words) Steve Slater had aboard a JetBlue flight in New York City after an extended run-in he had with a foul-mouthed, rude female passenger with a lethal roller bag.  He is an instant celebrity, hailed by large numbers of people as a folk hero and gutsy.  News stories about the incident have included background music by Johnny Paycheck, playing the line, “Take this job and shove it, I ain’t working here no more.”  By all accounts, Slater got on the plane’s intercom, used profanity, grabbed two cans of beer, deployed the emergency slide, and thereby exited the plane in reaction to the inflamed woman passenger.  He was arrested at his home and faces a potential jail sentence of seven years.  Most pundits agree no jury would convict Slater because too many are empathetic to him and enthusiastic approve of how he handled himself.

I have seen many rude passengers on airplanes.  Even frequent fliers act entitled and behave badly in pursuit of their perceived rights.  It sounds like Slater had a bad case scenario on his hands, but he has galvanized an image for himself that is not conducive for good in our society.  Slater symbolizes a growing attitude toward such fundamental landmarks like authority, law and order, civility, and responsibility.  He jeopardized the safety of people on the ground, broke clearly stated industry rules, used profanity over the loudspeaker, and has remained to this point mostly unapologetic.

People have said they wish they could pull a “Steve Slater” and walk away from their job so flamboyantly.  Only the economy and related economic realities keep them in check.  Is he the working man’s hero?  Or is he the latest symptom that betrays a societal, spiritual sickness?

If everyone were to behave like Mr. Slater did yesterday, society would be on the brink of collapse.  Blatant disregard for others already characterizes a great many people in our world.  Outbursts of anger, clearly condemned in scripture (Gal. 5:20), certainly do not characterize “those who belong to Christ Jesus” and “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24).  Can you imagine a world where everybody did what they felt without regard for the other person?  New Testament writers urge self-control and deference to others, even if it means going a second-mile and turning the other cheek (Matt. 5:39, 41).  We are to repay evil with good (1 Th. 5:15).  We are not to return evil for evil or insult for insult (1 Pet. 3:9).  Mr. Slater did not accomplish those things with his little meltdown, and he should not be hailed as a hero.  What a wonderful day it will be when the cult heroes are those who are renowned for their civility, dignity, and selflessness!

Neal Pollard

A national restaurant chain has for its latest advertisement slogan, “Eat, drink, and be yourself.”  As some slogans can be, that one is pretty harmless sounding.  I wonder if the executives have taken the time to look into the background of the saying.  Without doubt, it makes many people think of the saying, “Eat, drink, and be merry.”  This was the counsel the rich farmer gave himself in a parable Jesus tells.  Luke records it, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:15-21).   This is the same attitude of life briefly adopted by Solomon in his experiment to find life’s meaning (cf. Ecc. 8:15).  He found it was not, “Eat, drink, and be merry.”  The rich farmer, through God’s extreme measures, learned the same truth.  Paul quoted the Epicurean philosophy, “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die” (1 Cor. 15:32), to show the futility of life if Christ is not raised but the futility of such a philosophy since He did.

So many today have a self-absorbed philosophy that preaches, “Eat, drink, and be yourself.”  “Be merry.”  “Tomorrow, we may die, so get all of what you can while you can.”  Just remember that such an outlook on life does not have a promising outcome!  We are not here to party.  We are here to prepare what is to come.

Neal Pollard

There’s an interesting parallel between the creation of man in Eden and the recreation of man in the early church.  Unity characterized both (Gen. 2:23; Acts 4:32).  At first, both fulfilled their God-given tasks (Gen. 2:15,20; Acts 2:42-46; 4:1). Yet, in both Eden and the Jerusalem church of Christ, Satan didn’t stay away too long (Gen. 3:1-5; Acts 5:3).  Ananias and Sapphira, like too many, had not prepared their hearts to fight the sin to which they were susceptible.

Ananias and Sapphira were too wedded to their wealth. Sometime after the sell of their property and before their offering, they conspired to keep back part of the money for themselves but indicated they were giving all of the proceeds for the church to use for benevolent needs.  Today, some are married to their money rather than their Master.  This obtains when one’s giving to God is anemic, when one’s pursuit of material things is rabid, and when children are sacrificed on the altar of parents’ yearning for money.

Ananias and Sapphira were too sensitive to their status. This couple’s sin came on the heels of Barnabas’ incredibly charitable giving. What a contrast between him and them. He would go on to be one of the heroes of the early church.  They were its first spiritual goats. Peter calls their act a “lie” (Acts 5:3-4) and a “tempting” of God (Acts 5:9).  They were guilty of willful sin, and Peter says Satan “filled” (finding a place there, Satan dominated) his heart.  Satan can only get in our hearts by permission (Eph. 4:27). Apparently, they wanted to look good in the eyes of the brethren.  We must check any desire or motive that is impure. Even in doing right, we must be sure we are acting to please God rather than men (Eph. 6:6-7).

Ananias and Sapphira were too careless about their character.  They were liars, and for this they were rewarded with physical death (Acts 5:5,10). How many give into their weakness or sin problem, only to hurt their church family, their physical family, and destroy themselves?

In all of these deadly mistakes, Ananias and Sapphira had allowed Satan to fill their hearts. That made them, through willful choices, empty vessels for Satan to occupy and break God’s law.  How easily Satan can take advantage of us (cf. 2 Co. 2:10-11).  Though the church will ultimately prevail, let us not allow Satan to win any individual victories among us.  Let us learn from Ananias and Sapphira.

Neal Pollard

You may have heard about the mauling death of Kevin Kammer, a 48-year-old man camping at the Soda Butte Campground outside of Cooke City, Montana, on July 27th.  Grizzly bears are noted for their aggressive behavior, but concerns are growing that the culprit responsible for Kammer’s death was a photographer baiting wildlife in the area.  Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department officials are looking into allegations.  There was no food in Kammer’s tent, and officials called the attack “highly unusual and predatory.”  They were mauled as they slept, which is anomalous, unusual behavior.  Experts cannot shake baiting as the likely cause of the attacks.

Whether or not officials are ever able to conclusive prove the currently prevailing theory, one thing is certain.  It is not smart to bait a grizzly bear.  Courting danger is foolish, but not uncommon.  Most of us, to one degree or another, have a sense of adventure; however, there is a point in which the word “sense” is not appropriate to describe the situation.  At some point, behavior is risky, dangerous, and foolhardy.

Temptation is a common problem (cf. Heb. 4:15; 1 Cor. 10:13).  To encounter it, all you have to do is live and breathe.  What is foolhardy is a mindset or philosophy that courts temptation, that puts oneself in places with people doing things that are highly likely to produce sinful, destructive outcomes.  Grizzlies have size, claws, and demeanors that make them obvious threats.  Sin, while more deadly, comes in more subtle and oftentimes very attractive packages.
Let us be Joseph’s, ready to literally flee at the dangers of temptation (Gen. 39:12).  “Flee” is a watchword repeatedly uttered in the New Testament, regarding sin (1 Cor. 6:18; 10:14; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22).  Baiting ourselves or flirting with spiritual danger is not the behavior of born-again, heaven-bound people.  Let us recognize the schemes of the devil (2 Cor. 2:11) and go out of our way to avoid him.  Any other approach to life does not make good, spiritual sense.

Neal Pollard

You might think that is a “loaded question.”  Well, take a load off and consider.  Being “loaded” means different things.  The term is used to describe the intoxicated and the income of the wealthy.  It can refer to something with ulterior motive or meaning.  Yet, if you are a Christian you are loaded.  Such is the thought of the inspired Psalmist who said, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! (Ps. 68:19a).

Dan Wheeler, fine gospel preacher in Orlando, Florida, says, “When a grocery cashier asked me how I was, I said, ‘I’m loaded.  With benefits.’  Now, when I ask her, she says, ‘I’m loaded.  With benefits.’  Maybe it will get someone thinking about God.”  Human nature is so prone to see our liabilities rather than our “loads.”  Helen Steiner Rice, in her famous poem “Count Your Gains, Not Your Losses,” says in part,

As we travel down life’s busy road, complaining of our heavy load,
We often think God’s been unfair and gave us much more than our share
Of little daily irritations and disappointing tribulations.
We’re discontented with our lot and all the “bad breaks” that we got;
We count our losses, not our gain, and remember only tears and pain.
The good things we forget completely when God looked down and blessed us sweetly.

The overall point of her poem is that we can lose sight of our own woes if we will lose ourselves in service to others.  However, a secondary emphasis she makes is that God has given us so much.  It is a matter of the heart and one’s character whether we see ourselves as “winners” or “losers” in life.

Today, Mike Hite and I went to visit the McCullums.  Steve is to begin school next week.  He and his sweet wife Jerri made an unexpected detour to the hospital.  Steve has a mass in his abdomen and no clear diagnosis yet.  Doctors have told him to include as a possibility that this is very serious.  Yet, though he was in discomfort and facing the unknown, he was faith-filled and positive.  This remarkable young man, after citing James 1:2-4, says, “I’m excited to see what God is going to do through this.  This is going to make me a better, more understanding, preacher and Christian.”  Steve is loaded and he knows it.  For those of us not laying in a hospital bed awaiting test results, we are loaded, too!

Other versions put for “loads us with benefits” that he “bears us up” or “carries us in His arms.”  Same difference!  With divine support and aid, I am “loaded with benefits” more than this world could match or exceed.  Let us focus on what we have with God and not what we do not have.  Thank you, Steve and Jerri!

Neal Pollard

One of the biggest news stories of the summer broke on July 29th with the temporary injunction set down by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, stopping several measures in an immigration bill signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer and set to go into effect  Thursday.  Effectively, this injunction prohibits law enforcement from more easily detecting those who are in this country illegally.

For many, this is an issue they cannot divorce from politics or race.  But, how should a Christian view the matter of illegal immigration?  That is a different question than whether or not we should embrace those who seek to lawfully enter our nation from other nations around the world.  Bible truth is truth, recognizing no political party of skin color.  To ask how a Christian views any matter is also to ask what the Bible may have to say about it or issues involved with it.  While there is no verse that explicitly deals with illegal immigration, there are biblical principles to consider.

Lying is sinful.  There are no situations that make lying OK.  Paul urged the Ephesians to lay aside falsehood and speak truth (Eph. 4:25). The end for liars is most undesirable (Rev. 21:8).  If one claims something to an employer, landlord, or law enforcement officer that is not true, that one is lying.  How often do those hiring and harboring illegal immigrants knowingly lie or deceive?

Disobeying a nation’s laws is disobeying God.  Romans 13:1-4 says, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”  Many people go through the proper channels for applying for citizenship.  Even if a nation is lax in enforcing its laws, a Christian will not knowingly subvert the governing authorities in either harboring illegal immigrants or attempting to be in a nation illegally.  A Christian should be averse to being a party to anything rightly labeled “illegal.”

One is to submit to every human, governmental institution (1 Pet. 2:13ff).  Obviously, the only exception is if that entity seeks to get us to disobey the Lord’s commands (cf. Acts 5:27-29).  Otherwise, we must submit to them and in so doing we are “doing right” (1 Pet. 2:14-15).

I would never want to defend or advocate something that, objectively viewed, is termed “illegal.”  Perhaps the desire of some to rationalize on this issue is a product of a greater problem our culture has with law and authority.  The child of God, however, will be reminded “to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men” (Titus 3:1-2).

Neal Pollard

Dave Allen has been all around the world with his military career.  He has taken assignments, particular in time of war, that carried him into and out of several time zones often in a 24 to 48 hour period.  He once had a six month period where he never slept in the same time zone two nights in a row.  He was constantly on a C-130, going from place to place.  That is so far beyond “jet lag” that it is hard to comprehend for one who has never attempted it.

He said that after a month or so of that schedule and being exhausted from lack of sleep due to the time changes, his body began to adapt to this short-circuiting by sleeping whenever it was time to sleep where they were that night.  Basically, circumstances caused his “body clock” to be rewired!  It was in this context that Dave spoke of the “circadian rhythm.” The American Heritage Science Dictionary defines it as “A daily cycle of biological activity based on a 24-hour period and influenced by regular variations in the environment, such as the alternation of night and day. Circadian rhythms include sleeping and waking in animals, flower closing and opening in angiosperms, and tissue growth and differentiation in fungi.”  Normally, in one time zone, darkness is the cue for sleep and daylight is the cue for being awake.  But that can become skewed. Apparently, as Dave proved, the body can adapt even in the most extreme circumstances and give one the “body clock” needed for whatever circumstance.

What is your spiritual “circadian rhythm”?  God has equipped us with His Word, with a conscience, and external examples and influences that should supply us with a healthy view of right and wrong.  So long as we do not violate the conscience by ignoring and disobeying God’s Word or choosing improper influences, we keep the right perspective.  However, the conscience can become seared (1 Tim. 4:2)  We can get past feeling (Eph. 4:19).  We can turn our ears from the truth and be turned to fables (2 Tim. 4:3).  We can even believe what is false (2 Th. 2:11).  When this happens, we adapt our sense of right and wrong to what we come to believe or practice.  Isaiah’s peers did that, famously calling good “evil” and “evil” good.  A society’s value system can get turned upside down, and so can an individual’s.  This adaptation goes against God’s intended order, but the consequences of such an adaptation could not be more negative.  Let us be careful not to allow ourselves down a road where we “exchange the truth of God for a lie” (Rom. 1:25).  In the spiritual realm, this is not a matter of indifference.

Neal Pollard

Have you ever had a spirited disagreement with anyone?  Have you been filled with indignation over what you were convinced was their wrong view?  If you have lived for any length of time, you have been incensed over the views and philosophies of others.

But, you have not carried it as far as the Shammaites did around 66 AD.  There were two great teachers in the time right before the incarnation of Christ, Hillel and Shammai. They frequently found themselves on the opposite sides of a doctrine or Jewish tradition, and it is said they often took a position just to oppose the view the other took.  Perhaps the most famous disagreement occurred over what cause(s) one could divorce his wife under the old law.  Hillel took the broader, more liberal view, while Shammai’s view of Deuteronomy 24:1 restricted the grounds to unchastity. In fact, Hillelites were often viewed as the faction taking the moral liberal view, though that was not always the case.

Alfred Edersheim relates the debated obscure account of a particular dispute between these two groups over a number of questions.  The more nationalistic Shammaites pushed hard for a particularly anti-Gentile interpretation of 18 questions.  Edersheim writes, “In general, the tendency of these eighteen decrees was of the most violently anti-Gentile, intolerant, and exclusive character” (484).  The meeting to decide these 18 questions was held in the home of a Shammaite, and supposedly the Shammaites waited for the Hillelites in a lower room, murdering many of them (ibid., 166).  This gave the Shammaites the majority needed to have their views carried, and Edersheim builds a compelling case that these strongly anti-Gentile decrees led to war with Rome and the siege and destruction of Jerusalem prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24.

The Shammaites would have considered themselves the purists and the conservatives, but they compromised biblical commands and principles in order to promote and defend their views.  This is a tendency against which we must ever guard ourselves.  We might be tempted to “stretch the truth,” exaggerate the facts, or outright lie in order to “defeat” someone whose beliefs or teaching loose what God has bound.  We may gossip about someone whose immoral behavior we disapprove.  We might sin with our tongue or behavior in our indignation concerning a behavior or person we believe sinful.  The haunting reality, though, is that sin is sin.  Sinning to defeat sin is completely contradictory and futile.  The Shammaites illustrate this.  In fighting sin and immorality, we must keep our integrity and moral scruples intact.  Otherwise, we are the same as the very ones we seek to condemn.

Edersheim, Alfed.  The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1993).

Neal Pollard

Frank Haven was born August 1, 1924.  This is an interesting fact, one canoeing enthusiasts are more apt to know than others.  Yet, it is interesting to to note circumstances surrounding his birth.  His father, Bill Havens, was a member of the Yale rowing crew selected to compete in the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France.  But, Bill’s wife was pregnant and out of loyalty and concern for her he decided not to travel over and compete.  It turns out that Frank was born after the closing ceremonies.

Somewhere along the line, Frank decided to become a competitive canoeist.  In 1952, Frank won the Gold Medal in canoeing at the Helsinki, Finland, Olympics.  He also won the national canoeing championship seven out of 12 years between 1950 and 1961, and he also won Silver at the 1948 Olympics (info taken from Hickoksports.com).

Bill was committed to his wife. He had a proper understanding of priorities and in what order they should be placed.  Priorities are a tricky thing.  We tend to place them in the order we convince ourselves they belong.  Often, we simply give in to our tendencies, desires, and preferences, then rationalize that we have chosen what is truly most important.  While we might make the right choice if put into a “big” situation like Frank Haven faced, but what about “little” situations that pop up every day?  Maybe we convince ourselves our kids really need our encouragement and support as they play a sport, so we choose to take them there on a Sunday morning.  Maybe we let an opportunity to evangelize go by the boards because we are concerned we will sacrifice good rapport with someone.  Maybe we are tired after a long day at work, so we choose to watch TV rather than call, write, or visit that struggling Christian who crosses our minds.

Sometimes, it is hard to know if our choice is a winning or losing choice.  It may take some time (or even eternity) before we know for sure.  Jesus teaches that sometimes we must lose to win (Matt. 16:25).  It is a matter of determining what we are choosing to lose and what we stand to win!

Neal Pollard

I will confess to having heard that more times than I can count, especially in my younger days and probably always from those of the female persuasion.  It was, without exception, a statement dripping in sarcasm meant to point out the immaturity of what I said or did.

The Christian life should be marked by continual growth and development.  That upward line is not strictly linear.  We will take backward steps as we go forward.  Yet, I have observed a pattern of spiritual immaturity from those capable of doing far better.  Perhaps others have seen it in me, and the thought makes me cringe.  There is a season in the Christian life to be a spiritual babe (1 Pet. 2:2), but eventually babes are supposed to grow up (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Heb. 5:14; 6:1).  I could not give an exhaustive list, but consider a few ways in which we fail to show spiritual maturity.

Hypersensitivity. Certainly, we all have different personalities, but is hypersensitivity to be explained solely as a fate of personality?  If so, then that would make one unaccountable for bad behavior done as part of personality.  Could it not instead be a matter of free will and choice, where people choose to respond to ill-treatment or perceived slights by overreacting, sulking, pouting, and withdrawing?  When someone pushing our button keeps us from serving our crucified Lord, doing our Christian duty, or reflecting the image of Christ to others, we had better consider growing up spiritually!  Jesus, “While being reviled (i.e., “criticized and insulted in an abusive manner”), He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats” (1 Pet. 2:23).  In the same context, Peter says, “Follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).  Jesus also taught that the religion of the spiritually mature was to turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:39).

Pressing Our Rights. A preacher, trying to make the point that scripture nowhere dictates that the preacher should wear a coat and tie, shows up to evening services in a Hawaiian shirt, bermuda shorts, and flip-flops.  He really showed those uptight members!  He really showed more than he intended.  By running roughshod over the sensitivity of older or conservative members, he was a model of spiritual infancy.  It is ironic that many who respond like this common senseless minister would boast of themselves as spiritually advanced, but they have missed a basic Christian principle about interacting with others and especially fellow-Christians.  What about 1 Corinthians 8:13, 1 Corinthians 10:28, or Romans 14:21?

A Careless Example. We know nothing of the temperament of Thaddeus or even Philip, but we get clear impressions that the apostle Peter was impetuous and sometimes lacking in discretion (Mark 9:5-6; Matt. 14:28; Matt. 26:33-35 and Matt. 26:69ff; Gal. 2:11ff).  Whether or not Peter realized the power of his example, he illustrates the harm done by one poorly representing the Lord.  The same can happen today.  We may sorely underestimate the influence we have on the spiritually weak or babes in Christ.  A careless word or deed may not only cause another to stumble (cf. Luke 17:1-2), it reveals our spiritual immaturity.

In all things, from biblical comprehension to Christian behavior, “let us press on to maturity” (Heb. 6:1).  It is the natural progression that should occur in our Christian lives!  The alternative is neither pretty nor admirable.

Neal Pollard

It seems that some people don’t know what true commitment is.  For some, “dedication” is something you do for new babies and buildings.  “Loyalty” is reserved for ball teams, shampoos, and car makes. When some people think “permanent,” they think curly hair.  “Promise” is a low calorie butter substitute.  The word “contract” is now associated with arranging murders and getting diseases.  “Pledge” has more to do with college fraternities and sororities or furniture polish.  What about the word “committed”? People associate it with asylums!

My point is, true, biblical commitment is not just unpopular.  For too many, it’s almost unheard of!  The Bible instructs Christians to be committed people. We are under obligation (Rom. 8:12).  Our whole duty is to fear God and keep His commands (Ecc. 12:13).  We are unworthy slaves simply doing what we ought to do (Lk. 17:10).

Commitment is something learned, thus it is something taught. A true New Testament Christian is one who is totally committed to Christ and His will.  But that impacts every area of a Christian’s life and effects every relationship.  Commitment is a decision, not a feeling. It’s a promise you keep regardless of the emotions of the moment.  It isn’t affected by circumstances. It involves character. “It’s doing what you said you’d do even when you don’t feel like it” (Greg Cummings). Commitment sent Jesus to earth.  It kept Jesus on the cross.  It started the church.  It was what introduced you to Christ.

Do you need to be committed? Totally!

Neal Pollard

The Agony of Deceit is a book edited by Michael Horton written to expose the fraud of so many televangelists out there.  Yet, his book is not entirely written in fury and rage against the perpetrators of the deceit.  He also focuses on the responsibility hearers have in being discerning.  Horton writes, “A lot of people, I think, who watch Benny Hinn or watch the TV evangelists more generally, think that what they’re saying is authoritative–after all they’re on TV and they’ve written books. And we’ve lost the capacity to think critically and to weigh people in light of what the scriptures teach” (as quoted in http://www.religionnewsblog.com).  It is all the more amazing that Horton edited this book 20 years ago.  Televangelism may have lost some steam, but Horton’s observation is timeless.  Any time and place where people are not in the Book and do not see the Bible as an objective, authoritative standard that could not be more relevant and meaningful to their lives, people are rife to be religiously deceived.

Look at how often New Testament writers warn churches and individuals about the danger of being deceived.  Paul warns Ephesus, “Let no one deceive you with empty words” (Eph. 5:6).  Paul warns Thessalonica, “Let no one in any way deceive you” (2 Th. 2:3).  Paul warns Timothy, “But evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Ti. 3:13).  Paul tells Titus, “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers” (Ti. 1:10).  John tells the chosen lady and her children, “Many deceivers have gone out into the world” (2 Jn. 7).

Why all the warning?  God knows that intellectual laziness regarding scripture makes us quick and easy prey for deceivers.  He knows the agony that falling for such will bring into our lives, especially in light of eternity.  The antidote to deception is reception (Js. 1:21–“in humility receive the word implanted”) and conception (Ps. 119:104–“From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way”).  Maybe we would not ever think ourselves capable of falling for a Benny Hinn, but we must guard against those much more subtle, crafty, and nearer to biblical truth who nonetheless are teaching error.  Information and perspiration leads to transformation and away from spiritual deformation.

Neal Pollard

I find it interesting that one of the first Khmer words I ever learned was the word for “I” and “me.”  This makes sense.  To say, “My name is Neal,” I had to learn to say “Knyom chmuah Neal.”  When trying to stumble through songs written in Khmer, I happened to learn my first Khmer word by sight.  When written, it looks similar to an upside down, backward apostrophe.  When the congregation is singing, I always chime in when I see the “knyom.”  I see it and know it better than any of the others.  Only yesterday, on my third overall trip to Cambodia and eleven days into seeing and hearing and trying to speak Khmer on this trip, I finally learned the word for “you.”  It is “nyet.”  The word is shorter and easier to say.  I am still amazed that it took me so much longer to learn to say it.

Look back at the last paragraph.  I used some form of the word “I’ 17 times, but the word “you” only twice.  It is human nature for us to be more inclined toward “me” and less inclined toward “you.”  So many are so caught up in talking about “I,” “me,” and “my” that they cannot see others, let alone Christ. It is all about “me” (my family, my children, my interests, my wants and desires, and my will).  Yet, that is so contrary to the biblical model for behavior in a Christian.  Apparently, Euodia and Syntyche were “me-deep” in self (Phil. 4:2).  When we are caught up in ourselves, we are ineffective at holding up the Light of the word to those in darkness.  Paul’s inspired remedy for this problem is found in Philippians 2:3-4.  He essentially says, “Consider others are better or more important than self.”  Show interest in the other person.  Focus more on them and less on yourself.  More importantly, focus most on Christ.

The word needs far less “knyom” and much more “nyet.”  Most of all, it needs “Pray Yesu.”  Let us do our part!

Neal Pollard

We are having a wonderful time!  That is not as much of a “slam dunk” as it may sound.  The heat is oppressive, so much that we are constantly uncomfortable and sweating.  Though there are “western restaurants,” the food is often not nearly “up to par.”  We cannot speak the language that all those around us are speaking.  We are all separated from most of our closest friends, family, and loved ones.  In fact, we are thirteen hours ahead of the Mountain Time Zone, so we do not have many hours of the day when we are both awake at the same time.

So, how could we be having a wonderful time?  Upstairs, Sheryl, Kathy, and Teri are teaching the Christian young women who are students about to graduate here or are members of the local church.  Wes and Justin Guess, a preacher from Mathis, Texas, and fellow Southwest graduate of Phanat Ouch, are studying with three non-Christians in the office of the school.  Quinton Decker and I have been studying with several others non-Christians in the kitchen.  In the main room, Bob Turner is teaching the male students about to graduate.  The same gospel that has called us out of darkness and into the light is proving its power as it meets open, tender hearts.  I am in great hope that many of these young men and women, who were contacted through friendship evangelism, will obey the gospel.  The gospel, when taught, works anywhere there is a person open to it and willing to obey what it says do.  That fact alone is so powerful it eclipses any heat, rain, discomfort, culture shock, and the like.

Thank God for His eternal wisdom!

Neal Pollard

Though this is my third trip to Cambodia, I continue to see and watch new things develop and experience some things for the first time.  As we are spending more time in the villages apart from a church building, we are seeing “native habits” like I have not in previous trips (just ask my wife or Wes).  But I am also seeing an exciting development.  The church is growing and it reminds me so much of what I read in the New Testament.

First, there is a similarity in the general circumstances of both groups.  The early church relied a lot on “slower” means of transportation to carry the gospel, and that is typical here.  While not as many walk from place to place here as in some, other impoverished countries, many of the people (especially in the
villages) could not imagine taking a plane trip, riding a train, or riding in some types of vehicles.  But, they are taking the gospel as they go.  The early church faced stiff opposition from the religious majority and such is the case here where 95% of the population is Buddhist.

But the greatest, most exciting comparison concerns the way the church has grown.  The church began in Siem Reap just a few short years ago, in 2006 or 2007.  As conversions continued, there was a need and opportunity for a Bear Valley extension school to begin.  Because of this, 16 individuals are about to graduate and go to different parts of this country with the gospel.  But this is not a commercial for the BVBID.  It is about what this congregation has done.  One of her students went out to nearby Leang Dai, where some of the early Siem Reap members called home.  Slowly and amidst great persecution and opposition, the Leang Dai congregation has taken root with conversions in the nearby Sum Roun and Saray villages.  Efforts are going on elsewhere, but another student went a different direction and taught his family and friends in Takam village.  20 baptisms occurred there on one Sunday to begin the church several weeks ago.  As this first group graduates and goes to their home villages or works together to plant a church in a given area, the gospel will keep spreading.

Acts 1:8-11 recounts the departing charge of Jesus for His followers, to start where they were, go nearby, and then ultimately spread out to the farther reaches with the good news.  They did that and the church was planted all over the known world of their day (Col. 1:23).  Do not be surprised to see the same, what with all the ambitious, zealous seed planters who have found out who they are, why there are here, and where they are going.  What can we do, in the little corners of each of our worlds, just by taking to heart what these dear brethren have– to the same extent and with the same zeal?

Neal Pollard

Our Savior walked the earth 2000 years ago.  To comprehend such a length of time and the changes that have occurred since then, the change in world powers, the civilizations that have risen and fallen, and the things invented and destroyed, one needs a giant imagination.  Entire libraries could be filled with the books which have been written about that span of time.  Languages have been invented.  Whole peoples have come into existence.

One of the most fascinating side lines of Bible history concerns the contemporaries of Shem.  Kevin Bacon has nothing of this son of Noah  In the January 9, 1884, edition of Gospel Advocate, B.W. Lauderdale, made a very interesting observation:

Methuselah was contemporary with Adam 243 years, and could learn from him the history of the world for over 900 years.  Methuselah was also contemporary with Shem 98 years and could transmit to him the history of the world for 1656 years.  Further, Shem lived 502 years after the flood, and was contemporary with Abraham 149 years. (Abraham was born 352 years after the flood.) (Lipscomb 20).  That means that Shem, being contemporary with Abraham as well as with a man who was contemporary with Adam, had access to 2000 years of history.

Did Methuselah converse with his great grandpa, Adam, in the two and a half centuries of time they shared?  Did Adam recount the fall, the walking, talking serpent, and the angels guarding the garden?  Did he talk about attending the first funeral?  What tales of creatures and civilization did Methuselah have for Shem?  Did Abraham sit at grandpa Shem’s knee and hear him talk to the man who talked to the man who lived alongside the first man?  Shem could touch two millenia of time by his contact with just two individuals–Methuselah and Abraham.

Foremost, the Bible contains the mind and will of God and is full of teaching and instruction concerning everything we need for life and godliness.  It contains that which will some day be used to judge mankind.  This fact concerns heaven and hell matters.  Yet, in addition to that, it contains truths and facts that fascinate to no end.  I have known some interesting characters in my life, including a man who conversed with several presidents, war heroes, and movie stars.  That man, an elder in the Lord’s church for many years (and still alive today), worked as a young man interviewing Civil War veterans’ widows and spent time excavating fascinating archaeological finds.  He is a reservoir of history and interesting information, but what must Shem have been like as a conversationalist?  He had firsthand exposure to living history from the first man at the beginning of time to the man who was the father of the Jewish nation.

Neal Pollard

Nigeria has suffered from a spate of building collapses due to builder negligence.  In the Lagos suburb of Bariga, a building collapsed due to the contractor using bamboo as rebar in the foundation.  A three-story building built over a drainage channel in Orile-Iganmu caved in and killed five people. The country has no enforceable national building code, often uses unskilled laborers, has negligent inspection practices, and generally lacks a uniform checks and balances system to hold builders accountable.  This has led to widespread concerns that a great many more buildings, often on shoddy foundations, will eventually buckle (allafrica.com).

Entire lives and even institutions are the same way.  Godless communism is a sandy foundation since it does not honor hard work or achievement, thus killing incentive, ethics, and ultimately morality.  Godless capitalism is as shaky a foundation, where greed, lust, and avarice blind people to their moral responsibilities in pursuit of materialistic goals.  Godless autocracy will cause a society to crumble as it is rife for corruption, violence, and mass abuse.

Spiritually, it makes all the difference what the foundation is.  Build on anything other than Christ and His Word and the result is eternal ruin.  One may enjoy temporary success, in this life.  However, there will be forever to pay for choosing the wrong platform on which to build a life or a religious institution.  Paul said there is no other foundation than Christ (1 Co. 3:11).  Jesus said the lasting foundation upon which He would build His church was His divine identity (Mat. 16:18-19).  Paul told Timothy “the firm foundation of God stands” (2 Ti. 2:19).  Deviate from that material and ensure foundation problems.  It matters upon what we build our lives, both now and especially in the end.

Neal Pollard

The “Bike To Work” crowd means business.  They have a web site, a strategy group, a mission statement, and an acronym (BTWD–Bike To Work Day).  Their aim is to “reduce congestion and improve air quality.”  They probably also want participants to enjoy biking and get healthy, but the main interest appears to be environmental.  I am not writing this to be critical, though for six and a half miles I had to dodge ten times the regular number of bicyclists on the Bear Creek Trail.  I admire their dedication and the success they have enjoyed in getting so many to become involved.  They had food stations set up along the trail, they got media attention, and they were organized to the point to setting up a registration process online or physically in downtown Denver.  They proclaimed today the annual “Bike To Work Day” and they followed through to be sure everyone knew about it.

This initiative may or may not enjoy huge success in meeting their objective, but if they do not it will not be from lack of trying.  They will undoubtedly win converts to their cause, and they already have.  The thing that strikes me is that they truly believe in their cause, and their efforts prove it!

The early church was all about the business of spreading the good news about Christ. It made it into their conversations (Acts 8:4) and to the top of their priority list (cf. Mat. 6:33).  They turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).  They were able to get the gospel to every creature under heaven (Col. 1:23).  They did it without media attention, though profane and secular writers certainly took notice of them (often contemptuously).  They had limited resources, community support, history, or respectability.  But, they grew, which a cursory study of Acts readily shows.  What they had was a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3) and a life with Christ at the center.

How is our fervor for the Lord?  Are we ready to do what it takes to “get the word out” and convert as many as we can?  How deeply do we believe in the cause we sing, pray, and preach about each week?  Whatever else we may hope to accomplish individually or as the church, our main interest should always be the souls of mankind.  We will never have to tell anyone what our emphasis is.  It will be obvious!  May we have the fervor of our first-century counterparts and get out the word about the Lord!

Neal Pollard

Spirit Airlines made a decision a few months ago to charge up to $45 for carry on luggage on their flights.  In an industry that is in terrible shape, this was a move that produced outrage in even those who have never flown with this carrier.  For people already perturbed about the nearly industry-wide decision to charge for checked bags, this looks like just another way airlines were trying to squeeze money out of passengers.  Despite this attempted grab at more of passengers’ money, Spirit is struggling mightily, canceling flights and struggling to pay employees.

Meanwhile, Southwest continues to be the only major carrier not charging for those checked bags.  They have widely advertised this decision.  The end result of this policy is not surprising to me.  While even some of their own insiders were wringing their hands about passing up over $750 million by not charging for checked bags, Southwest has earned $1.8 billion dollars instead.  According to Harvard Business Review, Southwest has never lost money in 37 years of operation.  The other major carriers are operating in the red, but Southwest continues to operate in the black while paying their employees relatively well.  Amazingly, Southwest has not suffered from their lack of greed, but Spirit has suffered despite theirs.

There is a valuable lesson or pair of lessons to be learned by all of us from this.  Those who keep their fists tight find it difficult to receive, while those who practice generosity often find that such a practice “pays.”  Biblical stewardship seems to work this way.  Givers receive in good measure (Lk. 6:38; Mal. 3:10).  When we are stingy with our time, our praise, our efforts, our involvement, or any other resource God has blessed us with, we are the poorer for it.  Hoarding does not benefit the hoarder!  Giving blesses the giver.  The airlines teach us this, but before that God did the teaching.  Through Solomon, He says, “There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt. When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him. As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand” (Ecc. 5:13-15).  In Luke 12:15, warning against covetousness, Jesus taught that a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.  Let us learn that we will not ultimately prosper who greedily seek after self, and God will not let us lose for choosing be generous givers in every form.