received word this morning of the passing of one of my mentors and heroes, David Sain. I have known about this man and his great family since I was a boy, having watched a VHS video series by him entitled, “The Time To Get A Divorce.”
Neal Pollard
I received word this morning of the passing of one of my mentors and heroes, David Sain. I have known about this man and his great family since I was a boy, having watched a VHS video series by him entitled, “The Time To Get A Divorce.” When I moved to work with the Cold Harbor church of Christ at the age of 24, I got to meet David and get to know him better. He was preaching for the Wood Avenue church of Christ in Florence, Alabama, which congregation provided support for Cold Harbor.
From the beginning of this relationship, David encouraged me. He invested in me as a young preacher, counseled me, and even defended me in situations where he stood nothing to gain by doing so. He told me something early on that I have quoted repeatedly for over 30 years, including last Sunday morning in Bible class: “It’s not a matter of ‘who’s’ right, but ‘what’s’ right.” It has been so helpful in dealing with difficult and controversial topics. He blessed my local work whenever he came and preached. He appeared on a TV program in my local work, resulting in many Bible studies and 14 baptisms from the community. He was always a class act, who acted out of the good of others and for the strength and growth of the church. He was a builder.
In later years, he continued to email, write, and call me, ostensibly to encourage me. He did so, modeling a humility that did not negate my estimation of his greatness. It only enhanced it. He seemed to always have the right thing to say at the right time, a continual class act. He always appeared to “have it together,” yet he never claimed or affected perfection. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren in a doting and devoted way. Yet, he was courageous and compassionate, embodying as well as anyone I ever knew the principle of Ephesians 4:15!
I did tell him “thank you” more than once, but I never had the chance to articulate to him the things I’ve shared with you here. I reflected earlier today about that fact. Who else do I need to thank for their spiritual influence in my life? Who has planted seeds of success and strength in the garden of my life? Who do I need to seek out today? Somebody needs to be thanked for the good they have done to us and for us! Tell them now, while you can. They may not know you think that, and they will certainly be encouraged by it (Rom. 13:7).
A lesson from David in the last few months of his life.
To find a good place to eat, you need a trusted source—someone who’s tasted the food themselves. You wouldn’t trust a guide who’s never fished to lead you on a fishing trip, or let someone who’s never experienced childbirth lecture you about it. They might know the theory, but they lack the experience. You can’t lead others where you haven’t been.
Carl Pollard
To find a good place to eat, you need a trusted source—someone who’s tasted the food themselves. You wouldn’t trust a guide who’s never fished to lead you on a fishing trip, or let someone who’s never experienced childbirth lecture you about it. They might know the theory, but they lack the experience. You can’t lead others where you haven’t been.
Leadership isn’t about titles, power, or recognition, it’s about walking with God and inviting others to follow. To lead others to Christ, you must first walk with Him.
But why do we even need leaders? First, God demands it. He’s never left His people without guides. When Moses’ time ended, God chose Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land. When the early church needed direction, Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus. God establishes leaders to guide His people toward His will. Without them, we wander; with them, we find purpose.
Second, leadership makes us effective. We all have talents, but a leader, like a conductor waving his little stick around, brings harmony to the chaos. Jesus’ mission was clear: “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Imagine 30 Christians, each leading one person to Christ yearly and teaching them to do the same. In 10 years, that’s nearly a million souls. In 25 years, over a billion. That’s the power of leadership multiplying God’s kingdom.
Third, leaders strengthen faithfulness. Studies show up to 90% of new converts may drift away within a year. Heartbreaking. Why? Often, there’s no follow-up, no leader to nurture their faith. But with intentional guidance, 93% of converts stay faithful. Hebrews 13:7 tells us, “Remember your leaders… imitate their faith.” Leaders model steadfastness, helping us stand firm.
Fourth, leadership trains for service. Ephesians 4:11-14 says God gave leaders to equip believers for ministry, building up the church. Leaders don’t do all the work—they empower others to serve, strengthening and uniting the body of Christ. Worldly leaders can’t guide spiritual people. A president might lead a nation, but only godly leaders point us to Christ. It’s tough, requiring sacrifice and surrender, but 1 Corinthians 16:13 calls for vigilant, faithful leaders.
Two key points: First, leadership must be pursued. God designed the church and family to function under leadership, like a husband and father under Christ. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, bring [your children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Your home is your first ministry. Lead with love, patience, and prayer—not pride or frustration. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). Fathers, model faith through your actions. Even if you’re not an elder, embody their qualities (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Leadership begins at home and ripples outward.
Second, leadership must be praised. Leading is tough—imagine shepherding an entire congregation’s souls on top of life’s stresses. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls.” Elders aren’t managers; they’re shepherds, called to serve, not dominate (1 Peter 5:2-3). Honor them by refusing gossip (Titus 3:2), supporting their efforts (1 Corinthians 15:58), and giving grace (Colossians 3:13). As the wise Hiram Kemp once said, “Like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ arms in battle (Exodus 17:12), support your leaders.” Leadership is servanthood (Matthew 20:25-28), and every member plays a role in the church’s mission.
Leadership must be pursued and praised. Pray for our leaders in the church and focus on the future. As a Christian man in the church, you may become an elder one day, but today, lead your family.
God demands leaders because the lost need reaching, faith needs strengthening, and service needs equipping. Leadership isn’t about being flawless but faithful. Go to the cross, the Word, and prayer daily. Lead your family by loving like Christ, serve in the church, and shine in the world.
The largest brain on record belongs to the sperm whale. A sperm whale’s brain can weigh around 17-20 pounds which is significantly larger than a human brain, which weighs about 3 pounds on average. The sperm whale’s brain is not only the largest in weight but also in size, which fits their equally impressive body size as one of the largest mammals in the ocean.
But what makes the human brain special isn’t its size. The ability to communicate with and even adopt similar characteristics as the God who made it is what sets it apart.
Persecution makes life fearful for the faithful but Timothy’s obstacles are both external and internal. On the outside he faces pagan people, jealous Jews, and the sword swinging soldiers of Rome. On the inside, the Christians who make up this young congregation are being led and taught by a young man— Timothy. He battles self doubt and a lack of confidence in his own abilities. To top it off, his mentor is in prison.
Paul pens the inspired words that would lift young Timothy’s spirit by reminding him that the human spirit was designed to handle and persevere under such daunting circumstances. Paul writes (from a cell),
“God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.” 1.7
The spirit (πνεῦμα) referred to here is not the Holy Spirit, but it’s the “disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one.” God did not give us the spirit of skittishness so that we’d cower under confrontation or burn out under prospects of suffering. Holiness amidst hostility is an ability that comes standard on the base model human spirit. It’s not a possibility, it’s a guarantee.
Power
We’re equipped with power (δύναμις) that is, “inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature.”
Love
That aggressive strength is powerfully combined with love (ἀγάπη). In this case the word refers to an affection or good will towards others. The God given spirit is not heartless. We have the power to show affection yet some choose to pretend as if their personalities are simply not capable of showing this attribute.
Self-control
A sound mind (σωφρονισμός) is simply the ability to control yourself. We share a commonality with Paul’s protégé. Some have tried to cheapen and downgrade the human race, God’s focal point of creation, to an animalistic status. It’s taught by educated but ignorant scholars who try to deny an undeniable God. We’ve been fashioned in the image of an eternal Being and our spirits drive an immortal soul. We aren’t designed to live in a constant state of timidity we’re creations of courage. Courage is not the absence of a fearful feeling but it’s the ability to face that fear— and move forward.
In the very intimate correspondence to his spiritual son that we call the epistle of 2 Timothy, Paul seems very aware that the time of his departure from this earth had come (4:6). Paul was not under house arrest, like we read at the end of Acts. He is in chains (1:16).
The city of Rome burned between July 19-24, 64 AD. The fire started in the Circus Maximus stadium, but burned 10 of the city’s 14 districts before it was extinguished. Some historians blame Nero, but there is no doubt Nero blamed the Christians. He rounded up Christians already in the city, including Peter (cf. 2 Pet. 1:14-15), and had many of them executed that same fall.
Lenski says Paul was in Spain at the time of the fire, but he was captured in a continuing dragnet of Christians: “Christianity had become a religio illicita, and especially its propagation became a crime against the state. Not long after Paul’s return from Spain he was arrested. Now he would be charged with a crime; Paul was, therefore, thrown into a dungeon as a felon. After some delay he was tried and executed. Tradition asserts that he perished under Nero who died June 9, 68. The details of his martyrdom are not known. He must have been condemned to death for spreading a religio illicita” (474).
So, as the time drew nearer for him to die, Paul uses an interesting word to describe his anticipated situation. He reviews some of the events of his first missionary journey, reminding Timothy that at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra he endured many persecutions, “and out of them all the Lord rescued me!” (3:11). You may remember that this including being stoned by the Jews and left for dead. That was a miraculous rescue!
Now, confined to chains with an insane emperor breathing down his neck, Paul says that the Christians had deserted him. Considering the enormous scrutiny they were under simply for being Christians, visiting a notorious, incarcerated Christian was risky! He charitably prayed that it might not be counted against them (4:16). Then, he says that he was rescued from out of the lion’s mouth (4:17), and “interpreters have identified the lion as the literal lions of the amphitheater, the emperor Nero, or Satan” (Lea and Griffin, The New American Commentary, Vol. 34, 256). But, we cannot be sure. But, even if the lion was figurative, the rescue was literal.
At nearly the end of his last letter, Paul confidently adds, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom” (4:18). Consider Nero and the Roman machine! He had already been beaten numerous times. Who knows the terrible hardships he endured in the squalor of this dungeon? Yet, he would state with confidence that God would rescue him from the worst of them. Perhaps weeks or days after he dispatched this letter to Timothy, guards unlocked him and took him to the chopping block where, as a Roman citizen, he died by beheading rather than a harsher death like crucifixion or burning. What about his inspired words in 2 Timothy 4:18?
Paul teaches us to think eternally and heavenly. On the other side of that beheading, there was safety and arrival to God’s heavenly kingdom. It was what he lived for. It was what he died for. What a reminder as we live in this body for such a short time, that we await our rescue. Our rescuer is Jesus, “who rescues us from the wrath to come” (1 Th. 1:10). He “delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10).
One of my favorite songs, “The Greatest Commands,” starts with this imperative. As that song urges us, “Love is of God” (1 John 3:10). Having a divine source and being a command, it ought to really grab our attention. John explains by reinforcing why we should love one another.
IT IS AS OLD AS TIME (1 John 3:11-13). When a Bible writer leaves his own culture and goes back to the beginning, you know the subject is important. Jesus does this with marriage (Mat. 19:3-9). Paul does this with women’s role (1 Tim. 2:8-15). John does this with love. He takes us back to the edge of Eden, using Cain and Abel as examples. He implies that Cain killed Abel because he did not love his brother (12). He also is teaching that love is a work, not simply a feeling (12). He then shows us that Cain’s way is the world’s way (13). John will stress that following the Lord’s way is how we overcome the world (4:4; 5:4), and the Lord’s way is to love one another.
IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH (1 John 3:14-16). It is a characteristic of the spiritually resurrected; it is how “we know that we have passed out of death into life” (14). We persist in a dead state if we do not love our brother (14). Hatred is the spiritual equivalent of murder (15; Mat. 5:21-26). At the other end of the spectrum, we know love by imitating Jesus and being willing to lay down our lives for the brothers (16). Building that kind of spiritual bond within the body of Christ matters so much to God! He wants us eliminating negative feelings, dissension, grudge-bearing, and animosity. He wants us building a spiritual bond that looks like the heart of Jesus, a heart that caused Him to go to the cross! What a challenge!
IT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAKE AND GENUINE (1 John 3:17-18). Saying “I love you” is incredibly easy. It is three one-syllable words. But our actions so often betray our claim. Do we literally put our money where our mouth is (17)? If we see our brother in need, whether financially, emotionally, socially, or spiritually, but show callous indifference, we need to go back to verse 10 and start reading again! The simple, powerful admonition is, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (18). In the context of works, James says, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jas. 2:14-16). Just like faith without works, words without loving action are dead and useless! It makes our “I love you’s” false and dishonest.
IT IS KEY TO OUR CONFIDENCE (1 John 3:19-24). John says, “By this…” (19). By what? By loving in deed and in truth. By loving in deed and in truth, “we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him” (19). Look at all the conditional language in these verses. We should have confidence of our salvation if we love in deed and truth (19-21). We should have confidence that He will bless us and be with us if we keep this commandment to love one another (22-23). We should have confidence that we abide in God and He abides in us, if we keep His commandments (which includes, “love one another”)(24). John is not talking about cockiness or arrogance, but a blessed assurance that comes when we are striving to walk in the light (1:7). But, do not miss this point. Walking in the light necessitates brotherly love. You can’t have one without the other.
How should this change us? Won’t it kill grudges, feuds, avoidance, gossip, resentment, hostility, division, rivalry, suspicion, and the like? It will revolutionize the atmosphere of an entire congregation and the relationship between individual Christians in the congregation. It will draw us closer, into one another’s lives. Most of all, it causes us to imitate, please, and obey the God whose Son showed the greatest love of all (John 15:13)!
We are surrounded by a world whose view of the world is decidedly different than what the Bible teaches. We know that well, but still find ourselves swayed and influenced by their thinking. Whether it is because we want to fit in or because it seems to be “working” for them or maybe because it appeals to us to some degree, we can become susceptible to their habits, customs, beliefs, and views.
God knows human nature and has seen it play out since the Garden of Eden. As Israel gears up for the conquest of Canaan, God wants them forewarned about this timeless trouble. So, Moses explains it in terms of the familiar and divinely-ordained (“a prophet or dreamer of dreams,” 1) and the mysterious and divinely-condemned (“other gods,” 2). He presents a few scenarios that his brethren needed to seriously take to heart.
First, scenarios where a false prophet correctly foretold events, then urged idolatry (1-5). This was uniquely challenging. Israel might be persuaded to follow a false prophet whom God allows to accurately predict some future event (1-2). God said He would allow this because “the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (3). God’s will had already been revealed and they knew the truth (4). They were not to be susceptible to contrary messages, to violate the first two commandments. Instead, they were to see this as seduction and evil (5). The false prophet was to be put to death, to eliminate his sinful influence (5). In rejecting the false prophet, they would be following, fearing, obeying, listening to, serving and clinging to the Lord their God (4). False faiths could not trump the will of God.
Second, scenarios where an idolater was a family member (6-11). This would be challenging for a different reason, not because they correctly foretold the future but because they were close relatives. Moses is unambiguous; we’re talking “your brother, your mother’s son, or your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your friend who is as your own soul” (6). It just doesn’t get more intimate than that, whichever of the scenarios played out. These with whom they shared such a bond might “secretly entice” them to abandon God for a false god (6-7). How should they respond? Not only were they not to yield to them or listen to them, they were not to pity or spare or conceal them (8). More than that, they were to kill them (9)! Not just kill them, but be the first to cast a stone at them (10). In so doing, it would deter the nation from being seduced by gods, of seducing their family, or allowing a loved one to seduce them into idolatry (11). In Jesus’ earthly ministry, Israel should not have been surprised by a statement like this: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Mat. 10:37). Or, as Luke records it, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (14:26). Moses will commend the Levites for observing this principle, allowing them to be priests of God (Deut. 33:8-9; Ex. 32:27-29). It is what it takes for us to be His priests today.
Third, scenarios where an idolater was a neighbor (12-18). The last scenario would not pull on their heartstrings as much as it would be social pressure, dealing with a fellow Israelite who was stirring up desires to serve other gods. God’s response to that, in preserving the spiritual purity of Israel, is radical! If after investigation a city is found to have apostatized, they were to destroy it and its livestock (15). Additionally, this would not net the punishers in any financial way. All “booty” was to be burned. God says, “Nothing from that which is put under the ban shall cling to your hand…” (17a). This was a gracious, merciful gesture on God’s part. He was acting in order to bless them and guide them in doing what was right (17-18).
Three areas where we are tempted to ignore God or replace Him as authority are religious influences, family influences, and community influences. That is not new to our day; it has long been that way. While our response is not to be physical or military, we still must act when these influences attempt to pull us away from God. Paul reflects back on this general time period, even quoting Exodus 25, when he writes, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me, Says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:14-18). This is still our responsibility! We must hear God’s voice above the din of competing messages, being faithful to Him no matter who is saying something different or how much we care about them. God’s message then and now is, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Mat. 6:33a).
Something you will hear often if you have spent any amount of time in the Lord’s Church is “read your Bible.” This simple, yet important command is needed in our walk with God. Why? The need for daily encouragement is essential because it is easy for our hearts to go astray without it. Without consistent meditation on God’s word we open the door to the mindset of the world.
The Israelites chose to stray away from God, they neglected His commands and let their hearts grow cold. The Hebrew writer tells us that Christ is able to discern our heart. He knows our spiritual condition, even if we have convinced others of something that isn’t true.
Hebrews 3:12 says, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” After the quotation in 3:7-11, the writer issues a warning (3:12). He warns the “brothers” (2:11-12,17; 3:1) not to have an “evil, unfaithful heart in falling away from the living God.” Even if no one else knows, God knows. Even if you attend services regularly, people say you’re a good person, and everyone is convinced you’re a Christian, God knows if your heart is evil.
So what do we do? How can we keep this from happening? Hebrews 3:14 says, “We are partakers with Christ if we hold fast till the end the confidence we had at first.”
Israel did not “hold fast” in faithfulness to the end of the journey (3:6,14). At the end of the discussion of this Psalm, the writer again urges the readers to “hold fast” to their confession (4:14). This is another way of urging them to “be faithful.”
We are to remain faithful and hold fast to the confession we made that Jesus is Lord, but the writer gives us a specific example in 3:12-15:
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
“Exhort one another.” That means to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage. This is why we are a family. When we come together this is what we should be doing. Helping fellow brothers and sisters in our walk with God. By doing so we can stay strong and make sure our hearts are right with God. Because if they aren’t, Christ the living word is able to discern the heart of man.
The human heart is a complex thing. It sustains life, is constantly working and it is a necessity. Spiritually, our heart should be so focused on God and His word that it gives us eternal life. It should be constantly active so as to avoid spiritual death and complacency. It should always remain a necessity to grow and nurture our heart, motivated by the fact that Christ can see just who we are on the inside.
Here’s what I noticed in the last few days, just in the church and community where I preach. I’m sure it’s not just happening here.
A new Christian calling on a weekday to ask doctrinal questions to better answer people she’s sharing the gospel with.
A Christian woman facing horrible prospects humbly trusting God’s will as she faces the future.
A Christian quietly helping an elderly Christian woman, getting her groceries and to her doctor’s appointments (they’re not related, though they are neighbors).
An eldership showing tender affection and taking much time to unselfishly help a brother in Christ, providing him wise and helpful counsel.
A sizable group of Christians getting together for an “optional” Bible study at the building on a weekday.
A quiet, teenage young man delivering an excellent devotional despite being extremely nervous doing his first lesson.
A brand new Christian helping interpret in a Bible study with an elderly woman who cannot speak English.
A Christian teen young woman helping get her boyfriend into a Bible study.
A small group of Christian men, including deacons, pouring much time and attention into a growing young adult Bible study.
A Christian woman using her considerable artistic skills to help the congregation do some advertising for a big, upcoming event.
Several of our church members showing up to support a gospel meeting in the neighboring county.
A woman not yet a Christian driving to the building to donate several Bibles for our missionary in South Africa (along with several members who did so).
A deacon who successfully persuaded a coworker in town for the week to come to mid-week Bible class.
Some of our teenagers meeting at a local coffee shop for a group Bible study.
I’m frustrated to bring that list to a close, but I do so certain that I have overlooked several more, similar situations. Here’s the thing. If I were to do this every week, I would be able to produce an equally impressive list. Why? Because God’s people are the best people in the world! Perfect? Far from it! Persevering? In so many cases!
It lifted my spirits to spend a few moments reflecting on the good I’m seeing in the local church. Why not take a moment to focus your gaze in that direction? You’ll be surprised at the good you find. You don’t need to be the preacher to uncover all these secrets. Just plug in and tune in.
“Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:4,6,18)!
I’m not much of a runner. And when I say not much I mean I’m not a runner at all, period. Reason being my endurance is awful. I once tried to go on a run to the kitchen and had to drop out at the living room. But very much unlike me, Serge Girard, a French ultra runner, has run 14,031 miles in just under a year! To break that down, that’s 1,169 miles run in a month or 39 miles a day! This ultra runner has incredible endurance, and we could even say it’s almost superhuman. Serge Girard has amazing endurance, but it is nothing at all compared to the endurance of God.
Psalm 111 is a beautiful description of how God “endures forever.” A quick glimpse at this psalm and we learn that the Lord endures for all eternity. He endures through His righteousness (vs. 3). The Psalmist begins by setting the stage by using the Hebrew word for “Hallelujah.” Then says “I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart.” When he says “with all my heart,” this seems to imply that he is coming to God with every intention of giving his all to the LORD.
The psalmist gave thanks with all his heart for a reason. Verse 2 says, “Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them.” If we as Christians truly delight in the Lord then we should be studying the works of the Lord! When we study His works we learn about the great God we serve. Verse 3 shows us the Lord’s endurance. “Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness ENDURES forever.”
As One who is unerringly faithful to His covenant with Israel, God constantly executes justice on behalf of His people. In the bringing of Israel out of Egypt, His works declare His righteousness. This impeccable characteristic of His nature does not nor will it ever change. What a great comfort to know that God will always be there for us, even in our darkest times! We will only learn about our God if we take the time to study and grow in the knowledge of His Word. Knowing that the God who delivered Israel from slavery listens to us when we pray is truly life changing.
He is always there for us. Because the Lord endures forever!
In the sixth chapter of Scripture, we read of the first vessel intended to travel upon the seas. Secular history attests to seafaring vessels being around at least 6,000 years, with perhaps the Egyptians pioneering the way around the time of Abraham. It is thought that as early as the second millennium a crude means of measuring the depths of the water had been developed. Certainly, the use of a lead weight and line measurements were in practice by the time we read about Paul’s shipwreck and the events leading up to it (Acts 27:28). One such event prior to the shipwreck involved sailors who “took soundings and found” the sea’s depth “to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms.” This was to prevent running aground “somewhere on the rocks” (Acts 27:29), so they put down anchors.
With regard to our personal lives, we need to regularly “take soundings.” Paul says it this way: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you–unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5). While it is far easier to analyze how others are living, how committed or uncommitted they are, Paul does not suggest this. It is far too easy for us to drift from where we ought to be (cf. Heb. 2:1). We may have been close to Christ last year or last month, but what about now? What about doctrinally? Are we balanced or have we moved toward extremes whether loosing where God has bound or binding where God has not? What about in our family life versus time spent with the job or personal pursuits? How is our marriage?
See, self-examination is so crucial yet for most of us so neglected. It is imperative that we frequently “take soundings” of our lives. How tragic for us to allow ourselves into dangerous waters just because we have been careless about maintaining proper spirituality and negligent about moving closer to God. I am convinced that unfaithful attendance, immorality, materialism, apostasy, and a thousand other harmful things are allowed to grow in our lives because we have ceased getting a gauge of where we are in our personal, spiritual lives. Please keep taking those soundings and determine how deep or shallow your faith is!
The proverbs in Proverbs 28 are still part of the collection of those transmitted during the reign of King Hezekiah well over 200 years after Solomon’s death. They are filled with warnings and instructions, many of them similes. In this chapter, Solomon speaks of various types of men both good and bad.
“A poor man” (3, 6, 11,15). The poor man is not always painted sympathetically, nor is he always approved by God. Solomon mentions the audacious poor man who oppresses other poor people as being a destructive rainstorm (3). But the poor man who walks in integrity is said to be better than the crooked-acting rich man (6). Solomon praises the one who looks after the poor (8). A poor man with understanding is wiser than a rich man wise in his own eyes (11). God condemns wicked rulers who trample over the poor (15). A stingy miser bequeaths poverty to his descendants (22). Giving to the poor does not impoverish a person, but the one who turns his eyes away from the poor is cursed (27).
“An evil man” (5). This man is also referred to as “wicked” (1,4,12,15, 28), a synonym of evil meaning one who is guilty of a crime and deserving punishment. This evil one is unpleasant and malignant in God’s eyes. In Proverbs 28:5, they are depicted as being as far from God as possible such that they do not understand justice. Keeping with that contrast, law-abiding people fight against the wicked (4). People avoid wicked rulers (12,28), and with good reason (15). Yet, the wicked are full of instability and insecurity (1). Even their prayer is an abomination to God (9).
“A rich man” (6,11). While the book of Proverbs makes clear, as does the rest of Scripture, that being rich is not inherently evil or wrong, that state of being often comes with caveats and warnings. Paul says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Tim. 6:9). Jesus taught, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mat. 19:24). He says it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Mat. 19:23). In keeping with biblical teaching in other places, Solomon, one of the wealthiest men who ever lived, speaks from experience. Wealth can easily be abused or misused. He can easily trust in himself (11). Several statements about the poor in this chapter show the danger to those who trust in their riches. As Solomon writes, “A stingy man hastens after wealth” (22) and “a greedy man stirs up strife” (25).
“A faithful man” (20). This man is literally one who is full of faith, steady, trustworthy, honest, and dependable. He is a blessed in his ways. He walks in integrity (18). They fear the Lord always (14). “The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding” (7). They are among the righteous (28). He is not exempt from wrongdoing, but he is faithful to confess and forsake it (13). If he is rebuked (23), he will respond wisely and appropriately.
Character is built thought by thought, decision by decision. It is not dramatic. While there may be defining moments that stand out, it is mostly subtle and gradual. Each one of us is becoming some kind of man or woman, moving in one direction or another. Jesus says it most dramatically, that we are traveling on one of two roads leading to one of two eternal destinies (Mat. 7:13-14). We are not what we wish, hope, or intend to be. We are the product of our choices. God wants us to consider carefully and be faithful (Rev. 2:10).
Acts 20:19 says, “serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.” Paul “served with humility.” As great a man as Paul was, he served (douleuo – ministered to others as if he were their slave). His service is described with three genitives: With all humility (Philippians 2:3), with tears, and with trials. So all of this could be summed up as Paul served with humility, and stayed faithful through trials. Once again we can tie this back to the local preacher, as preachers are put in a position to serve the congregation and to stay faithful to them. Many preachers can become very haughty because every single Sunday they have people telling them how incredible their sermons are. Preachers must constantly keep in mind the humility that they should be practicing (John 13).
The local preacher should not shy away from teaching that which will help the church. Acts 20:20 says, “how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house.” Herbert Agar once said, “The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.”
People will not always be open to the message that preachers proclaim. But the job is to proclaim all truth to the congregation. We also learn that preachers should be vocal about the Gospel. Notice that Paul said “…in public and from house to house.” The word used for “shrink” in this verse is upostello and means to “shrink from and avoid, implying fear.”
The local preacher is to make no exclusions as seen in Acts 8:21 which reads, “Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul preached the Gospel to everyone! He knew what they needed and gave it to them. One way we can put this into perspective is to make a parallel between how we treat others, and how God treats us. As humans, we can sometimes show partiality. Whether it is because of someone’s personality or how they treat us, we tend to avoid those types of people.
What if God treated us this way? We know from Romans 5:8 that God sent His son to die for us “while we were yet sinners…” God did not, does not, and never will show partiality to anyone. Paul proclaimed to both Jews and Gentiles. The Jews at this time did not get along well with the Gentiles at all. Paul puts that aside and shares the Gospel with them. Romans 10:12 says, “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him.”
This all applies to the local preacher today. There should never be partiality shown to different members by the preacher. Even more than that, there should be no partiality shown to those outside of the Church! Yet we see that so much in today’s culture. The Gospel is what people need, so he must never let partiality stand between a soul and eternal life.
Perhaps Jeremiah seemed to be mean, harsh, even unloving, to his brethren. His message is certainly what we could categorize as negative, but we remind ourselves that its source was God. What may get lost in Jeremiah’s challenging message is how it affected him to share it. Chapter nine is full of the struggles he endured in being God’s spokesman with a message of divine judgment.
Jeremiah endured mourning (1). While Judah would be hypercritical and threatening toward Jeremiah for his message, they had him all wrong. He did not relish his unpleasant message. He would have preferred to have kept his mouth closed (20:9). They had no idea of how his mission was wearing on him. He writes, “Oh that my head were waters And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people!” He knew that they were hurting themselves by their lifestyle, and he wanted them to escape judgment. It can be heartbreaking work to share God’s word on any number of unpleasant, unpopular subjects. No rational preacher, elder, or teacher is excited to share such a message, but it must be done (2 Tim. 4:2). Jeremiah is rightly called the “weeping prophet” (8:18; 13:17; Lam. 2:18). Revealing this was an emotional struggle.
Jeremiah endured isolation (2). The pressures of sharing a message nobody wanted to hear created inevitable isolation. He felt alone and like nobody understood or cared. He longs to escape such disappointing, unrighteous behavior. He wanted to run like Jonah. He felt alone like Elijah. It can go with the business of declaring God’s message. There are times when you may feel like you are standing all alone, but you never will if you are sharing God’s word God’s way. He will never leave you (Mat. 28:20; Heb. 13:6).
Jeremiah endured disillusionment (3-6). He expected more and better from his brethren. They knew better, but they were guilty of treachery and adultery (2), lies and deceit (3,5-6), ignorance (3), violence (4), slander (5), and general iniquity (5). Have you ever overheard someone you looked up to use foul language or stumbled upon someone doing something sinful? It’s like a punch in the gut. But imagine a congregation full of people doing what God through Jeremiah reports. It had to have been discouraging and caused feelings of hopelessness.
Jeremiah endured a sinking realization (7-11). What was the cost of this? Sin is not without consequences (Gal. 6:7-8; Hos. 8:7; Prov. 6:26). At the heart of God’s message was this rhetorical question: “Shall I not punish them for these things?” (9). Jeremiah knew what was coming. There would be weeping, wailing, and dirges (funeral songs)(10). Judah would be ruined and desolate (11). Jeremiah knew this ahead of time. Whatever normalcy he witnessed each morning and evening, he knew that would ultimately change. The fact of judgment looms over the horizon of time. It will be a day of rejoicing for the righteous and prepared, but not for the rest of humanity. The people of Judah were not ready for this judgment, and Jeremiah knew that.
Jeremiah endured being overwhelmed (12-16). The message gets specific about the nature of what was coming. It was going to be more devastating than any of them had experienced. Because of their stubborn rebellion, they would be scattered and annihilated. Hope belongs to the penitent, but there’s just no good news for those who are determined to oppose God’s way.
Jeremiah endured unpleasant duty (17-22). God tells Jeremiah to call for mourning, wailing, and tears (17-19). He is help them focus on their shame (19). The heart of the message was death (20-22). Don’t you think Jeremiah would have loved to have spoken of grace, mercy, lovingkindness, and blessings? But the circumstances did not call for that. Jeremiah had to be faithful to God’s message. Like Micaiah, every faithful spokesman for God should say, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I shall speak” (1 Ki. 22:14).
There is a ray of hope starting in 9:23. Amid the folly of idolatry, there will be a reminder of the wonderful, perfect character of God in chapter ten. But even here, there is encouragement for God’s faithful servant. It was a message for the worldly wise, for the mighty man, and for the wealthy (23) not to trust in those things, but to trust in Him. Everyone should boast of knowing and understanding God, that He is “the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things” (24). Punishment was for the spiritually uncircumcised (25-26). It was not for the faithful, like His man Jeremiah. Whatever we have to struggle through for the Savior, may we know that God will be with us through thick and thin. He has not left us alone. He will always be with us, help us, and strengthen us! Declaring His word is right, and He will not let us lose for being unswervingly loyal to it and Him!
Joy is a decision based on knowledge. It is a choice we can make.
You can have joy in every moment of life if you choose to do so. We won’t always feel happy, but joy is a trait that goes deeper than emotions. It is a feeling of hope because of salvation. As a saved child of God, you can have joy in the knowledge of Christ, the church, and an eternity with God.
We all know people that are joyful 24/7. No matter what happens they seem to always look on the bright side. On the other hand, I’m sure you can think of someone that’s always down. They can always find something to complain about. They could have a perfect life and still be looking for something negative to dwell on. Two people can go through the same situation and have two completely different reactions.
As Christians we should be people of joy. Why? Because we have every reason to be joyful! But what about having joy in tribulation? How can we be joyful when our world comes crashing down around us? We need to remember that joy isn’t the same as happiness. Joy comes from an understanding of the bigger picture. Happiness is short term and based on current events.
The faithful Christian can go through heartache and feel sadness, but still have joy in the bigger picture. We can face trials, no matter what they are, and still have joy because we know this world is not our home. James 1:2 says “count it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
We can have joy in knowing that if we face trials with endurance, we will ultimately receive the greatest reward we could ever get. This kind of joy isn’t something that comes naturally. It takes time to develop, and trials to perfect it.
Not every day will be a happy day, but in Christ every day can be joyful.
Austin Hatch’s story has been called miraculous. Some believe he is a walking miracle. He was born into a loving family who loved to spend time together. One day his family was going back home to Fort Wayne, Indiana from their family cabin in Michigan. On the flight back they experienced equipment failure. He lost his mom, his brother, and his sister. The only thing that was left was his father and the game they both love. The game of basketball was there to comfort Austin as they both trash talked each other during the games they played. After his dad got married he decided to take his new wife and Austin for a flight. Due to bad weather they were forced to land early, causing another crash. This time he was the only survivor. He was in a coma for six weeks. When he woke up he had to relearn his life. It was his dream to play for Michigan. Already accepting the scholarship he knew he needed to learn basketball again. He kept going to rehab and finally got in a game at Loyola High School when they got a big lead. They passed him the ball and he shot a three. He did it! He overcame the two worst days of his life.
He cared so much about the game of basketball that he went through all that trouble to go back through all the things he already learned so he could shoot that shot just a couple more times. Just like Austin we all suffer. Going to school or work everyday, it’s hard to keep the world out and remember our task from God.
Revelation 2:10 says, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Even the fear of death should not keep from the task God has given us. We are reminded in 1 Peter 3:14 and 2 Timothy 3:12 that if we suffer for the right that we will be given a greater reward. In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul tells us, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Just like we should. We should not let anyone stop us from keeping our faith no matter what we go through.
Austin Hatch’s story proves that anything can happen at any time. To anyone who is not a Christian or not living as a faithful Christian, what are you waiting for?
It was 2008, just 20 days shy of his 90th birthday, when Fred Baur died. On the way to the funeral home, his kids decided to stop at a nearby Walgreens to pick up some salty snacks. They debated for a bit, should it be sour cream and onion, cheddar cheese maybe? Larry and his siblings finally decided on Original.
You see, Fred adored his kids, but his passion was snacks. His accomplishments included a variety of frying oils and freeze-dried ice cream.
Fred was an American organic Chemist that had received both his masters and PhD at The Ohio State University, and it was 1966 when P&G came calling. Evidently, in the 1960s, there was a problem with the packaging and shipping of potato chips. By the time the consumer would pick up potato chips at a store, well, they were merely in pieces. This is where P&G thought Fred could help solve this problem.
After two years of experimentation, Fred developed a chip of dried potato flakes, added a bunch of unpronounceable ingredients, and cut them into thin hyperbolic paraboloids. With this shape, Fred could neatly stack his chips into his vacuum sealed tube.
By this time, you know that I am referring to Fred’s invention of Pringles, but the story doesn’t end there. Fred still wasn’t done with his invention.
There were problems:
First and foremost, they tasted like sawdust, so Fred spent another 2 years to improve the taste. Then, another issue. Frito-Lay sent lawyers because they said Fred’s chips weren’t potato chips at all because they were just 42% potato.
After some time and haggling, they decided to call them potato crisps.
Fred persevered.
He gave birth to an iconic brand that many of us still enjoy today. Through years of experimentation, development, and disappointments, lawyers-at one point P&G wanted to trash the idea.
But Fred persevered.
He was able to see his brand break 100 million in sales. He was able to see it break 500 million in sales. However, he wasn’t there in 2011 when P&G sold Pringles for almost 2.5 Billion Dollars.
That brings us back to 2008 when Fred’s children showed up to the funeral home with the Original flavored can of pringles. Fred’s wish was to have his ashes be placed in a Pringles can when he passed.
Fred got his wish.
As great as this story is, we wouldn’t have this story if it wasn’t for Fred’s perseverance. And as great as Fred’s perseverance was, we have so many examples of greater perseverance in the Bible.
Consider Joshua, Job, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and our greatest example of perseverance, Jesus. These are just a few of the many examples the Bible gives us.
Two points I want to quickly make about Perseverance, and the lesson is yours.
Number 1. WE HAVE A NEED FOR PERSEVERANCE.
It’s not a matter of if, but when…Christians Will Face Tribulations in Life. Jesus says in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Christ never promised us that this life would be a bed of roses. The Gospel never said we’d go to Heaven on “flowery beds of ease.” Rather, we are promised that we shall have hardships and tribulations in this life, especially if we are faithful Children of God.
Only those who persevere receive the reward. Revelation 2:10-11 tells us, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Number 2. PERSEVERANCE IS DEVELOPED IN TRIBULATION.
Romans 8: 18-28 can be summarized as this: Viewed in faith, tribulation is a friend rather than an enemy. I don’t know a lot of adversity that is necessarily fun, but we can learn from it, and we can grow from it.
In Deuteronomy 8, the Israelites failed to see the benefits of their trials.
In Numbers, we see there was an Exodus of over one Million Israelites.
We later see that only two Persevered and reached the promised land.
In 1 Corinthians and Hebrews, Paul admonishes us not to imitate the Israelites.
Rather than complain, rejoice in God’s work in your life.
Difficulties and trials would not normally be considered an occasion for joy but think about James and Paul and how they exhort us to look beyond the immediate pain and discomforts of trials to the lasting effect they have on the character of the Christian.
It is the development of our character, that should cause us to rejoice in adversity. Always remember who wins in the end.
We all have mountains to climb and sometimes holes to dig ourselves out of. Perhaps you want to begin to persevere and put on the armor of God through Baptism. There is no better time than now. Perhaps you’ve been baptized, and you’re currently trying so hard to climb the mountain that you’re on and you’ve had setbacks. We would love to help you reach the peak.
The book of Hosea is like no other book in the Bible. It even stands out from the other books of prophecy in the Old Testament. Hosea was commanded to prophecy to the nation of Israel just like other men during this time period, but unlike other prophets Hosea’s message was directly tied to his personal life. He spoke to Israel and was motivated by the personal experiences that were happening to him in his life.
Hosea was commanded by God to marry the harlot Gomer (1:2). Gomer’s unfaithfulness to Hosea served as an example of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. As the account unfolds, Hosea and Gomer have three children whose names are used to send Israel a very specific message. While this book may seem harsh and almost cruel, let’s notice the main idea of Hosea.
Hosea reveals to us the depth of God’s unending love for His children, a love that is never failing but also a love that tolerates no rivals. The people that God has chosen as His own must recognize that His love must come first above anyone and everything else. This fact is seen in Hosea’s marriage to Gomer. In chapter 1:2-11, we are introduced to Hosea’s family. He has a wife and three kids, but Gomer doesn’t stick around long. She leaves Hosea and goes back to her life of harlotry. There’s a symbolic message that Hosea uses in his prophecy. He compares Israel’s actions to what his wife did to him. They left their union with God to live a life of sin.
While most of us would find it hard to love someone if they did these things to us, God still continued to love Israel. Hosea 3:1 says, “And the Lord said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods…” God’s love is truly unending towards His children. The book of Hosea clearly illustrates this point.
By reading this book we can know that God’s forgiveness is available to everyone at any point. Not only do we get a glimpse of God’s attitude towards those who have left Him, we also see a personal example of how much God is willing to do in order to restore His relationship with us.
Hosea truly is a unique book. The prophet married a woman that he knew would eventually betray his trust. He knew the pain and heartache that would come from her unfaithfulness to him, but it was all done so that we could better understand God’s love and dedication towards imperfect and sinful man.
It takes a special individual of both breed and brand to truly impact the world. The fact is, many will live their lives comfortable and content to never break any molds or “step outside the box,” as they say. Most believers understand that God has called us out of this world to be lights and to be different, but that means being uncomfortable (James 1:2-4). We don’t like that aspect of faithful walking and at times the fire inside us and the will to go on is at the verge of being snuffed out. On every side we are surrounded by a raging current of mainstream ideologies and beliefs that drown the masses sweeping them closer towards eternity—unprepared. That familiar and depressing reality can discourage and frustrate us to the point of tears. Preachers, elders, and leaders are constantly fighting these feelings as they huff and puff under the weight of it all.
Christian fathers and mothers anxiously worry about that painfully uncertain future their children will battle. Young people are plagued with convincing thoughts that a faithful life is all but impossible today. How can we make an impact? You may wonder what difference you could possibly make as you observe such a powerful and evil force.
Here is the bad news, it’s hard. But here is the wonderful new, it’s worth it! God has given us an instruction manual on how to become mighty misfits in a culture that rejects righteousness. There are permanent footprints left by the feet of godly men throughout history, and their tracks lead to victory for those that choose to follow them.
For example, there is the trail blazer and zealous disciple, Paul. He serves as an inspiring nonconformist when he abandons his previous life of riches, respect, and comfort. His courage, faith, and determination can produce a powerful stirring in our spirits. If that man with the thorn can overcome fear and defeat the devil’s endeavors, despite his own weakness, then by the grace of God we can too. Our lives can leave an impact and they can serve as beacon of light for generations to come.
Notice how Jabez demonstrates this point in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Within a lengthy list of family lines that make up the sons of Judah, Jabez breaks the mold. While numerous names are given, there is something more to be said of Jabez. He stands out as one who was “more honorable” than those who were before him in verse nine. Though his name means “son of my sorrow,” a label associated with affliction, he refuses to let this name define his future. The key to his success is given in the following verse which says, “Jabez called upon the Lord saying, ‘oh that you would bless me, your hand be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not give me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” That verse is loaded with valuable lessons for this age and every age to follow.
Lesson one, don’t interpret your future by looking at your past. It doesn’t matter what family you were born into or how you were raised. We all have been given at least three common blessings. If you are made in the image of God, and you are, then that means you have talent, opportunity, and a life. The amount of talent, number of opportunities, and quality of that life is irrelevant. You have everything you need to succeed which is precisely what our Father desires.
Lesson number two, only God can grant you gainful glory. Jabez established his lasting legacy and was victorious because he understood one thing. God is the God of impartiality. He offers a heavenly hand to help the stereotypically weak and sinful human break the stereotype. The cards of life you hold in your hand mean little to the God who owns the deck. Jabez, Paul, and many faithful others understood the weakness of humanity. Their lives are a statement and a confession— God can help anyone rise above the crowd. He can help you achieve the only recognition that counts and give you the precious gift of a future with certainty.
The path to victory is a narrow one according to Matthew 7:14. Few have found it and few have finished it, but with the right Guide it can definitely be done. Are you unsure of your current location? Look down at the tracks you are following, and the guide walking with you. If you are holding the hand of the Savior— you can be sure you’re going in the right direction. Allow that comfort to strengthen you and break out of whatever mold you are in. Let God use your weakness and failures to leave an eternal mark on a world that needs it. There is no congregation that can’t grow, no Christian that can’t improve, and no unsaved person that doesn’t deserve the chance to hear that life changing message of the cross. There’s a great day coming, and that should provoke some excitement as well as motivate us all to diligently and fearlessly work until then.
In 1960, Otho Jones and Homer L. Sewell wrote a song made popular by Flatt and Scruggs. It’s a song written from the point of view of a man’s oldest son, a son who felt he was old enough to be on his own and leave home. He describes his father as simple and not filled with a formal education, but also as one very devout and the spiritual leader of his home. He describes himself as “young and foolish.” When I listen to this song, I think about the way I could be as a teenager and how I tried my parents’ patience. My dad, a gospel preacher since 1964, has always been a diligent praying man. While I never heard him say these words in my presence, I wonder if he ever prayed them about me in my younger days.
“Our gracious heavenly father we all gathered here today
To give the things for blessings so humble we pray
My oldest son is leaving but I’m sure he knows what’s best
But just in case would you stand by and help him stand the test
Lord he’s awful neglectful about church on Sunday morn
And if he gets with a wrong crowd would you let him hold your arm
And if he flies too high would you clip his wings
But don’t let him fall too hard, I’m sure you can handle things
I’ve tried my best from day to day to teach him right from wrong
And he’s grown to be a fine young man and he always blessed our home
We pray dear Lord for guidance that he won’t build upon the sand
But I won’t worry half as much if I know he’s in your hands
And oh yes Lord it won’t be long till I’ll be coming home
Don’t make me wait too long
We pray dear Lord for guidance please cleanse us from our sins
So we can all be together in heaven in Jesus name amen.”
Those words are neither perfectly autobiographical nor an apt description of my dad (who has much more formal education than I do). But I think a lot of parents who continue to labor over their children in prayer, concerned for their safety as they turn them loose in this world. However large the physical or financial threats may be, what should concern us most are the spiritual ones. We will never outgrow our concern for them. We should never stop being the right kind of example to them. May we never sin against them by failing to pray for them. They need us to be the type of Christians described by James, of whom he writes, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Jas. 5:16).
Well, as the Olympics pervade our attention and national and individual stories of overcoming odds and working hard to achieve greatness make the news over the coming weeks, I want to remind you that Scripture, in many places, encourages us as we are writing our stories which will someday be known by all. Paul, especially, draws on imagery that would have described the Greek Games that were popular in his time. They had been played for hundreds of years by the time of the first century.
We run a race that’s winnable, competitive, won by discipline, meaningful, purposeful, but also losable (1 Cor. 9:24-27).
We vie for that which requires forgetting the past, pressing in the present, and reaching for the prospective prize (Phil. 3:12-14).
We flex our discipline for godliness by exercising our godliness to help us here and hereafter (1 Tim. 4:7-8).
We must compete according to the rules (2 Tim. 2:5).
We can fight a good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith, and if we do we will be honored by the greatest giver of all (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
Your race may not be run in a huge stadium, be billed as an international event, be recorded in the history books of this life, or be seen all over TV and the internet, but the All-Seeing-Eye is watching. More people than you know are watching you run, both Christians and non-Christians. The stakes exceed that of these or any other earthly games and the reward is immeasurable! Best of all, whatever your physical shape, you can win this race! God is rooting for you!
The Preacher Pollard Blog 