by Warren Baldwin

I met a young girl in counseling one time who had given up on life. She came from a home where there was constant drug and alcohol abuse. She was teased because she studied hard in school so she could get ahead and make something of her life. But she, too, became caught up in the negative cycles of her family. She went to the counseling center to get some help and get her life back on track.

Questions would go through my mind when meeting someone like this teenager. How can I help her? How can I reach her? How can I show her that God loves her and wants her? How do I show that to people?

I believe God wants to bless all people. I believe he wants to bless that teenage girl. I believe he wants to bless the children who go to bed at night hungry. I believe he wants to bless you and me.

And one important thing to remember is that God blesses people through people. He is not limited to this approach. God can reach out and enrich our lives in any way he wants to. But over and over, especially in the Bible, we see that God blesses the lives of people through the lives of other people.

Abraham's Calling

In Genesis 12:1-3 God called Abraham to come be his follower. God told him, "I will make your name great. I will give you many descendants, and the land you are standing on will be yours and your families'."

Yes, God would bless Abraham. Abraham would become a wealthy and powerful man. But there is more to this story, more to the relationship of God and Abraham.

God told Abraham that he would use him to bless all people. After God shared great wealth and blessing with him, it then became Abraham's responsibility to bless the lives of others. The blessings he received from God were not just for him to enjoy. They were for Abraham to pass on to others.

A Tough Lesson

That's a tough lesson. What God has given me is not really all for me. It is for me to share with others who are in need.

Maybe you've heard the story of two friends who were walking along. One guy asked, "Bob, if you had two million dollars, would you share one million with me." Bob answered, "What kind of a friend do you think I am? Of course if I had two million dollars I would share a million with you." "The friend said, "Bob, thanks, you are such a great friend. And you know I don't have a house. But if you had two houses, would you give me one?" Bob, "Man, what would I need with two houses? You know that if I had two houses I'd give you one of them." Hey, thanks Bob, you are a good friend. Just one more question ... if you had two cars ..." Right then Bob cut him off and said, "Hey, hold it right there now ... you know I have two cars."

Bob was willing to imagine what it would be like to be a blessing to the lives of others. But he wasn't willing to really be a blessing.

To be blessing to the lives of others means we give of ourselves. We give up some of our stuff. We think about the needs of others. Isn't that what Jesus did on the cross? Isn't that what a mother does at 2 a.m. when she gets up with a sick child? God is blessing someone through someone else. That has always been God's way, and it still is.

Think how our world could be changed if people went to school or went to work every morning with the thought in their hearts and minds, "How can God use me to bless the lives of those around me today?"

by Tim Hall

"So where you headed, son?" The driver looked at the old service station attendant in disbelief. Couldn't he see? Anyone could tell this young man was on a journey; his car was packed with laundry baskets and boxes full of clothes and pillows. A car in Kansas with New Jersey tags was another clue that a traveler was present. But written on virtually every window of his car were the words "California or Bust!" Where was he headed? Wasn't it obvious?

Jesus wasn't driving a car in Luke 9, but his destination was nonetheless obvious. In verse 51 Luke wrote, "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (New King James Version). Verse 53 reiterates the point: "But they [the Samaritans] did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem."

There are many details Luke doesn't reveal, but one comes through clearly: People around Jesus knew where He was headed. How He conveyed that message is not clear: Did they know it simply because of His physical stance, the things He said, or by some other means? That mystery must remain unsolved for now, but no one wondered whether Jesus would be staying in town.

One other fact recorded by Luke makes this episode more noteworthy: Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem even though He knew it would bring opposition. The prejudices of Jews and Samaritans toward one another is well known. At times, Jesus broke through the strong walls of Samaritan bias by showing unusual compassion and patience (John 4 is a good example). But on this occasion, Jesus did not hide the fact that He was traveling to the hub of Jewish faith. As a result, the old fires of hatred were rekindled among the Samaritans.

It would be good for us to reflect on the direction toward which our faces are set. Paul spoke of the importance of this in Colossians 3:1,2: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." Far too often, Christians allow the world to condition them, and their focus is found on earthly things. Their faces are not set toward God, and their lifestyles indicate it. But those who set their minds on things above will demonstrate with their values, their words and their actions that heaven is their intended destination. People of faith ". . . declare plainly that they seek a homeland" (Hebrews 11:14) that is not of this earth.

A price will have to be paid for standing out from those around us. Peter acknowledged this in 1 Peter 4:4: "In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you." Like the Samaritans who shunned the Lord for the direction in which His face was set, others may shun us because we are so otherworldly. But heaven will be worth any price we have to pay.

Evaluate yourself carefully. In which direction is your face set?

by Mike Benson

The figures are staggering:

At least 3,300+ homes, 30 businesses, and 700 other structures were charred.

Financial analysts estimate losses to exceed $2 billion.

Thus far, 22 people have perished including one fire fighter, while dozens have been injured.

Over 100,000 people were displaced; thousands were without electricity.

At one time, roughly 15,600 firefighters were on the scene trying to control the conflagration.

More than $9 million was spent each day in fire-fighting efforts. Services included 1,900 fire engines, 203 water trucks, 43 air tankers and 105 helicopters.

Some 800,000 acres of land were scorched. The effort stretched over 180 miles in six counties.

The destructive force of these fires is difficult to grasp. Even those who witnessed the actual loss of life and property found it hard to articulate the magnitude and enormity of the devastation. Entire forests and towns were literally engulfed in flames. In most instances, little was left but glowing embers and white ash.

Just think. A single match—barely three-quarters of an inch in length. A thin piece of rigid paper with a small dab of white phosphorus on the end. But watch what happens when that tiny entity is ignited. Notice how that miniscule spark grows into a flicker, and then into a yellow flare. Then consider the ravages of those eleven fires in the Golden State. Remember the toll in terms of human life. Ponder the scale, if you can, of the damage wrought on citizens across California. Then remember...

The tongue is capable of this kind of ruin and more! The Bible says, “...See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell” (Jas. 3:5b-6). With all of that blackened landscape “burned” into our consciousness by the news media, it’s impossible to miss the James’ point. Despite it’s relative size, an uncontrolled tongue can wreak unimaginable havoc in our lives.

Imagine how many relational ties have been severed because of tactless speech (Prov. 25:20). Imagine how many friendships have ended as the result of gossip (Prov. 11:13; 16:28; 18: 8; 20:19; 26:22; Eccl. 10:20; 1 Tim. 5:13). Imagine how many marriages have been “seared” by hot-tempered and inflammatory language (Psm. 37:8; Prov. 14:17; 27:4; 22:24-25; Eccl. 7:9). Imagine how many congregations of God’s people have split because of lies uttered under the veil of envy (Jer. 5:1-3; 30-31; 9:1-9; Hos. 11:12; 12:1; cf. Prov. 12:22; 16:16-19; Psm. 5:6; Micah 6:13; Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9-10). Imagine how many sound preachers and elders have lost their influence due to false rumor and slander (Ex. 20:16; Ezek. 22:9; Jas. 4:11-12; cf. Prov. 21:28; Jer. 6:28; 9:4; Ezek. 22:4; Psm. 101:5)./1 Imagine how many new converts have been led from the faith by deceitful and fallacious talk (Psm. 12:1-3; Rom. 16:17-18; Eph. 5:6; Gal. 6:7-10). Imagine how many young women have sacrificed their virginity on the altar of empty flattery (Prov. 26:28; 29:5; cf. Psm. 12:3-5). Imagine how many once-valuable leaders in the Kingdom have been brought low because of arrogant boasting (Luke 18:9-14; 1 John 2:16; 1 Cor. 3:1-4; 13:4; Phil. 2:2-3; Jas. 4:13-17; Rev. 18:11, 15, 19). Imagine how many Christian teens have invalidated their example by foolish and course jesting (Eph. 5:4). Imagine how many tender hearts have been crushed by mockery and ridicule (Prov. 14:31; 17:5; cf. 1 Sam. 1:7; Gen. 21:1; Job 30; Psm. 35:21; 40:15; 2 Kgs. 2:23; Jer. 20:8; 1 Thess. 2:2).

Yes, “the tongue is a fire.” Dear Christian, each of us needs to pause and reflect on the harm our tongue can inflict during a simple conversation./2 Our words are powerful (Prov. 18:21)—they can help (Prov. 12:18), or they can consume. “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Prov. 26:20-21; cf. Matt. 12:34-37). “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire” (Prov. 16:27).

Let me close with an admonition from that esteemed theologian, Smokey Bear, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.” “Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile” (Psm. 34:12-13; cf. 1 Pet. 3:10).

/1 Ancient rabbis taught that slander is capable of killing three people in one thrust: the slanderer, the person who listens to and accepts such, and the innocent victim whose reputation is irreparably damaged in the public eye. /2 Timothy D. Hall, “Firestarters,” HEM-Lines, Oct. 30, ’03, Vol. 7, No. 17.