by Mike Benson

It has been my studied observation that some folks treat personal problems like a fire in the backyard. In essence, their attitude is, "Ignore it, leave it alone, and eventually it will burn itself out." The problem with this kind of approach, however, is that quite often the entire house becomes engulfed in the flames.

In Philippians 4:2, Paul mentioned two Christian women -- Euodia and Syntyche -- who were experiencing some sort of interpersonal conflict. And it's interesting to note Paul's answer to this situation. He didn't say, "Ladies, let this thing burn itself out." Rather, he said:

      <i>"And I urge you also, true companion, help 
      these women..."</i> (Phil. 2:3).

Evidentally Euodia and Syntyche couldn't stop the "fire" by themselves, and so the apostle asked another member of the congregation to help them "extinguish the flames."

Dear Christian, is your backyard on fire? Put it out immediately (Eph. 4:26ff). But if you can't put it out by yourself (Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15ff), then call the local fire department (Phil. 2:3) before it's too late.

by Mitchell Skelton Mark 2:13–17

After a series of revival sermons, a church had prayed enthusiastically for God to give them growth. It happened that one Sunday at worship a known prostitute entered the building and took a seat in the back of the building. Everyone ignored her. After hearing the sermon, she felt the call of the gospel and responded. The preacher and the congregation did not know what to do, much less say. After a very long and uncomfortable silence one well respected man in the congregation stood up, breaking the silence, and suggested that they all pray. He prayed, "Oh Lord, we know that we have prayed that this church would grow and that we prayed that many would hear the gospel and believe. However, when we prayed we didn't know that you would be sending such sinners as this. Don’t you know that we don’t allow people such as this in our church?" It was not until this moment that the members of this church realized that God had indeed answered their prayers!

What is your attitude toward the growth of the Lord's church? Are you ready and willing to accept what God has in store for his church? What about your attitude toward those on the fringe, are you willing to accept them into the fold when God calls? Jesus had an opportunity to show us the proper attitude toward "sinners" in the call of Matthew Levi. Matthew was so excited about meeting Jesus that he wanted all of his friends to meet him. It was during Matthew's "dinner party" that the Pharisees, who saw him there, questioned Jesus' disciples saying, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

Do you, like the Pharisees, constantly find yourself looking for the wrong in someone? Jesus warned of having such an attitude and taught that we should be concerned first and foremost with our own problems. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye" (Matt. 7:3–5).

Jesus didn't view the world as an opportunity for contamination but rather as an opportunity for conversion. When Jesus was traveling in Samaria, he came across a woman who had been married five times and was now living with someone who was not her husband. After Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman he spoke to his disciples with urgency proclaiming, "the fields are ripe to harvest!" (Jn. 4:35). Jesus commanded us to preach the gospel to ALL creation, NO EXCEPTIONS (Mk. 16:15,16).

When you consider the "sinners" of this world, what do you see? Do you only see their problems or do you see past the problems and see potential? The Pharisees looked at Matthew's group of friends and could see no good. Jesus never denied that these people didn't have problems. Jesus acknowledged their problems. Yet, Jesus saw past their problems and looked at their potential (Mk. 2:17).

When 16-year-old Eliza married 20-year-old Andrew, he had never been to school. Others might have written Andrew off as a "lost cause", but not Eliza. She persisted and taught him to read and write. Andrew proved to be a fast learner. He learned so well in fact that years later he became the 17th President of the United States. You see, Eliza's Andrew was none other than Andrew Johnson. /1

How do you view the world? Is the world an opportunity for contamination or an opportunity for conversion? What do you see when you look at the lost souls of the world? Is it only their problems you see or do you see their potential?

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mk. 2:17).

1 Bruce Rzengota, www.sermoncentral.com

by Barry Newton

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. These words could well have been written about life during the holiday season. It can seem like the holiday season is made up of a wreath of special moments and cherished memories intertwined with hurt feelings, misunderstandings, loneliness and tremendous frustrations.

People get frustrated, if not downright angry, when their dreams and wishes for the holidays are blocked or if the events unfold contrary to their expectations of how things should be. Tensions within families can run high. Where should we spend the holidays? When and how should the presents be opened? Why should they get to relax while I labor at making preparations? The list of colliding thoughts, values and expectations contributing to the boiling point seems to be nearly endless.

What can you do to improve your holiday experience? Here's a few thoughts appropriate for those who call themselves members of God's family.

1. Do not wait for someone to invite you to their home, invite them to your home

The Golden Rule encourages us to take the initiative in doing for others what we would like them to do for us. Instead of allowing self-centeredness to swallow up our thoughts, plan how you will be a blessing to others (Lk. 6:31).

2. Reach out to those who are poor as well as the lonely

While it is not a sin to invite those to our parties who have means or who are our friends, we can serve God and model Christian values to our children by reaching out to those who do not have ability to return our invitation (Lk 14:12-14; Rom. 12:16).

3. Forgive the past and let go of previous grievances

Unfinished business swirling up from feelings of past favoritism, resentment over long-standing injustices and just a whole host of other interrelationship matters can sour and destroy time together. God's people are to forgive others. Yes, life can be unfair and others have at times acted out of dark motives as we too are not innocent in all matters. But as children of God, we are to forgive and not bear a grudge against others (Eph. 4:32-5:1; Lev. 19:18). This is not just for their benefit but also for our own well-being.

4. Know how to respond to frustrating situations

While those who demand their rights and feel "I should be able to ____" will only increase the pressure within relationships to the breaking point, the peace maker responds by seeking the well-being of others in the same manner he seeks his own. Perhaps the wisdom of overlooking an offense will be needed (Prov. 12:16). Perhaps there will be the need to reevaluate just how important an issue is. A hundred years from now will it really matter if we do it this way or that? Perhaps letting others have their way this time would be an appropriate response.

During this pressure cooker season, we have a wonderful opportunity as God's people to remember what is truly important and strive to bless the lives of others. May your words and actions reflect our Savior's values and will.