by Warren Baldwin

A wealthy man decided to go on a safari in Africa. He took his faithful pet dog along for company. One day the dog starts chasing butterflies, and before long he discovers he is lost. So wandering about he notices a leopard rushing in his direction with the obvious intention of having lunch.

The dog thinks, "Boy, I'm in deep trouble now." Then he noticed some bones on the ground close by, and immediately settled down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat.

Just as the leopard is about to leap, the dog exclaims loudly, "Man, that was one delicious leopard. I wonder if there are any more around here?" Hearing this the leopard halts his attack in mid stride, as a look of terror comes over him, and slinks away into the trees.

"Whew," says the leopard, "That was close. That dog nearly had me."

Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard.

So off he goes. But the dog saw him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figured that something must be up. The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard.

The leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine."

Now the dog sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back, and thinks, "What am I going to do now?" But instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers pretending he hasn't seen them yet.

Just when they get close enough to hear, the dog says, "Where's that monkey. I can never trust him. I sent him off half an hour ago to bring me another leopard, and he's still not back!!"

I hope you recognize in this story something more than just a dumb joke. This parable, or fable, points to a number of human attitudes and behaviors that tend to get us in trouble.

Notice the monkey. He is quiet. He sits on the sidelines and watches the other players. He mulls over in his mind how he can control these other players.

Lies? Deceptions? Or, tell the truth, but do it in such a way that you can gain advantage over another?

Such behavior is more than dishonorable or reprehensible. It is downright ungodly. Paul gives warning in the Bible against those who go about from house to house, spreading gossip and mischief. He calls them busybodies. He isn't complimentary of their behavior. In fact, he says that such people are following the devil (1 Tim. 5:13-15).

Be careful how you go monkeying around in someone else's life. You can very easily undermine trust, hurt people, and permanently damage relationships. Jesus counsels SERVING others rather than CONTROLLING them.

Serving is hard work, but it sure keeps the monkey off your back. And may keep you from being the monkey on someone else's.

by Mike Benson

It's difficult not to get discouraged at times about teaching a Bible class, isn’t it? Teaching is one of those spiritual tasks that rarely provides tangible results.

Years ago I had a close friend in Georgia who was a carpenter by trade. On occasion, when the two of us went out driving together, he would slow his truck down, point to some nice two-story house over in an open field and say, “I built that.” He wasn’t trying to brag on himself—that wasn’t his nature; he was simply proud of what he had done and wanted to share that with me because I was his friend. I never said it, but I couldn’t help but feel a certain sense of envy during those tours around Bartow county. After three or four months of labor, my friend could back away and identify what he had accomplished.

Like carpentry, other endeavors produce similar quantifiable results. Those who teach in a secular environment can give quizzes and tests to gauge the progress of their pupils. People who commit themselves to a fitness program are eventually able to see measurable changes in their body and weight. But not so with those of us who are Bible class teachers—we don’t have an apparatus to mark the growth of those entrusted to our care and tutelage.

I appreciate one author’s observations in this realm. He notes:

“We usually try to measure success based on the wrong things. Normally, our natural tendency is to measure our effectiveness on things that we can count or see. We delight in trying to count church membership, converts, or the number of contacts we are able to accumulate. We want to be able to see how many people are now coming to the church as a result of our (efforts). But, 'God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart' (1 Cor. 16:7). We have our focus on the external things rather than on the internal things… That is what I refer to as the widget mentality. Typically in business we measure our output by the number of widgets that we are able to produce. We put raw materials into a big machine, and out the other side come widgets. We are able to count the widgets and therefore we are able to measure our effectiveness. But that does not always work in the spiritual realm (Douglas M. Cecil, “Being Fruitful,” The 7 Principles of an Evangelistic Life, Moody Publishers, 2003, 106).

Those of us who teach a Bible class rarely, if ever, are granted the opportunity to see the actual fruits of our labor. We can’t follow our students at home, in school, or on the job and put a yardstick to their maturation in the faith.

. If a youngster resolves to be more obedient, to cooperate with his or her parents, or to have a better disposition, we may not be able to witness this evolution in character.

. If a teenager decides not to cheat on an algebra exam because of a lesson we taught on honesty, we may never know (this side of eternity) of the silent victory that was won on the battlefield of temptation.

. If a husband and wife determine to work harder on their relationship because of a study we delivered on God’s will for marriage, we may never be made privy to the wondrous transformations taking place in their hearts and house.

Growth (2 Pet. 2:2; 3:18), from our vantage point, is slow and imperceptible.

I’ve come to the realization that Bible teaching is, by its very nature, a long-term investment (1 Cor. 3:9). It’s not just what the kids in our class did or didn’t do last week, but where they will be twenty years from now. And it’s not just where they will be twenty years from now, but where they will be in eternity, and who they will have in-turn influenced for the Lord (2 Tim. 2:2) before the Last Day.

God’s Word produces results. We have that guarantee. “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes froth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isa. 55:10-11 NKJV). Perhaps those of us who teach a Bible class should focus less on counting widgets and concentrate more on planting seed (Luke 8:11).

by Mitchell Skelton

At the time of his death, this man's work appeared in 2,600 newspapers worldwide, and was the basis of a franchise earning $1 billion a year. Since its modest debut in just seven papers on October 2, 1950, his comic strip became a constant feature of daily life for nearly fifty years.

Ironically, this man's work should have never been noticed. He learned his trade through a correspondence school and earned a C in "the drawing of children." The tall, skinny outsider at St. Paul High School was a lousy student whose only hope was that his gangly cartoons would be accepted for print in his 1940 senior yearbook. The annuals went to press without the drawings. Though discouraged, the fledgling artist was undaunted in the pursuit of his dream.

Through determination and perseverance, Charles Schultz fulfilled his childhood goal, and Peanuts became the most widely syndicated cartoon in the world./1

While we identify success in one's chosen vocation with achieving a specific goal, success in the Christian life is not that easy to distinguish. The Christian life is not all about our effort. While we must make an effort, it is not by our effort that we realize success. However, we can be assured of a successful Christian life without yet fully realizing the success. The promise to all who do "the will of the Father" is the reward of heaven (Matt. 7:21).

Regarding this promise the Hebrew writer says,

"Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf" (Heb. 6:17–20).

Our salvation is secure because of two unchangeable things we can rely upon.

1. God made a promise. "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" (Num. 23:19).

2. God swore an oath. God made a promise to Abraham that through him would come a blessing to all mankind (Gen. 22). God made this promise in the form of an oath to emphasize its unchanging character. By swearing an oath, God was showing man just how much he wanted us to trust him and the promise he made to us.

Our salvation is secure because Jesus is in heaven. Jesus being the hope of our salvation is described as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

A naval officer from World War II explains the idea of Jesus as the anchor for the soul as he described how the battleship he was assigned to survived a hurricane in Chesapeake Bay. It was a similar method used by sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries to move their ships through tight and dangerous spots. When storms or turbulent seas threatened a ship, a crew of sailors would set out in a launch carrying with them the larger ship's anchor. Going as far toward safety as the anchor's chain would allow they would then cast the anchor down in the sea. They would then winch the larger ship forward into deeper water./2

Jesus is an anchor for the soul in this manner. Not that he is holding us secure in one spot, but that He is firm and secure and guiding us where we need to be. Jesus entered heaven before us on our behalf. In doing this he made access available for us (Eph. 2:14–18). By entering heaven on our behalf, Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him (Heb. 7:24–25).

Life and success can become confusing and frustrating. The Christian need not be left to wonder about his eternal destiny. The Christian need not be frustrated when confronted with the question, "Do you know if you are going to heaven?"

We have an Anchor who is firm and secure in heaven, and he is guiding us to the finish line. Let him accomplish what he set out to accomplish!

1 (Adapted from Houston Chronicle, Dec. 1, 1999, p. 4D) 2 (Adapted from Leonard Sweet, taken from Damian Phillips @ SermonCentral.com)

by Phil Sanders

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls about seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

If I were the devil, I would do everything I could to get your soul, to lead you and your loved ones into sin, to get you to forsake the Lord and the truth.

I’d make fun of the things that are right and seduce you with the things that are wrong. I’d tell you how important it is to please men (actually me) and that God’s ways are always boring, outdated and a struggle.

I’m make fun of the Lord and His church. I’d always want the church to look foolish and hypocritical.  I’d make fun of people who want to do right by calling them demeaning names and picturing them as radical and mentally imbalanced.

I’d make heroes out of sinners. I’d say over and over again that sin really isn’t so bad. I’d punish and slander everyone who speaks out against sin. 

I’d make counterfeit religions and counterfeit churches that look like the real thing. I’d tell people that God’s grace is so great that people can substitute self-made beliefs and practices for the Biblical ones. 

I'd tell you that you are #1 and the most important person. I'd promote jealousy, envy, and pride. Forget kindness and compassion. I'd encourage gossip and slander. I'd plant it in your heart to "get even" and take revenge! I'd say to you to be slow to forgive anyone.

If I were Satan, I would try to control you by making you utterly selfish and blind you to the needs of anyone else. I would distract you with all your desires and keep your mind away from God and His work. I would make service to God optional and distasteful.

Ah yes, if I were Satan, I would try my best to capture your soul long enough to keep you from God. I will wrestle with you to win. Be aware. (Eph. 6:10-20)

by J. Randal Matheny

My homeschooled daughter Leila started a new grade this morning. As I was finishing off my almondshake for breakfast, Vicki cranked up the first exercise of the new school year.

Appropriately enough, her first spelling lesson grouped words about "time."

First, Vicki read a historical, philosophical quote from the wonderful historical, philosophical figure, Benjamin Franklin, "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of."

Leila then had to pronounce, spell out, and pronounce again important terms associated with time. I spelled them out in my mind with her.

Simultaneously - All those things I'm trying to do at once.

Chronic - Ongoing, often in a negative sense, like "chronic pain" at losing to Leila in rummy or to the boys in basketball.

Occasional - Once in a while, with no regularity. Like my exercise routine.

February - The book said the first "r" gets a slight pronunciation. Who wrote the book anyway, a Bostonian?

Seasonal - Occurring certain times of the year, like Christmas, Easter, or my poetic inspiration.

Century - How long I plan to live.

Ancient - How old my daughter thinks I am. Wait till she sees me at 100.

Contemporary - What some men in mid-life crisis want to be. And some churches.

Punctual - Arriving on time. But I live in Brazil, where everybody's late.

Continuous - Nonstop. Like my daughter's conversation when she gets to sit by her dad on the airplane.

The Bible has some time terms it wants us to know as well.

Always -

"Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity" (Prov. 28:14, ESV).

"You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always" (Deut. 11:1).

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice" (Php. 4:4).

"but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet. 3:15).

Soon -

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (Rom. 16:20).

"And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book" (Rev. 22:7).

Never -

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20).

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28).

"But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Rom. 10:14).

Ancient -

"Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set" (Prov. 22:28).

"Thus says the LORD: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, "We will not walk in it"'" (Jer. 6:16).

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days" (Mic. 5:2).

Opportunity -

"This will be your opportunity to bear witness" (Luke 21:13).

"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10).

"and give no opportunity to the devil" (Eph. 4:27).

Time -

"Jesus said to them, 'My time has not yet come, but your time is always here'" (John 7:6).

"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:13).

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you" (1 Pet. 5:6).

Conclusion -

That's what I have to do now.