by Barry Newton

No, I have not seen the movie. But if the previews on television are any faithful indication of the movie, we probably all have a fairly good guess of at least part of the story line. A small boy does a good deed to three people who are told to pay the kindness they received forward to three others. I assume that through this manner a geometric avalanche of love and kindness cascades through the city and perhaps even beyond.

In contrast to such ethical rudders as “give’em what they deserve,” this movie will probably release a breath of fresh air into what is generally a stifling cinematic landscape. Sure it is a powerful idea, but is treating people with love regardless of whether they deserve it so very novel?

To the twelve disciples who without any merit on their part had been endowed with the powers of the Spirit to heal the body and banish demons, Jesus instructed, “Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8 The disciples were to pay forward the fruit of the blessings they had received.

While we were still enemies, God poured out His love toward us through Christ. God actively pursued our welfare even though we did not deserve it. And so, through His grace God has raised us up out of death to seat us with Christ. And now that we have been transformed and clothed with Christ, what are we to do? Instead of repaying evil with evil, we are to pay forward His love and grace by overcoming evil with good. We are to love our enemies and do good to those who would desire to use and mistreat us.

If the message of the movie “Pay It Forward” is what I suspect it is, perhaps we will find work colleagues and others commenting about this wonderfully new and radical idea which could infuse our world with some positive social transformation. What a tremendous opportunity we will have to tell them of God's love and how God wants His people to pay forward His love. Best of all, we are not limited to three times!

by Emmett Smith

The past week’s news has been largely dominated by various accounts relating to the deaths of Odai and Qusai, the sons of Saddam Hussein. The many atrocities attributed to both should bring home to all of us the fact that evil does exist. In today’s climate of moral relativism, where many immoral things are tending to lose their stigma, facts such as these serve as stark reminders. As well they should. The evil one sometimes overplays his hand, and perhaps being reminded of the evils of Saddam’s regime has caused some folks to rethink some of their assumptions.

Whatever the reasons, a poll conducted by USA TODAY, CNN, and Gallup, indicated that people’s opinions toward homosexual “rights” has changed. The article noted that the recent Supreme Court decisions and the resultant media blitz were largely responsible for this apparent change of opinion. Again, it seems that when people are encouraged to think through some of these issues for themselves their opinions begin to change. It’s all well and good to agree to something in principle, but being forced to think about its potential in practice may lead to quite a different conclusion.

Of course, we should realize that the evil one doesn’t want us to think about things too much. And he certainly doesn’t want the Biblical perspective being presented for contemplation. The first Psalm makes the point that the righteous person delights in and meditates on God’s word night and day. Think about that for a moment. How righteous are you when measured by that standard?

Psalms 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

By Michael E. Brooks

“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Eph. 4:16)

Few things are as essential to a sense of well-being as a feeling of worth. We all need to feel wanted, needed, and loved. This can be difficult when we realize that no one is really indispensable, and when we perceive that others are far more talented than ourselves. Am I really important? Does it really matter if I just drop out of the way? Will anyone miss me or care?

Brenda and I were walking the streets of Kathmandu last October, with Daniel Regmi, a preacher from West Nepal, who had come for a series of classes I was teaching. We asked about his parents’ health, and Daniel said, “My mother wanted to come to Sister Brenda’s classes, but no one else could milk the buffalo, so she stayed at home.”

That’s it! That’s her niche. A simple mountain village woman with no education, no wealth, nothing to commend her to the notice of the world. But she can milk the family’s water buffalo – a vital resource for their lives. I am not suggesting that this is the sum of her value. Of course not. But doesn’t it illustrate that “our share” does not have to be some notable achievement or rare talent?

Paul teaches that the church grows and prospers when every one of its members does what God has given them the talent, resources and opportunity to do. I am not responsible for your gifts, nor are you for mine. But I am responsible for my own. Nothing else. Just do my share!

by Phil Sanders

Many people find it hard to forgive themselves for sins they have committed. The prodigal son felt that was no longer worthy to be called his father?s son (Luke 15:19). The publican could not lift his eyes in prayer but was beating his breast (Luke 18:13). The apostle Paul cried out, ?Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?? (Rom. 7:24). Sin makes a person feel small in his own eyes.

If, Christian friend, in your heart you have sincerely repented of sin, you can find peace. There is hope for you! You can go to heaven! Here are some suggestions for you:

1. Focus your attention, not on your past, but on what you have become in Christ. Paul was the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:12-14), but he determined to forget what lies behind and to reach forward to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13-14). He did not feel fit to be called an apostle; but ?by the grace of God? Paul could say, ?I am what I am? (1 Cor. 15:9-10). God takes a man where He finds him and makes him into what He wants him to be.

One of my favorite sayings is: ?I?m not all I ought to be; I?m not all I want to be; I?m not all I?m going to be; but, thank God, I?m not what I used to be.?

As new creatures in Christ, we ought to believe that the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17). A new birth is just that! The old man of sin was crucified with Him (Rom. 6:6-7), and we are raised to walk in newness of life?born again! (Rom. 6:4-5; John 3:3-7).

2. Trust the promises of God?s Word rather than your feelings. Feelings can deceive and do not determine the truth (Luke 5:4-9). God promises, ?I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more? (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12). When God forgives, He no longer counts our trespasses against us (2 Cor. 5:21). Since we are new creatures in Christ, let us also no longer count against ourselves those trespasses. The one who did those things died with Christ. We are truly born again.

by Barry Newton

In recent years various authors have correctly understood that our perceptions govern how we understand ourselves and our world, and that the way we see governs how we behave. Consider Eve.

When the serpent first asked Eve about the forbidden tree she saw the fruit as being synonymous with death. For this reason, although the tree was "in the midst of the garden," she had obviously taken measures to avoid it. The serpent then changed her perception by feeding her half truths and lies. As a result, Eve then "saw the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise." Genesis 3:6 Acting upon her new way of seeing the tree, she ate some fruit. Perception led to desire and ultimately action.

Jesus called the devil the father of lies. John 8:44 It would seem that one of his predominant conniving tools involves sowing false ideas, beliefs and promises. Under his dark tutelage, what is truly worthwhile seems to grow old and pale while at the same time his array of offerings appear more and more delectable. For those who accept his evil paradigm shift of what is valuable, it is no wonder that Paul would describe how the aroma of Christ to those who are perishing as being the stench of death. Nor are we surprised to read, "an unspiritual man does not accept the things which come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14

Considering how perceptions influence and ultimately dictate our behavior, it should become abundantly clear:

1. why it is so important to allow God to form our perceptions through our study and meditation upon Scripture and

2. why Satan's prevalent lies are so pernicious.