by Barry Newton

Sitting around the ash heap in the wake of disaster and suffering, Job and his friends struggled with a fundamental question which has continued to plague humanity. The question seems inevitable whenever people suffer. “Why did this happen to me?”

Biblically, there are a number of reasons why some people have encountered adversity and even suffering. A few of these reasons include: Satan has used hardship as a tool for tempting people to curse God and sin.(1) Second, God disciplines those whom He loves for their well being.(2) Third, as a result of the rampant sin of the community or of other individuals, the innocent have been hurt.(3) So how is a person supposed to be able to figure out whether any particular hardship is a result of Satanic efforts to destroy faithfulness or whether God may be disciplining or perhaps this has happened because of some other reason?

It has often been pointed out that in the book of Job, Job and his friends, who are consumed by the “why,” are never given an answer even though the reader is provided the inside scoop! And it is here in God’s refusal to answer their burning question of “why,” the fact that there is an answer but it was not provided to them, and where God led Job that we are directed toward a real answer for encountering our adversity.

As much as we might want to know why, why is not where our focus should be. The truly important questions, which are often eclipsed during times of trial, are: “what is the godly response” and “how are we going to respond?”

Regarding the first question, the answer is the same regardless of why it happened! Whether adversity has come because the evil one has laid a snare for someone’s life, or godly love has been disciplining or perhaps someone was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, God’s person should always respond in the same manner - draw closer to God, walk in His ways and rely upon His strength! Although we may not know why something has happened to us, we do know what we should do. Accordingly, rather than waste our energy in being consumed by the often unending question of “why,” we ought to focus our attention and energies upon living as dedicated children of God in a hostile world.

Since the answer to “what should we do” is known, the only true question which remains is, “how will we respond?” In fact, does not the real question in the book of Job revolve around whether Job would remain faithful to God even in the face of adversity?(4) The question to be answered is not “why,” but rather what will you do?

1 Job 1:11-12; 2:4-5 2 Hebrews 12:5-11 3 Joshua 7:1-12 4 Job 1:8-12; 2:3-7

by A. A. Neale

Parents who wanted their children to have what they were deprived of often discover it growing among the toys and privileges.

Christians who help the poor sometimes see it in the scowls at the same time the hand is extended.

Friends who share the amazing gift of God's grace with their loved ones see it in the face of those who find salvation a small thing.

Ingratitude.

It comes in many shapes and forms.

• The quality of devaluing the preciousness of a gift.
• The trait of despising the love that shares freely.
• The attitude that sees privileges as rights,.
• The selfishness never content with what it has.
• The hardness that nothing is ever good enough for me.

And wherever it raises its head in my life, it deserves a solid stomp. For it's a last-days sin. Though there's nothing in the law books about it, God's list of horrendous crimes against divinity includes it.

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For me will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, UNGRATEFUL, unholy, unloving, irreconciliable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these" (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NASV).

The ingrate says, "Can't you do better than that? I deserve that and much more! Why did you take so long? I want something different."

Or he yawns, "Yeah, okay. Set it right over there, with the other trash."

The ingrates pockets are full, and his heart is empty.

"Generous God of heaven, I don't deserve a single thing. But you keep on giving and blessing. Let my lips speak praise and thanksgiving. Let my eyes see your goodness. Let my heart be touched at every turn by your grace. I know Jesus is the greatest, most wonderful gift of all. Amen."

by Randal Matheny

Green and yellow banners, streamers, and flags fly everywhere. Just this morning, at 6:00 a.m. everybody was up -- to watch Brazil play in the World Cup. Enthusiasm is at fever pitch.

The world's biggest soft drink company dangles before your eyes a chance to win a ball used in the Cup. And the Golden Arches has a new burger every day that represents one of the countries playing in the finals.

The world has its eyes glued to South Korea and Japan. And when the TV isn't on, somewhere you hear a conversation about soccer.

But just wait until July. The specials will be gone, the conversation muted, and two Asian countries forgotten. With the World Cup over, enthusiasm wanes.

The Bible doesn't use the word enthusiasm. Yes, I realize the word's etymology means "possessed or inspired by a god." And, yes, it can be used as a synonym for the "biblical" word "zeal. But let me make my point.

Enthusiasm's god may be a sport, a gadget, a widget, a person, anything at all. And the emotional high may wax and wane with the interest or fortunes of the object. And THAT'S where this worldly enthusiasm differs from spiritual zeal.

God is constant. Unchanging. Eternal. And his character, as the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, all-everything God, keeps our zeal white-hot. Unless, of course, you turn your eyes from him to some lesser god.

So Paul will tell us, "Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord" (Rom. 12.11, NRSV).

Zeal is an intensity that detests half-hearted service, singing, and seeking. It's a whole-hog thing.

That reminds me of the story of the chicken and pig. The chicken suggested they contribute to the owner's breakfast. The pig replied, "That's easy for you to say! You'll give an egg and see the light of the morrow. For me, it means a total commitment!"

Zeal is ready for the total commitment.

Now, a warning about your zeal. Not everyone will share your total devotion. The zealous Jehu was accused of driving his chariot like a maniac (2 Kings 10.16, 9.20). You, too, will earn your share of detractors. But keep driving. Keep working. Keep stirring up the dust behind you.

Maybe we can put the difference between worldly enthusiasm and spiritual zeal this way, in this little ditty of mine:

Enthusiasm,    A passing spasm; Divine zeal,    The Spirit's seal.

Sure, go watch Brazil win it's fifth championship in the World Cup. We'll be cheering ourselves hoarse. But after it's all over, may God say of you what he said about Phinehas, "he was zealous for his God" (Num. 25.13).

So let's get fired up.

"Com with me, and see my zeal for the Lord."

By Emmett Smith

Why do you think the philosophy known as naturalism is so prevalent? What’s that you say? You didn’t major in philosophy? Well, neither did I, but it is an interesting study sometimes. And the philosophy of naturalism is simply (some might say oversimply) summed up in this one prominent belief. That belief is that any and all things must be examined and explained within a certain absolute restriction – that there is no such thing as the supernatural, or if there is, it, whatever it is, is completely irrelevant to human concerns and experiences.

That being said, the naturalist chooses to restrict himself to only natural explanations of any and all phenomena. Regardless of how well the concept of an “intelligent designer” may fit available facts, such a belief is absolutely off-limits to the adherent of naturalism. It’s simply unacceptable that such things can be. Therefore, Biblical accounts of predictive prophecy and miracles must somehow be explained within a naturalistic framework or laughed off as ignorant superstition. So naturalism, by its very nature, is antagonistic to Christianity. Unfortunately, many “Christians” have bought into this philosophy, with disastrous consequences.

It’s not at all a stretch to assert that a significant portion of our society’s influential people adhere to naturalism. A simple look around us will bear that out on a daily basis. The big issues these days are driven by this philosophy. Don’t teach young people sexual abstinence, they’ll do it anyway. It’s ok to abort a “fetus”, it’s only a lump of tissue. It’s ok to divorce your spouse, that vow doesn’t really mean anything. There’s no one to answer to ultimately anyway! Don’t dare teach any explanation of human origin that involves a personally interested and involved creator God! That’s not scientific! Of course, that’s only true if science, by definition, excludes God. It depends on what the meaning of “is” is.

Being a native Arkansan, I reserve the right to cite a fellow Arkansan’s irresponsibility as an example. But I submit that God knows what the meaning of “is” is. And so do we, when we’ll accept responsibility for our actions. That’s really what I believe is so attractive about the philosophy of naturalism. If we deny God’s existence by definition, if we’re simply the result of random chance, then we don’t have to accept responsibility. We don’t really prefer to do that anyway, do we?

Adam denied his responsibility for having eaten the forbidden fruit – he said “...she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” – in other words, “it really wasn’t my fault”. That’s a human tendency that has existed since Adam. But it’s not one that God accepts. Uncomfortably for us, He demands that we accept responsibility for our wrongs! He demands that we choose whom we will serve. As Joshua expressed it in Joshua 24:15 “choose you this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.

Note the contrast in David’s attitude as recorded in the 51st Psalm. When God, through the prophet Nathan, indicted David of adultery and murder, David didn’t hesitate to accept responsibility. In the first 4 verses, and again in verse 9, he accepts responsibility for his “sin(s), “iniquity”, or “transgression(s)”. He humbled himself before God and prayed “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me”, (v. 10). Don’t you think that’s one reason David was a man after God’s own heart? He was far from perfect, but he acknowledged God’s supremacy, and humbled himself.

It’s common in our society to deny personal responsibility. Drunkenness, the sin, becomes alcoholism, the disease. I wouldn’t have lied if someone else hadn’t pressed me. I’m the victim of my own desires. I’ll sue the person or company that supplied me with my particular health-destroying substance. It was their fault, not mine! It’s not fair! We may even succeed in getting some court of law to agree with us. But what about the only truly “righteous judge”? Will he uphold the verdict on appeal? Think about it.

by Barry Newton

A Typical Pond

Ponds are interesting places. As a young boy growing up in New Jersey, sometimes I would wander down through our small orchard on hot muggy summer days to a wooded area with two small ponds. This was my private place for practicing skipping stones as well as enjoying the effects of a rock slamming down into water.

Undoubtedly you too have watched a perfectly glass smooth surface be destroyed by a single rock making its stupendous splash entry. Then the concentric ripples begin to expand until they strike the shore only to bounce back again. And if you launch a whole chorus of rocks out onto a pond, tranquility is shattered by visual chaos.

Your Life as Your Pond

The next time you are tempted to speak or act in a manner unbecoming of the calling we have received to serve God, remember what a rock does to a pond. Ungodly actions and words are very much like throwing rocks into the pond of your life. Whoever thinks that “this rock will not make any difference” is only foolishly deceiving himself. Although at first a person might not even perceive the consequences, they do follow. The more that a person succumbs to throwing rocks in his or her pond, the choppier, more chaotic and “complex” he will discover life to become.

“To Throw or Not To Throw” That is the Question

Since God is not mocked because a person really does reap what he sows and God’s word points us to the truly good life, why do we encounter such strong urges (temptations) to hurl rocks into our ponds? There are several reasons including the fact that the soul under assault will often focus on some immediate gratification instead of giving thought to the long term effects and how this will affect his service of discipleship.

It is easy to focus upon the promises of such pleasures as: reveling in the thought “they will know that I’m in the know” (gossip), savoring the idea of seeking revenge, saving our own skin by deliberating omitting some of the truth (lying), lustfully contemplating some immoral fantasy, or simply being driven by the promise of what “having more” will mean (greed). When the drive to satisfy such internal desires is strong, it is common for a person to feel “confused” as his or her craving wages war against the knowledge of what is right.(2)

Preserving & Restoring Your Pond

Through Christ, God has made it possible for our lives to be restored so that we can have peace with God and live with a pure conscience. Tranquility can be returned to our souls. There is real hope for lives trapped in the chaos of sin.

However, the cleansing blood of Christ does not erase all of the consequences of our behaviors. Reputations might still be destroyed. Not all human relationships may be restored. Physical ailments might continue to linger. Some of the effects of sin will continue to ricochet.

Although our guiding motivation should be wrapped up in lovingly serving God and not be merely shaped by what we consider to be pragmatic, nevertheless a heart caught in the struggle of temptation can find additional encouragement to pursue godliness by remembering the continuing power ungodly ripples have for disrupting life. Since desires are fueled by thoughts, pondering the future havoc a rock can wreck upon life can assist a contemplative person to remember that God’s ways truly are seeking our best interests while also quieting the evil impulse to throw more rocks in the pond of life.

The next time we are tempted to speak or act in a manner unbecoming of the calling we have received to serve God, remember what a rock does to a pond. Let’s remember the real consequences, both practical and spiritual. Let’s avoid the temporary illusion which fuels the desire and which comes from just focusing on how good we think we will feel.

(1) Galatians 6:7-8; Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (2) James 1:14