by Greg Tidwell

Last month, some motorists in Michigan thought they had found a gold mine. Discovering a computer error that enabled them to swipe their drivers' licenses instead of credit cards, they filled their tanks at the Meijer chain without paying. Over 100 people took advantage of this "free" gasoline, costing Meijer thousands of dollars.

Some of the culprits, many of them students from Ann Arbor, filled up their tanks up to 15 times over a three-week period. No one would ever know; no one would get hurt.

There is, however, no such thing as a free tank of gas. Beyond the Meijer Corporation taking a loss, it so happened the information from each driver's license was stored on the pump's computer, permitting the police to identify the offenders. The free gasoline came at a high price.

Temptation comes to all of us in different ways. Often we feel that we can cut corners and no one will know. The danger of being found out is not, for Christians, the primary motivation for right living. Sometimes our sins are uncovered publicly, causing pain and embarrassment. At other times our sins remain hidden to human eyes.

God, however, always knows everything. We really have no secrets. As God's people we must always at all times live our lives with the knowledge of his presence. This outlook of faith will guide our thoughts and actions, keeping us on the right track. Integrity is not usually the easy way in life, but it is the way that will be blessed by God.

by Mike Benson

A past issue of Action caught my attention. It carried an article about a gentleman from the Philippines by the name of Leopoldo Ducany.

One afternoon, Leopoldo's wife had brought him a fish which she had purchased at the local market. She asked him to clean it in order that she might prepare it for supper. The meal-to-be was wrapped in a year-old newspaper. As he tore away the paper, Leopoldo noticed an ad for World Bible School. The ad prompted a response, and before long, he was regularly receiving Bible correspondence materials.

At the conclusion of the series of lessons, Leopoldo requested baptism and was added to Christ's church (Acts 2:47; Galatians 3:27). He made this decision despite the obvious anti-church sentiment held by Communist rebels in his region.

I have a thought. If we can (a) reach a man on the other side of the world with (b) a year-old newspaper wrapped around a dead snapper, then (c) don't you think we can reach the masses of humanity with the saving message of Christ?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19; cf. Acts 1:8).

by Phil Sanders

When the dark storm clouds gather, And the rain keeps pouring down, Life can get awfully dreary. All your hopes may seem to drown. But one thing I still remember-- This one thing I'm still allowed-- No matter how wet and weary The sun still shines above the clouds.

The sun still shines above the clouds; The love of God remains today. You can look at all the sorrow, But you can't take that love away.

When the pain floods over me, And I am left all alone, Life can get mighty empty. All my hopes seem past and gone; But one thing I still remember-- This one thing I'm still allowed, No matter how dark the sorrow, The sun still shines above the clouds.

The sun still shines above the clouds; The love of God remains today. You can look at all the sorrow, But you can't take that love away.

Rom. 8:35-39

by Ed Short

Books, magazines, TV and radio programs, movies, and other forms of media all enable us to know people and to empathize with them. Through a novel or a biography, we can become very close to someone we've never met or someone who doesn't even exist. Untold millions of Chinese practically consider Bao Yu of "Dream of the Red Chamber" a blood relative.

Through the four gospel accounts of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), readers meet a man named Jesus. These four writers tell us that Jesus made incredible claims, did incredible things, and spoke incredible words.

Jesus made incredible claims. Think about it! Jesus claimed to be the Savior of the world, King of kings, and Creator of all things! Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." He called himself the Bread of life, the Lamb of God, and the Son of God!

If we were to meet on the street today someone who makes claims like these, what would we think? Most of us would question his sanity. But Jesus dared to say these things!

Jesus did incredible deeds, including miracles: The blind received sight, the lame walked, and the dead were raised back to life. Jesus fed the hungry, encouraged the depressed, and gave new life to sinners who repented. He knew what was in people; he understood them. Jesus was with people; he contacted them and touched them.

I once was at a children's home when a group of well-dressed women came to visit and make a donation to the home. It was obvious, however, that the women did not want to contact the children. I guess the women thought the children were dirty, as they avoided even touching them.

Jesus, on the other hand, didn't fear dirt, wasn't afraid of poverty, didn't fear the unfamiliar; he only cared about people. Most wonderful of all, however, is that Jesus gave himself for mankind, was crucified, and was raised back to life on the third day. Through Jesus' death, our sins can be forgiven and we can receive a new life. Yes, Jesus did incredible deeds!

Jesus spoke incredible words. Please listen to some things Jesus said: "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them ... You are like salt for all mankind ... You are like light for the whole world ... Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you ... If you forgive others the wrongs they have done you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive the wrongs of others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you have done" (Matthew 5:3,10,13,14,44; 6:14,15, TEV).

Those who first listened to Jesus speak these words really appreciated his messages; today you and I can also admire the words of Jesus, as they will greatly encourage and benefit us.

Jesus made incredible claims, did incredible deeds, spoke incredible words.

May I ask what is your reaction to this man, Jesus? Do you believe His claims — Savior of the world, King of kings, Creator of all, Bread of life, Son of God? Do you want him to do some incredible things in your life, such as forgive your sins and change your way of living? Do you believe his incredible words, and will you allow them to influence your life?

I encourage you to read the Bible more and get better acquainted with this man Jesus.

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, vol. 41, pp. 14-15.

by J. Randal Matheny

God did not put the gospel in a movie, but in a book. Nor did he burn it to a CD, a DVD, or stick it on an eight-track tape. The Bible is the divine record of the Creator's carrying out of his eternal plan. What he has done, still does, and will do.

Some think the Bible is open to interpretation. So much so that there may be several valid ones, some better than others perhaps. So when one interpretation doesn't please someone, he can reply, " That's just your interpretation." By that phrase is meant that an interpretation is merely one person's attempt to understand and apply the Bible, which is not binding upon anyone else.

Without demeaning the need to grasp the context of Biblical writings, to appreciate the nature of the type of literature, or to study the meanings of words, sentences, and paragraphs, one can rightly say that the Bible is interpretation. In the Bible God explains his own acts in history.

How do we know, for example, that of three men crucified on Golgotha outside Jerusalem one day, one death had special meaning? Because God caused men to write, explain that event, and associate it with divine intent and observable signs, like the tearing of the temple curtain, darkness during the day, and the resurrection of the dead.

The apostles and prophets of the new covenant further explain the implications and applications of that event for one's life.

Paul said he wrote about God's work so that "when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4, NKJV).

What was written could be, and can be, understood and, as forceful divine interpretation (John calls the miracles "signs"), is capable of causing belief in the reader/hearer (John 20:30-31).

So in a real sense, the Bible doesn't need interpretation, for it already is that. What is needs is response -- belief and obedience.

For who is willing to say to God, "That's just your interpretation"?