By Michael E. Brooks

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward" (Ps. 127:3).

When my elder daughter, Kim, was in college she accompanied me on a mission trip to Parimaribo, Suriname. After arrival and check-in on the first afternoon she and I, with a few of our group, went out on the streets of the city to stretch our legs and take stock of this new environment. A few blocks from the hotel, as we passed a group of men standing and talking to one another, a hand reached out and took hold of Kim's arm and a young man smiled and asked me, "what will you take for her?" I smiled back and calmly replied, "I believe I will keep her, thank you." Without further incident we continued our walk.

I still don't know how serious the young man may have been. Perhaps he was only joking. But perhaps not. One thing is certain; I never had to make the father–daughter "be careful, don't go anywhere alone" speech on that trip. No, two things are certain. Even if he was serious, no amount of money could have separated Kim from me. Negotiations were never begun because they were irrelevant and immaterial.

I doubt that I have to persuade many readers of how serious I am in saying that, or how true it is. We love our children. Nothing is as important to us. They are not for sale, and their needs come before any other consideration. We say these things, and for the most part we mean them. Yet, do our actions always demonstrate those convictions?

We will buy things for our children, even when we cannot really afford them, and perhaps when the children don't really have to have what we are purchasing. We give in to their demands, spoiling them both in little things and also sometimes in more significant ways. All this is a sign of our love for them, and of their value to us.

But do we always provide for their genuine needs? We give them our money, but do we also give them our time and attention? Are not these far greater needs? We provide for their meals and their education, but do we "bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4)? They wear the latest fashions, but are they spiritually adorned (1 Tim. 2:9)?

Perhaps it is time for us to remember that our children do not belong to us alone, but also to God who gave them. They have great value in his eyes, just as they do in ours. Jesus warned,

"Whoever receives one little child like this receives me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matt. 18:5-6).

Our children are a great blessing. But they are also a great responsibility. We must be as careful with their souls as we are their physical safety. And we must be attentive to all their needs, especially those of a spiritual nature.

by Tim Hall

I recently received an e-mail with a very tough report: A preaching colleague had just learned he may have cancer. He's a fairly young man with a wife and children, but his future is suddenly not so clear. To make matters worse, the family has no health insurance; they just can't afford the premiums. What now?

Dr. Jerome Groopman is the author of the book, "The Anatomy of Hope". As one who deals with cancer patients, he knows the important role hope plays in people overwhelmed with trials. When asked to define "hope", he responded: "Basically, I think hope is the ability to see a path to the future" (U.S. News & World Report, January 26, 2004).

That's a metaphor that makes sense. Sometimes we find ourselves at a dead end with nowhere to turn. We see no options before us. Such a situation can lead to despair. It's a crushing feeling when we have no hope.

You know very well that Christians are not immune to life's problems. The fellow I mentioned above demonstrates that. But Christians have one thing that others don't: Faith in a God who promises to open for us a path.

He did it for Israel as they were fleeing Egypt. They had come to a dead end, the shores of the Red Sea. As they surveyed their situation, they heard hoofbeats behind them. Their hearts sank as they searched in vain for a pathway of escape. But God had not forgotten His people. He opened a path through the sea where there had been none before. Just a few hours later they were singing songs of victory. (Read Exodus 14 and 15 for the stirring account.)

Israel's almighty God is our God. He still has the power to open pathways. Paul wrote of that promise: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28, NASV). "All things" in this verse may include bad events, as well as good. But these do not represent dead ends, for God is always present to open up a path. We can't see that path to the future, but we know without any doubt that God is there.

When a person is convinced there is no hope, life becomes dark and miserable. Thanks be to God that we never have to reach such a conclusion!

"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Ps. 30:5, NKJV).

by Greg Tidwell

Dan Brown's best-seller, The Da Vinci Code is delightful as a novel. His compelling plot and quick vignettes move along effortlessly in a story cast upon a backdrop of Western History. The cultural allusions which punctuate the narrative provide intellectual stimulation without overburdening the story with unwelcome sophistication.

Heretical Fiction

For Christians, however, The Da Vinci Code presents a real challenge, in spite of its literary merits. Brown casts his story as historical fiction, based on the Gnostic Gospels, early heretical writings unearthed over the past century. Using these Gnostic texts as a starting-point, Brown claims that Jesus wed Mary Magdalene and had children by her who were hidden away in France, the early church leaders keeping these details under wraps because they would discourage worship of Jesus as God.

According to the novel, this truth about Jesus has been preserved by an underground movement called "The Priory of Sion". Many great figures of ancient and modern history, ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to Walt Disney, were allegedly members, placing symbolic clues concerning the truth about Jesus in works of art ranging from medieval cathedrals to modern cartoons.

Brown's popularity is largely due to his skillful presentation of feminist themes. He depicts Mary Magdalene as a woman slandered by the early church leaders as a prostitute, but who was actually married to Jesus, bore his children, and served as a leader in the early church. She is put forward as validation of the feminist claims that women have been repressed and dominated by the authority of men throughout history.

Perhaps for Christians the most disturbing assertion of the book is that Emperor Constantine maneuvered the editing of biblical texts to fabricate the doctrine of Christ's divinity at the Council of Nicea in 325. "Until that moment in history, according to the novel, Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet ... a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless." (p.233)

Art versus Truth

The skill with which Brown weaves his tale is what makes The Da Vinci Code so dangerous. Undiscerning readers may well become so drawn into the intrigue of the narrative that they forget to critically consider what is being put forward as historical fact. Tragically, our society since the 1960s has tended to embrace anything that positions itself as an attack on the status quo. The Da Vinci Code plays into this liberal bias.

For Christians, The Da Vinci Code represents the best example of a movement which is threatening the church on many fronts, the confusion between that which is emotionally compelling and that which is actually true. Much deviant theology is presented today in music, drama, and literature. This approach is at the heart of narrative preaching, which has largely eclipsed the presentation of Scripture in many pulpits. Packaging error artistically in an appeal to the emotions, heretics are able to get their lies into the hearts and minds of people with little resistance.

To be faithful to God, Christians must learn to look beyond the emotional appeal of the packaging. We must develop the strength of character to look beyond the superficial and ask the central question, What has God told us in His word? As God's children, we must stand firmly in God's truth.

by Mike Benson

How can anyone not believe in Jesus? There is so much evidence that proves Him to be the Son of God. Consider but one piece of testimony from John 9.

Jesus encountered a man who had been blind since birth (v. 2). Scripture indicates that the beggar was a well-known figure in the community (v. 8).

Jesus then healed the man. The Lord spat on the ground, made a clay, and then applied it to the man's eyes. He then instructed him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam (v. 7). The blind man found his way to the pool and washed as he was told. His obedient response brought about the bestowal of his vision. John simply - and wonderously says, "he came back seeing" (v. 7b).

Now note the reaction to this miracle:

. The neighbors asked, "How WERE your eyes opened?" (v. 10).

. The Pharisees inquired, "How can a man who is a sinner DO SUCH SIGNS?" (v. 16; cf. 10:21). "The reality of factuality of the miracle was not under question. The question concerned how it was done and what the character was of one who would do such a work on the sabbath."1

. The parents admitted, "We know that is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means HE NOW SEES we do not know..." (vv. 21-22).

. The man himself affirmed, "Though I was blind, NOW I SEE" (v. 25).

Friends, this cumulative witness demands a verdict - the miraculous healing occurred just as John through inspiration described it. It therefore serves as certification of the fact that Jesus was/is the promised Messiah (cf. Isa. 29:18; 35:5; 42:7) - the Son of God (Matt. 16:16). "...Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know" (Acts 2:22).

This miracle was recorded in order that you and I might believe (cf. John 20:30,31)? Do you believe in Jesus? Can you see (John 9:39)?

by Mitchell Skelton

In the opening pages of Joshua, we find that Moses has died and God then comes to Joshua. God speaks to him saying, "Get ready to cross the Jordan into the land I am about to give to you." So Joshua and the Israelites get ready to cross over Jordan to receive their inheritance. They had been wandering in the desert for forty years waiting for God to allow them entrance into the Promised Land. Now the time was upon them and Joshua gives instructions as to how they were to cross. "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it." Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you" (Josh. 3:3,5).

Joshua's instructions were simple: Follow the Ark, Consecrate Yourself, and Prepare for Amazing Things. Could it be this easy? After all these years of wandering and waiting, they would simply cross the Jordan and everything would be theirs. But was it that easy? "So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest" (Josh. 3:14,15).

Can you imagine how the Israelites must have felt? As much grumbling as they had done while in the wilderness don't you think the thought had crossed at least one of their minds, "You would think that after 40 years God could have picked a better time for us to cross the Jordan other than when its flooding."

What about you, have you ever been at flood stage in your life? A time when it seemed that just when everything was finally going your way and things were going to work out, BOOM here comes the flood and there seems to be no way to get through it? There are spiritual obstacles as well, things that hinder us and stand in the way of our receiving God's inheritance for us. These obstacles stand between where we are in our walk with God and where we should be. We know we need to be doing more for God, but we find these obstacles in the way. Satan is the master at placing obstacles in our way. When things get tough in your life that is the time to look at what God did for Joshua and Israel.

Following God

In preparation for crossing a flooded Jordan River, Joshua told the Israelites to Follow the Ark, which is where God was. The ark represented the very presence of God. God was not asking them to go alone. He was going ahead of them to make a path through their obstacle. When times get tough in your life, it is not the time to quit on God. It is time to follow God! God is active and at work in the world today helping those who will follow Him. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28). Follow God and He will help you overcome your obstacle.

Consecrate Yourself

God cannot have evil in His presence. If we are going to follow God then we must do as the Israelites did and consecrate or purify ourselves. "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (Js. 4:8—10). The way we live should be an all out effort to please God.

Prepare for Amazing Things

The Lord promised to bring great things to the Israelites if they would follow him. God's presence would go out before them. God's presence is already going out before you into your obstacles. The only question is Will you follow Him?

Do you ever wonder why God waited for the Jordan to be at flood stage before he sent Israel across? Remember what Joshua 3:15 says, "Now the Jordan is at flood stage ALL DURING THE HARVEST." God was sending Israel in to take their inheritance at harvest time. God was providing food for them even though they had not planted any crops. God was preparing for them to receive their inheritance in abundance!

Is your life at flood stage? Don't give up! Follow God who has gone ahead of you into your obstacle. Consecrate yourself and prepare for amazing things. The flood in your life is just a sign of the great harvest that is on the other side!

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Heb. 12:7—11). Hold firmly to your faith in your afflictions. Follow God and cross over into an abundant harvest.