by Mike Benson

Stretch out your palm. Separate your fingers to their widest; hold them as far apart as you can. Study what you see and then consider: Scripture says that's a picture of human longevity. David wrote, "LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor" (Psalm 39:4,5). That's right. Life at its best is little more than an abbreviated measurement. A handbreadth.

Jeanne-Louise Calment would have agreed. According to Guinness, she was born in Arles, France on February 21, 1875 and died on August 4, 1997. Do a little math in your head and you'll discover that she lived 122 years, 164 days. Whew! She lived a l o n g time, didn't she? Not really. Not when you consider life when compared to eternity. As long as Jeanne-Louise lived, hers was but a handbreadth.

Dear friend, in terms of the clock, your life is ever-so-short (Job 14:1,2; James 4:14). Assuming you escape the ravages of disease, you don't perish in some untimely accident, and your parents had extremely good genes, it's still doubtful that you'll live as long as Jeanne-Louise Calment. And even if you do, it will be but a handbreadth.

Consider:

. What are you doing with your time (Ephesians 5:15,16; Colosians 4:5; Psalm 90:12)? Paul Meyer wrote, "Most time is wasted, not in hours, but in minutes. A bucket with a small hole in the bottom gets just as empty as a bucket that has been deliberately kicked over."

. Do you look back at the end of a day and say, "I didn't get anything done"?

. Are you accomplishing the really important things (John 9:4)? Are you "run ragged" with urgent matters?

. If you were to die right now, could you say, "I didn't neglect the most important things in my life"? Doctor Jesus had a very full patient schedule (Mark 6:31) and yet He finished His job (John 19:30).

Max Anders observed, "It matters to God how we use our time. It is something which He has given us. We don't own it. We are responsible to manage it for Him. It doesn't mean we must always work. Part of our time should be used in recreation and rest, the development and enjoyment of relationships. But we must be aware of how we use our time, and use it wisely" (30 Days to Understanding the Bible, "Be A Steward," 81).

Time is limited.

It is like a handbreadth.

Use it well.

"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).

by Mike Benson

This would be his very last sermon. In a short time, Stephen's preaching career would come to an abrupt end -- as would his life. The Sanhedrin had heard all that it could stand. Its members found Stephen's message so offensive that they brutally murdered him. The "sword of the Spirit" (cf. Hebrews 4:12) had laid their hearts asunder (Acts 7:54), and in a frenzy of raw emotion the group forced the preacher outside of the city walls and then stoned him to death (Acts 7:60). J.W. McGarvey concludes this sad occasion by noting, "This was a strange way for a court to break up; the whole body of seventy grave rabbis, whose official duty it was to watch for the faithful execution of the law, leaving their seats and rushing in a wild mob, amid hideous outcries, to the sudden execution of a prisoner uncondemned and untried."1/

One particular element of this tragic story is especially compelling. Stephen was literally on the threshold of eternity. His death was imminent. During those last desperate moments of his life, inspiration records that the veil of heaven was somehow opened before him and that he was permitted a glimpse into the court of heaven. "But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, 'Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!'" (Acts 7:55). A few observations on his passage are in order:

1. Note the Lord's POSITION. He was standing. Typically, Jesus is portrayed in Scripture as sitting (cf. Psalm 110:1; Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3) on heaven's throne. But in this passage, the Lord is fixed in an erect posture. Even though Stephen was about to "cross over Jordan," he was sustained by the image of the risen Lord standing -- as a witness, on his own behalf. "Stephen had been confessing Christ before men, and now he sees Christ confessing His servant before God. The proper posture for a witness is the standing posture. Stephen, condemned by an earthly court, appeals for vindication to a heavenly court, and his vindicator in that supreme court is Jesus, who stands at God's right hand as Stephen's advocate..."2/

2. Note the Lord's PROXIMITY. He was "at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56; cf. 5:31; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2). The phrase suggests an exalted position of honor, power and majesty. "Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him" (1 Peter 3:22). Despite the fact that his servant lay dying, Jesus exercised his sovereign rule over this affair. He allowed Stephen to die a martyr's death in order to finally qualify him for the kingdom of heaven. And he allowed the hypocritical Sanhedrin a temporary triumph, but his righteous judgment would fall upon them in the end (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 12:19).

Believers today can find great comfort in these sublime truths: a) Jesus is not passively unconcerned when we are dying. On the contrary, he metaphorically "rises to his feet" in silent testimony to our offerings of life-long devotion (cf. Romans 12:1,2) to him, and b) from his lofty place "at the right hand of God," the Lord is not only mindful of our suffering and distress, but he promises to render justice on those who have persecuted us (cf. Psalm 98:9; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:5-8; Revelation 16:7). And while we find no delight in the pain which our foes will experience, their punishment will mean our vindication and also demonstrate our identity as sons of God (cf. Galatians 3:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:4,5).

1/ J. W. McGarvey, "Stephen is Stoned, and the Church is Dispersed," New Commentary on Acts of the Apostles, p. 132. Cf. Leviticus 24:14; Numbers 15:32-36

2/F. F. Bruce, "Stephen's Defense," Commentary on the Book of Acts," p. 168

by Mike Benson

It was obvious that she (i.e., Christ's bride at Philippi) wasn't feeling her "normal" self. Typically, she was a hardworking, energetic, and active (Philippians 1:5,6) lady, but in recent days she was uncharacteristically weak and uncoordinated.

A family member suggested that she set up a doctor's appointment (Philippians 4:3). Her symptoms didn't demand an immediate visit to the ER, but they couldn't just be ignored either (Mark 3:17). That nagging "ache" served as overt evidence of a deeper, underlying problem. Then too, failure to get treatment might make her more susceptible to other, more serious, ailments which could threaten her entire system (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Her doctor, a trusted family practioner, ran a few tests and confirmed his diagnosis -- she had suffered a small "fracture" (Philippians 4:2). As a result, he recommended a combination of therapies and scribbled (Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Timothy 3:16) a prescription on his notepad -- Philippians 4:4-7:

Take A DAILY DOSE of joy. "Rejoice in the Lord always" (v. 4). Unlike Paul, who could find joy in the confines of a Roman prison, some members of the Philippian fellowship experienced despair. They focused on the dispute (i.e., fracture) between Euodia and Syntyche (which in turn, affected the whole congregation). The apostle cautioned against this inappropriate emphasis and suggested that the saints needed to "keep on rejoicing" in view of their relationship with the Lord (Matthew 5:10-12).

EXERCISE gentleness. "Let your gentleness be known to all men" (v. 5a). The word translated "gentleness" means strength under control and referred to the taming of a wild animal. When an animal was brought under control by a trainer, it retained all of its physical prowess, but the trainer controlled the use of it. Euodia and Syntyche, like the other Philippian members, must have had strong personal feelings, but needed to exercise control over them (2 Peter 1:6). Losing their tempers and/or tongues would only exacerbate this congregational wound (Proverbs 29:11).

Remember that THE DOCTOR IS always ON CALL. "The Lord is at hand". If she really wanted to help mend the fracture (John 5:6), the church needed to remember the nearness of the Lord (Hebrews 13:5b-6; Psalms 119:151; Matthew 28:19; Acts 17:27) and that he genuinely cared about this situation (1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 2:17). The realization of his present nearness would have a calming and reassuring effect.

Cut anxiety out or your DIET. "Be anxious for nothing" (v. 6). The Greek word translated "anxious" means to draw in different directions. Some church members were pulled apart with worry over the disagreement between their two sisters in the Lord. Even though these women believed the same gospel, stood for the same doctrine, and had their names in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5), some Christians could only fret (Luke 10:41). Paul, under inspiration, suggested that this useless (Matthew 6:27) activity needed to be cut completely out of the Philippians' spiritual diet.

Communicate your SYMPTOMS to the Great Physician. "... By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (v. 7). The concerns of the saints were to be taken to the throne of God. Even though He was already aware of the Philippian fracture (Matthew 6:8), the church needed to step out in faith and leave this problem in his skillful hands (Daniel 6:10,11).

"There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul."

by Mike Benson

Whether or not I am willing to admit it, my identity as a male is linked not only to my vocation -- but also to THE AMOUNT OF TIME I devote to it. Strip away my work and those long hours behind the desk, and somehow I feel less than a man -- almost subhuman.

Scripture teaches that meaningful labor is, in fact, tied to who I am. In working, I become a loving provider (1 Timothy 5:8), a thankful consumer (Matthew 6:25-34; 2 Thessalonians 3:10a; James 1:17), as well as a concerned giver (Ephesians 4:28). But what happens to "self" not just when I work, but when I habitually over work? What do I become then...?

AN IDOLATER "Most middle-class Americans tend to worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship. As a result their meaning and values are distorted. Their relationships disintegrate faster than they can keep them in repair and their lifestyle resembles a cast of characters in search of a plot."1/

AN ADDICT "Workaholism is an addiction that our society not only tolerates but applauds and encourages in both the corporate world and our churches."2/

A MACHINE "The laboring man has not leisure for a true integrity day by day. He has no time to be anything but a machine."3/

AN EMPTY SHELL "Terence Fox was the president and chief executive officer of Iroquois Brands, Ltd., of Greenwich, Connecticut... When asked how he had become so successful so quickly he said that at fifteen his most burning ambition was to be wealthy by thirty. At twenty he quit Marquette University and went to work on Wall Street, later getting his degree by attending night school. The six years he spent on Wall Street told him there was no better place to make a lot of money legally. He saw he could make a lot if he worked hard. And what did that involve? A twenty-four-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week commitment. 'My golf game went from a four to a twelve handicap; I stopped hunting; my marriage faltered after five years. I am never home, I am constantly traveling between our fourteen plants, and on many a Saturday night while I am having dinner alone in a strange airport I say to myself, You are here because you chose to be.'"4/

Now consider what the Word from Proverbs 23:4 says on this subject:

"Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!" (NKJV). Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have wisdom to show restraint" (NIV). "Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist" (RSV). "Don't ruin your health trying to become rich. If you are wise, you will be patient" (ETRV). "Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it" (NASV). "Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; be wise enough to control yourself" (NCV).

Labor that is designed to benefit others and promote the cause of Christ must be tempered with balance, lest I rob my family, destroy my health, and limit my effectiveness. Jesus rested (Mark 6:30-32) and still accomplished everything his Father sent him to do (John 4:32). Dear friend, I want to be like him (1 Corinthians 11:1). Don't you (Ephesians 4:16; Psalms 90:12)?

1/ Gordon Dahl, Work, Play and Worship in a Leisure-Oriented Society, 12. 2/ Rodney Cooper, Double Bind, 53. 3/ Henry David Thoreau 4/ R. Ken Hughes

by Mike Benson

QUESTION: "Where did the angels come from? Are they eternal like God, or were they made some time during the creation week?"

ANSWER: The Bible has a great deal to say about angels. Please study the following passages:

1. Angels existed before the earth was formed. God asked Job, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?...When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:4,7). Note that the sons of God shouted for joy WHEN God laid the foundations of the earth. Note also that Adam was not made until the sixth day of creation (cf. Genesis 1:26-31). Who, then were these sons of God? Without a doubt, they were angels./1

2. Angels did not exist from eternity; they were created by God. "You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things on it...the host of heaven worships you" (Nehemiah 9:6). Angels have not always been in existence; God made them along with all the host of heaven. "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts!...Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created" (Psalm 148:1,2,5). Study also Colossians 1:16,17; John 1:1-3.

3. We don't know exactly when the angels were created. "The answer to that is a deduction from studying scripture. Since angels were created, and since they were there to shout for joy when God laid the foundations of the earth, it seems a reasonable conclusion to say that angels were created sometime by God before He began the creation of the world. To go further than that is to speak where we have no authority to speak."/2

1/Rex A. Turner, Sr., "Angelology," Systematic Theology, p. 67. 2/Edward P. Myers, "The Origin and Form of Angels," A Study of Angels, p. 11.