by Barry Newton

As you read scripture, I hope that various scenes spring to life for you. For me, one of these is Jeremiah's description of the religious world in which he was engulfed.

It is sobering to fathom the dynamic in which Jeremiah lived. Politically, nationalism was on the rise since a weakened Assyria had provided Judah with the window of opportunity to assert her independence. Keeping step with this nationalistic optimism, the religious authorities had added to the momentum by their consensus that all was well. Jeremiah 23:16,17 Theirs was a positive and reaffirming message to the people, even though the hearts of the people were calloused in following their own ways. Jeremiah 23:17 It was as though the religious leaders were reading each other's books! Jeremiah 23:30 And from this inbreeding of ideas they were growing more confident each day that the vision they portrayed as coming from God was in fact to be expected from God. Jeremiah 23:26-27, 31-32

Into this wonderfully upbeat celebration marched Jeremiah wearing the proverbial placard of doom, "repent, the end is coming." His message was that of a lone wolf and a social outcast. It was the kind of message which people today often sneer at.

While each of us wants to believe that we would be different from all those sheep who blindly followed the false prophets in Jeremiah's day, would we be willing to let go of such a positive outlook, to consider the possibility that the herd might be wrong, and to honestly examine scripture? Knowing that the power of group dynamics is so strong and our desire to empower the status quo can be so enticing should compell us to carefully examine even what others might assume to be true.

It would be wonderful if someone were fortunate enough to be living at a time when the religious herd was headed down the right path. But what if it is not? What if the predominant religious ideas are what Jesus called, "the wide path that leads to destruction"? Matthew 7:13 It can be hard to walk down a narrow way especially if this means you will be traveling mostly alone down a path that goes against the torrent of books and attractive ideas which "everybody" assumes to be true.

What is the message of this article? "Examine everything carefully; hang onto what is good; abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 The thoughtful spirit of inquiry characteristic of the Bereans needs to be a part of each one of our lives. Acts 17:11 The goal is neither to be out of step with those around us nor to march in unison with them, but rather above all else to seek the approval of the Lord by loving what is true. Failure to order our values in the proper priority is a recipe for disaster. John 12:42-43; 2 Thessalonians 2:10

by Barry Newton

In the midst of making pleasant chit chat while she sat across from me at her desk, the bank clerk mused, “wouldn’t it be wonderful if we knew the future? Then we would know what to do with our money!” As the words spilled from her lips, visions of the film “Back to the Future” raced through my mind.

It’s a powerful thought. Knowing what the future holds would be potent information for guiding how to respond now. Should we invest, sit tight or sell? How might such knowledge alter our decisions? Would we choose to live more frugally at a critical moment knowing that the money saved and invested at that specific juncture would yield huge rewards later? If we could know the future, how might our lives be different?

Suddenly my thoughts changed, we do know what the future holds! One day the heavens will be split apart to reveal our Lord coming in the clouds to claim his own. Furthermore, we can know that there are rich returns for using our worldly wealth to bless others and do good! The Lord has given us the wonderful gift of knowing what will happen.

"...what sort of people must you be in dedicated behavior and godliness, as you eagerly await the coming of the day of God, ... Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, do your best to be found in him in peace, spotless and blameless, ..." 2 Peter 3:11, 12, 14

"Sell your possessions and give to charity. Make for yourselves purses that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33-34

"Command the rich in this world not to be conceited nor to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies for us all things to enjoy. Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, willing to be generous and to share, laying up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Through a window revealing the future, God has extended to us a tether to what will be. The only question is, how will we choose to use this knowledge?

by Barry Newton

Why would an ancient Israelite break God’s commandments by making an idol and by installing his own son (who may have been an Ephraimite), as his household priest? Scripture provides us with the reason. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” Judges 17:6

Although some contemporary advice would suggest “let each person discover his own path,” the biblical book of Judges records the disastrous results which ensue when everybody pursues his own ideas about what is right. Judges 18:1; 19:1; 21:25 What God’s people needed then as well as today is strong godly leadership.

Within Scripture we find God’s people floundering whenever they lacked leadership or perhaps more accurately whenever they lacked the right kind of leadership. After a brief period of glory under David and Solomon, tragically Israel's history was predominantly characterized by a rebellious character.

During the time of the divided kingdom, the history of God’s people was frequently filled with worldly leaders who showed little concern for her spiritual welfare. In one of the saddest chapters of her history, God became so frustrated with his people that he led Ezekiel to describe the departure of his glory from the temple. Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:23

Why did this happen? One cause for this was God’s people were ruined and scattered “because there was no shepherd.” Actually, there were leaders but they were not the type of shepherds God’s people needed. Unfortunately, the shepherds of Israel at that time were only concerned for themselves and not the welfare of the sheep. Ezekiel 34:2

Why They Failed

Why did God view those leaders as failing in their leadership?

• They had not strengthened those who were weak or injured. Ezekiel 34:4

• They had not searched for those who went astray and were lost. Ezekiel 34:4,6, 8

Like Ezekiel, Peter also spoke of God’s leaders as being shepherds. He encouraged the elders to take care of God’s flock which had been entrusted to their care. 1 Peter 5:2

You might be thinking, what does this have to do with me, since I am not an elder? If as a sheep you can clearly see the role of our shepherds, how clearly have you acknowledged your God-given function as a sheep? How often do the sheep contemplate what God expects of them?

Be a Good Sheep

Here’s a partial checklist for the sheep:

• Appreciate those who diligently labor among us, and who have charge over us in the Lord giving us instruction. Esteem them very highly in love because of their work. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 How often as sheep have we privately thanked our leaders and encouraged them for their leadership and service? This is one of our responsibilities as sheep.

• Be submissive and obey - this means following their lead even when I want to graze just beyond the fence. Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5 For the well-being of the flock, sometimes shepherds will need to make a decision which a few sheep may find inconvenient or they would prefer something different. One of our responsibilities is to obey, not rebel.

• Do not even listen to an accusation against an elder, unless there are two or three witnesses. 1 Timothy 5:19 This is one of our responsibilities.

• Imitate their faith as those who are leading us. Hebrews 13:7 Sheep can not be passive; we must actively seek to grow in becoming more like those who are leading us. This is one of our responsibilities.

Let’s be the shepherds and sheep God wants us to be.

by Barry Newton

Joblessness. Illnesses. Broken relationships. A victim of abuse. Various types of temptations and trials.

Satan is at work in our world as a roaring lion to destroy us. As the father of lies who appears as an angel of light, he serves up tantalizing ideas which seem reasonable and are attractive, but are deadly harpoons. To Eve, the evil one offered the enticing thought, "you will be like God knowing good and evil." At other times he has unleashed waves of trial and temptation such as he did upon Job.

Through such measures the devil desires to lead us into rebellion against the Creator, thus driving us away from God and under his insidious control. Satan sows ideas and tries to orchestrate situations to cause hopelessness and despair, bitterness and fleshly rage, self-centeredness and greed to grow within our hearts.

Who are we to stand up against such incessant forces?

Praise be to God! Praise be to His Son! Because the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world, with our Lord’s help we will be victorious if we maintain our faith. 1 John 4:4; 5:4

• God is faithful in limiting the tempter's snares to a level we can bear. He also provides a way to escape from them. 1 Corinthians 10:13

• God can keep us from falling and He will present us before his glorious presence without fault! Jude 24

• If we submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us. James 4:7

• There is nothing which can impose its will upon us to force us away from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Nothing. Romans 8:35-39

Although we are in the midst of a spiritual battle, and although the evil one controls the whole world, if we belong to God and will put on the whole armor of God, we can know that the one begotten of God has the power and authority to keep us safe. 1 John 5:18-19; Ephesians 5:10-18

If God is for us, who can be against us? Is there anything equivalent to living securely in the embrace of God?

by Barry Newton

Although this gentle and loving lady normally took pleasure in helping the downtrodden with a meal or some warm clothing, today would be different. Standing before her was a woman whose defiant eyes matched the demanding tone in her voice. “You mean I waited 5 minutes for this? Don’t you have anything better? I also really need some frozen dinners and I don’t mean those generic brand ones.”

How many times has your generosity been repaid by ungratefulness or perhaps even demands? How often have you encountered someone who thought that they deserved your gift? What did you want to tell them? Unfortunately, sometimes even husbands and wives might perceive their spouses being ungrateful. What had been given as a gift was received as though it was owed.

People are unappreciative for many different reasons but it usually stems from believing “I deserve this” or “I’ve earned this.” You can be sure that when someone believes “you owe it to me,” ingratitude is bound to creep in.

So let’s ask the real question. What do you deserve from God? Now that you have submitted your life to God, attended church on a regular basis, willingly given of your money, donated time and energy for worthy causes, helped the poor and hungry, shared Christ with family and friends, etc. What does God owe you?

Jesus taught that after you have done everything you were told to do, say, I am only an unworthy servant who has done my duty. Luke 17:10 But someone might naively object with, “does not the scriptures teach us to ‘work out our own salvation?’” (Phil. 2:12) as though this statement demands that salvation is gained through some form of works. While such a question might be sincerely motivated, it is based upon failing to understand that Paul was exhorting the saved to fulfill and live up to their divinely given role and purposes. Our salvation is a gift God makes available through Jesus. God graciously gives salvation to those who respond to the gospel with the obedience of faith. Then our purpose as those who have been saved is to do good works and bring glory to God, that is, to work out our salvation.

As regarding our response of love toward God, we might remember the principle Jesus taught, “He who is forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:47 If when we assemble to worship we will remember the true nature of our sin and that we have been thoroughly cleansed from each condemning stain, is there anything which will stand in the way of our hearts pouring forth our love and gratitude? Let’s be grateful. Let's worship God.